Overview

The Project Partners (Scottish Natural Heritage and RSPB Scotland) have been awarded Stage 1 Heritage Lottery Funding to develop the Orkney Native Wildlife Project. This Project will ensure that the unique and iconic native wildlife of the Orkney Islands, and delicate ecological balance, is safeguarded for the lasting benefit not only for Orkney’s residents and visitors but also for the nation and world as a whole.  The Project will directly address the urgent issue of invasive non-native predators (stoats) that currently threaten this balance by implementing an eradication programme across Orkney Mainland and the linked isles. It will also deliver a wide-ranging engagement programme to raise awareness of the issue, increase understanding of the need for the eradication and therefore ensure the sustainability of the project and its success. Finally, it will engage people directly with the delivery of the project and a range of opportunities such as biodiversity monitoring and citizen science. The legacy of the project will be that Orkney’s native wildlife is protected and enhanced and also valued and understood by residents and visitors alike.

To support preparation of a Stage 2 Heritage Lottery Fund bid a Project Development Officer is to be appointed for a period of 6 – 9 months.

The role of the Project Development Officer is to co-ordinate the Development Phase work programme.

Detailed Description

1.    Co-ordinate the delivery of the development phase work.

2.    Lead a programme of public and stakeholder engagement within the Orkney Islands to inform and consult people on the project, gather ideas and evidence demand for the project and enlist support for the project delivery.

3.    Through extensive consultation develop an agreed Activity Plan that will engage the public in the delivery of the project and the longer term biosecurity and monitoring of the islands.

4.    Undertake stakeholder meetings with agreed parties to encourage as many interested bodies as possible to become active Stakeholders in the Project.

5.    Work with project partners to develop an agreed ecological monitoring and citizen science programme that will form part of the Activity Plan for the Delivery Phase of the Project.

6.    Support partners at partnership meetings and with the management of development phase contracts where necessary.

7.    Assist in the setup of systems for financial, evaluation and administration for the delivery phase.

8.    Co-ordinate the collation and submission of the Stage 2 HLF Application.

9.     Any other relevant tasks required by the project partners

Prerequisites Required

·         Disclosure Scotland  (This is part of our standard security checks and SNH will arrange a Disclosure Scotland check for all successful candidates)

·         Although Gaelic Language is not a pre-requisite for this post, as part of our commitment to our Gaelic Language Plan, Gaelic Language is a desirable skill for all posts within SNH.