Overview

Salary: Circa £32,000 per annum
Start Date: 3rd October 2022 or as soon as possible thereafter
Contract Type: Permanent
Location: FFI’s office space in central Edinburgh, UK. Current policy offers partial remote working within Scotland

Founded in 1903, Fauna & Flora International (FFI) is the world’s longest established international conservation organisation. Our vision is to create a sustainable future for the planet where biodiversity is conserved by the people living closest to it. We aim to do this through the conservation of threatened species and ecosystems worldwide, choosing solutions that are sustainable, based on sound science and take account of human needs. We have become a trusted entity in the world of conservation. Today FFI is active in over 40 countries.

FFI is seeking an experienced Technical Specialist to fulfil a key role within FFI’s team in Scotland. The post holder will work closely with colleagues in Scotland, and across FFI, to support a range of Community-based Organisations (CBOs) in Scotland who are engaging in the protection, management and/or restoration of their local environment.

The Community Support Specialist, Scotland, will provide technical leadership for FFI’s work supporting and enabling community-led biodiversity protection and restoration in Scotland. They will deliver primary engagement, relationship building and support to communities, identifying appropriate mechanisms for support to help them to develop and realise tangible impacts for biodiversity and nature-positive natural resource management. The post holder will be the primary driver of community support, applying varied and carefully judged forms of engagement (technical input, advice, training, organisational development and mentoring) in line with the needs and aspirations of particular Scottish CBOs, and will provide a bridge to wider FFI organisational experience as needed.

The post holder will represent FFI’s position and ethos around community-led conservation and restoration in Scotland with a range of stakeholders and will work closely with the Senior Conservation Director, and the Project Manager, Scotland, to represent FFI more widely in Scotland, as required.

You will have excellent diplomatic and interpersonal skills with the ability to negotiate and mediate. You will have excellent communication (verbal and written) skills, active listening skills and a proven ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse range of people and organisations, such as governments, NGOs, community groups and businesses. You will have good knowledge and understanding of the Scottish political landscape, at national and local level, and good knowledge of Scotland’s natural heritage and current biodiversity conservation issues. You will have proven experience of supporting the development of local grassroots organisations/CBOs and demonstrable abilities in mentoring and supporting individuals and organisations.

In return, the role offers the opportunity to work within a ground-breaking and entrepreneurial organisation, at the forefront of global conservation, and alongside a vibrant and dynamic community network at an exciting stage of its development. In addition, FFI offers a generous pension contribution, attractive annual leave allowance and life insurance. Flexible working options will be considered. This position is based at FFI’s Central Edinburgh office space, although partial remote working from within Scotland may be available, to be agreed between the post-holder and line-manager. Scotland and UK-wide travel will be required.

For further details and to apply please click here

The closing date for applications is Sunday, 21 August 2022.