RSPB

Careers | RSPB

We are excited you have visited our Careers page. We are seeking talented individuals that are excellent in their field of expertise and are posed with all potential and skills necessary to help us meet future business challenges.

This position is no longer available
If you would like to apply to other positions at RSPB, please return to our Careers Page.
Position not right for you?
Share it with someone you know.

Lead Data Manager

Reference: MAY20227461
Expiry date: 2022-06-19 22:59:00.000
Location: Flexible in UK
Salary: £38,000.00 - £42,156.00 Per Annum
Benefits: Pension, Life Assurance and Annual Leave
Attachments: CandidateGuidanceNotesNov21.pdf

Introduction 

Are you interested in achieving excellence in data management to have greatest conservation impact?  Do you have knowledge of managing and sharing species and habitats data for use in conservation decision-making across the UK or elsewhere around the world?  We are looking for a dynamic individual to lead our conservation data management across all parts of the RSPB - from our reserves to landscape-scale projects for priority species in the UK and beyond. 

Working within the RSPB’s Conservation Data Department, you will be joining a dynamic and innovative team focused on using conservation data and technology to enable all aspects of the RSPB’s conservation work ranging from scientific research, policy and advocacy to site and habitat management, species recovery and protection, land management advice, community partnerships and much more. 

What's the role about? 

Our Lead Data Manager role involves managing the RSPB’s own conservation data and addressing any challenges in facilitating the flow of data from collection and curation through to analysis and use both internally and externally.  With the help of a small team of data managers, you will oversee the RSPB’s conservation data provision services, ensuring that our data are available either through the NBN Atlas (for open data) or through our own in-house data supply (for sensitive data).  You will liaise with other organisations to facilitate data sharing with other NGOs, Local Environmental Records Centres, national schemes and societies, statutory bodies and the commercial sector and academia. Working with a business analyst and our in-house development team, you will help RSPB to improve its own data management systems, policies and practices to ensure that our species and habitat data are easily available to everyone who might use them.  In particular, you will help drive the continuous improvement of our in-house GIS database (Merlin) and interactive dashboards and reporting tools to support the management and use of conservation data by our staff and volunteers. With over 1000 users of Merlin, you will also be responsible for engendering a positive data management culture and for overseeing the support and guidance we provide to staff and volunteers collecting and managing data across the organisation. 

An important aspect of this role will be to challenge the status quo and to bring innovation and new thinking to how the RSPB captures and uses conservation data.  The role therefore involves engaging with many different people, in particular within our Global Conservation and UK Countries Directorates, and so having a welcoming, positive, and innovative attitude is essential.  

Essential skills, knowledge and experience: 

  • Good knowledge of wildlife recording and biodiversity data flows in the UK 
  • Good knowledge of legislation of relevance for biodiversity and other environmental information 
  • Good knowledge of Microsoft Office products, databases and information management software such as SQL and Microsoft Sharepoint 
  • The ability to create user-friendly data dashboards and infographics using tools such as Microsoft PowerBI 
  • Experience of managing business changes involving investigation of technical problems, benefits realisation, process improvements or system development or implementation 
  • Experience of managing and directing a team 


Desirable skills, knowledge and experience: 

  • Knowledge of UK biodiversity data infrastructure including national recording schemes and citizen science projects and some of the technologies used to support these 
  • Experience of managing data/information management services within a complex organisation 
  • Knowledge of agile development methodologies such as SCRUM  
  • Knowledge of natural history and species and habitats taxonomies - ideally with some expertise in at least one species group (such as plants, insects, mammals, fungi or birds)  
  • Knowledge and experience of using the NBN Atlas and the RSPB system Merlin (or equivalent) 

 

This is a permanent role for 37.5 hours per week. The successful candidate can be based flexibly, however occasional travel and overnight stays within the UK will be necessary, including visits to RSPB Headquarters in Sandy, Bedfordshire. 

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position on 28th, 29th and 30th June 2022. For further information please contact Stephen Blain - stephen.blain@rspb.org.uk 

_________________________ 

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. 

_______________________  

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

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