RSPB England has an exciting opportunity for a project officer to lead the development and delivery of a centrally administered initiative that seeks to engage more, and more diverse, families with nature.

Part of the Naturally Connected Communities Birmingham project - a Green Recovery Challenge funded initiative - the Birmingham Community and Families Officer will explore and develop approaches to effectively empower, upskill and build confidence in community groups to deliver inclusive and accessible family nature-based activities in local greenspace in a way that is impactful and inspiring.

What’s the role about

The role is part of a team led by the Birmingham Community Project Manager and will work alongside our project partner, Birmingham Open Spaces Forum, as well as community and family specialists from within the RSPB.

Initially working with a local consultant, you will play a key role in the consultation and co-design phases of the project, gaining insight from families and community groups and exploring solutions to the barriers that may prevent families from diverse social backgrounds engaging with nature. You will lead the creation of a toolkit incorporating a training package and family activity resources that groups need to effectively engage families from diverse communities with nature in local greenspaces.

Leading a small team, including a seasonal staff member and volunteers that will support community groups as they deliver events and activities using the toolkit, you will effectively measure the impact of the approach, implementing monitoring and evaluation regimes to inform the development and improvement of the offer; providing recommendations that secure an ongoing local legacy and exploring options for this model of family engagement to be upscaled across the UK.

What we need from you

The successful candidate will have experience of working within communities and with community groups, using consultation and co-design approaches. You will have a proven track record of developing and delivering inclusive family activities that engage with diverse audiences.  Your ability to connect with communities and your passion to inspire children and families will enable you to develop resources and training that will facilitate sustainable opportunities for diverse families to enjoy and help nature.

Able to work independently and as part of a team, you will have some leadership experience as well as excellent communication skills and will be able to build strong working relationships both internally and externally, creating and maintaining strategic links with local partners who will add value to what we deliver.

You will have experience of delivering a project effectively including monitoring, evaluating and reporting impact, and will be proficient in MS Office systems.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience

• Development and delivery of family activity programmes
• Experience of consultation and co-design within communities
• Ability to communicate clearly and confidently, verbally and in writing
• Ability to motivate others with some experience of managing staff and/or volunteers
• Experience of building and maintaining positive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Project planning and delivery experience, including monitoring, evaluating and reporting against the effectiveness and impact of projects and/or activities
• Proficiency in MS Office systems

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience

• Experience of creating training and activity resources
• Experience of delivering outdoor nature-based activities
• An awareness of the barriers that may exist that prevent families from diverse urban communities from engaging with nature

This role is based in Birmingham, with the option for the successful candidate to be either dual located working between home and the RSPB’s central Birmingham office as the business need requires or fully based in the Birmingham office if preferred. Regular travel within the Birmingham area will also be required.

Please note that you will be required to only complete an online application form.

Before applying to this role we would encourage you to read through the candidate guidance notes attached to the top of this advert.

We are committed to making our organisation diverse and inclusive, and as such are keen to encourage applications from people from black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds, as well as those with disabilities.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position on Thursday 23 September on Microsoft Teams.

Should you have any queries about this vacancy, please contact Jenny Hackland, England Education, Families and Youth Manager - jenny.hackland@rspb.org.uk