Local Change Project Coordinator

Role Purpose:

To coordinate the BSBI’s Local Change project, which aims to resurvey the flora in a network of 2 x 2 km grid squares (tetrads) throughout Britain and Ireland in 2027/28. The flora of these sites was first recorded by BSBI volunteer recorders in 1986/87 and resurveyed in 2003/04 in Britain only. The survey aims to provide high-quality data on the state of our flora and how it is changing, to identify the drivers of change and inform guidance for nature conservation. The survey will also help increase participation in structured recording and inspire and build a diverse community of botanists in Britain and Ireland.

The Project Coordinator will be responsible for the planning and day-to-day running of the project including:

• volunteer recruitment
• training and support
• methodological development
• provision of information prior to survey
• coordinating and undertaking fieldwork over two field seasons (2027-2028)
• ensuring good coverage through targeted survey to fill gaps
• reporting to volunteers and BSBI staff and trustees
• overall project management responsibility, including budget management

Main Responsibilities and Tasks

Promotion, recruitment and volunteer support

1. To promote the Local Change project to the botanical community throughout Britain, Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, and recruit volunteers to resurvey tetrads.

2. To provide packs for volunteers with information bespoke to their chosen tetrads.

3. To provide the first point of contact for volunteers for the project.

Ensure good scheme coverage throughout Britain and Ireland

4. To work with other BSBI staff to ensure good coverage throughout Britain and Ireland, especially BSBI Country Officers in England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland.

5. To provide guidance and training on survey methodology and use of the BSBI Recording App.

6. To recruit, train and coordinate a set of key volunteers to help fill gaps in coverage.

7. To work with the Fundraising and Engagement Manager to help raise match funds for the project and funds for a paid recorder in Ireland who will aim to improve coverage by taking on squares in under-recorded areas.

Engagement and communications

8. To work with the Communications Officer to maintain and update the project webpages and to make use of opportunities, as they arise, to provide talks and copy for internal and external publications and social media; and to liaise with the media on the project.

9. To work with the Training Coordinator and staff team to identify and develop routes to participation in the survey at different botanical skill levels.

10. To work with the staff team to identify and explore ways to address barriers to participation, in line with our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement and Action Plan.

11. To produce quarterly reports to a Steering Group on the progress of the project and, less frequently, to BSBI staff, trustees, members and volunteers.

12. To represent the project and the BSBI with external organisations (working in partnership with them where appropriate) and internally with the Science & Data Committee and others in the BSBI.

Data quality and analyses

13. To ensure that field data is captured efficiently and verified to ensure a high quality dataset for analyses.

14. To contribute to scientific analyses, report writing and the communication of the results of the survey to a range of audiences, including BSBI members and volunteers, scientists, policy makers, landowners and media.

The above list of responsibilities is not exhaustive and you may be required to undertake other responsibilities and training as requested by your line manager, appropriate to your role.

This job description is supported by an annual work programme and performance objectives to provide an indication of the level of performance expected from the role.