Whose Hoo Development Manager (Fixed-Term)

Job Description

Whose Hoo is an ambitious partnership project that aims to promote and restore the rich veins of natural and cultural heritage associated with the Hoo Peninsula in Kent. We are looking for an energetic, well organised person with great communication skills to lead the bid to the point of submitting a Stage 2 application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Managed by the RSPB and embedded within Medway Council, you will work with partners and a Community Engagement Officer to build momentum, produce the best possible programme of heritage projects and lay the groundwork for a future delivery stage.

What's the role about?

• To develop The Whose Hoo Peninsula Programme to the point of submitting a Stage 2 application for funding to the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF).

• To ensure the delivery of the development phase work programme to an agreed timetable and budget, working closely with staff from partner organisations, landowners, consultants, volunteers and local community groups.

• To provide coherent messages about the importance of the Hoo Peninsula’s landscape and heritage to a wide audience, thus laying the foundations for the successful delivery of the project, subject to securing further NLHF funding at Stage 2.

• To establish further partnerships linked to the project and develop external communications in order to increase the capacity of the project to interact with communities and individuals in the project area and leave a lasting legacy.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

• Experience of successful project and budget management.
• Demonstrable experience of developing successful working relationships and credibility with a wide range of stakeholders
• Excellent prioritisation and workload management skills.
• Ability to organise a heavy and varied workload.
• Ability to develop large scale funding bid and project plans.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

• Experience of running externally funded projects and their reporting requirements
• An understanding of priorities for conserving and enhancing the natural environment and an understanding of the challenges facing stakeholders
• Knowledge of landscape character, rural heritage, environmental, social and economic issues, particularly those relating to land management, access, tourism, social inclusion and community development.
• Knowledge of lowland farmland/wet grassland land management, habitats and species.

This is a Fixed-Term, Full-Time role for 12 months. The RSPB reserves the right to extend or make this role permanent without further advertising dependent on business needs at the end of the contract term.

The successful candidate will ideally be located within commuting distance of Chatham. We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from 17th April. For further information please contact alan.johnson@rspb.org.uk

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

This role will require 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 will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order 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.