1020-356 SMEEF Marine Enhancement Grants Officer - D Grade - April 2024

The Scottish Marine Environmental Enhancement Fund (SMEEF) is an ambitious and innovative initiative seeking to harness private finance to support delivery of marine and coastal environmental enhancement activities in Scottish waters through grant-aided projects. All sectors that use the marine or coastal environment are encouraged to make voluntary contributions to the fund, along with any other companies or individuals interested in investing in marine enhancement.

The Marine Enhancement Grants Officer is a new and important role in the Scottish Marine Environmental Enhancement Fund team. Supporting the Project Manager, the post will lead the effective delivery of SMEEF's grant programme. This will include ensuring a responsive, customer focussed service and supporting applicants to share learning from their projects. The successful candidate will also lead in developing the grants strategy and a programme for monitoring and reporting to demonstrate impact of SMEEF grants.

Hosted by NatureScot SMEEF administers the funds raised in the form of grants and strategic spending on research and other projects to support marine enhancement in Scotland. To date the programme has sourced and awarded more than £3.5m of funding. This post will expand the capacity of the team to continue this delivery and manage the new seagrass restoration fund (£2.1m) across Scotland.

The Marine Enhancement Grants Officer is a new and important role in the SMEEF team. Supporting the Project Manager, the post will lead the effective delivery of SMEEF's grant programme. This will include ensuring a responsive, customer focussed service and supporting applicants to share learning from their projects. The successful candidate will also lead in developing the grants strategy and a programme for monitoring and reporting to demonstrate impact of SMEEF grants.

This is a fast moving role. The successful candidate will be flexible in managing the busy workload as part of a small and dispersed team. As a team, we work in an environment of continuous learning and improvement., Delivering an effective grants process

• Work with the SMEEF team, and wider NatureScot teams, to ensure the effective delivery of the SMEEF grant programme including end to end management of grants.


• Manage all Grants Panel related processes and reporting including preparing robust, timely and clearly articulated papers for meetings, leading discussions, and reporting back recommendations to the Steering Group.


• Develop the SMEEF grant strategy for consideration by the SMEEF Steering Group and Grants Panel.


Monitoring and reporting

• Develop and manage an appropriate monitoring and reporting programme for SMEEF taking into account social, economic, environmental and wellbeing impacts of the programme.

+ Coordinate the monitoring of grant outputs and outcomes to report on the delivery of targets and achievements.
+ Lead on the ecological monitoring and analysing project outcomes.
+ Work closely with the SMEEF Manager, Finance Officer and Coordinator to ensure effective reporting to donors and the public about SMEEF related outcomes.
+ Prepare information for regular reporting and in response to information requests for example from Scottish Government and FOI process.
+ Working in an environment of continuous learning and improvement, highlight opportunities for process improvement and change, and where appropriate, assist in the review, implementation and development of associated guidance.

Engagement and outreach

• Represent SMEEF at meetings e.g. with potential and existing grant recipients.


• Develop the capacity of grant recipients through coordinating monitoring of outputs and the identification and sharing of best practice.


• Coordinate any contact, advisory or other information networks related to funding streams.


• Be the liaison point for relevant NatureScot and Scottish Government marine enhancement teams as well as external advisors including the MASTS network., 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. You will aim to minimise travel in accordance with NatureScot's low carbon operating procedures. However, you will, in some circumstances, be expected to work with colleagues and stakeholders from across Scotland, which will involve some travel and may involve overnight stays.
  
  An excellent understanding of Scottish coastal and marine ecology, habitats and species, and issues relating to their conservation and use, with specific reference to marine enhancement.


• Ability to understand, interpret/challenge and manage ecological data and reporting.


• Knowledge and experience in the assessment and management of ecological/environmental/marine projects and grants.


• Ability to use sound judgement and analyse complex information, identifying key and relevant issues, including risk management.


• Good understanding of performance measurement and evaluation of benefits


• Excellent communication skills with ability to communicate clearly to a variety of audiences; and to provide informed, clear and insightful reports and advice.


• Proven ability to plan and manage workloads, work to deadlines and adapt to changing priorities.


• Strong interpersonal skills with a proven ability to work constructively and supportively with a wide range of sectors to foster good relations and encourage actions by others.


• A degree in a relevant subject or other equivalent relevant experience.


Prerequisites Required

• Proof of right to work in UK.


• 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
  
  NatureScot offers some great benefits to reward and support you whilst you are working for us. Our benefits package includes the civil service pension scheme, a generous holiday leave allowance plus flexi time, and employee discount scheme. Visit the NatureScot website for further details.