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Conservation Centre of Excellence Lead

Salary: Up to £32,000 pro rata (up to £(phone number removed) FTE)

Location: Newark based with flexibility to work from home. UK travel will be required.

Part time: 0.6, 21 hours/3 days per week

Temporary contract: 21 months from start date

Closing date for applications: 27th November 2024

First interview: 13th December 2024

Second interview: 20th December 2024

About Us

The Wildlife Trusts are a federated movement of 46 charities, supported by a central charity, the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts (RSWT). Together we have over 900,000 members, 32,500 volunteers and 3,400 staff across the UK. We are at an exciting moment in our 110-year history, with the implementation of an ambitious new strategy, setting out a vision of nature in recovery, with abundant, diverse wildlife and natural processes creating wilder landscapes where people and nature thrive.

Wildlife Trusts have restored and care for some of the most special places for wildlife in the UK. Collectively we manage more than 2,600 nature reserves, operate 123 visitor and education centres and own 29 working farms. We are in the top ten largest landholders in the UK. We undertake research, we stand up for wildlife and wild places under threat, and we help people access nature.

The next few years will be critical in determining what kind of world we all live in. We need to urgently reverse the loss of wildlife and put nature into recovery at scale if we are to prevent climate and ecological disaster. We recognise that this will require big, bold changes in the way The Wildlife Trusts work.

RSWT are seeking an innovative and strategic lead to head key elements of their ‘Evidence Emergency’ project. This initiative aims to enhance our approach to using evidence in conservation, improving data-driven decisionmaking through the establishment of a Centre of Excellence for Evidence-based Conservation. The role involves co-ordinating and scaling innovation efforts, managing digital and data projects, embedding a skills bank and competency framework across the federation, fostering internal communication and knowledge sharing, and developing long-term sustainability strategies. The ideal candidate will have a excellent background in project management, digital technologies, and data analytics within conservation, as well as great communication and collaboration skills. Throughout the project you will liaise with the Project Lead at Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust, Self-assessment Tool/Competencies Lead at Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and the Project Delivery Support Officer at Surrey Wildlife Trust.

About the Evidence Emergency project:

The Evidence Emergency project is a critical initiative within the Wildlife Trusts federation aimed at addressing the urgent need for robust, data-driven decision-making in conservation efforts. This project, run in partnership across several trusts, recognises the growing importance of digital technologies and data analytics in understanding and protecting wildlife and habitats across the UK.

The project’s main goals include enhancing the collection, analysis, and sharing of ecological data across the Wildlife Trusts network, as well as developing innovative digital solutions to support conservation work. It seeks to build capacity for data-driven decision-making while fostering a culture of innovation and knowledge sharing across the federation. A key component of the project is the establishment of a Centre of Excellence for Evidencebased Conservation, which will drive long-term improvements in how evidence is used in conservation efforts.

The Centre of Excellence for the Wildlife Trusts is expected to be a central hub that enhances digital capabilities and supports evidence-based conservation practices across the Trusts. It will bring together resources, foster innovation and scaling of ideas generated across the federation, and improve digital skills through specialised training, tools, and consulting services. The Centre of Excellence will serve as a collaborative hub, promoting best practices, facilitating knowledge sharing, delivering projects and developing strategic partnerships to drive impactful conservation efforts.

About You

We are looking for an innovative thinker with excellent communication skills and extensive experience in project management, particularly in the context of digital and data innovation. Your passion drives you to foster collaboration across diverse teams, ensuring that all voices are heard and valued.

You thrive in dynamic environments and have a proven track record of establishing and scaling innovation initiatives. Your strategic mindset allows you to see the big picture whilst collaborating with others to deliver on this vision. You excel in working with various stakeholders, from team members to external consultants, and can clearly communicate complex ideas. Your experience with digital technologies and data analytics in conservation or related fields is crucial to driving the success of this role.

Your role will focus on coordinating at the federation level, creating and managing a Centre of Excellence, and embedding a skills and competency framework into this new structure. This will involve setting up governance structures, developing resources, scaling pilots into live services and continuously improving offerings based on feedback. Additionally, you will be responsible for developing and implementing long-term sustainability strategies for innovation initiatives.

The Wildlife Trusts value passion, respect, trust, integrity, pragmatic activism and strength in diversity. Whilst we are passionate in promoting our aims, we are not judgmental and are inclusive. We particularly encourage applications from people who are underrepresented within our sector, including people from minority backgrounds and people with disabilities. We are committed to creating a movement that recognises and truly values individual differences and identities.

The Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts takes our safeguarding responsibilities extremely seriously. Please click here to read our commitment statement. RSWT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk. For applicable roles, applicants must be willing to undergo checks with past employers and Disclosure and Barring Service checks at the eligible level.

As a Disability Confident employer, we are committed to offering an interview to anyone with a disability that meets all the essential criteria for the post. Please let us know if you require any adjustments to make our recruitment process more accessible.

Please do not use artificial intelligence tools to assist you to complete the application form. We may not accept applications that have been completed utilising AI tools.

RSWT are committed to increasing the diversity of its staff through its Levelling the Field recruitment pledge and will put any ethnic minority applicants that meet all the essential criteria for the post through to the next stage of recruitment