Do you want to help save one of the most charismatic and threatened species of birds on the planet? Do you enjoy partnership projects? Do you like to assist and build the capacity of others? Are you keen to be part of an ambitious large-scale high-profile project with organisations from 12 countries spanning the Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa? If so, this could be the job for you!

We are looking for a capable, enthusiastic, passionate person to help drive forward conservation action as part of Egyptian Vulture New Life Project, working closely with Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB) and others until December 2022.

Job Summary

As LIFE Egyptian Vulture Project Officer, you will be UK based, with regular travel to key countries along the Balkan/African Flyway of Egyptian Vultures from Bulgaria to Nigeria. You will work with Species Recovery Officer (RSPB Programme Lead for LIFE Egyptian Vultures) and you will be central to enabling the RSPB to deliver its valuable support to the major LIFE project partnership led by BSPB-BirdLife Bulgaria.

Internally, you will coordinate all RSPB technical assistance, knowledge transfer and capacity building work to enable this partnership project to progress to its planned completion in December 2022. Your role will need you to assist directly in the planning and delivery of key project actions in a series of selected focal countries.

Externally, you will represent RSPB in key countries, working closely with selected national partners to enable effective planning, delivery of conservation activities, and reporting. Your role will contribute directly to delivering evidence-based project activities to provide lasting benefits for Egyptian vultures by reducing or removing the major threats which include electrocution and collision with energy infrastructures, poisoning and direct persecution.

Main Responsibilities:

1. Within the RSPB, you will work with Species Recovery Officer (RSPB Programme Lead for LIFE Egyptian Vultures) to coordinate essential technical assistance that enables the RSPB to deliver fully its defined role in this dynamic major LIFE project partnership
2. Manage the RSPB component of the LIFE project budget, timesheets, and reporting responsibilities in line with RSPB, BSPB-BirdLife Bulgaria and LIFE project requirements
3. Assist project partners in selected focal countries (specifically including Turkey, Lebanon and Ethiopia) directly to deliver priority conservation actions that will result in reducing or removing the risks facing the Egyptian vulture
4. Work with staff, partners, external contractors and volunteers as necessary to ensure that actions are delivered to agreed standards of quality, cost and time
5. Liaise with RSPB / BirdLife communications teams and partners to develop stories for external international publications.
6. Assist with additional activities in support of BSPB-BirdLife Bulgaria as Coordinating Partner on request to enable successful completion of this project by December 2022.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

1. Degree in biology or nature conservation, or equivalent experience in related fields
2. Understanding of key concepts in bird conservation from species recovery to protected areas management, policy advocacy to public engagement
3. Sound knowledge of UK / EU / international nature conservation actions relevant to this LIFE Programme project
4. Sound knowledge of the principle and practice of project management to perform the role, including experience of work planning, risk monitoring and project reporting
5. Experience of managing project budgets, expenditure and financial reporting
6. Cultural literacy and sensitivity to ensure mutually respectful working relations with a wide range of stakeholders, as part of a diverse multi-national team
7. Strong relationship and partnership building skills to work as part of a partnership project team, ideally including coordinating/assisting people who you don’t manage
8. Direct international experience with Civil Society Organisations on species conservation projects, preferably in Eastern Europe, the Middle East or Africa
9. Accomplished spoken and written communication skills in English using traditional or digital tools that build national stakeholders’ understanding of the Project
10. Evident diplomacy and negotiation skills to negotiate, solve problems and avoid and overcome challenges working with people from diverse sectors and backgrounds
11. A flexible creative approach, with the ability to work under pressure and adapt to changing circumstances
12. Readiness and ability to travel independently internationally (when needed and when Covid-19 travel restrictions allow)

This is an exciting fixed-term full-time position created by restructuring that is intended to start at the earliest opportunity.

It will be UK based (precise location can be flexible) with regular (sometimes extended) travel to key countries along the Balkan Flyway of the Egyptian Vulture from Bulgaria to Nigeria when it is safe to do so. Currently it is not possible to travel overseas unless classed as essential travel given the current travel restrictions in response to the global Covid-19 pandemic. RSPB are continually reviewing the UK Government guidance and updating our policies appropriately.

If the LIFE Egyptian Vulture project is extended beyond December 2022, this role may also be subject to extension.

The post will be managed by the RSPB Species Recovery Officer within the Global Species Recovery team.

This role would be suitable for an RSPB employee as an internal secondment opportunity.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from 1st July 2021. Should you have any queries about this vacancy, please contact Mary.Davies@rspb.org.uk in the first instance.

We look forward to hearing from you!