Planning & Casework Officer

Do you have knowledge of land-use planning and want to play a vital role protecting special places for wildlife at a time of unprecedented challenges and opportunities for the environment? We’re seeking an enthusiastic and motivated person to join RSPB Northern Ireland in our mission to save nature.

What’s the role about?

We’re looking for someone who is passionate about wildlife and using the planning system and other decision-making processes to play a positive role in tackling the nature and climate crisis.

This is a great opportunity to apply your knowledge of land-use planning to benefit nature. You’ll work closely with colleagues to ensure regulatory decision-making processes in Northern Ireland take nature into account – whether it’s proposals for roads, housing developments, energy developments on land or at sea, forestry, etc – while ensuring special sites for wildlife are protected. Your work will involve engaging with planning legislation and related policy consultations, through to influencing spatial plans and responding to individual development and other land-use and sea-use applications.

You will contribute to RSPB NI holding decision-makers to account and harness the power of people to campaign to defend nature. Supported by colleagues, you will have the opportunity to deepen your knowledge and experience of planning and other decision-making processes and policy, particularly in relation to conservation and nature.

Key Responsibilities:

• Make the case for protecting the most important places for nature in Northern Ireland from damaging development and other land-use and sea-use changes.
• Advocate for better planning legislation and policies, and protection and management of special places for nature with stakeholders such as government, agencies and businesses.
• Prepare RSPB NI responses to development and other land-use or sea-use proposals, coordinating specialist input from colleagues as required.
• Prepare policy and legislation consultation responses, as well as develop relevant briefings and, as appropriate, input into reports.
• Stay informed about relevant external context to identify emerging issues – both challenges and opportunities.
• Collaborate with Campaigns and Communications colleagues to identify and deliver media, campaign and communication materials that support advocacy goals, and to respond to queries from the public.

What we need from you?

Essential:

• A relevant degree or equivalent qualification or experience, in planning or other appropriate subjects.
• Knowledge of planning systems, associated policy and guidance, and related environmental assessment and/or regulatory processes in the UK.
• Ability to analyse complex information and contribute constructively to discussions and decision-making.
• Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to produce high-quality professional documents, and effective summaries.
• Excellent verbal skills, including negotiation skills and ability to engage effectively with stakeholders and decision-makers, to influence outcomes.
• Excellent time management and organisational skills, and able to prioritise effectively.
• Be part of a team and engage with and involve others, while also being able to act independently and lead on pieces of work.

Desirable:

• Knowledge and experience of working with the Northern Ireland Planning System, associated guidance and policies, and related environment assessment and regulatory processes.
• Knowledge and experience of engagement with renewable energy development proposals on land and/or sea.
• Membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI) or working towards this.
• Experience of working with key stakeholders within the planning and/or other consenting systems.
• Experience of participating in committees, hearings, or public inquiries.
• Understanding of relevant conservation, biodiversity, protected sites and environmental policies.
• Awareness of political systems and processes in Northern Ireland, and their relevance to conservation and environmental policy, planning and casework.
• Interest in UK wildlife ecology and nature conservation.

Additional Information

This is a Permanent Full-Time role for 37.5 hours per week. The successful candidate can be based anywhere in NI. Wider travel is expected – within Northern Ireland, to the RSPB NI Belfast HQ, and elsewhere in the UK. This role will require occasional overnight stays away from home.

We aim to conduct interviews during the week commencing 30th of March. The interviews will take place virtually. For further information, please contact: [email protected] or [email protected].

As part of this application process, you will be asked complete an application form including evidence which shows how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above.

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

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.

We are actively recruiting for this role and reserve the right to close the advert at any time.