Community & Volunteer Officer

We have an exciting opportunity available to lead our community and volunteer work in east Norfolk and north Suffolk to support beach-nesting birds. The project has been running since 1986 and protects up to 25% of the UK’s little terns, as well as significant numbers of ringed plovers. Our project thrives on building close relationships with local communities and benefits from working with and developing a dedicated team of volunteers. We are seeking a passionate and inspiring individual with excellent communication skills to grow this work.

If you are interested in significantly contributing to the conservation of beach-nesting birds and have experience working with volunteers and local communities, we would love to hear from you.

What’s the role about?

The RSPB works with volunteer teams and communities to protect and monitor beach-nesting birds at three main sites: Eccles-On-Sea, Winterton-On-Sea and Kessingland.

The Community & Volunteer Officer will work closely with the Team Leader and specialist volunteer coordinators to train and develop our volunteer team. We currently have over 60 volunteers who you will oversee, providing them the support needed to build on their existing skills. You will work to increase the team’s capacity and develop their long-term sustainability.

You will be working at the forefront of the RSPB’s work to build a diverse, inclusive people-powered movement to save nature. The role is also supported by the RSPB’s Species Volunteer Network which works with species-specific projects across the UK.

The Community & Volunteer Officer will be part of the Norfolk and Lincolnshire Conservation Team, working closely with our Broads reserves and Suffolk Area teams. The post will be preferably based close to the east Norfolk or north Suffolk coast, working flexibly from Strumpshaw Fen, our Norwich office and home. Given the remote locations and limited public transport, the ability to drive is essential. Some evening and weekend work will be required.

Whilst this is advertised as a full-time role, we would be open to applicants interested in a part-time role.

Key activities will include:

• Grow and develop the volunteer team – support, train and recruit volunteers to effectively protect Little Terns, Ringed Plovers, and other beach-nesting species.
• Inspire community support – engage with the local communities to inspire behavioural change and recruit more volunteers to support the conservation of beach-nesting birds.
• Deliver a community engagement programme – identify, organise, lead and attend community events to promote the project and key messages.
• Develop effective communications – support the Team Leader on the promotion of the project to highlight successes and develop support through a range of media.
• Build strong community relationships – work closely with a range of colleagues and partners to generate support for the project and help to resource the work.
• End of season reporting – support the Team Leader to produce the end of season report.

The project is an essential piece of work within The Broads and the Suffolk Coast Priority Landscape, which provides a focus to direct our resources where they will have the most significant impact.

Essentials:

1. Strong planning and organisational skills.
2. Excellent interpersonal skills, with the tact, diplomacy and negotiating skills, to develop and maintain good relationships with staff, volunteers, partners and stakeholders, including experience delivering events to the public.
3. Proven experience of recruiting, managing and developing volunteers.
4. Experience of general public engagement work and working with local communities.
5. Excellent communication skills (verbal, written and presentational) – including an ability to speak confidently in public and to produce written content suitable a range of audiences.
6. Ability to drive/access remote locations.

Desirables:

1. Experience in delivering training sessions to support volunteer development.
2. Experience of working with the media (including social media).
3. Broad knowledge of natural history and conservation relevant to east Norfolk and north Suffolk.

Additional information

This is a full time permanent position for 37.5 hours per week. Whilst this is advertised as a full-time role, we would be open to applicants interested in a part-time role.

We are looking to conduct interviews between 2-4 April 2025. Interviews will be held at the RSPB’s Office in Norwich or on Teams.

For further information please get in touch with Phil Pearson ([email protected]).

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

The RSPB is a licenced sponsor. This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship – the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.