1012-391 Peatland Action Programme Officer - Governance and Project Management

NatureScot; Scotland; Remote; GBP 38,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

NatureScot is seeking a Peatland Action Programme Officer specializing in governance and project management. This role involves coordinating the Peatland Programme, managing a team, and collaborating with the Scottish Government on peatland restoration initiatives. Candidates should possess strong project management skills, financial planning expertise, and the ability to work within a dynamic team environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in program and project management.
• Proficiency in financial planning and budget management.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage Peatland Programme governance and coordination.
• Support strategic planning and operational management.
• Lead team to achieve project objectives.

Skills

Project Management

Data Analysis

Risk Management

Finance Management

Communication

Staff Leadership

Tools

Excel

Job description

1012-391 Peatland Action Programme Officer - Governance and Project Management

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Job title: 1012-391 Peatland Programme Officer – Governance and Project Management | Grade: D | Hours: 35 | Salary: £38,616 - £42,906 | Vacancy type: Permanent | Location: Flexible | Closing date: 16 July 2025 | Internal Interviews: 5 August 2025; External Interviews: 19 August 2025.

Job Purpose Summary

The purpose of this post is to contribute to the effective Peatland Programme governance and coordination, with a particular focus on business planning through development of a Peatland Programme Plan, reporting/risk supervision and management of the Governance and Coordination Team.

The post is part of the Peatland ACTION Management Group and has a key role in supporting the Head of Peatland Programme and Strategy in aspects of governance and project management in the evolving/expanding NatureScot Peatland Programme. Through this, the post will have the opportunity to influence the future operating model for peatland restoration in Scotland and will have regular contact with the Scottish Government teams working on peatland strategy and delivery.

The post manages a team of 4 providing a central Peatland governance and coordination service.

The post covers the whole of Scotland and will require the ability to travel independently, as public transport is not always available. The travel is primarily to meetings, workshops etc. On limited occasions, this may require travel that necessitates nights away from home.

Context

NatureScot’s Peatland programme delivers actions to care for Scotland’s peatlands. It is integral to the government’s determination for peatland protection, restoration and management to reduce carbon emissions and contribute wider benefits for biodiversity, water management and green growth. The Peatland Programme covers the requirements under the Scottish Government ring-fenced Peatland ACTION support for restoration and the wider NatureScot work on valuing, protecting and managing peatlands.

NatureScot has dual role on Peatland ACTION:

• providing leadership on shared services/business solutions across all five Peatland ACTION delivery partners (NatureScot, the two National Park Authorities, Forestry & Land Scotland and Scottish Water); and,
• increasing the pace/scale of peatland restoration projects on the ground.

The NatureScot Peatland ACTION role is expanding in support of the government’s 10 year, £250m, commitment for restoration. It has an annual budget of ~£20m and comprises over 60 posts employed/supported by NatureScot.

The post holder will support the Head of Peatland Programme and Strategy in providing strategic direction, tactical guidance and operational management in a rapidly expanding peatland restoration sector. It is involved in programme governance, resource planning and management, and has a key role in liaising with and reporting to the NatureScot Peatland Programme Governance Board and the Scottish Government’s Peatland governance arrangements.

The main duties and responsibilities are:

Coordination and alignment

• Lead updating/monitoring/reporting of the Peatland Programme Plan for 2025/26 and development of a new Plan for 2026/27 that: meets new Corporate Plan commitments; captures all NatureScot peatland actions; and is aligned with the evolving Scottish Government Peatland ACTION 5 Year Plan.
• Support the Head of Peatland Programme and Strategy to: prepare and monitor the NatureScot Peatland Activity Delivery Plan and associated business plan requirements; develop and maintain close working with NatureScot Areas and Activities; and effectively manage change, including input to the Peatland ACTION Conversation on Change and the evolving NatureScot Change Partner process.
• Support the Peatland ACTION Management Group by programming agendas, contributing to discussion and coordinating discharge of actions arising.
• Support Peatland ACTION Management Group to update and refine process maps for key activities in the Programme Plan.
• Lead and coordinate the management, monitoring, promotion and improvement of best practice on Health and Safety within Peatland ACTION and as part of the NatureScot Health & Safety Forum
• Coordinate preparation of responses to Freedom of Information (FOI) requests.

Monitoring success

• Further develop and deliver a robust reporting framework for programme, project, risk and audit requirements, with a focus on delivery milestones, and annual targets.

Managing resources

• Working alongside the NatureScot Business Support Accountant and Peatland ACTION Assistant Accountant, ensure financial planning and monitoring and probity through preparation, management and monitoring of Peatland Programme budget.
• Prepare reports for, and where appropriate, attend monthly liaison meetings with the Scottish Government Peatland Team.
• Contribute to and support NatureScot’s input to the Scottish Government Peatland ACTION 5 Year Plan and supporting business case.
• Help the Head of Peatland Programme and Strategy, and in liaison with Scottish Government, to develop a more collective approach to delivering the Peatland ACTION Partnership Plan for restoration in Scotland by all Partners. This will include supporting the delivery of a Peatland ACTION Partnership Forum.
• Provide secretariat support, agenda programming, and reporting for the NatureScot Peatland ACTION Governance Board.
• Manage the Governance and Coordination Team – a team of 4 providing a central Peatland governance and coordination service. This will include supporting the team in continuous improvement, development and delivery of the coordination and governance service and processes.
• Lead the forward planning of the Governance and Coordination team programme of work including budget and staff resource planning.
• Manage projects and commissioned research, and prepare option/business appraisals, to help the Head of Peatland Programme and Strategy explore and assess other delivery models that can support an expanded programme of Peatland Restoration in Scotland.
• Provide support and advice on procurement processes including the use of Public Contracts Scotland and compliance with Best Value requirements.

Prerequisites Required:

• 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.
• Applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK and resident in Scotland for the duration of the job contract

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

• Programme, project, data and risk analysis, management and governance.
• Finance and budget management, with proficiency in excel;
• Knowledge of Best Value requirements and procurement processes.
• Ability to plan and prioritise workloads.
• Staff leadership and management.
• Excellent communication skills, both written verbal and visual, including knowledge of audiences and appropriate delivery techniques.
• Experience of preparing briefings and/or papers for Board and/or Management Team information, discussion or decisions.
• Ability to resolve problems, including assessment of options and the use of novel and innovative techniques.
• Comfort with operating in a dynamic team working environment with an ability to learn and adapt to new circumstances, and work collaboratively.

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

Before applying for this post:

• internal applicants should read the Self Service Guide (eRDMS A3155575)
• External applicants should read the Online Job Application Guide

All Applicants please note if you have already applied for a vacancy on Fusion please ensure you remove the supporting statement saved in your profile and upload your new supporting statement.

Interviews

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

For information regarding the vacancy please contact

Peter Hutchinson, Peatland Action Programme Manager

Email: [e-mail]

Working with NatureScot – What we offer you

Please visit https://www.nature.scot/about-naturescot/working-and-volunteering-us/what-we-offer-you for information regarding some great benefits to reward and support you whilst you are working for us.

Nature is vital to us all, so it's important that NatureScot represents the people of Scotland. The more diverse our workforce is, the more effectively we can connect everyone with nature. We encourage applications from candidates of all ages and genders, people from ethnic minority groups, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQ+ community.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Project Management and Administrative

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