Planning, Performance & Risk Officer

Job title: 1005-346 Planning, Performance & Risk Officer | Grade: D | Vacancy type: Full-time, Permanent | Hours: 35 hours | Salary £38,242|Location: Scotland, flexible (Home and hybrid working will be considered) | Closing date: Midnight, 30 September 2024| Interview date: Week commencing 14 October 2024

Job Purpose Summary

A vacancy has arisen for a Planning and Performance Officer (Risk) in the Planning and Performance Team.

The role of the team is to develop and implement business planning processes within NatureScot and develop plans and reports for publication. The team plays a key role in supporting the Senior Leadership Team with risk management, performance measurement and, working with finance colleagues, the capture and analysis of key financial metrics.

Over the next couple of years, the team will co-ordinate the development of a new corporate plan and work on further embedding the new 90 days business planning process which is a key part of NatureScot’s organisational development strategy.

Reporting to the Planning and Performance Manager (PPM), the postholder will have an exciting role to play in supporting the PPM in building on the work in hand to capture business planning processes as is – alongside a desired future state – to inform the development of a new business planning tool. The post holder will have specific responsibility for developing the approach to risk management and analysis through the system. Whilst specific digital development knowledge is not required a general appreciation of, and interest in, digital development and a keen interest in new and emerging technologies such as cloud computing and AI will be an advantage.

Person Specification (Please refer to these in your Supporting Statement)

• Has obtained, or willing to obtain, a recognised risk management qualification equivalent to SCQF Level 6 or above.
• Knowledge on NatureScot’s business planning systems and a strong understanding of the wider aims of the organisation and its operating environment
• Highly skilled in MS office software particularly Excel.
• Knowledge of the principles and practice of project and programme management with the ability to lead workstreams/sprints in new projects and programmes of change.
• In depth knowledge of the principles and practice of risk management and how these can be applied to business planning and financial governance.
• Experience of business analysis and process management techniques.
• Well developed communication skills with an ability to present complex risk management and business planning information to a wide variety of audiences including Director level.
• Technologically literate with an appreciation of the potential in new cloud based technologies and the confidence to work with colleagues in technology based functions to improve existing in-house software.
• Innovative, with the ability to work on their own initiative and can evidence a track record in bringing forward well considered proposals, for example, to improve business processes.

Role Requirements

1. Maintain and develop systems for the capture and analysis of NatureScot business plans
2. Lead on the risk reporting to support the 90 day business planning process
3. Lead on the risk management aspects of Audit and Risk Committee papers including horizon scanning, activity monitoring and risk action plan updates
4. Lead development of the risk aspects of the business plan
5. Responsible for developing risk planning strategy, processes and guidance
6. Working with IT develop and maintain reports from NatureScot’s Business Planning systems in Power BI
7. Provide advice to Finance and Planning & Performance colleagues on risk processes, liaising with finance colleagues as appropriate.
8. Contribute to the Planning and Performance team’s wider accountabilities and services to the business.

Prerequisites Required

• Applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK and resident in Scotland for the duration of the job contract
• 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

Working for NatureScot

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.

NatureScot’s Net Zero commitment

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.

Application Process

Application is by CV and Supporting Statement. Please ensure you have attached these documents when submitting your application.

Before applying for this post;

• Internal applicants should read the Self Service Guide (eRDMS A3155575)
• External applicants should read the Online Job Application Guide 

If you have previously applied for a vacancy with NatureScot you must remove the supporting statement from your profile, before uploading a new version.

Interviews

External candidates will be invited to interview if we are unable to recruit internally.

For information regarding the vacancy please contact: 

Stephen Coulter, Vacancy Manager

Nature is vital to all of us, so it is vital that we are an organisation for all of Scotland. The more diverse NatureScot is, the better we will be in connecting everyone with nature. We particularly encourage applications from people from Minority Ethnic (ME) backgrounds and people with a disability