About The Orkney Native Wildlife Project

The Orkney Native Wildlife Project started in 2018 and is a partnership between RSPB Scotland, NatureScot and Orkney Islands Council.

Its purpose is to work with local communities and landowners to undertake the world’s largest stoat eradication operation and safeguard the unique and internationally important native wildlife of Orkney and its thriving wildlife tourism industry.

Stoats were first reported in Orkney in 2010 and their presence threatens a variety of species including the unique Orkney vole, hen harriers, short-eared owls, red-throated divers, waders and seabirds which attract wildlife enthusiasts all year round making a significant contribution to the local economy.

Funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) and EU LIFE alongside partner contributions the project is now in a key implementation stage and we are looking for a strong communicator who can run a busy events programme and train and support volunteers.

Key deliverables of the role are:

• Develop and implement a programme of activities that raise awareness and understanding of the objectives of the project and that build a high level of community and visitor support
• Develop and support a volunteer team to achieve agreed objectives and targets and ensure that all volunteers receive an excellent volunteering experience
• Monitor and evaluate agreed community outcomes to provide progress reports internally and externally and where necessary recommend changes to achieve outcomes and ensure commitments to funders are fulfilled
• Keep key stakeholders and the local community up to date on project progress and work with others to ensure any concerns are addressed 

What we need from you:

• An excellent verbal communicator able to communicate messages in a way that is understood by a range of audiences and that engenders their support
• Strong written skills
• Community engagement - working with the public and delivering events to the public
• Good basic knowledge of UK wildlife, habitats and key species (sufficient to be able to lead public engagement activities in a credible way and to train and motivate volunteers). 3.
• Computer literacy – Microsoft Office.
• Able to perform administrative tasks and to deliver accurate reporting to given timescales
• Events and project management.
• Volunteer /staff recruitment and support.
• Ability to work under own initiative.
• Ability to enthuse and motivate themselves and others.
• Ability to drive/access remote locations.
• Understanding of how to use social media to deliver objectives - Desirable
• Experience of promotion, marketing and production of interpretive material - Desirable