Senior Project Manager

Our client a nature conservation charity are looking for a dynamic and capable conservationist to become their new Project Manager.

Senior Project Manager - Project Godwit
Reference number: A1321120
Location: Swavesey / Flexible, although regular travel to sites in Cambridgeshire and Norfolk will be required
Salary: Starting at £30,817 to £34,471 Per Annum
Hours: Full time
Contract: 12 Months

Project Godwit is a partnership between our client and WWT which aims to secure the future of breeding black-tailed godwits in the UK. This ground-breaking species conservation project is using research, habitat management, conservation translocation and community engagement to secure a better future for black-tailed godwits in the fens.

As Project Manager, you will be leading a project team comprised of colleagues from the charity and WWT to achieve the following objectives, until the project concludes in December 2021:

• Increase the productivity of black-tailed godwits at key breeding sites.
• Maintain and enhance 1,100 ha of breeding habitat at these sites.
• Improve understanding of local and migratory movements of godwits.
• Trial the use of 'head-starting' as a conservation tool for godwits.
• Increase support among local communities for the conservation of godwits and raise awareness among the general public and decision-makers.
• Develop a UK-wide recovery plan in liaison with appropriate flyway initiatives.
• You will act as the point of contact for the main project funder - the European Commission's LIFE Nature programme (which supports nature conservation projects throughout the EU).

About you

You will be an experienced Project Manager and will have an excellent understanding of what it takes to help a species recover. You will be able to lead a geographically dispersed and cross-functional team to deliver the project outcomes. You will be expected to lead project activities across a diverse range of areas including research, habitat management, conservation translocation, communications, engagement and action planning. As well as leading the project team, you will be responsible for reporting the project's success to their funders and other key audiences. A background in wildlife conservation or ecology is essential for this role and an understanding of the conservation needs of wetland priority species is desirable. They are also interested in hearing from candidates who have direct experience in working on translocation projects and/or species recovery projects. Strong communication skills are required, experience working with the media and of developing web and social media content is desirable. Previous experience of action planning for species recovery and reporting on European or the NLHF projects is desirable.

The purpose of this Project Godwit is to improve the conservation status of black-tailed godwits (Limosa limosa), securing the future of this species in the UK. The black-tailed godwit is categorised as Near Threatened with extinction on the IUCN's Red List, and is one of only a small number of UK breeding birds that are of global conservation concern.

The UK breeding population is concentrated in the Cambridgeshire and Norfolk Fens in eastern England, primarily the Nene and Ouse Washes Special Protection Areas and adjacent grassland habitat. This population has declined from more than 65 pairs in the 1970s to 45-50 pairs today. Most breed at the Nene Washes, with up to twelve pairs at or adjacent to the Ouse Washes. As with populations elsewhere in Europe, the main driver of decline is falling productivity due to factors operating on the breeding grounds.

Project Godwit is a partnership between the charity and WWT with major funding from the EU LIFE Nature Programme, The HSBC 150th Anniversary Fund, Natural England and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Closing date: 6 December 2020

To Apply and for More Information:

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