Senior Marine Policy Officer

Job Description

We are advertising for a Senior Policy Officer to join the RSPBs UK marine policy team. The role will sit within our Global Conservation directorate and provide a vital role in leading the RSPBs strategic aspirations for renewable energy deployment at sea. The role will lead policy development and advocacy seeking to influence nature positive offshore wind deployment, working closely with those within the industry and our Birdlife Europe and Central Asia partners to ensure recovery of seabirds.

Location is flexible. The UK marine team is a heavily dispersed team across the UK. Travel will be required throughout the UK and, on rare occasions, internationally.

What's the role about?

This role will lead and project manage the RSPBs vision for nature positive deployment of renewable energy across UK waters. Building on the work of our Powering Healthy Seas vision, now is the time to turn policy into practice ensuring we are able to meet both the UKs ambition for Net Zero whilst ensuring recovery of UK seas. This has never been more needed at a time when the UK is failing to meet 11/15 indicators for healthy seas and on the back of the Seabirds Census which shows a 62% decline in seabird species across the UK, prior to the impacts of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza hitting.

This role will seek to create key RSPB positioning in this space, advocating for change at a Westminster level and working with country policy colleagues to drive change within the Devolved Administrations. The role will focus on ensuring the delivery of effective Marine Spatial Planning at sea, nature positive offshore wind deployment and the effective delivery of net gain at sea ensuring a focus on building resilience into UK Seas and seabird species. This role will play a leading role in advocacy delivery and as such will require strong interpersonal skills and an ability to build effective relationships.

What we need from you

Essentials:

• Degree-level qualification in a relevant subject or ability to show equivalent ability through work experience
• A good understanding of environment/biodiversity legislation, public policy and its implications for conservation practice in the marine environment with a specific emphasis on offshore renewables, marine spatial planning and marine net gain.
• A good understanding of governmental and political institutions, alongside proven effective relationship-building to influence
• A good understanding of the role of public-facing communications/campaigns in supporting policy advocacy
• Able to analyse complex issues in a fast-paced environment coupled with well-honed political acumen
• Effective negotiation and influencing skills
• Excellent communication skills (verbal, written and presentational), including an ability to speak confidently and cogently in public to various audiences, including those with opposing views.
• Confident and capable of being a public face for RSPB policy and advocacy to the media and social media.
• Strong time management, prioritisation and organisational skills
• Effective project management skills and competent user of core MS Office programmes
• Able to act independently to generate and lead on policy positions and project development
• Able to form effective teams (both internal and external) and work effectively as a team leader and a team player

Additional Information

This is a Permanent role for 37.5 per week.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position starting on 1st May. For further information, please contact kirsten.carter@rspb.org.uk

As part of this application process, you will be asked to provide a copy of your CV and complete an application form, including evidence of how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above.

This role will require the completion of a DBS/PVG/Access NI in addition to the standard pre-employment checks.

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.

The RSPB is a licenced sponsor. This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant must have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK to be offered an employment contract.

Before applying for this role, we recommend reading through the candidate guidance notes attached to the top of this advert.

We reserve the right to close this advert at any time.