Senior Policy Officer - Energy

This role is an excellent opportunity to influence important decisions across the UK, at a time when renewable energy developments are being rolled out faster than ever before. This will help to ensure that onshore renewable energy is deployed in harmony with nature and support policy and advocacy on strategic planning for the UK’s energy system.

We are looking for a highly motivated and effective advocate with expertise and experience in developing policy and influencing decision-makers and industry in relation to energy and climate change. You will be passionate about developing and securing the policy outcomes that help address the nature and climate crisis as one, skilled in convening stakeholders and working with senior leaders to reach consensus on organisational positions, with a strong political understanding and the ability to identify and analyse emerging issues in the UK and internationally where relevant to our objectives. You will also have excellent communication and organisational skills to drive forward this work internally and externally.

What's the role about?

Meeting the UK’s net zero targets requires major and rapid changes to the UK’s energy system including significantly increasing renewable energy sources and greatly reducing our overall energy demand. The UK Government is responding to this imperative with a large-scale roll out of renewable energy systems combined with reforming the planning system. However, alongside the climate crisis we are facing a biodiversity crisis, and we must not exacerbate losses of biodiversity in our efforts to mitigate climate change; it is crucial that the roll out of renewable energy is delivered in a way that avoids harming wildlife.

This role will allow the successful candidate to analyse policy developments and advocate for nature-positive solutions on energy and net zero in line with the RSPB’s strategic goals.

You will lead the advocacy of the RSPB’s onshore renewable energy policy that reflects the latest science on the climate and nature emergency and responds to the context of the energy security crisis. This comes at a critical time when global energy security issues are putting greater pressure on the UK’s energy systems.

You will work within the UK Land and Climate policy team in the RSPB’s UK Policy and Advocacy Department. The role will involve working with policy, communications, casework and science colleagues across the four UK countries, particularly working closely with the bioenergy and offshore wind policy leads to ensure the RSPB’s energy policy positions reflect the latest evidence and the devolved, UK and global context.

You will also play a key role in developing and coordinating advocacy strategies to embed RSPB’s policy positions within relevant key external decision-making processes. You will be responsible for the RSPB's Westminster and Whitehall decision maker facing advocacy, as well as relevant arms-length bodies, whilst working very closely with colleagues in other parts of the UK to ensure our priorities are delivered effectively within available capacity, providing information, advice and support where needed.

This is a particularly changeable and fast-moving time in energy and climate policy across the UK, and you will need to be adaptable and able to change approach and priorities where required.   

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

You will:

• Be able to demonstrate a good knowledge of climate, planning and energy policy in the UK or wider, with relevant academic or professional qualifications
• Have well-developed advocacy and influencing skills and be able to engage with a wide range of individuals and organisations, including at senior levels
• Be able to act independently to generate, lead and coordinate work with others to develop policy positions, associated influencing strategies and lead their implementation effectively
• Have a proven track record in strong time management and organisational skills, including the ability to balance limited resources across competing priorities
• Be able to analyse complex issues in a fast-paced environment
• Have a good understanding of the role of public facing communications/campaigns in supporting policy advocacy
• Have written and verbal communication skills to a very high standard; professional and persuasive
• Be confident and capable of being a public face for RSPB policy and advocacy to the media and social media

This is a full-time role for 37.5 hours per week for a fixed term of one year, however we welcome applications from candidates who would look to conduct this role on a part-time, pro-rata basis. The successful candidate can be based flexibly, however travel to London and Bedfordshire will be required and further afield on occasion.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from 3rd November 2025. For further information please contact [email protected] 

As part of this application process you will be asked to provide a copy of your CV and 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. 

Before applying for this role, we recommend reading through the candidate guidance notes.