We are looking for a Fair to Nature Advisory and Project Development Officer. This advisory role will play a key contribution to help grow the RSPB’s Fair to Nature programme and improve habitats to protect and restore nature and wildlife on UK farms with one specific major business partner, and with a wide range of other farmers and businesses.

What's the role about? 

For the key strategic business partnership within the dairy sector the role will visit farmer-suppliers and provide in-person habitat advice, and speak with farmers remotely (via Teams / Zoom) to understand their farming operation and provide habitat advice.

You will use this insight and experience to help inform the marketing tools and advisory programme for broader supply chain (other farms) within the partnership.

For other Fair to Nature farmers, and businesses directly linked to them, you will prepare for and complete advisory visits and follow up with applicant Fair to Nature farmers and share the benefits of Fair to Nature certification. You will advise them on how to comply with the FtN Standard and help them complete their Farm Plan.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

• Knowledge of land management practices that deliver nature and wider environment benefits on farmland.
• Understanding of the ecology of main farmland taxa, particularly those of conservation concern.
• Understanding of agricultural systems and how conservation management may impact on farming practice.
• Able to communicate effectively with farmers and advise them on land management for nature.
• Ability to be self-motivated and work efficiently within a defined work plan. This necessitates the ability to plan and organise their own work.
• Competent IT user (e.g. MS packages, Outlook etc).
• An ability to produce clear written communications.
• Proven time management and organisational skills to meet project deadlines.
• Experience of working with farmers.
• Experience of giving land and / or habitat management advice.

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

• Experience of working to a standard project management approach.
• Experience of collaborating with food businesses.
• Ability to do habitat assessments and species surveys.
• Understanding of dairy farming and how conservation management may impact on farming practice.

This is a fixed-term role for 12 months, full-time for 37.5 hours per week. 

The successful candidate will be based at a convenient location for travel across England and Wales 

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.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position as soon as suitable candidates present themselves, so please do not delay in applying. For further information please contact mark.varney@rspb.org.uk.

As part of this application process you will be asked to provide a copy of your CV and 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.

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.

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

Please note that we are actively recruiting for this vacancy, and reserve the right to close once sufficient applications have been received.