Do you want to help protect some of the most threatened reptiles on the planet and safeguard unique pockets of paradise? Keen to mentor and build the capacity of others? Are you already, or would you be happy to be, based in the Cayman Islands for just under three years? If so, this could be the job for you.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, passionate person to effectively engage local communities within Cayman’s Sister Islands in a collaborative multi-sector partnership in the Cayman Islands, a UK Overseas Territory in the Caribbean for 18.75 hours per week, from October 2021 to June 2024.

By mobilising people, you will play an essential conservation role to protect some of the most pristine patches of natural habitat left in the Caribbean - the homes of unique iguanas and boas, parrots and thousands of seabirds.

This exciting role is funded through the Darwin Plus Initiative project: Safeguarding Cayman’s Sister Islands from Invasive Species. The successful candidate will be based with our partner organisation, the Cayman Islands Department of Environment. Focussing on protecting the largely undeveloped Sister Islands (Cayman Brac and Little Cayman), the role will be securing the future for Cayman’s environmental flagships, home to the Territory’s only RAMSAR site and its most internationally significant wildlife, from the impact of invasive species.

Invasive Alien Vertebrates (IAV) pose a major yet largely unmanaged threat on Cayman’s Sister Islands. Feral cat predation has resulted in catastrophic native species declines whilst invasive green iguanas are spreading from Grand Cayman. This project will strengthen Territory-wide biosecurity and implement IAV management with local communities, building knowledge, capacity and support for effective and sustainable action.

As a natural people-person and communicator, you will find the challenge of mobilising people through effective community engagement an exciting and rewarding role.

Job purpose

1. To deliver a positive change in the attitudes of residents and visitors to value the threatened habitats and species of Cayman Brac and understand the threats invasive species create for them, through a programme of project delivery, people engagement and communications work.
2. To build a community volunteer network across the Sister Islands to support biosecurity.

 Responsibilities & duties

• Raise awareness and understanding of the importance of Cayman Brac and key vulnerable species and the impacts of invasive species (feral cats, dogs, green iguanas, rats) amongst Cayman Brac residents, visitors and decision makers to inspire their support for the project.
• Ensure the delivery of a programme of events on Cayman Brac and Little Cayman that inspire, enthuse and motivate people to support the DoE and their work in the Sister Islands.
• Deliver a Cayman Brac communications plan through third party platforms with audiences identified and prioritised in the plan to promote the conservation of its unique wildlife and habitats.
• Manage and develop DoE volunteers to provide support to face to face events, project activities and delivery of objectives.
• Contribute to a programme of events and activities delivered by staff and volunteers to deliver connections with nature that inspire and inform residents and visitors on the Sister Islands.

Essential experience, skills and behaviours:

• Good basic knowledge of Cayman Brac wildlife; sufficient to be able to lead public engagement activities in a credible way and to train and motivate volunteers
• An excellent verbal communicator able to communicate messages about invasive species in a way that is understood by a range of audiences and that engenders their support
• Strong written skills
• Ability to engage with a wide range of people face to face
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Has the ability to motivate themselves and others.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office programmes.
• Good time management and organisational skills.
• Can work under own initiative and as part of a team.
• Understanding of how to use social media to deliver objectives.
• Demonstrates a willingness to make decisions and take action
• Demonstrates adaptability and quick decision-making
• Good attention to detail
• Is prepared to take on new challenges outside their comfort zone
• Makes the effort to collaborate with others, even when under pressure
• Always assumes positive intent in others
• Constantly looks for ways to improve the way things are done

Desirable experience, skills and behaviours:

• Understanding of invasive species including identification, biology, impacts on native wildlife and appropriate responses and interventions
• Knowledge of a range of delivery mechanisms for conservation work in relation to invasive species
• Experience of delivering and achieving targets
• Experience of working with the public and delivering events to the public
• Has experience in delivering wildlife and conservation messages to a range of audiences
• Has experience of working with volunteers

This role will report to the Manager, Terrestrial Resources Unit, Cayman Islands Department of Environment, and the RSPB Project Leader. We are particularly keen to receive applications from those currently residing in the Cayman Islands.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position on 11th & 12th August 2021. Should you have any queries about this vacancy, please contact Sarah.Havery@rspb.org.uk.

This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Please note that in order to be considered for this post you will be required to upload a CV and complete an online application form. Before applying, we would encourage you to read through the candidate guidance notes attached to the top of this advert.

We look forward to hearing from you!