Senior Research Assistant – Species Survival Fund

We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic Senior Research Assistant to support our
Species Survival Fund programme. 

What’s the role about? 

#Species Coastal and Wetlands: more, better, bigger, joined has secured funding from the
Species Survival Fund.

This programme will contribute to halting the decline in species abundance by increasing the
extent, quality and connectedness of a variety of wildlife-rich priority coastal and wetland
habitats. 

We will create opportunities for more people to connect with nature. We will support the Thames
Youth Action Panel to recruit new and diverse members, deliver at least 900 nature
prescriptions at our RSPB reserves at Rainham Marshes, Dungeness and in South Essex, and
deliver 4 Get Started programmes for NEET young people, in collaboration with the Prince’s
Trust. 

We’re looking for a Senior Research Assistant, specialising in social science, to help us
evaluate the success of the programme and lay the foundations for a long-lasting legacy.

This project is funded by the Government’s Species Survival Fund. The fund was developed by
Defra and its Arm’s-Length Bodies. It is being delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund
in partnership with Natural England and the Environment Agency. 

Key activities will include:? 

• Working with the SSF Programme team and RSPB Conservation Science to develop the
  monitoring, evaluation and learning plan for the programme.
• Travelling to project sites and engaging with key stakeholders and participants to collect
  empirical data relevant to the monitoring, evaluation and learning plan. 
• Analysing the results of empirical data collection and reporting the findings to the
  programme team in various formats, depending on the audience. This will include reporting on
  the effectiveness of the programme in line with National Lottery Heritage Fund protocols.
• Supported by RSPB Conservation Science, providing expertise to the SSF Programme team,
  including supporting the production of the programme’s Legacy Plan and contributing to SSF
  Programme team meetings. 

Essential criteria: 

• Demonstrable understanding of theories and methodologies in a social science discipline, or
  a degree in a social science subject (e.g., Psychology, Human Geography, Sociology or related
  fields). 
• Experience and knowledge of some social science data collection methods (e.g., conducting
  surveys, interviews or focus groups). 
• Self-motivated and able to work efficiently alone and as part of a team to meet deadlines. 
• Interpersonal skills to develop and maintain good relations with the project team and
  external stakeholders.
• Verbal communication skills to develop and maintain good relations with members of the
  public. 
• Ability to use own initiative to solve day-to-day problems. 
• Skilled use of Microsoft Office 

Desirable criteria:

• Experience of monitoring and evaluating social projects or programmes. 
• Experience of analysis of quantitative and/or qualitative data. 
• Experience of using social science analysis software, e.g. N-Vivo, R.

Further Information 

This is a part-time role for 22.5 hours per week, fixed-term to 28th February 2026. 

This role will be homebased in the South-East of England and we are happy to consider
flexible working arrangements.? There will be an expectation to regularly travel to project
sites and overnight stays may be required. 

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. 

Before applying for this role, we recommend reading through the candidate guidance notes
attached to the top of this advert. 

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

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position on 1st and 2nd July 2024. For further
information about the role please contact [email protected]

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

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.