Location
Flexible in Northern Ireland

Hours
Full Time - 37.5 hours per week

Salary
£39,205 per annum

About the Role
This is an outstanding opportunity to help ensure a better future for Northern Ireland’s seas and seabirds. You will lead RSPBNI policy and advocacy on seabird, marine, and fisheries issues and influence important debates and decisions in Northern Ireland relating to the protection of seabirds and the marine environment generally. The UK is internationally important for seabirds and has a responsibility to protect and recover their populations. Around 8 million seabirds from 25 species breed in the UK, including 80% of the world’s Manx shearwaters, and millions more overwinter or pass through the UK on migration. Northern Ireland is globally important for a range of seabirds and other marine species. Yet seabirds are now under unprecedented threat, declining faster than any other group of birds. Seabirds breeding along our coastline and on our islands need safe nesting places free from introduced predators, and well-managed seas and fisheries to provide food for adults and young. How we manage and protect our seas in the coming decades will play a central role in halting declines in nature and combatting climate change.

The role involves advocacy on marine, fisheries and renewable policies with a focus on the NI Assembly and relevant NI government Departments, working closely with the NI Marine Task Force, as well as providing information, advice, and support to other staff internally on seabird and marine policy issues. You will work with a wide range of policy staff across the UK and with colleagues in Conservation Science, Campaigns and Communications, and on-the-ground Operations teams to ensure impactful outcomes.

Key responsibilities include building and maintaining effective relationships with politicians and senior government officials to create optimum conditions for successful advocacy, developing and delivering campaigns and communications materials to further RSPB’s policy objectives, producing policy reports, consultation responses, and briefings, and collaborating across teams to ensure a consistent and informed approach to marine policy advocacy.

Experience
- A good understanding of marine legislation and/or policy and its implications for seabird conservation.
- Proven experience advocating policy effectively to external audiences including government, relevant businesses, and NGOs.
- Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with external stakeholders.
- Understanding of the role of public-facing communications and campaigns in supporting policy advocacy.
- Excellent verbal, written, and presentational communication skills, including confidence in public speaking and engaging with opposing views.
- Demonstrated ability to act independently to generate and lead on policy positions and outputs.
- Experience forming effective teams and working both as a team leader and team player.

About you
You are a respected thought leader in marine and seabird policy with strong advocacy, communication, and campaigning skills. You are motivated by the challenge of protecting seabirds and the marine environment and can influence key policy debates in Northern Ireland. You work collaboratively across teams and stakeholders to achieve shared goals and are confident engaging with diverse audiences.

Qualifications
While specific qualifications are not detailed, the role requires strong knowledge of seabirds, marine policy, and fisheries issues, supported by relevant experience in policy advocacy and communications.