Licensing Officer

Job Title: 1022-459 Licensing Officer | Grade: D | Salary: £41,567 | Location: Any NatureScot offices, Hybrid work considered | Vacancy Type: Temporary until 23 August 2027 | Hours: 35 | Closing Date: Midnight 4 October 2026 | Interview Date: 22 October 2026

Job Purpose Summary

The main focus of the role is around licensing casework including novel and contentious cases and some policy development work. Ability to manage a high profile and varied workload efficiently and effectively is required along with good interpersonal skills.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Processing licence applications with a focus on managing and QA of complex and contentious cases
• Project management - Lead on a programme of improvements to systems and licensing approaches to ensure we provide an efficient, effective and enabling licensing service.
• Policy development – working closely with Scottish Government, other stakeholders and internal colleagues developing licensing approaches
• Staff/ team line and matrix management – a key role in the licensing team providing a co-ordinated and consistent approach to service delivery, customer focus and legislative compliance to ensure efficient delivery of our licensing function
• Input to and coordinate current and future reporting requirements and policy development
• Communication - Provide advice to NatureScot’s media team, stakeholders and others in relation to licensing queries

Skills Required:

• Good understanding or experience of NatureScot’s licensing functions, with particular focus on practical implementation and policy development
• Understanding of wildlife management approaches and the need for wildlife management.
• Project Management
• Staff/ team management (includes line and matrix management)
• Good communication skills including the ability to deal with a wide range of stakeholders and to understand and appreciate their needs including in relation to novel and contentious cases.
• Good organisational and time management skills to effectively prioritise a high volume of reactive and proactive workload

Prerequisites Required

• Proof of right to work in UK
• 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 - what we offer you

• 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 including below:
• We support flexible working for all roles, including part-time, compressed hours, hybrid working and job share. All vacancies are considered suitable for flexible working unless there is a business reason not to. We encourage applicants to discuss potential flexible working arrangements with us.
• A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97% (7.35% employee contributions) https://www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk/memberhub/joining-the-pension-scheme/.
• 41.5 days of annual leave, including 5 fixed public holidays on St Andrews Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day and 2nd January.
• Equivalent of 2 days paid volunteering leave.
• A focus on wellbeing with access to an employee assistance programme.
• Job satisfaction from contributing proactively to the twinned nature and climate crisis.
• Death in service benefits.
• Cycle to work and electric vehicle salary sacrifice schemes.
• Access to an employee discounts scheme.
• Learning and development tailored to your role.
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.

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.

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. You will aim to minimise travel in accordance with NatureScot’s low carbon operating procedures. However, you will, in some circumstances, be expected to work with colleagues and stakeholders from across Scotland, which will involve some travel and may involve overnight stays.

For information regarding the vacancy please contact:

Liz McLachlan – Licensing Manager, Tel: 01463 701617 or 07717 704 120

Liz.mclachlan@nature.scot

NatureScot’s Net Zero commitment

Nature is vital to us all, so it's important that NatureScot represents the people of Scotland. The more diverse our workforce is, the more effectively we can connect everyone with nature. We encourage applications from candidates of all ages and genders, people from ethnic minority groups, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQ+ community.