Nature Recovery Advisor (Desk-Based)

Purpose of role

This role is ideal for someone passionate about sustainable shooting, conservation and ecology, who understands how responsible land use contributes to nature recovery.

As a nature recovery advisor, you'll develop and implement management plans for shooting estates and other rural land, providing technical guidance, forging partnerships and advocating for sustainable practices that benefit both biodiversity and the rural way of life.

Key accountabilities and responsibilities

1. Act as the lead point of contact on how sustainable shooting and habitat management contribute to nature recovery. Offering expert guidance to BASC teams, members, rural communities and external stakeholders to steer nature positive work.
2. Develop and promote tailored services and advice for members engaged in sustainable shooting with an emphasis on protected or ecologically sensitive sites.
3. Drive the creation and execution of land management plans and habitat improvement projects rooted in nature-positive principles. You'll offer crucial ecological and conservation expertise for shoot and habitat management, and during statutory consenting processes, guaranteeing well-informed and sound decisions.
4. Provided technical support to the BASC Wildlife Fund, ensuring conservation outcomes are practical, science-led and effective.
5. Identify and address ecological and conservation related evidence gaps by working collaboratively across BASC and with external partners on research and monitoring initiatives.
6. Proactively build partnerships and identify opportunities to enhance habitats managed for shooting that will help secure tangible gains for nature.
7. Shape BASC policy and guidance in relation to nature recovery and environmental regulations, ensuring shooting’s conservation role is recognised and enhanced.
8. Contribute to responses to government consultations and environmental policy development where relevant.
9. Act as a spokesperson for the association on relevant nature recovery related issues. Represent BASC at national and regional forums, working groups and stakeholder meetings. Acting as a credible and constructive voice for conservation within shooting.
10. Contribute engaging and expert content to BASC's magazine, website and other publications, effectively showcasing shooting's vital role in nature recovery. Manage and maintain relevant content on BASC’s website and internal systems, ensuring information is accurate, accessible and up to date.
11. Collaborate closely with BASC's regional and country teams to ensure consistent messaging, robust knowledge-sharing and the effective delivery of our events, advice and services. This holistic approach extends to fostering partnerships with external stakeholders and experts, ensuring that best practices in ecology and conservation are deeply embedded in all our work. To also support cross-departmental initiatives and contribute flexibly to wider conservation priorities as needed by the head of land management and consenting.

Experience  

• A bachelor’s degree (or higher) in a relevant field or demonstrable experience in land management advisory roles, ideally with a focus on conservation within a rural or agricultural setting
• Experience of working in a relevant sector e.g. conservation and/or land management for a minimum of three years
• Experience of handling and interpreting data, ideally with knowledge of the analytical process behind the use of WeBS data in assessing wildfowl populations and trends on designated sites
• Experience of writing technical management or conservation reports and plans for sites
• Experience of accurate use of Microsoft Office packages including Word, Outlook and Excel
• Experience of project management with multiple deadlines within the conservation, land management or coastal management sector
• Experience of providing a high standard of service to customers, ideally within the land management / conservation sector
• Solid GIS and mapping skills, along with strong analytical skills to interpret complex data sets and ecological information.
• Experience with using the BNG metric and/or “Harnessing Environment Funding”
• Able to work positively within the spirit of BASC’s vision and core values

Essential skills, knowledge and achievements

• Hands-on experience in UK nature conservation, including habitat management, landscape-scale projects
• A good understanding of priority habitats and species, particularly coastal and wetland birds and/or uplands including habitat assessment and management
• Up-to-date knowledge of UK and European conservation legislation, including the Wildlife & Countryside Act, Environmental Damage Regulations and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations
• Proactive and well-organised, with the initiative to manage multiple projects and a varied workload
• Strong inter-personal skills and the ability to manage conflict
• An eye for detail and accuracy
• Time management, able to plan and prioritise to achieve set or agreed deadlines
• Good communication through a variety of medium, co-ordinate well internally, diplomacy and negotiating skills, especially when working with key stakeholders
• Aptitude for developing partnerships
• Problem-solving skills – able to work on own initiative
• Able to work effectively under pressure
• IT literate
• Sound judgement and discretion
• Excellent team player
• Able to work flexibly
• Enthusiastic and approachable