Project Manager – JUSTLANZ

The RSPB Centre for Conservation Science provides the evidence to help deliver RSPB’s
conservation mission. We have won funding for a three-year research project, “Just
transformation of food-farming systems: reconciling net zero and other land-use ambitions”
(JUSTLANZ), collaborating with the James Hutton Institute and the Universities of Leeds,
Cambridge and Cranfield.

JUSTLANZ seeks to reconcile carbon net zero policy objectives with other land objectives, not
least nature recovery, focussing on just transitions for farmers and rural communities. Our
focus is grassland farming systems, working closely with farmer liaison groups: FWAG Southwest
(England, Somerset Levels), Scottish Agricultural College Commercial (Scotland, Upper Clyde
Valley), the Nature Friendly Farming Network (Northern Ireland, Lower Loch Erne) and the Living
Levels Partnership (Wales, Gwent Levels).

What’s the role about? 

We seek a Project Manager to help manage the delivery of the project. This is a large
collaborative research project, needing someone who can coordinate the work of multiple
organisations and put in place the project governance structures to keep the work on track.

Responsibilities will include assisting with project administration (including partner
contractual arrangements), managing finances, planning project meetings, supporting the project
reporting, data management and communications, as well as helping ensure staff receive
appropriate training (including EDI) and career development opportunities. You will also help
delivery of stakeholder activities, help organise logistics for time-critical fieldwork and
support the project lead with programme-level activities.

You will work closely with the project leader and project management team to ensure the scope,
risks, issues, assumptions, decisions and communications are managed effectively. You will need
to work across multiple project objectives simultaneously, involving stakeholders from land
management practitioners to policy makers, and scientists from different disciplines. If you
enjoy variety and working with people, you may enjoy this role!

What we need from you

Essential criteria:

• Understanding and experience of managing complex, grant-funded projects to a standard
  project management approach
• Proven time management and organisational skills
• Ability to solve issues quickly, efficiently and creatively, and to manage change
• An ability to produce clear written communications
• Great interpersonal skills whether 1-2-1, chairing a meeting or presenting to a large
  audience
• Ability to work under pressure and adapt to changing circumstances
• Experience of managing multidisciplinary teams, able to persuade and influence without line
  management authority
• Logical, methodical, analytical and with a good eye for detail
• Competent IT user (e.g. MS packages, Outlook etc). The postholder will need to use the
  RSPB’s new project management system, Cora, but training will be provided
• Experience of managing budgets, working with projects with costs of at least £250k

Desirable qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience:

• Project Management Qualification (eg Prince II) or relevant experience
• Experience of working with external stakeholders such as agencies and contractors
• Demonstrable experience of developing and working in partnerships to achieve shared
  outcomes

This post is for 18.75 hours per week, for a fixed-term of three years. You can be homebased,
with location flexible across the UK. We are happy to consider flexible working arrangements.
Occasional travel will be needed to project areas / meetings around the UK, so may require
overnight stays.

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. 

As part of this application, you will be asked to provide your CV and to complete an
application form, evidencing how you meet the requirements listed above. We are looking to
conduct online interviews for this position on 25 July 2024. For all
application/role enquiries please contact [email protected] 

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.

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

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.