1022-410 Deer Data and Research Officer - D Grade- June 2026 in Inverness

The purpose of this post is to help develop data and research needs relating to NatureScot’s deer functions – developing systems and processes to support effective data gathering, storage and analysis. The post will contribute to delivering data strategy, evidence and research needs that supports NatureScot’s corporate plan outcomes on deer and Scottish Biodiversity Strategy delivery.

The primary role will involve data management and quality assurance, analysing interpreting data sets and producing reports, project, and contract management, as well as developing data collection approaches with stakeholders in the sector. The post covers the whole of Scotland and will require the ability to travel independently, as public transport is not always available and sites are remote. On occasion, this will require travel that necessitates nights away from home.

NatureScot has a statutory responsibility to further the conservation, control, and sustainable management of all wild deer species in Scotland. The sustainable management of Scotland’s deer is vital to enhance biodiversity and achieve a net zero future. The twin climate and biodiversity crises will see a much greater urgency to our efforts to ensure we realise our ambitious targets on vital issues such as forest regeneration, woodland creation, peatland restoration, and habitat improvement. There is an increased focus on managing deer impacts to support biodiversity outcomes and delivering the transformational land use reform needed to deliver on climate, public safety issues, and impacts to agriculture. Delivering the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy objectives of halting loss by 2030 and delivering nature restoration at scale across Scotland by 2045 will require significant reductions in deer impacts and populations. This will require working with a range of stakeholder interests to deliver transformational change, at pace.

The main duties and responsibilities are:

• Co-ordinate NatureScot’s work on data collection, verification, storage, cleaning, and analysis; developing appropriate datasets and metrics to track delivery against outcomes, KPIs and reporting mechanisms.
• Establish common data standards, including developing spatial data approaches and guidance across policy development and operational delivery.
• Contribute to developing partnership approaches to identify and address research needs.
• Support the communications team to promote the benefits of effective deer management in delivery of the work programme.

Managing resources:

• Self-manage your workload in an environment where volumes of reactive work can be high at times and variable.
• Commission/manage contracts where required.
• Support the data and research team leader in the supporting operational delivery staff to collect the raw data needed to evidence delivery of outcomes.

Advocacy & alignment:

• Provide high quality project management in a multi-faceted, complex, and accelerating Programme of Work which delivers on the Deer Working Group Recommendations and NatureScot’s corporate plan priority on deer.
• Contribute to the development and delivering of a data strategy, including project delivery, quality assurance of data, evidence gathering, and analysis.
• Build relationships and work closely with Scottish Government and public agencies.
• Collaborate with stakeholder interests.
• Reach out and coordinate with other teams within NatureScot activities and other public agencies to ensure the team and projects get the required input and support.

Monitoring success:

• Contribute to the development and implementation of clear goals and milestones, monitoring delivery, and reporting on progress.
• Contribute to the reporting on assigned risks, finance and progress to the NatureScot Wildlife Activity and Strategic Deer Board.

Prerequisites:

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

Skills required:

• Strong personal and project management skills, who is comfortable with data, and the aptitude to want to play a significant role in the data and research team.
• Experience of identifying data needs, developing methodologies and process, analysing complex datasets, and identifying trends (e.g., in population density or habitat damage).
• Previous experience of wildlife and species population data collection and analysis, identifying research priorities and in digital system.
• Competency in project management, ability to plan and prioritise workloads, and manage multiple tasks within resource limits and financial constraints.
• A good understanding of current Scottish land management issues, particularly deer and herbivore management.
• Ability to resolve problems, including the potential use of novel and innovative techniques.
• Good communication skills, including influencing, listening, and explaining of technical or scientific concepts to a range of audiences.
• Collaboration and effective liaison with agencies, NGOs, academia, and representative bodies.
• Comfort with operating in a dynamic work environment, with an ability to learn and adapt to new circumstances and work collaboratively.
• Driving licence or other means of transport.

NatureScot’s Net Zero commitment:

Whether working at home or in an office, or travelling to meetings and site visits, as a NatureScot employee you will contribute to our Net Zero plan, for example through positive carbon travel choices.

Application Process:

Before applying for this post, internal applicants should read the Self-Service Guide (eRDMS A3155575) and external applicants should read the Online Job Application Guide. All applicants please note if you have already applied for a vacancy on Fusion, please ensure you remove the supporting statement saved in your profile and upload your new supporting statement.

For information regarding the vacancy please contact Donald Fraser, Head of Wildlife Management at donald.fraser@nature.scot. For information regarding the recruitment process please contact: recruitment@nature.scot.

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.