Job title: 1012- 420 Farm Biodiversity Project Officer| Grade: D | Vacancy type: Full time, temporary to 31 March 2027 | Hours: 35 hours | Location: Scotland, flexible (Home and hybrid working will be considered) | Closing date: 28th August 2025 | Internal Interviews: 11th September 2025 | External Interviews: 25th September 2025

SKILLS (PLEASE REFER TO THESE IN YOUR SUPPORTING STATEMENT)

We are looking for:

• Ecological knowledge, particularly a good understanding of the range of habitats found on farm and croft land across Scotland, their management requirements from a biological perspective and the impacts and pressures of agricultural activity.
• Aptitude in modern digital technology with experience or knowledge of using websites and apps in a rural context; the ability to communicate this understanding to all levels of digital users.
• Good IT skills including use of spreadsheets and project management tools.
• Excellent organisational and time management skills with the ability to effectively prioritise and manage workload in a fast moving and agile project including task delegation, and an ability to respond and react quickly to deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills, verbal and written, including visualisation and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate effectively between different audiences and adapt language accordingly.
• Experience of working with a range of stakeholders representing the environment and land use sectors, and the ability to work collaboratively within a dispersed team.
• Ability to use sound judgement to analyse complex information, identifying key issues, taking account of different opinions and developing solutions.

As a member of the Farm Biodiversity Project team, you will be line managed by the Farm Biodiversity Project Manager. Areas of work may include any from the range that are outlined below dependent on your experience, skills and strengths and how you will contribute to the overall team.

• Reviewing and developing content for the Measure step – simple assessments that farmers can use to measure the value of the habitats on their farm for biodiversity
• Input into the development of the Manage step and keeping up to date with management options and agriculture policy changes
• Giving advice and support to farmers/crofters testing the Biodiversity Audit
• Receiving feedback from participants, and with other team members, undertaking some ground-truthing of habitat mapping and assessments
• Providing advice and support to other members of NatureScot on the Project and the use of Farm Biodiversity Scotland
• Input to the results and reporting for the testing, including report writing and dissemination of data collated
• Liaising with external partners and stakeholders to provide updates and communications on the project
• Providing feedback directly to the Farm Biodiversity Project Manager and wider team on the progress of the project
• Developing the guidance to support farmers undertaking the Biodiversity Audit themselves

JOB PURPOSE SUMMARY

This role is an exciting opportunity to join NatureScot’s Farming with Nature team to support the Farm Biodiversity Project. A biodiversity audit is a key part of the development of sustainable farming support under the Scottish Government’s Agricultural Reform Programme, and one of the elements required as part of the Whole Farm Plan. The project aims to create a simple and easy to use farm biodiversity auditing, planning and management process, which could be completed by any farmer or crofter using a digital tool. The process involves four main steps – to Map, Measure, Manage and Monitor habitats and species. Under the project, we are working closely with farmers and crofters to explore the support they need to undertake this.
The Farm Biodiversity Scotland mobile app and web platform (otherwise known as FarmBioScot) is a flagship digital tool designed to help farmers and crofters audit, plan and manage biodiversity on their land. It is owned by NatureScot and free to use for farmers and crofters. We have developed and are piloting the first steps of the project (Map - baseline habitat mapping, and Measure - habitat condition assessment) with farmers and crofters using FarmBioScot. Further development will be required to take account of testing to date, and to develop and pilot the remaining steps through the app and web platform.
Your role will be instrumental in supporting this work with other NatureScot staff and external stakeholders. You will be working as part of a dispersed team of 6 Project Officers to provide key project support. The work will be a blend of testing Map and Measure functions already within the app and developing work for the Manage and Monitor steps. This is a fast-paced project, working in an agile style as we develop a Biodiversity Audit in response to Scottish Government agricultural reform and industry approaches.
Location is flexible - either in a NatureScot office or being home based, but you must be prepared to travel to central locations for project meetings, or for occasional farm visits. Job sharing is possible. A level of flexibility is expected to work across other Farming with Nature tasks if needed.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

As a member of the Farm Biodiversity Project team, you will be line managed by the Farm Biodiversity Project Manager. Areas of work may include any from the range that are outlined below dependent on your experience, skills and strengths and how you will contribute to the overall team.

• Reviewing and developing content for the Measure step – simple assessments that farmers can use to measure the value of the habitats on their farm for biodiversity
• Input into the development of the Manage step and keeping up to date with management options and agriculture policy changes
• Giving advice and support to farmers/crofters testing the Biodiversity Audit
• Receiving feedback from participants, and with other team members, undertaking some ground-truthing of habitat mapping and assessments
• Providing advice and support to other members of NatureScot on the Project and the use of Farm Biodiversity Scotland
• Input to the results and reporting for the testing, including report writing and dissemination of data collated
• Liaising with external partners and stakeholders to provide updates and communications on the project
• Providing feedback directly to the Farm Biodiversity Project Manager and wider team on the progress of the project
• Developing the guidance to support farmers undertaking the Biodiversity Audit themselves.