Natural Capital Spatial Analyst

at  NatureScot

Job title: 1012-428 Natural Capital Spatial Analyst | Grade: D | Vacancy type: Full time, temporary to 31 March 2025 | Hours: 35 hours | Salary £38,242 | Location: Scotland, flexible (Home and hybrid working will be considered) | Closing date: Midday, 28 June 2024 | Internal Interview date: 16/17 July 2024 | External interview date: 30 July 2024

SKILLS (PLEASE REFER TO THESE IN YOUR SUPPORTING STATEMENT)

• Ability to use R to construct, compare, and validate spatial models.
• Ability to use R to map datasets (or complimentary GIS skills), manipulate data, and automate processes.
• Ability to use R to perform statistical analysis and visualise the results.
• An understanding of data management principles and processes, including data capture, data flows licensing and use.
• An understanding of natural capital concepts and their application, including the ability to source relevant evidence and datasets which could be used for Natural Capital Assessment and spatial mapping of ecosystem services.
• An understanding of ecosystem service modelling.
• Knowledge of the socio-economic and cultural drivers of demand for nature.
• Effective written and verbal communications, especially the ability to convey complex information clearly and confidently.
• Ability to plan and prioritise workloads and work on own initiative.
• A proven ability to work as part of a dynamic team and to collaborate with others both inside and outwith NatureScot.
• A positive and can-do attitude to work and change management
• Ability to use sound judgement to analyse complex information, identifying key and relevant issues, and developing solutions.
• Degree or other relevant/equivalent experience

JOB PURPOSE SUMMARY

Help us tackle the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change by enabling a natural capital approach to land management across Scotland. This role offers an exciting and unique opportunity to support and shape the development of our landscape-scale natural capital tool, designed to help accelerate nature recovery and bring the benefits of nature closer to people. This project is part of NatureScot’s transformative Farming with Nature Programme (FwN), previously known as the Natural Capital Pilot Programme.
The tool will be the first of its kind in Scotland and is being developed in partnership with Liverpool John Moores University. By quantifying and mapping the ecosystem services that nature provides, it will help decision makers identify opportunities and scenarios that maximize benefits for both people and nature.
The Natural Capital Spatial Analyst will be a key part of this process with responsibility for implementing and developing the models behind the tool. This will include manipulating, interpreting, and mapping spatial datasets, and establishing indicators for measuring natural capital assets and ecosystem services. Continuing with and expanding on our current co-design approach, the role will involve working closely with project partners and stakeholders to develop models and approaches that meet their needs and will support effective decision making.
We are looking for an enthusiastic and innovative individual, who will be based within the Natural Capital team and will provide support to the Natural Capital Manager and Natural Capital Tools Manager to develop and co-design the landscape scale natural capital tool.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Create and modify ecosystem services models to be integrated as part of the tool. The models are being developed iteratively as part of our codesign process and will therefore change throughout the development of the tool. The models will utilise data which span ecological, economic, environmental, and social dimensions.
• Attend and contribute to stakeholder engagement workshops to co-design the landscape scale natural capital tool. This includes giving presentations to technical and non-technical audiences, preparation of data visualisations created in R, and facilitating workshops as part of our co-design process.
• Conduct research on existing natural capital and ecosystem service mapping approaches that could aid the development of the landscape scale natural capital tool. Furthermore, this includes identifying open source datasets for integration into our models.
• Provide technical natural capital advice on the best practice natural capital approaches and methodologies which could be adopted in the development of the landscape scale natural capital tool.
• Work with colleagues in the Environmental Data and Innovative Technologies Team and Geographic Information Group to share learning, gain insights into best practices, and to adhere to our data policies. This includes determining a legacy plan for the data we use within the project.