Senior Policy Officer – England

Do you have a passion for nature and want to do all you can to help it in its hour of need? Do you want to make a real difference for nature and people? Do you have knowledge and experience of working in a policy environment and a successful track record of influencing others with your ideas? Could you use your policy and advocacy skills to drive the best possible outcomes for nature? And do you have the partnership skills to build a robust coalition of like-minded organisations?

If so then the role of Senior Policy Officer within RSPB England’s Nature Policy Team could be just what you are looking for!

We are a small, friendly and focused team working on a range of policy areas in support of reversing nature’s decline.

You’ll be working with colleagues across RSPB and beyond to develop and advocate RSPB policy to various decision makers including Government Departments.

You will be leading our work on important policy areas, which will change from time to time as opportunities and threats shift, but may include for example:

• Strengthening and future-proofing our networks of sites protected for nature.
• Encouraging Metro-Mayors and Combined Authorities to boost nature and people’s access to it.
• Monitoring and influencing the delivery of the Government’s ambitions for nature set out within the Environment Act 2021 and Environmental Improvement Plan 2023;
• Developing and supporting policy interventions to help priority species recover.
• To do this you’ll be working and building relationships with colleagues and stakeholders in a range of partnerships of nature-focused organisations, and engaging with Government arms-length bodies including Natural England.

You will have the following essential skills and requirements:

• A sound knowledge of the policy and governance frameworks driving environmental policy across England, and the political systems that surround them. This will include awareness of targets and measures set out within the Environment Act 2021 and the Environmental Improvement Plan 2023.
• Proven experience of successfully analysing policy documents, with a curious and critical mind, and an eye for detail.
• A demonstrable ability to develop credible policy positions based on sound evidence and expertise, and be adaptable and flexible at a time of dynamic policy change.
• Proven experience of successfully communicating and presenting to a wide range of audiences, making complex and technical matters easy to understand for all.
• Written and oral communication skills of a high standard. A persuasive approach and high professional standards will assist you in developing advocacy strategies, which you will effectively deploy with your demonstrable experience of advocacy to local or national government.
• Demonstrable successful partnership and relationship-building skills alongside an understanding of the role of public-facing campaigning and communications in influencing advocacy outcomes – you will work with other colleagues to deliver campaigns, but some experience of both is essential.
• A demonstrable passion for nature and the natural world, and a drive to secure its recovery. Some knowledge or awareness of ecology would be an advantage but not essential.
• You will have a degree level qualification in an environmental policy related subject (i.e. Ecology or Environmental Assessment) or ability to show equivalent work experience.

This is a permanent position for 37.5 hours per week. You’ll be based within RSPB’s Nature Policy Team – we’re a dynamic and friendly bunch, focussed on having an impact for nature. The role is flexible in location – you could be home-based anywhere in England. Our team meets up from time to time, and there will be travel elsewhere within Great Britain, sometimes including overnight stays.

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.

For further information or an informal chat about this role please contact Carl Bunnage ([email protected])