Indicators Analyst - Woodlands for Wales

The purpose of role is to assist Welsh Government (WG) officials in the development and assessment of objective and measurable indicators to monitor progress towards key objectives published in the Woodlands for Wales: strategy, GOV.WALES, and to develop and collect metrics for the National Forest for Wales, GOV.WALES.
Since 2009, 2023 indicators have been used to record changes in the area and nature of Welsh woodlands and trees, while also monitoring the goods and services which woodlands and trees can provide (see Woodlands for Wales indicators: April 2017 to March 2018, GOV.WALES). These indicators have recently been reviewed, and the revised suite will be further developed and reported on by the postholder. The indicators will be used to underpin Official Statistics including information on woodland area, trees outside of woodlands, new planting, biodiversity, economic output, and the use of woodlands for recreation. The postholder will work closely with named individuals in the Welsh Government Forestry Policy team as well as staff in Natural Resources Wales and potentially also with external stakeholders., We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
+ Seeing the Big Picture
+ Making Effective Decisions
+ Working Together
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
+ Seeing the Big Picture, This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
Sift will take place on 12 November 2024
Interviews are planned to take place week commencing 18 November 2024
If we receive a large volume of applications, then we will sift on Experience/Technical Expertise and the Lead Behaviour, Seeing the Big Picture. However, candidates will be expected to answer questions on all behaviours listed at the interview stage.
Candidates who are judged to be a near miss at interview may be considered for other positions in Forest Research which may be at a lower grade but have a potential skills match.
Diverse perspectives and experiences are critical to our success and we welcome applications from all people from all backgrounds with the experience and skills needed to perform this role.
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
+ UK nationals
+ nationals of the Republic of Ireland
+ nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
+ individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
+ Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

+ Degree, or equivalent experience, in forestry, ecology, land-use sciences or a related discipline
+ Demonstrable skills in the synthesis and interpretation of ecological, forestry or land-use data
+ Competent use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
+ Good standard of verbal and written communication
+ Competent IT user with experience of MS Office packages
+ We require the applicant to have a full current driving licence that enables them to drive in the UK. We will consider any proposals that would allow applicants to do the job by other means
Desirable Criteria:
+ A working knowledge of the UK Forestry Standard
+ Fieldwork experience in woodland settings

Want to work at the cutting edge of environmental science? Passionate about making a difference and playing your part in tackling the climate and nature crisis? Forest Research (FR) is all about giving top quality evidence and advice to policymakers and practitioners to make a positive impact on the ground. Internationally recognised, we need people who have the skills and passion to work on excellent science and provide practical solutions for nature.
We’re small enough that your voice is heard, yet large enough, as part of the Forestry Commission, that we have everything on hand to get the job done, as well as a variety of career pathways. Our staff are dedicated to their work and sharing it with others to bring positive change for our natural environment. With locations across the UK, you will find us a flexible and inclusive employer who promotes agile working to help you manage your work life balance. If you want to be a part of a growing organisation that makes a difference, find out more at Homepage - Forest Research
FR in Wales is seeking to appoint an Indicators Analyst - Woodlands for Wales on a 24-month fixed-term appointment. The job involves developing objective indicators to assess the success of the Welsh Government’s Woodlands for Wales Strategy.
FR has had a GB-wide remit for over 100 years and has had research and support staff living and working in Wales for much of that time. FR in Wales was first formally recognised as a unit in 2008, complementing activities undertaken at the main facilities at Alice Holt in England and the Northern Research Station in Scotland. FR staff in Wales work collaboratively with officials in Welsh Government and Natural Resources Wales, and typically interact closely with other FR staff within the three FR Centres: the Centre for Forest Protection, the Centre for Forest Management and the centre for Inventory, Forecasting and Operational Support.

Alongside your salary of £29,863, Forestry Commission - Forest Research contributes £8,651 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Your career
+ Excellent professional development opportunities which are tailored to your role, with paid professional membership subscriptions, mentoring, and Civil Service Learning available to all
+ access to world class laboratory facilities, as well as state of the art buildings within forest or science park settings.
Your work/life balance
+ flexible working options such as: up to two days flexi leave per month, blended working, part-time working, paid special leave, career breaks, and unpaid leave. Parents and carers will be supported to enable you to manage work and family responsibilities
+ A generous annual leave allowance of 25 days on entry increasing by 1 day each year to a maximum of 30 days (pro-rata for part-timers). Plus 2.5 days of additional leave and 8 days’ paid bank/public holidays.
Your wellbeing
+ A culture which promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment
+ A range of wellbeing benefits including Employee Assistance Programme 24/7
+ We want you to feel part of something bigger and we encourage a community feel in our workplaces, with everything from cookery competitions to Pilates and fell running, plus topical talks at Wellbeing Wednesdays and Feelgood Fridays
+ Paid volunteering leave of 3 days per year so you can give back to your community and charitable causes by sharing your skills and time.
Your benefits
+ a highly competitive Civil Service Pension of 28.97% your salary
+ an employee benefits scheme offering discounts on groceries, gym memberships, holidays, days out, online retailers and high street shops
+ Cycle to Work scheme and Interest free loans
+ With maternity, adoption, and/or shared parental leave there’s the flexibility to have up to 26 weeks full pay, followed by 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid leave. Paternity leave of up to two weeks is available with full pay.
Any move to Forest Research 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/.