Biodiversity Lead

The London Borough of Waltham Forest is seeking a Biodiversity Lead to join its Climate Team. This role involves developing and leading biodiversity initiatives, embedding nature recovery into decision-making, and collaborating with various teams to enhance ecological outcomes. The candidate should have expertise in biodiversity, experience in urban settings, and strong leadership skills. The position is based in London and supports the council's Climate Action Plan.
About the role:

We’re looking for an experienced biodiversity professional to join Waltham Forest’s Climate Team to help deliver the council’s vision for a more equitable and greener borough.

In the role of Biodiversity Lead you will develop and lead a varied programme of work to deliver nature recovery in Waltham Forest and embed biodiversity into decision making, working closely with different teams to inspire action across a range of service areas.

As our technical expert on biodiversity and nature recovery you will also be responsible for overseeing monitoring and reporting against the council’s new statutory duties in the Environment Act and for strategically supporting our planning team to ensure Biodiversity Net Gain delivers genuine benefits for nature in the borough.

Climate Action is a top Council priority, as set out in the 2022 Climate Action Plan to dramatically reduce the carbon emissions in our borough. This is a huge challenge, but we have strong political support and a clear plan of action. Sitting within a new Climate Team this role is an essential addition to the team – to ensure effective implementation of projects and strategies to boost biodiversity, and to ensure nature-based solutions are central to the delivery of the Climate Action Plan.

>> Click here to download the Role Profile <<

Key Responsibilities:
• You will influence change across the organisation and lead the way in sustaining real positive change for nature and residents’ access to it
• Provide expertise to collate evidence to support new biodiversity strategies such as a Local Nature Recovery Plan and statutory reports.
• Strong leadership and vision will help you initiate and drive complex programmes and projects, such as those set out in the Council’s 2022 Climate Action Plan.
• Championing a strong matrix working approach – working closely with key teams: Climate Emergency, Neighbourhoods: Parks and Open Spaces, Strategic Planning and Design, Housing, Area Regeneration Teams and Regeneration and Sustainability.
• Implement and support effective participatory strategies for land management, working closely with external partners and engaging communities and diverse interest groups.

Qualifications and Requirements:
• Biodiversity and Climate Action: You are passionate about biodiversity outcomes, with experience working within the broad context of political declarations on climate action and nature recovery targets
• Sustaining positive change: Demonstrate successful, collaborative and sustainable approaches within challenging urban settings and in organisations with both policy& land management responsibilities.
• Successful track record: Be effective at delivering projects and innovating to break down barriers, learn & continually improve outcomes, including building positive relationships with key stakeholders and partners
• Policy awareness: Possess an in-depth understanding of Biodiversity Net Gain, and experience of developing or delivering policies to enhance ecological value within new developments. Be aware of the statutory duties Local Authorities have in relation to biodiversity and how these can be met in urban environments.
• Influential communicator: Strong people leadership skills to influence and inspire people. Desirable to have experience in building excellent relationships with Senior Managers and Members.
• Be the expert: Able to share your in-depth knowledge of biodiversity policy and practice in a relevant way across the council to achieve the integration of biodiversity within corporate priorities and policies.

Qualifications:
• Educated to degree level or equivalent standard. Desirable to have Full membership of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) or be eligible for this.

Terms and conditions:
• The below terms and conditions apply to this role:
• Satisfactory employment references and CIFAS identity checks;
• Satisfactory declaration of interest;
• This post is politically restricted therefore the post holder is disqualified from undertaking certain political activities under the Local Government Officers (Political Restrictions) Regulations 1990.

As a public authority, we must ensure that members of staff in public-facing roles are able to speak fluent English. This means that they must have a command of spoken English, with confidence and accuracy, sufficient for the effective performance of their role. This requirement does not refer to any particular English language qualifications, regional or international accents, dialects, speech impediments or the tone of conversations. It does not require staff to speak only in English.