Senior Conservation Planner (Nature Policy)

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
[email protected]. 

*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 [email protected], 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 on our website.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position on the 11 December 2023. For
further information, please contact [email protected].

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.