Senior Policy Officer – Protected Areas & Nature Recovery

Use your policy skills to help nature’s recovery!

This is a critical time for nature. Biodiversity is in crisis. More than ever, we need to keep
rigorously protecting the best places for nature we have left. But we also need to do much more
to restore nature and to help it recover within and beyond these places.

European sites, SSSIs and other protected areas have been vital strongholds for nature in
Scotland.

This role will lead our work making sure these protected areas, our best places for birds and
wildlife, continue to be properly protected, monitored, and managed. It will also lead our work
to make sure these places are bigger, better, and more joined up in future, helping nature’s
recovery and tackling climate change.

About this role:

This role will lead the development of RSPB Scotland policy positions and advocate them
effectively to decision makers at a senior level, influencing government policies and
legislation to strengthen and deliver better outcomes for nature through networks of protected
areas across Scotland. You will also play a key role in protected sites policy development and
advocacy, working directly with government, public bodies, and businesses, as well as with RSPB
colleagues and our partners across the UK. You will have the opportunity to work closely with
RSPB Scotland’s policy, campaigns, communications and on-the-ground conservation staff, putting
policy into practice.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

• 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 relation to protected areas and protected landscapes.
• A good understanding of Scotland’s governmental and political institutions relevant to
  protected areas and landscapes.
• 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 relevant to role.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal, written and presentational), including an ability
  to speak confidently and cogently in public to a variety of audiences, including those with
  opposing views.
• Strong time management, prioritisation and organisational skills.
• Able to form effective teams (both internal and external) and work effectively as a team
  leader and as a team player.
• Proven experience of operating effectively in a policy and or advocacy role.

This is a permanent post within the RSPB Scotland Policy Team and this will be a fantastic
opportunity for a passionate and motivated person to develop expertise in this hugely rewarding
area of work. The successful candidate can be based remotely, and will be expected to travel to
Edinburgh regularly (at least once per week, sometimes more) for meetings, and elsewhere in the
UK occasionally.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from week commencing 10th June
2024. For further information please contact [email protected] or [email protected].

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.

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.