SBAA Environmental Policy - Ministry of Defence - Cyprus Station

Job description

The Sovereign Base Areas (SBA) of Akrotiri and Dhekelia is a British Overseas Territory and the only one administered by the Ministry of Defence. The SBA covers an area of 98 square miles of the island of Cyprus and encompasses a resident Cypriot population of around 12,000; plus around 8,000 military and Civil Service personnel and their families; and thousands of tourists and visitors throughout the year. The SBA is located in areas of significant environmental quality.

The Sovereign Base Areas Administration (SBAA) is the civil government of the SBA. The SBAA consists of a small headquarters staff, police force, customs team, environment team, court service, Attorney General and Legal Adviser office and two Area Offices administering local authority functions. The SBAA works alongside British Forces Cyprus (BFC) in a joint headquarters based in Episkopi. Together, the two organisations are charged with ensuring the effective use of the SBA as military bases; of maintaining strong relations with residents of the SBA and the local Cypriot communities; and the provision of various services through good collaboration with the Government of the Republic of Cyprus.

The role of the Environmental Policy Officer is ideal for someone who is passionate about environmental matters and able to provide authoritive advice and direction. The person should be able to combine leadership with diplomacy and be comfortable with drawing upon local expertise to guide and shape the work of this business area. The role is probably one of a kind, and combines policy development, implementation in the field, environmental advocacy, and management of personnel. The post holder leads the environmental business area in the Headquarters of SBAA and oversees the Environmental Team. The role is responsible for the delivery of environmental policy for the SBAs and the management of all environmental and heritage cultural matters affecting the SBAs. The work will mature SBAA conservation , education and enforcement activities undertaken by the present Environmental Team (and review current procedures for possible re-organisation in 2016). The successful candidate will be expected to start in post in Autumn 2016 or as soon as possible thereafter. The key responsibilities of the post are:

• The provision of advice to the Administrator, Chief Officer and HQ SBAA and BFC on the requirements for compliance with SBAA environmental legislation and international regulations that apply to the SBAs, and ensure compliance measures are addressed;

• The management at HQ level of the SBA’s designated Special Protected Areas and Special Areas of Conservation and the work programme to prepare SAC management plans;

• The development and delivery of policy and strategies (as the environmental lead person) relating to all aspects of environmental management in the SBAs, including waste management; specifically the development and subsequent implementation of a comprehensive SBAA Environmental Business Plan;

• Prepare Appropriate Assessments and Environmental Impact Assessments for proposed BFC or SBAA projects and local planning applications;

• Work with colleagues in the SBAA, BFC community, NGOs and Republic of Cyprus organisations to ensure the introduction of Non Military Development (potentially from late 2016) into the SBAs is implemented sensitively to all environmental priorities;

• Coordinate the continuing environmental work within the SBA including removal of invasive plant species, turtle protection, fox and wild dog control, and illegal bird trapping.

The post holder will be required to regularly engage with a number of NGOs and Government Agencies both in the UK and Republic of Cyprus, and draft responses to correspondence from members of the public and RoC Government departments. Tact, cultural understanding and perseverance are required to ensure progress on both Territory wide and joint / cross-border jurisdictional matters.

This is an exciting and challenging role that would suit someone looking to expand and broaden their existing environmental experience. It presents a rare opportunity for the successful candidate to work both in the government to government arena; primarily with the UK and the Republic of Cyprus, as well as with local communities (Greek and Turkish Cypriot), non-governmental bodies, SBA Police and Customs services, businesses and residents on issues unique to the SBA.

Desirable:

Broad practical experience in environmental policy and management in the public sector, particularly relating to internationally recognised conventions would be helpful. A graduate degree or equivalent specialist experience in a relevant environmental field is desirable.

Knowledge of applying environmental expertise to the review of planning applications and development proposals.

Person specification Previous experience of enviromental policy development and implementation is essential.

Licences Full UK driving licence is essential.

Competencies
You will be asked to supply evidence of meeting these competencies when you apply.

• Seeing the big picture
  


• Changing and improving
  


• Making effective decisions
  


• Leading and communicating
  


• Collaborating and partnering
  


• Delivering at pace
  

Civil Service Competency Framework

Benefits
Pensions Civil Service pension schemes may be available for successful candidates.

Benefits Further benefts may be available to the successful candidate.

Allowances Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.

The post offers full relocation expenses to the successful candidate.