Overview

Application deadline: Tuesday, 19 July

Location: Cambridge, UK

Full time: 35 hours per week

Contract: Fixed term until December 2023 (with potential to extend subject to funding availability)

Salary: £27,000 per annum plus competitive 12% pension benefit

Annual Leave: 25 days pro rata per annum in year 1, increasing by 1 day pa to 28 days

Do you have a passion for marine conservation? Do you want to help an international NGO working at the forefront of the marine science-policy interface, supporting innovative analysis to inform better management of our oceans? If you have excellent analytical skills and experience of working with tracking data then working for the BirdLife Marine Programme could be for you.

BirdLife International is the world’s largest nature conservation partnership. Through our unique local-to-global approach, we deliver high impact and long-term conservation for the benefit of nature and people.

We are looking for someone to lead the analysis of seabird tracking data, including developing methodologies to identify marine flyways. Alongside supporting the BirdLife Marine Programme with other policy-relevant science analyses, including the identification of marine IBA/KBAs. This person will work mostly with seabird tracking data, undertaking a range of analyses and leading the writing of reports and scientific manuscripts for publication. The person will also assist with project management and funding applications as required.

MAIN DUTIES/WORK PROGRAMME RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Lead the analysis of seabird tracking data, including development of methodologies, to identify marine flyways

2. Lead writing of scientific manuscripts for publication, and lead/contribute to writing of reports for a range of audiences (e.g., policy, technical, and funders)

3. Undertake policy-relevant science analyses, particularly of BirdLife’s datasets, as needed, including identifying priority sites for conservation, including marine IBAs and KBAs, and spatial overlap with threats, to support to a range of global and regional policy processes

4. Provide scientific and technical support to BirdLife Marine Programme and Partners (and more widely) in their work to identify, document, monitor, and promote the protection and conservation of marine IBAs and KBAs.

5. Contribute scientific support for on-going work with the NACES MPA and provide technical support to the OSPAR Secretariat as needed.

6. Assist in the acquisition and processing of tracking data for the Seabird Tracking Database, including soliciting new datasets, input of datasets and handling of data requests.

7. Contribute to fund-raising for the BirdLife Marine Programme within the global and regional secretariat, leading proposals where appropriate.

8. Manage projects as needed.

9. Represent BirdLife on external bodies as appropriate.

EDUCATION/SKILLS AND OTHER SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Minimum General Education A degree in science or environmental subject.
  • PhD in relevant subject, or equivalent experience
  • Specialist knowledge of advanced spatial analysis including relevant statistical techniques.
  • Proficient in R and in ArcGIS.
  • Excellent understanding of remote tracking techniques and data types.
  • Skills in critically assessing and synthesising information and writing accurately and concisely.
  • Good knowledge of seabird and marine conservation issues.
  • Ability to raise funds, develop funding proposals and manage relationships with donors.
  • Familiarity with the marine policy context.
  • Relevant experience working in seabird/marine conservation or conservation science
  • Ability to work to deadlines, work independently to a high standard and learn new skills rapidly, but also able to work as part of a team.
  • Excellent organisational skills and careful attention to detail.
  • Able to manage a varied and heavy workload and meet multiple tight deadlines.
  • Excellent communication skills, particularly in writing reports relating to analytical methods and outputs.
  • Proficiency with public speaking and presentation to a range of audiences.
  • Track record of report writing and peer-reviewed scientific publications.
  • Ability to solve problems, develop new technical ideas and innovative analysis techniques.
  • Able to use mapping tools to convey results in a clear and concise manner.
  • Eye for detail.
  • Experience writing programming scripts to automate analyses.
  • Experience with Excel tables and data formatting
  • ArcGIS 10.x or superior
  • R-software
  • Microsoft Office
  • Excellent written and spoken English
  • Some international travel may be required from time to time

See the full job description.

Birdlife values a diverse workforce and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

We are committed to building and maintaining an inclusive and supportive culture, a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit. We aim to promote a more inclusive environment, which attracts all candidates and signals our commitment to celebrate and promote diversity.

We will consider putting into place appropriate reasonable adjustments for candidates who may have a disability.

We are able to offer a hybrid model of working on site and from home/remote for most roles, which helps to ensure a flexible work life balance

Application: Applications should include a covering letter summarising the applicant’s suitability for the position, a detailed CV and contact details of two referees known to the applicant in a professional capacity. Applications should be sent by email, stating where the advert was seen, to: recruitment@birdlife.org marking your application with “Marine Science Officer” in the subject line.

Interviews: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

About BirdLife International

Bird migration is one of the great wonders of the natural world. Our mascot, the Arctic Tern, migrates from one pole of the planet to the other between their breeding and wintering grounds – migratory birds don’t choose their routes randomly, they follow Flyways, 8 bird super-highways, where they stop and can rest and refuel along the way, often in one of the IBAs mentioned above.

At BirdLife we work together with our local communities along these Flyways to protect birds and biodiversity in an integrated way for the greatest conservation outcomes.

Our network of over 2 million birders, scientists and local volunteers helps us to track, follow, analyse, conserve and understand every bird species in the world.