Land Use Policy Officer – Wales

RSPB Cymru’s vision is for sustainable land management, which is good for people, climate and
nature. We want to see farming, forestry and other land management across Wales that:

• Sustains and restores biodiversity as well as producing safe, healthy food, timber and
  other commodities;
• Protects the natural resources of soil, air and water we all depend on; and
• Provides income and employment for workers in rural areas and contribute to a diverse rural
  economy.

To deliver our vision we need to work with others to change how land is managed. This includes
ensuring farmers, foresters and other land managers have the right balance of support
(financial and other) to enable them to deliver for nature in addition to providing food, other
commodities and environmental goods and services. It’s also vital we engage wider society to
support these changes and make nature/environmentally friendly choices in the way they eat and
live.

Job Description – Please see the attachment on our site for the Welsh version.

We are looking for a Policy Officer to join our Wales Land and Sea Policy and Advocacy Team to
develop and advocate RSPB Cymru policy positions and proposals on sustainable farming and land
management, including the effective use of nature-based solutions. You will work with a range
of stakeholders and advocates, particularly farmers, foresters, other land managers, and their
representatives, environmental NGOs, statutory bodies and businesses to build, shape and
advocate to the Welsh Government and the Senedd, to change the way we manage land to help save
nature in Wales.

Key deliverables include:

• Developing policy positions in relation to:
• • future agriculture and sustainable land management in Wales, including influencing
    the design and delivery of Wales’ new Sustainable Farming Scheme.
  • Land use/management’s response to climate change including peatland restoration and
    the use of nature-based solutions.
  • Fresh water, in particular the impact of land use/management on water quality.
• Working with colleagues across the RSPB, and where appropriate, with other NGOs, to ensure
  key messages and policy positions are aligned.
• Working closely with sustainable farming and land management advocates, such as the Nature
  Friendly Farming Network, to develop a strong movement for change
• Working closely with staff delivering ‘on the ground’ activities, such as project and
  reserves teams, and farm advisors, to help showcase best practice and develop “learning” for
  future policy and advocacy.
• Working closely with staff delivering communications and public engagement to build public
  and political support for our land use and management policy priorities.
• Increasing public awareness about the connection between land use/management, farming, food
  and the dual nature and climate emergency.

We are looking for a professional, persuasive and engaging individual with an excellent
understanding of current agricultural and land use policy as tools to ensure outcomes for
nature, and credibility within relevant stakeholder communities. They should have the skills
and personality to be able to bring together dynamic coalitions of interested stakeholders to
build, shape and advocate for new policies to secure sustainable land management that is good
for people and good for nature.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

• Experience of working in a policy or advocacy role to influence the development of
  government policy.
• Experience of advocating policy effectively to external audiences (including government,
  relevant businesses, NGOs) to further specific policy and advocacy objectives.
• Knowledge of biodiversity and climate policy and policy drivers at international, EU, UK
  and Wales level
• Knowledge of EU, UK and Wales institutions relevant to the role
• Ability to monitor external policy developments and horizon scan for relevant issues and
  opportunities
• Excellent understanding of agriculture and related land use, nature and climate policy and
  policy drivers in a European, UK and specifically Wales context.
• Ability to write reports, consultation responses and concise policy briefings to support
  advocacy efforts.
• Excellent communication, writing and negotiation skills.
• Ability to develop policy positions and to communicate effectively to a range of audiences,
  including politicians, farmers and other land managers and the public.
• Ability to communicate complex ideas and proposals to a variety of audiences in a concise
  and clear way
• Ability to work as part of a team to deliver a project and achieve shared objectives and
  outcomes.
• Experience of working with others to develop and deliver a shared vision or set of
  proposals
• Proven ability to build and maintain effective relationships with external stakeholders
• Full UK Driving Licence

Desirable skills:

• The ability to communicate in Welsh (written and spoken).

This is a full-time, permanent position working 37.5 hours per week. The post holder will be
working within the RSPB Cymru Policy and Advocacy Team. This position will be home based,
within Wales (or close to). The role requires regular travel within Wales for site/farm visits,
policy events and advocacy, and Team meetings.

As part of this application process you will be asked to complete an application form to
evidence of how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience requested. Should you have any
questions, please contact [email protected]

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

We look forward to receiving your application.

We reserve the right to close this advert at any time.