Senior Planner (Nature Policy)

Job Description

We are recruiting a Senior Planner to be part of our work to drive nature’s recovery in Wales by influencing laws, policy and plans to support nature conservation and the sustainable management of land and sea.

We are in a nature and climate emergency. The State of Nature Wales 2023 reported that terrestrial and freshwater species have declined, on average, by 20% since the 1990s, and one in six species is at risk of extinction from Wales. With the Welsh Government committed to the Global Biodiversity Framework and its mission to reverse biodiversity loss by 2030, we are in a critical moment to turn things around.

Planning – on land and at sea – has a key role to play in restoring biodiversity, ensuring that critical development happens in tandem with nature recovery: protecting the sites that are most important for nature now, as well as those where enhancement or restoration will help to build resilient ecological networks.

The successful candidate will have professional experience in planning or regulatory systems, an understanding of relevant legislation and policy, and a creative approach to thinking about how RSPB Cymru can have influence and effect change.

You will be passionate about the natural world, work well in teams and networks, and communicate strongly. You will join a friendly and dynamic RSPB community committed to creating a better future.

The criteria we are looking for are listed below. If you feel you meet some but not all of these criteria (even the essentials) but that you have the experience to take on this exciting role, we would still encourage you to apply. If you want to discuss this before applying, please contact Annie Smith, Head of Nature Policy & Casework, at annie.smith@rspb.org.uk.

*Annie will be hosting a virtual open briefing session on Tuesday, the 21st of November, from 5:15-6:15 pm. This is an opportunity to learn more about the role and to ask questions. If you wish to attend, please contact annie.smith@rspb.org.uk, and a link will be sent to join anonymously.

Essentials:

• Degree or equivalent in a relevant environmental or planning subject

• Chartered membership (or working towards this) of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI), or equivalent professional experience.

• Substantial professional experience of the Town and Country Planning system, other regulatory system or of working in a relevant policy role.

• Good knowledge of environmental issues and how wildlife can be affected by land- and sea-use change.

• Good professional understanding of environmental policy and regulation.

• Excellent communication, negotiating and influencing skills

Desirables:

• A good understanding of the policy areas relevant to this role and associated biodiversity and environmental issues.

• Knowledge of political systems and processes and their relevance to nature conservation.

• Ability to communicate in Welsh.

Additional Information

This is a Permanent Full-Time role for 37.5 hours per week (requests for part-time/flexible working will be considered). This role can be home-based anywhere in the UK, although travel to Wales will be required.

For further information, including benefits, please view the attached doc.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position on the 11 December 2023. For further information, please contact annie.smith@rspb.org.uk.

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

We will review applications as they come in, so please don't hesitate to apply; we reserve the right to close this advert at any time.

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 sectors. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application.

Should you require any reasonable adjustments as part of the application stage, please do get in contact.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

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