Job Description

Job title: 1020-373/367 Marine Sustainability Adviser (2 posts) | Grade: D | Salary £41,567 | Hours: 35 (full-time) | Vacancy type: Temporary x1 until 31 March 2029 and x1 12 months maternity cover with possibility of extension | Location: NatureScot offices, home or hybrid | Closing date: Midnight 26 July 2026 | Interview date: 13 August 2026

Marine Sustainability Adviser - Sustainable Coasts and Seas - 1 FTE - temporary to 31 March 2029) 1020-373

Marine Sustainability Adviser - Sustainable Coasts and Seas - 1 FTE – maternity leave cover for one year with possibility of extension 1020-367

Please confirm on your application which position you are applying for. Please also note on your application if you are applying for both positions.

Job Purpose Summary:

These are full-time, temporary roles within NatureScot’s Marine Energy Programme in the Sustainable Coasts & Seas Activity. The successful candidates will be part of a growing team to co-ordinate and deliver casework advice for offshore wind developments associated with ScotWind and InTOG as well other marine energy casework, all of which will help to meet Scotland’s 2045 net zero targets. Input will cover all development phases from pre-application engagement and EIA Scoping to marine / s.36 licence applications as well as Habitat Regulations Appraisal and EPS licensing. The post holder will engage with industry, Marine Directorate, Crown Estate Scotland and Local Authorities to help deliver NatureScot’s policies and priorities including Scotland’s response to the climate emergency and biodiversity crisis. The post holder will also input to the preparation of guidance and research needed to support ScotWind, InTOG and wider marine energy developments.

Working closely with other NatureScot staff, the post holder will coordinate and develop casework advice both formal and informal, written and verbal and be confident in developing solutions and / or advising on implications for preventing biodiversity loss and enhancing nature.

The post-holder will be required to contribute to the wider work of the Activity and NatureScot, including the possibility of acting as a Duty Officer working as part of the team rota for responding to marine pollution incidents.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

1. Provide constructive, solution-focused advice and support for NatureScot marine industries casework advice. This will include proposals arising from marine energy proposals, oil and gas, ports and harbours, seabed pipelines and cabling infrastructure.
2. Co-ordinate and lead in the preparation of robust, timely and clearly articulated advice for offshore wind and marine renewable development proposals and casework from pre-application to post-consent. This will involve liaising with NatureScot marine specialist and Operations colleagues to secure appropriate advice.
3. Manage correct storage of case information and advice through email, objective and MS Teams, following agreed casework processes.
4. Represent NatureScot at meetings with developers, consultees and Marine Directorate.
5. Represent NatureScot at meetings of inter-agency, government, partnership projects and similar groups relevant to the development of marine energy in Scotland.
6. Work with colleagues and partners to identify and prioritise guidance and research needs for relevant topic areas including guidance requirements for marine energy.
7. Contribute to the wider work of the Sustainable Coasts and Seas team.
8. Promote awareness of NatureScot and our marine energy work through social media, press releases and the NatureScot website.
9. The possibility of acting as a Duty Officer for marine pollution incidents, participating in the cover provided by NatureScot through an agreed rota system. (This can require work outside of normal working hours – weekends and evenings).

Skills: (Please refer to these in your Supporting Statement)

1. A degree in a relevant subject plus relevant post-graduate experience or work experience
2. A sound understanding of the marine ecology, habitats and species of Scotland and issues relating to their conservation and management.
3. Clear understanding of conservation and planning legislation relevant to Scotland’s seas and marine species
4. Ability to provide informed, clear and solution focused advice.
5. Knowledge and experience of casework advice for coastal and marine industries, relevant to Scotland, and potential interactions of these with coastal and marine habitats and species.
6. Good communication skills - clear written and verbal presentation, and ability to communicate clearly to a variety audiences.
7. Good interpersonal skills with a proven ability to work constructively and supportively in a team environment.
8. Experience of developing and maintaining positive working relationships with stakeholders, such as agencies, organisations, developers or government
9. Good interpersonal skills including excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, and excellent team working skills
10. Ability to plan and manage workloads, work to deadlines and adapt to changing priorities while balancing a high volume of reactive work
11. Ability to analyse, interpret and manage scientific information.
12. Experience of developing and maintaining positive working relationships with stakeholders, such as agencies, organisations, developers or government

Prerequisites

• Proof of right to work in UK
• To undertake a Disclosure Scotland application.
• Although Gaelic language is not a prerequisite it is a desirable skill in support of our commitment to our Gaelic Language Plan.

Working for NatureScot

NatureScot offers some great benefits to reward and support you whilst you are working for us. Our benefits package includes the civil service pension scheme, a generous holiday leave allowance plus flexi time, and employee discount scheme. Visit the NatureScot website for further details

NatureScot’s Net Zero commitment

Whether working at home or in an office, or travelling to meetings and site visits, as a NatureScot you will contribute to our Net Zero plan, for example through positive carbon travel choices.

Application Process

Application is by CV and Supporting Statement. Please ensure you have attached these documents when submitting your application.

Before applying for this post;

• Internal applicants should read the Self Service Guide (eRDMS A3155575)
• External applicants should read the Online Job Application Guide – link below
• https://www.nature.scot/doc/online-job-application-guide-naturescot

If you have previously applied for a vacancy with NatureScot you must remove the supporting statement from your profile, before uploading a new version.

Interviews

External candidates will be invited to interview if we are unable to recruit internally.

NatureScot is an inclusive workplace. We will share three interview questions for this vacancy prior to interviews as a way of supporting neurodiversity at NatureScot.

For information regarding the vacancy, please contact:

Kim McEwan, Marine Sustainability Manager.

Email: kim.mcewan@nature.scot Tel: 01463 701671

In my absence you may contact Erica Knott, Head of Marine Energy.

Email: erica.knott@nature.scot Tel: 01738 458673

For information regarding the application process please contact recruitment@nature.scot

Nature is vital to all of us, so it is vital that we are an organisation for all of Scotland. The more diverse NatureScot is, the better we will be in connecting everyone with nature. We particularly encourage applications from people from Minority Ethnic (ME) backgrounds and people with a disability.