Scientific Policy Adviser Grade II - Marine

Job Title: Scientific Policy Adviser Grade II - Marine

Employer: Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

County: Cork, Dublin, Wexford

Closing Date: 3pm, Wednesday 1 April 2026

Starting Salary: €75,448

Background

The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment (DCEE) is responsible for the development and delivery of policies and programmes in the areas of energy, natural resources, climate action, waste, and the environment.

The Department’s vision is “A climate neutral Ireland, powered by clean energy, where our environment, society and economy thrive”. Its Strategic Priorities are set out in more detail in the current Statement of Strategy 2025 – 2028.

The DCEE is currently seeking Scientific Policy Advisers Grade II for its Marine Environment and Planning Section. This is an exciting opportunity for talented and ambitious individuals who are looking to embrace new challenges, do purposeful work and make a real difference to the Irish State and its people.

Marine Environment and Planning Section

The Marine Environment and Planning Section within the Department’s Marine Affairs Division is a multi-disciplinary team that leads on the formulation, co-ordination and implementation of national, EU and international policies, programmes and legislation in relation to the promotion, protection and management of the marine environment, including Maritime Spatial Planning and the designation and management of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).

The Section also supports cross-government objectives by providing scientific, policy and technical advice and input to the DCEE, other Departments and to wider Government as appropriate to support the Programme for Government.

About the Role

The Scientific Policy Adviser Grade II – Marine is a key role within the Marine Environment and Planning Section. Reporting to a Senior Adviser or Scientific Policy Adviser Grade I, the Scientific Policy Adviser Grade II - Marine will provide technical and scientific advice and will be required to work on specific marine related policy areas as may be assigned from time to time.

The role involves working as part of a small team and with other colleagues across the Division and Government to support the delivery of national strategies and objectives broadly in the marine environment, marine ecology and maritime spatial planning areas.

Depending on work priorities the Scientific Policy Adviser Grade II – Marine may be assigned to work in some or all of the areas below:

• Biodiversity (fish and shellfish, birds, reptiles, mammals), marine ecology and food web processes;
• Pollution including contaminants, noise, marine litter and eutrophication;
• Climate change, including impacts on species and ecosystem processes, future scenario testing and the development of mitigation (e.g. blue carbon), adaptation and resilience measures;
• Habitat restoration (benthic and pelagic) and the development of marine protected areas (MPAs) and nature-based solutions;
• Local, national and regional ocean governance including the development of measures and action to improve marine ecosystems;
• Marine mapping work, with associated design (e.g. using GIS) and preparation of materials for publication;
• Marine and/or environmental data analysis and data management;
• Stakeholder engagement and participatory processes;
• Scientific and nature communications to a range of target audiences;
• International negotiations;
• Application of an ecosystem-based approach to marine management and the consideration of socio-economic implications in decision-making.

A full list of essential requirements is available in the Information Booklet.

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 3pm on Wednesday, 1 April 2026.

We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity and encourage applications under all nine grounds of the Employment Equality Act.