Head of Woodland Regulations

Government Recruitment Service; York and North Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A governmental organization in York is seeking a leader for its Forestry Commission's woodland regulation efforts. The role involves managing a team, ensuring regulatory compliance, and engaging with various stakeholders. Ideal candidates will have experience in regulatory practices, leadership, and effective communication. This position offers an opportunity to influence and innovate within the forestry sector.

Qualifications

• Experience in managing teams and partnerships in a regulatory context.
• Ability to lead reviews of statutory and regulatory practices.
• Strong communication skills for internal and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Regulations team to ensure clarity and effectiveness.
• Ensure compliant implementation of all regulatory workloads.
• Identify and manage resources for statutory and regulatory duties.

Skills

Leadership

Regulatory knowledge

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Relevant degree or equivalent experience

Job description

Overview

The purpose of the job is to lead the Forestry Commission’s regulation of woodland creation and woodland management activity, helping create well managed woodland in the right place, for the right reasons. In doing so, to ensure the regulatory approach is robust, streamlined, clearly communicated and innovative.

The post will work closely with Forestry Commission and Defra leads to ensure the implementation of grants and regulations work complement each other. Ensure we consult appropriately, and we clearly communicate with internal and external stakeholders, making robust decisions which can withstand public scrutiny.

Lead reviews of current statutory and regulatory practices to identify innovative and streamlined ways of regulating woodland creation and management. Take forwards any resulting changes in legislation, regulation or policy that may be introduced, particularly in light of the recent Corry review.

Ensure timely and compliant implementation of all regulatory and enforcement workloads by the Regulations team and ensure the integrity of the UK Forestry Standard (UKFS) is maintained in all regulations. Support the team resilience in the sometimes contested and adversarial regulatory and enforcement environment.

Work closely with Forestry Commission and Defra leads to ensure the implementation of grants and regulations work complement each other, we consult appropriately, and we clearly communicate with internal and external stakeholders, making robust decisions which can withstand public scrutiny.

Lead reviews of current statutory and regulatory practices to identify innovative and streamlined ways of regulating woodland creation and management, and take forwards any resulting changes in legislation, regulation or policy that may be introduced, particularly in light of the recent Corry review.

Identify, recruit, and manage resources needed to implement the Forestry Commission’s statutory and regulatory duties.

Ensure the Forestry Commission maintains good working relations with Defra, Natural England, Environment Agency, and other public bodies, and with forestry and environmental NGOs.

KEY WORK AREAS:

Key Work Area 1 - Managing People and Partnerships

• Lead the Regulations team to ensure clear direction and a thriving, resilient team culture.
• Line manage and ensure good performance of four Regulations team managers (PB3) and ensure good performance across the Regulations Team.
• Deliver business objectives by ensuring operational capacity and capability through recruitment and management of resources, training and change implementation. Ensure health safety, and wellbeing of the Regulations team.
• Maintain strong and effective working networks with all staff groups across Forestry Commission, Defra Group, and forestry and eNGO stakeholders, updating them on the implementation of regulatory and enforcement activity.
• Contribute to the development and function of the Delivery Advisory Group.
• Deputise for Head of National Grants and Regulations as required.

Key Work Area 2 - Implementation of Regulations

• Ensure the integrity of the UK Forestry Standard (UKFS) is maintained in all regulatory and enforcement decisions.
• Ensure we consult appropriately and communicate clearly with internal and external stakeholders and make robust decisions which can withstand public scrutiny.
• Ensure effective and efficient operation of compliant regulatory and enforcement processes to support delivery of government targets and Forestry Commission statutory duties, corporate indicators, and Charter targets.
• Ensure FC staff are aware of priorities and procedures and access to accurate regulatory guidance.

Key Work Area 3 - Regulatory reform

• Working closely with Defra, lead work to identify, consult on and take forwards any resulting changes that may be needed to the current legislation, regulation, policy, and or business process, to develop and deliver new or changed Statutory Instruments or Acts or ways of working.
• Work closely with other teams to ensure the grants and regulations work complement each other and ensure the integrity of the UK Forestry Standard (UKFS) is maintained in regulatory developments. In doing so:

Key Work Area 4 - Business Management, System Change and Corporate Contributions

• Identify and contribute to the change to Forestry Commission’s systems and processes to support efficient and transparent regulatory systems and decisions.
• Input into Spending Review processes, FS strategy development and implementation, and business planning.
• Input into monthly In Year Monitoring Reporting working with Management Accounting colleagues.
• Play your part as a member of the Forestry Commission’s wider Senior Leadership, including periodically leading Senior Leadership Forums and periodically supporting wider HR casework investigations.