Ornithology Team Lead in Appropriate Assessment Reporting

Organisation Description:

The Marine Institute is the national agency responsible for marine research, technology, development and innovation (RTDI). The Marine Institute seeks to assess and realise the economic potential of Ireland’s 220-million-acre marine resource; promote the sustainable development of marine industry through strategic funding programmes and scientific services; and safeguard the marine environment through research and environmental monitoring. The Institute works in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DAFM) and a network of other Government Departments, semi-state agencies, national and international marine partners.

Summary of the Role:

The Team Leader (TL) for the Appropriate Assessment reporting for Aquaculture and Fisheries in the Benthos Ecology Unit (BEU) will be responsible for the following:

Project management for executing several advisory functions relating to shellfish and finfish aquaculture licensing on the foreshore and in Natura 2000 sites. 

Managing the processes for procuring and managing ornithology monitoring and research and overseeing contracts which are annually required to address monitoring and research questions specifically as they relate to shellfish and finfish aquaculture.  

Technical familiarity of seabird/shorebird ecology and risk assessment method and broad frameworks 

Production of a number of report types ranging from Appropriate Assessment (AA) reports (i.e., risk assessments relating to Natura 2000 SCI marine habitats and species), to internal memorandums, to grey literature reports, to scientific publications. 

Provision of general environmental advisory support to the MEFSS team and the MI broadly and participation in relevant MI Matrix teams established to fulfil MI strategic and operational goals.

Please read a detailed job description here 

Educational and Professional Requirements:

• Minimum of an honours Degree in a relevant subject in the area of marine, environmental, biological sciences. 
• A minimum of three years of post-qualification work experience in the area of environmental monitoring, research or advice with particular emphasis on seabird/shorebird ecology.
• Broad knowledge of Environmental Risk Analysis Frameworks.
• Experience of working with relevant environmental data sources and technical documents which may form the basis of risk analysis.
• Demonstrated knowledge of relevant National and EU legislation; to include, Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 1997 (as amended) and associated Regulations; Environmental Impact Directive 2014/15/EU, Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC, Birds Directive 79/409/EEC and, European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate science based knowledge effectively to a range of audiences in both written and oral formats.
• Experience in project development, implementation, management and delivery – including financial management with effective governance, procurement, budgeting and reporting.
• A high level of computer literacy including the use of standard MS Office software packages.
• Report Writing Skills to include a demonstrated ability to review technical documents.
• A demonstrated ability to organise and conduct field work including research at sea aboard a variety of boats and research vessels.
• A full clean Driving License.
• Willingness to attend meetings in Ireland and abroad.

Duration of Contract:

This temporary specified purpose contract of employment will run for up to 4 years. The successful candidate will be on probation for the first 12 (twelve) months of this contract.

How to Apply:

A C.V. and letter of application, summarising experience and skill set applicable to the position should be emailed to recruitment@marine.ie or posted to Human Resources at the Marine Institute, Rinville, Oranmore, Galway. All correspondence for this post should quote reference MEFS/TL/ORN/AA/SEP2023
 
Closing date for Applications:

All applications for this post should be received by the Marine Institute in advance of 12 noon on the 11th of October 2023. Unfortunately, late applications cannot be accepted.

Use of data- all personal data and the information submitted for this application will be used solely for the purpose of this campaign, after which it will be deleted in line with our data and documents policy. All information will be treated with the strictest confidence and accessed only by those involved directly in the campaign.

The Marine Institute is an organisation that champions Diversity, Inclusion & Equality for all. We encourage and welcome applications from anyone interested in this role. 

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