CITES licensing Assistant 2023107

Why JNCC?

We’re small enough (c.290 staff) that your voice is heard by everyone including the CEO, but big enough that we have all the skills, resources and people you’ll need to get the job done. All our staff are passionate about conservation and making a difference to the world we live in. We have a very flexible, inclusive and welcoming organisational culture. Our Executive Management provides employees with the freedom and tools you will need, and our friendly team will assist you in your role.  
 
JNCC is committed to maintaining employee health and wellbeing, whether it is physically, emotionally, financially or socially, and offers a range of benefits to support employees in this. Such benefits include the option to join the Civil Service Pension Scheme, professional and personal development opportunities as well as an exciting job in a unique environment.  

Short Summary: Post background

The International Advice team provides, amongst other things, advice across the range of multi-lateral environmental agreements (MEAs) to which the UK is Party, including the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora (CITES), the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Convention on Migratory Species. Our experts regularly form part of UK delegations at international meetings and engage with other international programmes and capacity-building initiatives. Our work at an international scale is developing. Drawing on our experience of working in the UK and Overseas Territories we are applying our expertise and knowledge elsewhere to facilitate sustainable use of the natural environment at a global scale.

JNCC are appointed by the Secretary of State (Defra) as the UK’s CITES Scientific Authority (fauna). Our legal obligations under CITES are currently implemented through European Union (EU) Wildlife Trade Regulations as EU retained law; as incorporated in UK law. 

The post holder will assist in delivering our duties which include advising the UK CITES Management Authorities (Defra & the Animal & Plant Health Agency) on issues related to the implementation of CITES.

Post Duties 

Duties will principally involve advising on applications for permits issued by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (on behalf of Defra, the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government and the Northern Ireland Executive) for the import, export and commercial use of CITES-regulated species. 
    
On appointment the post-holder will undertake a short period (c.6 weeks) of training (a combination of in-person and virtual sessions) during which they will develop their knowledge of CITES statutes, UK regulations, licensing procedures, decision-making and Evidence Quality Assurance processes, etc.  At the end of this period, they will be expected to be able to advise on the more straightforward permit applications without recourse to colleagues but will also be able to identify those applications that warrant referral to colleagues.  
    
Other duties will include carrying out desk top research to support sustainability assessments and CITES implementation as well as providing support to the wider International team on a range of MEAs, and related international work. 

The post holder will:

• Advise APHA on individual CITES licence applications and ensure advice is based on sound scientific evidence with appropriate levels of peer review. This involves assessing the application, applying detailed knowledge of the legislation governing trade and commercial use, undertaking research of scientific literature, and in some instances, consulting other CITES Parties and/or knowledgeable specialists, and also determining existing and past levels of trade.

• Undertake desktop studies and research to assist in CITES implementation – covering specific topics or groups of applications, for example determining the importance of captive breeding in ensuring sustainable trade in a particular group of species or assessing whether levels of trade may be becoming unsustainable.

• Collate and review specific information on international trade in endangered species to assist in the preparation of briefings for senior team members and contribute to JNCC advice to Defra for meetings of the Conference of Parties and other CITES Committees.  This briefing will require research, analysis and decision-making.

• Provide support to enforcement authorities responsible for enforcing CITES regulations (including: Police, UK Border Force, National Wildlife Crime Unit & HM Wildlife Inspectors). This may include the provision of prompt advice on scientific aspects of CITES to assist them in their enforcement role and/or assistance with re-homing an of seized specimens.

• Contribute generally to the wider work of the International advice team as required, including the provision of advice on issues related to international biodiversity, or assist colleagues in the wider International advice team to meet their project targets.

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions

We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Educated to degree level or have an equivalent qualification in a relevant subject and/or relevant recent practical work experience that provides the following knowledge, experience, and behaviours.
• Knowledge and understanding of animal taxonomy, ecology and population biology, and of conservation policy and practice
• Knowledge and understanding of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (especially CITES) and issues relating to sustainable use of wildlife and wildlife trade
• Knowledge of the UK Wildlife Trade Regulations.
• Ability to learn, recall and apply the complex requirements of CITES and the UK Regulations (or any future Statutory Instrument) that govern the work of the Scientific and other CITES Authorities.

JNCC is committed to creating an environment where everyone feels valued and respected and see this as a good place to work. JNCC has a responsibility to ensure that we have an inclusive culture where discrimination, harassment, bullying and prejudice will not be tolerated. Our selection process is determined on fair and open competition and regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership.

Continuous professional development (CPD)

Employees are encouraged to keep developing skills and professional knowledge.
JNCC has made available, and encourages employees to use, on average, five working days per annum for CPD activities with access to related funding

Leave entitlement

JNCC annual leave allowance is 25 days per annum. After five years’ service, leave entitlement increases to 30 days per annum.
In addition to annual leave, JNCC offers 12 public and privilege days per annum, three of which are explicitly reserved for office closure between Christmas and New Year.

Work/life balance

JNCC supports flexible working hours and practices to help employees strike a good balance between work life and personal life.

Our policies are family-friendly and include flexi-time, flexible working patterns, compressed hours and dispersed working. JNCC also offers paid maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave, over and above the minimum statutory entitlements. Some work/life balance benefits are available following a minimum length of service.

Any move from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/

Civil Service Pension

Employees will have the opportunity to join Civil Service pension arrangements, which include a valuable range of benefits. JNCC makes a significant contribution to the cost of employee pensions.

Employee Assistance Programme

JNCC provides employees with a free and confidential support service which gives unlimited access to information, advice and emotional support to help employees prepare for and manage all of life’s ups and downs, events and challenges.

Trade Union

JNCC has entered into a partnership agreement with its recognised Trade Unions: Prospect and PCS, which employees are able to join and be involved with.

Salary sacrifice schemes

Employee Discount Scheme

Civil Service Sports Club

Job contact :

• Name : Recruitment Team
• Email : recruitment@jncc.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment@jncc.gov.uk