Outreach and Engagement Placement

Who are we?

Saving Wildcats (#SWAforLife) is a European partnership project dedicated to Scottish wildcat conservation and recovery. We aim to prevent the extinction of wildcats in Scotland by breeding and releasing them into the wild. This EU LIFE-funded partnership project is led by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) in collaboration with NatureScot, Forestry and Land Scotland, Cairngorms National Park Authority, Nordens Ark, and Junta de Andalucía. Releases are being conducted with the support of Cairngorms Connect, and Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return work to mitigate hybridisation (interbreeding) and disease transfer from feral domestic cats is conducted together with Cats Protection. Please visit the project website for more information: www.savingwildcats.org.uk

What’s involved?

The role will primarily involve assisting the Saving Wildcats outreach and engagement team with activities related to stakeholder engagement, project communications and community outreach. Responsibilities may include:

• Assisting with outreach events in the local community, such as Highland Games. This will involve setting up stalls at events, speaking with members of the public about the work of the project, engaging young visitors to stalls with activities including colouring and games and helping to sell merchandise.
• Social media content creation and social media reporting using Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Bluesky.
• Drafting responses to general enquiries via email under supervision
• Drafting copy for newsletters using Mailchimp
• Administrative duties pertaining to outreach and engagement activities, such as updating the mailing list database
• Assisting with group visits to Highland Wildlife Park
• Running on site activities focused on wildcats at Highland Wildlife Park

Volunteers may also have the opportunity to gain experience in other aspects of wildcat conservation efforts, but this is not guaranteed.

Where?

The successful candidates will work alongside the outreach and engagement team in the Saving Wildcats office at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s Highland Wildlife Park in Kincraig, with some community work in the wider project area.

When?

This is a full-time position working the equivalent of a maximum of 37.5 hours per week and will require some out-of-hours and weekend work. We would like the candidate to start on Monday 8 June and commit till Wednesday 9 September.

Specifically, we will need the candidate to work on Saturday 20 June, Friday 3 July, Saturday 4 July, Sunday 5 July, Saturday 18 July, Saturday 1 August, Friday 7 August, Saturday 8 August, Thursday 13 August, Saturday 5 September.

Outside of this, placements are encouraged to take the equivalent of two days off per month in addition to their weekly scheduled days off. Please advise your availability in your application.

Who with?

All outreach and engagement activities will be undertaken alongside and coordinated by the Saving Wildcats outreach and engagement manager. Community outreach work and stakeholder engagement may be undertaken alongside a member of the Saving Wildcats field team. The successful candidate may also work alongside Highland Wildlife Park’s Discovery and Learning team to deliver on-site activities.

What will the experience provide?

Volunteering will give you the opportunity to contribute directly towards conservation efforts for the critically endangered wildcat in Scotland, as part of the RZSS Saving Wildcats project team. You will learn about the conservation issues affecting wildcats and the actions being taken to prevent their extinction.

This will include developing an understanding of the project’s outreach and engagement work, communications and content generation for wildlife conservation, as well as working in a partnership environment. You will also gain practical experience of stakeholder engagement, attending outreach events within Badenoch and Strathspey and further afield. You will be provided with full training for all aspects of this role.

You will be provided with accommodation (a private room in a shared hostel located in a town near Highland Wildlife Park), expenses to £50 per week, and a discount to be used on-site at Highland Wildlife Park for lunch. Transport to and from the hostel to Highland Wildlife Park can be provided on working days, but you will be responsible for your own transportation outside of working hours so having your own vehicle may be advantageous.

What we’re looking for:

• A strong interest in wildcat recovery and conservation in Scotland and a desire to learn about the challenges involved in species restoration.
• An interest in wildlife communications and engagement, as well as working in a partnership environment with volunteers, external partners, and a variety of stakeholders.
• Experience with content generation for social media platforms LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and Bluesky.
• A desire to develop skills in website editing using the content management system Umbraco.
• A desire to develop skills in writing content for e-newsletters using the email marketing platform Mailchimp.
• An understanding of the importance of social science, education and communications in wildlife conservation.
• Confidence in handling large datasets and meticulous attention to detail.
• Competent in the use of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Enthusiasm for working in a small team.
• An interest or experience in living and volunteering in the Scottish Highlands or in similar rural and challenging conditions.
• A positive attitude and adaptability, including happiness to live in a co-shared space.

You will need to be at least 18 years of age and will be required to provide two referees who will be contacted with your consent. You will also be required to undergo a basic disclosure check prior to volunteering, which you will be reimbursed for once you have begun volunteering.

Desirable, but not essential:

• Experience with design platforms such as Canva, InDesign and Photoshop.
• A full UK driving licence.

RZSS is committed to being fair, open and inclusive. We believe that RZSS benefits from the involvement of volunteers from diverse cultures, perspectives and experiences. We will not discriminate on the grounds of gender, race, disability, age, religious beliefs, and so on. In some cases, extra support may be given to volunteers (e.g. those with disabilities). We expect our volunteers to adhere to the Guidelines on Equality and Diversity.