Reserves Livestock and Grazing Adviser

The RSPB manages 65 nature reserves across England extending to 63,000 hectares of land, much
of which is grazed by a diverse range of commercial livestock (cattle and sheep) and
non-commercial livestock (cattle, ponies, goats) to deliver our nature conservation objectives.
At the height of the grazing season our reserves host over 6000 head of cattle and other
commercial livestock giving the RSPB a significant role in the food and farming sector. The
RSPB owns only a small number of these livestock with the majority owned by independent farmers
and graziers brought to our reserves under Farm Business Tenancies and annual grazing licences.

We are seeking to appoint an experienced adviser in our England Land Team, to lead and support
an effective solutions-focussed service to ensure that the RSPB has a well-managed an effective
livestock and grazing system across our reserves. By doing so we will deliver our nature
conservation objectives through a trained and competent workforce, using well maintained
grazing infrastructure and appropriate administrative systems to comply with our
responsibilities under current DEFRA legislation, agricultural compliance standards and
agri-environment schemes. By doing so, this will minimise the RSPB’s exposure to financial and
reputational risk and meet our objectives for staff health and safety and animal welfare
standards on our nature reserves.

What does the role involve:

• Provides expert technical and practical advice to reserves staff for the effective
  management of livestock, grazing systems and animal welfare standards on reserves.
• Develop an inventory of livestock handling infrastructure on reserves along with a system
  of audit and inspection to inform maintenance and capital replacement programmes.
• Works with the RSPBs Greening Group to develop an inventory and annual reporting system to
  measure and monitor carbon emissions from our livestock operations. 
• Supports reserves staff in the introduction of new or changed grazing systems in terms of
  appropriate choice of livestock, infrastructure and grazing management regime.
• Responsible for designing and delivering training and mentoring for staff and volunteers
  responsible for the day-to-day management of grazing animals on reserves.
• Ensures that staff and managers are appropriately informed and updated by providing access
  to sources of farming best practice guidance and information. Take the lead for the development
  and periodic review of the RSPB’s own land management codes of practice and standards for
  livestock management, grazing systems and animal welfare. 
• Responsible for the provision of advice and guidance to reserves staff and project managers
  to ensure that capital expenditure on reserve livestock handling facilities and buildings offer
  best value in terms of cost, meet safety standards, animal welfare and best farming practice
  requirements. 
• Responsible for ensuring staff are kept up to date with legislation, agricultural best
  practice standards and processes.
• Support the RSPBs health, safety and environment advisers to ensure we have safe equipment
  and systems of work and if required, support investigations following incidents or accidents
  specific to livestock operations.

Essential qualifications, skills, knowledge and experience:

• A Nationally recognised higher education qualification in livestock management and animal
  husbandry or similar.
• Demonstrable knowledge and practical experience of livestock farming systems, livestock
  infrastructure, animal behaviour and welfare requirements plus the administrative/recording
  systems for livestock management.
• Practical experience of livestock management and an ability to apply knowledge to
  understand how standards and expectations can be applied in RSPB situations.
• Extensive knowledge of agricultural practice and wildlife conservation grazing management.
• Up to date knowledge of legislation, best practice standards, codes of practice applicable
  to RSPB grazing operations with an ability to interpret them in simple, pragmatic ways for
  others to follow and comply.
• Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate effectively at all levels of
  management in RSPB, with tenants, graziers and external agencies.
• Ability to give competent advice verbal and written communications. Able to influence site
  and reserve managers.
• Training and facilitation skills to deliver practical and theoretical instruction and
  training to reserves staff. 
• Willingness to travel and ability to work under own initiative and motivate self. 
• Awareness of the safety needs for self, staff, public and welfare needs for livestock.

This is a Permanent role for 37.5 hours per week. 

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from week commencing 16/09/2024. For
further information please contact [email protected].

As part of this application process you will be asked to provide a copy of your CV and complete
an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience
listed above.

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.