Land Conservation Officer

Responsible to: Terrestrial Team Lead
Place of work: Falklands Conservation Office, Stanley
Hours per week: Full time. Normal working hours. Additional hours and remote work may be required during field seasons.
Start Date: Immediate dependent upon approvals and paperwork.
Term: 24-months (to include a 6-month probationary period)
Salary: Up to £38k based on experience
Closing Date: Applications to be received by Sunday 19th July 2026

Job Description

Undertake the following duties and responsibilities:

The Land Conservation Officer will provide assistance, guidance and lead work modules focused at the monitoring, management and restoration of native habitats and the improvement of land management across the Falkland Islands. This will include on Falklands Conservation owned sites, within the Protected Area network and working with the agricultural sector and private landowners. This will also require liaison and advocacy with the Falkland Islands Government, British Forces South Atlantic Islands, civil society organisations (such as the Rural Business Association), the wider community and volunteers when required.

In particular the Land Conservation Officer will assist as required in planning and implementation of aspects of the following project areas:

• Building farm biodiversity planning and monitoring capacity for sustainable management and in the Falkland Islands through initiatives such as the Responsible Wool Standard and Land Recovery Program
• Habitat restoration and species re-introductions on island reserves
• New Island Restoration Project to assist in monitoring and logistics (as required and called upon)
• Land Recovery Program (input on management actions and monitoring)
• Private Protected Area, National Nature Reserve and National Park designation management
• Land restoration activities on Falklands Conservation owned sites
• Project design and development and collaborative writing of funding grant applications

There will be potential for in-post development of the role and to assume greater leadership responsibility for developed projects and initiatives for the correct applicant and/or as experience in the role grows.

Responsibilities:

• Assist conservation management of FC reserves, including baseline surveys, management activities and promotion of sites.
• Assist with the implementation of the site management plans for existing FC sites including volunteer management and associated fundraising to achieve management aims.
• Work in conjunction with Communications and Marketing Officer (CMO), to deliver communication materials for the local media, FC publications, website, members’ meetings, talks and lectures, as required.
• Work in conjunction with the Community Outreach Officer (COO) to deliver community outreach activities.
• Undertake and further develop baseline survey and monitoring to track impacts of changes in land management and interventions such as Set-Aside, including to assist development of protocols for the Land Recovery Program; to include analysis and archiving of survey data.
• Assist and develop restoration, habitat and peatland initiatives within Falklands Conservation and nationally.
• Assist and develop surveys to monitor peatland restoration sites including soils, vegetation, and avifauna.
• Provide input to progress Private Protected Area advocacy, improved land management and area expansion.
• Provide management planning support and advice for landowners wishing to advance conservation management.
• Assist and support development and implementation of terrestrial Protected Area policy and legislation.
• Assist and support advancement of terrestrial land management approaches, including non-statutory sites (Important Bird Areas, Important Plant Areas, Key Biodiversity Areas) and statutory sites (National Nature Reserves, National Parks).
• Identify collaborative conservation opportunities if they arise.
• Raise funds for the above activities through grant applications if, as and when opportunities are identified.

Personal Attributes and Skills

• Team-oriented but with the ability and self-motivation to also work independently and at remote sites.
• Flexibility and awareness to identify work needs within a small organization and team when required.
• Ability to work effectively with a wide cross-section of the community.
• Methodical approach to logistics and project management
• Willingness to learn and develop new skills.

Essential Requirements

• Masters (MSc) or Bachelors (BSc) Degree (or equivalent qualification) in environmental management, conservation or ecology, or other relevant tertiary qualification.
• At least 4-years’ experience in conservation and project management with proven project delivery in the environment / conservation / science sector.
• Practical knowledge and experience of peatland and habitat restoration and monitoring.
• Practical ability to lead fieldwork and survey groups safely in remote locations or in adverse weather.
• Demonstrable project management skills with experience of managing budgets and producing quality reports.
• Proven ability to manage and plan a varied work program and work under pressure to a variety of deadlines.
• Able to maintain accurate records, collate data and write reports.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication abilities, with good oral and written skills.
• Experience in conducting health and safety risk assessments especially those aspects of health and safety relevant to field work.
• Good software literacy and ability to use advanced spreadsheets and data management systems.
• Ability to act in an ambassadorial capacity for FC and to build productive relationships with partner organisations, landowners, decision makers and businesses.
• Proven ability of working as an integral part of a team and with a range of stakeholders, as well as able to work under own initiative.
• Willingness to travel around the Falkland Islands and to undertake field work in basic conditions and/or camping with the necessity to work early mornings, late evenings or weekends, and to spend some nights away from home, on occasion as field work dictates.
• Prepared to submit to the relevant security checks to work with safeguarding and at-risk groups.
• Full clean driving licence for manual vehicle

Desirable Requirements

• Experience of GIS data management and mapping
• Good knowledge of the wildlife conservation and environmental management challenges of the Falkland Islands.
• Broad knowledge of nature conservation, natural history and commitment to FC’s conservation mission.
• Pragmatic ‘can do’ approach to develop opportunities and implementing strategy on the ground.
• Experience of community and partner engagement including working with contractors.
• Experience of working with volunteers.
• Experience of managing contracts and contractors.
• Experience of fund raising to support project expenditure.
• Experience of off-road driving.
• Current First Aid Certification.