PeacePlus Nature Project Manager

We have an exciting opportunity for a Project Manager to join the PeacePlus Nature Programme. We are looking for a positive and highly organised individual who excels in getting things done to high standards, working within and influencing multi-disciplinary teams, and who wants to make a difference.

What's the role about?

PeacePlus Nature is an ambitious €20.8 million programme that brings together 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.

The partnership includes RSPB NI, BirdWatch Ireland, Butterfly Conservation, Monaghan County Council, River Blackwater Catchment Trust, Truagh Development Association, Lough Neagh Partnership, NI Water and An Taisce.

The programme will work to restore blanket bog, lowland wet grassland, limestone grassland and priority species including Curlew, Corncrake, Hen harrier, Small Blue butterfly and Irish Damselfly. This is an incredible opportunity to work in a programme team to increase the populations of some of Ireland’s most iconic wildlife.

PeacePlus Nature is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

RSPB NI have invested significant time in building this collaborative programme with multiple partners to create an extensive portfolio of projects some of which are new and innovative. In this role you will manage the PeacePlus Nature RSPB led projects. Alongside the Senior Programme Manager and Programme Manager you will be responsible for leading, planning and delivering the programme of conservation, science, data, ecology and local community objectives across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland, to ensure successful delivery of programme outcomes.

Key activities will include:

• Produce relevant project documentation (including highlight reports).
• Ensure that stakeholders are kept fully involved and informed.
• Estimate and manage the project(s) duration determining when activities and events are planned to happen - ensuring the timely completion of the project(s).
• Identify, record, manage and communicate risks and issues, putting in place appropriate contingency actions - to reduce the likelihood of events that might prevent project outputs and objectives being delivered on time.
• Manage the project budget against forecast, estimate costs, ensure that exceptions beyond tolerance are escalated and approved - so that project costs are kept within agreed tolerances.
• Direct and motivate the project team - to achieve project success by focussing on a common goal.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

• Competent IT user (e.g. MS packages, Outlook etc).
• Logical & methodical, analytical with attention to detail and ability to understand financial systems.
• Demonstrable leadership ability, able to lead without line management authority.
• An ability to produce clear written communications.
• An ability to persuade and influence a wide range of people, both internally and externally.
• Demonstrated ability to provide advice and interpretation of policy and procedures associated with project management.
• Proven time management and organisational skills.
• Experience of working to a standard project management approach (e.g. RSPB Project Management Framework, Prince II, APM).
• Experience of leading and managing multidisciplinary teams.

This is a Fixed-Term role for 37.5 hours per week until 31st July 2029.

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 6th February 2026. 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.