PeacePlus Nature Peatland Project Manager

Would you like to collaborate with our partners toward the recovery of Blanket Bogs in Northern Ireland?

This dynamic role offers an opportunity for the right candidate to advance Blanket Bog restoration in Northern Ireland, with particular focus areas in the Antrim Hills. This role is a Peatland Project Manager within the PeacePlus Nature Programme. PeacePlus Nature is an ambitious €20.8 million programme that brings together nine partners to tackle the decline in priority species and habitats in Northern Ireland, and the border counties of Ireland. 

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.

This is a Project Manager role within the Antrim Hills focussing on a number of projects which will further restoration of peatland habitats for Nature Conservation and the plethora of other public goods. The post holder will work in collaboration with key contacts internally and externally in Northern Ireland, in other UK countries and the Republic of Ireland as appropriate. 

You will gain hands-on experience in conservation practices while deepening engagement with key partners, mostly landowners, along with Northern Ireland Water. The project will collaborate with stakeholders to both develop and execute restoration plans tailored to specific sites and their challenges. This collaborative approach will be vital in achieving the project’s long-term conservation goals.  

About the Role 

You will take responsibility for many of the Peatland Restoration and Recovery objectives within RSPBs Peatland Restoration Programme. There will be ample opportunity for personal and role development. Candidates may be able to demonstrate some or all of the skills and experience we need already; however we welcome applications from those who recognise your own development needs and we will help realise your potential as a conservation practitioner delivering high impact outcomes. 

You will work as part of an existing Peatland Programme team, will collaborate with others at times and at other times be required to work on your own initiative as you progress actions to bring about positive change in the landscape. 

The work includes all aspects of peatland restoration development including fieldwork-based survey, (peat depth mapping, hydrological monitoring, drones, habitat and species recording etc), mapping sites according to established or emerging protocols and drawing up restoration plans from this data which can align with funding mechanisms such as through grant or other means. The other major portion of the project involves delivery of restoration, adhering to legislative compliance, procurement, securing value for money. You will work with the programme manager in managing reputational and financial risk, while delivering outcomes and maintaining and developing partnerships.

What we need from you

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

• Competent IT user (e.g. MS packages, Outlook etc) including in the use of GIS.
• Sufficient understanding of species and habitats; landscape scale conservation; land use and management; relevant policy and legislation in Northern Ireland to enable recommendation to senior staff of appropriate conservation measures.
• An ability to persuade and influence a wide range of people, both internally and externally.
• Demonstrable ability to manage changes within projects. Excellent problem solving skills and ability to find creative solutions.
• Knowledge of natural history enabling identification of priority species and habitats, and understanding of their ecological needs, within peatland ecosystems.
• Demonstrable commitment to your own self-awareness and development needs.

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

• Demonstrable leadership ability, able to lead without line management authority
• Degree level qualification in a relevant subject or ability to show equivalent work experience.
• Able to work under pressure and adapt to changing circumstances
• Excellent communication skills (verbal, written and presentational) - including an ability to speak confidently and cogently in public to a variety of audiences.
• Experience of delivering a number of projects
• Cost and budget management.

This is a Fixed Term Contract of 36 months and a full time role of 37.5 hours per week. The RSPB reserves the right to extend or make this role permanent without further advertising dependent on business needs at the end of the contract term.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from 20th October 2025. 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.