[Hiring] Learning and Development Officer @Public Sector Resourcing

Role Description

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.

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.

Qualifications

• 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.

Requirements

• 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.

Benefits

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