Project Development Officer – Nature’s Future Workforce

Nature’s Future Workforce is a new, inclusive programme designed to support people to build skills, confidence, employability, and a lasting connection to nature, from early childhood through to adulthood.

The project is funded by the Landscape Connections programme of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, which is investing £150 million over 10 years to support large-scale projects that restore landscapes, support nature recovery, and strengthen connections between people and wildlife across the UK.

Nature’s Future Workforce forms part of a wider programme of work delivered in partnership by Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority and Loch Lomond & The Trossachs Countryside Trust.

Up to £10 Million Funding Boost to Restore Woodlands and Support Local Communities – Here. Now. All of us. – Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park

The programme focuses on creating clear, supported pathways into nature-based learning, volunteering and employment, particularly for children and young people, while ensuring opportunities are accessible, inclusive and meaningful for all involved.

Nature’s Future Workforce works across five connected strands:

• Family volunteering (adults and children up to age 8)
• Nature-connection activities and events (ages 3-12 and adults)
• Young volunteers, work experience and mentoring (ages 14-18)
• “Future of Nature” youth cohorts (ages 14-26)
• Apprenticeships and employability pathways (post-education)

The programme is partnership-led, working with schools, youth organisations, colleges, conservation bodies, land-based employers, and local authorities across the National Park.

About the role

RSPB Scotland are seeking a proactive, organised and people-focused Project Development Officer to lead the development phase of the Nature’s Future Workforce programme.

This role plays a central part in building partnerships, coordinating opportunities and supporting inclusive progression routes into volunteering, training and employment within the nature and conservation sector.

The Project Development Officer will work closely with schools, young people, volunteers, businesses and partner organisations, ensuring the programme is co-designed, well-coordinated and responsive to participant needs.

This post is for the development phase of the project only and is offered on a 12-month basis.

The role is hybrid, combining home-based working with some travel to venues across the National Park, including the RSPB Loch Lomond site office.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience:

• Educated to at least 5 Standard Grades / National 5s (or equivalent), including Maths and English, or equivalent learning or experience demonstrating the literacy and numeracy needed for the role.
• Knowledge of project management principles and practice, gained through training, qualifications or relevant experience, to support effective planning and delivery.
• Confident IT user, able to use tools such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Teams and Outlook (or equivalent systems) to manage information, communication and project tasks.
• Experience applying skills relevant to the project aims, such as youth work, inclusion and/or audience development, to support meaningful engagement.
• Able to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing, adapting messages to engage and inform a wide range of audiences.
• Able to influence and persuade others internally and externally to build support for project activities and outcomes.
• Able to manage time and priorities effectively, including forward planning a programme of work and meeting agreed deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail, with the ability to maintain accurate records and follow through on actions.
• Experience of working collaboratively with project teams and stakeholders, including in cross-functional or multi-agency settings.
• Experience delivering project-related activities, such as partnership building, programme development and/or youth engagement.
• Experience organising or supporting events, workshops or meetings, including facilitated discussions or co-design approaches.
• Experience working with contractors and/or businesses to support project delivery.
• Experience developing and maintaining partnerships to achieve shared outcomes.
• Experience recruiting, coordinating and/or supporting volunteers, or equivalent experience supporting people in community, voluntary or project-based roles.

This is a Fixed-Term, Part-Time role for 28 hours per week. The RSPB reserves the right to extend or make this role permanent without further advertising dependent on business needs at the end of the contract term.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position week commencing May 18th, 2026. For further information please contact [email protected].

To apply you will need to submit a CV and provide details about how you met the skills and experience detailed. This role will require completion of a DBS/PVG/Access NI in addition to the standard pre-employment checks.

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.

This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

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