Job summary�Want to work at the cutting edge of environmental science research?� Passionate about making a difference and playing your part in tackling the climate and nature crises? Forest Research (FR) is a leading UK scientific research organisation that provides impactful scientific data, evidence and advice to policymakers and practitioners. Internationally recognised, we want to work with people who have the skills and passion to deliver impactful science which informs practical solutions across the sector.We�re small enough that your voice is heard, yet large enough, as part of the Forestry Commission, that we have everything on hand to get the job done, as well as a variety of career pathways.� Our staff are dedicated to their work and sharing it with others to bring positive change for our natural environment.� With locations across the UK, you will find us a flexible and inclusive employer who promotes agile working to help you manage your work life balance. If you want to be a part of a growing organisation that makes a difference, find out more at The post holder will be a member of the Mensuration, Growth and Yield Science Group, within the Centre for Forest Management (CFM).� CFM is one of three research centres within FR, which focuses on applied interdisciplinary research, to underpin the sustainable management of Britain�s trees, woods and forests. Our Science Group�s research underpins understanding of the contribution of forests to climate change mitigation, reaching NetZero targets and a sustainable wood supply. Our work is focused on: tree and timber measurement; forest growth modelling; forest carbon balance modelling; evaluation of wood supply chains, and development of practical decision support tools. We provide support to policy and practice through working with many Government departments; forestry and land management stakeholders.� The growing team comprises twenty staff and works closely with other Science Groups within FR and external partners.Job descriptionOur Science Group�s research underpins understanding of the contribution of forests to climate change mitigation, reaching NetZero targets and a sustainable wood supply.�Our work is focused on: tree and timber measurement; forest growth modelling; forest carbon balance modelling; evaluation of wood supply chains, and development of practical decision support tools. We provide support to policy and practice through working with many Government departments and forestry and land management stakeholders.�The growing team comprises twenty staff and works closely with other Science Groups within FR and external partners.Job descriptionThe post holder will provide essential Programme support for work under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between FR and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), which aims to better understand the climate change mitigation potential of UK forests, and to improve the way in which GHG emissions from and removals by, UK forests are estimated. The programme also aims to �de-risk� delivery of the forestry component of the UK Greenhouse Gas Inventory. The programme will initially run for three years (with 1.5 years remaining).The main purpose of the role is to provide support to the Programme Manager and Programme Team by helping to ensure robust programme and project management. The postholder will be responsible for helping to ensure that programme deliverables are provided on time, within budget, and to a level of quality agreed with the customer (DESNZ). The postholder will also provide project management support across the Mensuration, Growth and Yield Science Group.Key Work Areas:The Programme Support Officer will play an active and essential role in delivery of the MOU programme. Working to a plan developed by the Programme manager, their main roles will include:Support the delivery of the MOU Programme of work according to the Programme work plan, project plans, communications plan, QA and QC procedures, to the agreed timelines. Support MOU Project Leads to develop and update their project and Programme plans.Assist with management of the Programme budget, running quarterly finance reports, reviewing Programme- and project-level spend is on track, and escalating to the Programme Manager where needed. Assist with Programme and Science Group financial administration, obtaining quotes, raising invoices, and processing requisitions.Organise meetings, take meeting notes, and record minutes, and actions, including at quarterly Programme Board Meetings and annual Stage Gate meetings, as well as weekly Programme and Science Group Management meetings, weekly Science Group Team meetings, and MOU project meetings.Organise online and in-person workshops for Programme stakeholders and policy customers, as well as twice-yearly in-person Science Group Meetings.Collate progress reports and Programme documents for the quarterly Programme Board Meetings, ensuring QC sign-off processes have been met. Support the development and improvement of the Programme Communications plan, and the production and sharing of Programme communications. Monitor the use of Programme and Science Group resource allocation, reviewing staff time allocation vs actuals, and escalating where they deviate. Provide regular programme and project updates on delivery, budget and risk management to the Programme Manager and key staff, Contribute to the improvement and development of the Programme. Provide other programme, project or Science Group support as agreed.� �Programme reporting requires Steering Group meetings in London every three months. The ability to travel to London for these Meetings and to join in-person Science Group meetings once-twice a year would be beneficial, but joining remotely is also possible. Person specificationWe are looking for a reliable and organised Programme Support Officer, with an interest in forestry and climate change, to join our team to support the continued delivery of the MOU Programme.Essential Criteria:Undergraduate degree or equivalent experience in an administrative roleSome experience in project managementExcellent organisational skillsExperience of arranging in-person and online meetings, including recording minutes and actionsGood interpersonal and communication skills and experience of team workingInterest in forestry and climate change mitigation, and a willingness to learnProficient user of Microsoft Office, including Teams, Outlook, Word and Excel�Desirable Criteria:Experience working in a scientific or technical environmentBehaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Working TogetherCommunicating and InfluencingChanging and ImprovingBenefitsAlongside your salary of �27,779, Forestry Commission - Forest Research contributes �7,500 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Your careerExcellent�professional development opportunities�which are tailored to your role, with paid�professional membership�subscriptions, mentoring, and Civil Service Learning available to allaccess to world class�laboratory facilities, as well as state of the art buildings within forest or science park settingsYour work/life balanceflexible working options�such as: up to two days flexi leave per month, blended working, part-time working, paid special leave, career breaks, and unpaid leave. Parents and carers will be supported to enable you to manage work and family responsibilitiesA�generous annual leave allowance of 25 days on entry increasing by 1 day each year to a maximum of 30 days (pro-rata for part-timers). Plus 2.5 days of additional leave and 8 days� paid bank/public holidaysYour wellbeingA culture which promotes a diverse and inclusive work environmentA range of wellbeing benefits including Employee Assistance Programme 24/7We want you to feel part of something bigger and we encourage a�community feel in our workplaces, with everything from cookery competitions to Pilates and fell running, plus topical talks at�Wellbeing Wednesdays and Feelgood FridaysPaid�volunteering leave�of 3 days per year so you can give back to your community and charitable causes by sharing your skills and timeYour benefitsa highly competitive�Civil Service Pension where employer contributions starting at �26%�of your salaryan employee benefits scheme offering discounts on groceries, gym memberships, holidays, days out, online retailers and high street shopsCycle to Work scheme and Interest free loans Free parking is offered on-site, alongside electric car charging portsWith maternity, adoption, and/or shared parental leave there�s the flexibility to have up to 26 weeks full pay, followed by 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid leave. Paternity leave of up to two weeks is available with full pay.