Learning and Development Officer

On behalf of Defra, we are looking for a Learning and Development Officer (Inside IR35) for a 6 month contract based remotely with occasional travel. to Bristol / Winchester / Reading / Exeter.

In the Defra group, we deal with a vast range of issues that profoundly impact on people’s lives. We are responsible for England’s environment, our countryside and rural economy, the food and farming sectors and have lead responsibility for protection from a wide range of natural threats and hazards. We have developed a set of three strategic objectives covering our policy outcomes and corporate objectives. These objectives help us to deliver our ambitious vision to build our green and healthy future and provide a framework for all the important work we carry out.

Our objectives are:

• To pass on to the next generation a natural environment protected and enhanced for the future. 
• To lead the world in food, farming, and fisheries with a sustainable model of food production. 
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• To be an outstanding organisation focused on making a difference, with world class delivery capability.

Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs www.gov.uk. 

25 Year Environment Plan - GOV.UK www.gov.uk.

As a Learning and Development Officer your main responsibilities will be:

• Support the development and delivery of strategic learning and development solutions to build scientific capability across Natural England.
• Develop, produce and maintain science and technical learning resources in response to business and programme requirements.
• Ensure learning and development resources are accessible, inclusive and appropriate for a range of colleagues and audiences.
• Lead the team’s internal communications, including managing the bi-monthly Scientific Learning & Capability Bulletin.
• Maintain and develop Viva Engage and SPOL sites to promote learning, resources and opportunities.
• Identify new and creative channels for communicating the team’s work and promoting learning and development opportunities.
• Support a project to develop and promote social and collaborative learning approaches, such as mentoring and peer learning.
• Develop practical guidance, resources and other outputs to support learning and professional development.
• Support the ongoing maintenance and improvement of the Scientific Hive and associated resources.
• Undertake basic research and analysis to support learning and capability projects.
• Interpret and communicate quantitative and qualitative information clearly to colleagues and stakeholders.
• Provide updates and presentations to colleagues and Learning and Development Leads across the organisation.
• Provide general project and administrative support, including meeting coordination and minute taking.
• Manage and prioritise multiple tasks and projects, ensuring outputs are delivered to agreed timescales.
• Contribute ideas and innovative approaches to improve learning, development and scientific capability across the organisation.

Essential:

• Experience or knowledge of learning and development, training or professional development, such as supporting learning programmes or career pathways.
• Experience of developing learning, guidance, communications or other resources for different audiences.
• Confident using a range of digital and software tools, with the ability to learn new systems quickly.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with confidence communicating with colleagues and stakeholders.
• Ability to undertake or support basic research and interpret quantitative and/or qualitative data.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to plan, prioritise and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to work independently while also contributing effectively as part of a collaborative team.
• Creative and innovative approach, with the ability to generate and develop new ideas.
• Awareness of accessibility, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) requirements when developing learning and communication resources.

Desirable:

• Experience using tools such as Viva Engage, SharePoint/SPOL, Microsoft Lists, Canva or Piktochart.
• Experience developing digital learning, scientific, technical or professional development resources.
• Experience supporting mentoring, peer learning or other collaborative learning initiatives.
• Experience managing internal communications channels, newsletters, bulletins or online communities.
• Experience presenting information or providing updates to groups of colleagues.
• Experience working within a large, complex or public-sector organisation.
• Knowledge or experience of scientific, environmental or technical learning and capability development.
• Experience using data or research findings to inform learning and development solutions.
• Understanding of accessible and EDI-compliant content and resource design.
• Awareness of research and data ethics.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

Disability Confident 

As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, Defra guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following "this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different".