This is an exciting opportunity to join RSPB Orkney to begin working to restore damaged peatland habitats across the 8000ha of Reserve land it manages. Peatland restoration projects are just beginning on Orkney’s reserves. 

Vast swathes of important peatland habitats cover the uplands of Orkney. Supporting many special species of upland wading birds, such as Golden Plover, Hen Harrier and Curlew these important areas need to be protected and restored. These peatland areas also hold a huge amount of carbon and preventing this from releasing into the atmosphere is a key climate change prevention action.

The Peatland Restoration Project Manager will lead on delivering our already planned first restoration area, by overseeing and communicating regularly with contractors on the ground. This will mean working with 3 on site excavators and reviewing information through a work reporting app. 

This role will be responsible for taking forward sites that have been identified as suitable candidates for peatland restoration by developing overarching restoration plans. These plans will then be used to develop and submit funding applications to allow work on the ground to begin.

Whilst managing a Field Officer, the role will work to coordinate survey information to ensure criteria of funding schemes, Peatland Code and Peatland Action, are met and that all practical work is done to the required specification.

This role will help to successfully raise income from the carbon market to maintain restored peatlands and help address the issues facing the climate and biodiversity. In short, translating innovative green finance mechanisms into reality.   

This post will be based at the RSPB Orkney Office in Stromness. There will be the option to work blended as part of this role, a mixture of working from the office, working in the field and working from home. Field work may be required in sometimes challenging conditions.

Key tasks include:

• Work with the Reserve Team to take forward and identify suitable sites for Peatland Restoration.
• Collation of baseline condition field surveys.
• Collation of peat depth data and mapping.
• Create site-based restoration plans.
• Project design (inc. GIS).
• Emissions and additionality calculators.
• Risk Assessment Matrix.
• Stakeholder analysis.
• Delivering a community consultation through surveys and in-person workshops.
• Developing detailed funding applications including costing up projects.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

• Knowledge of the theory and practice of project management.
• Knowledge of peatland wildlife ecology and habitat requirements.
• Knowledge of working in designated and sensitive habitat.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to find creative solutions.
• Able to work under pressure and adapt to changing circumstances.
• The ability to clearly communicate verbally to groups in a passionate and credible manner.
• Proven time management and organisational skills.
• Ability to work alongside multiple teams and stakeholders.
• Competent IT user, including the use of Microsoft Office and GIS software.
• Ability to produce clear reports, newsletters and similar communications.

Desirable skills, knowledge, and experience:

• Demonstrable leadership ability, able to effectively lead others without line management authority as well as to line manage staff.
• Ability to organise training events, workshops or facilitated discussions and meetings.
• Experience of working with contractors.
• Cost and budget management experience.
• Experience of delivering projects.

Does this sound like you? If so, we’d love to hear from you. For any questions or an informal chat about the role, please get in touch: joshua.wells@rspb.org.uk.

Additional Information:

This is a fixed-term role until March 2026, full-time for 37.5 hours per week. 

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position on 28 August 2024.

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.

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.

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

This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.

Before applying for this role, please see the attached further information and read through the candidate guidance notes attached to the top of this advert.