Lough Erne Conservation Advisor

RSPB NI are recruiting for a Conservation Officer in Fermanagh for the PeacePlus Nature Programme. We are looking for a candidate who is self-motivated and prides themselves on delivering high standards. You will have excellent ecological skills and knowledge, particularly of curlew and other breeding waders, their habitat requirements and relevant survey techniques. A background in landscape scale conservation, farm advisory and nature conservation delivery mechanisms is also desirable.

About the project

PEACEPLUS is a cross-border funding Programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) and supported by the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland, and the Northern Ireland administration.

 PeacePlus Nature is an ambitious €20.8 million project that will bring together nine partners to tackle the decline in priority species and habitats across Northern Ireland and bordering counties.

The project will work to restore lowland wet grassland and limestone grassland and priority species from breeding waders to Marsh Fritillary Butterfly, as well as support peatland restoration works. 

RSPB NI in partnership with BirdWatch Ireland, Butterfly Conservation, Monaghan County Council, River Blackwater Catchment Trust, Truagh Development Association, Lough Neagh Partnership, NI Water and An Taisce - The National Trust for Ireland, will work to deliver this. 

About the role

As part of the NI Operations Team, you will deliver a range of work for the benefit of in County Fermanagh. In this varied role, you will provide advice directly to farmers and land managers, coordinate and undertake surveys, and help deliver conservation projects to help nature thrive across this landscape.

This role will sit within the West NI Area Team and reports to the Conservation Manager. You will have an important external role, building positive relationships with key partners and stakeholders so that RSPBs policies and messages are understood and furthered within relevant partnerships. 

This is a fantastic opportunity to play your part in delivering RSPB's conservation work within a landscape rich in wildlife and important for people.  

If this sounds like the job for you, we would love to hear from you!

You will be responsible for:

• Providing advice, training and information to local communities, landowners, land managers and land use advisers on priority species and habitats.
• Undertaking and overseeing species/habitat surveys and monitoring work on sites to ensure delivery of site/s objectives. This includes mapping, and the gathering & management of electronic data.
• Demonstrating best practice in terms of collaboration & communication, working with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Managing medium and small projects using the RSPB’s Project Management Framework
• Managing contractors to carry out habitat work on sites safely and legally to deliver project targets.
• Building positive relationships with key decision-makers, external partners and stakeholders so that RSPB’s policies and messages are understood and furthered by decision-makers and within relevant partnerships and fora.
• Managing and developing field staff and/or volunteers to ensure the delivery of an ambitious work programme maintaining focus on priority species and habitats.

What we need from you?

Essential Knowledge, skills and experience:

• Degree level qualification in a relevant subject or ability to show equivalent work experience.
• Sufficient understanding of species and habitats of the project area.
• A strong knowledge of breeding wader ecology.
• Ability to work effectively as a team player both internally and in external partnerships.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal, written and presentational) - including an ability to speak confidently and cogently in public to a variety of audiences.
• Ability to rapidly analyse significant quantities of information, prioritise and balance a diverse workload often to tight deadlines.
• Proficient at using Microsoft Office packages including Outlook, Excel & Word.
• Experience of influencing and negotiating with the public or private sector, to deliver biodiversity benefits.
• Experience of working to survey, protect and/or manage important sites, species, or habitats.
• Experience of managing staff or volunteers and setting clear work priorities.

Desirable:

• Experience of delivering conservation works through contractors.
• Competency in use of GIS.
• Effective project management skills.
• Understanding of the concept of landscape scale conservation and the pressures on land use in the operational area of this role.

This is a full-time role for 37.5 hours per week until July 2029. 

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position on Wednesday 8th October. For further information please contact [email protected]

As part of this application process, you will be asked to complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above.

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.