South of Scotland Policy and Advocacy Officer, Red Squirrel Recovery Network (RSRN)

The Red Squirrel Recovery Network is an ambitious new National Lottery Heritage Fund project working across southern Scotland and northern England. Being delivered by eight conservation partners it is the first cross border initiative working to co-ordinate practical conservation efforts to achieve lasting conservation outcomes (on both sides of the border) for this iconic species.

Restoring Upland Nature is the lead Conservation Partner for the Red Squirrel Recovery Project in southern Scotland, covering Dumfries and Galloway and the Borders, and working closely with Bright Green Nature (BGN) in the Borders and the Galloway and South Ayrshire Biosphere (GSAB) in southern Ayrshire.

The Role

This is an exciting opportunity to help transform Red Squirrel conservation in southern Scotland and more widely, and to work with a network of committed individuals and organisations to deliver improved policies and practices for Red Squirrel conservation.

Working with the RSRN team based at RUN, the Policy and Advocacy Officer will have a direct link to Red Squirrel conservation work being delivered on the ground via the Project Officers and network of Red Squirrel Volunteer Groups, which will inform required changes to policy and practices.

The Policy and Advocacy Officer will help raise awareness about the threats that Red Squirrels face and the importance of Red Squirrel conservation amongst decision makers, agencies and organisations, at a local, regional and national level in Scotland.

They will also work with a broad range of people and organisations to positively influence policies, legislation, land management and broader environmental practices and grant funding in Scotland to support positive action for red squirrel conservation.