Youth Group Development Officer – Southeast England

Are you passionate about nature and wanting to make a real difference? We are looking for an inspiring individual to empower and grow our RSPB Youth Group network, offering leadership, advice and support. In this role, you’ll shape the next generation of nature champions by working through volunteers.

What’s the role about?

• Providing regional coordination and direction of RSPB Youth Group operations and building volunteer capability in England.
• Working collaboratively to develop high quality initiatives that enable our Youth Groups to inspire new and more diverse support, giving nature a voice in more communities across England.
• Advocating for RSPB Youth Groups and embedding them in area teams, projects and activities as part of our strategic outcomes to tackle the nature and climate emergency.
• Making sure our Youth Groups are following RSPB policies and procedures, complying with legal requirements and working within agreed RSPB Youth Group frameworks.
• Monitoring and evaluating RSPB Youth Group activities to demonstrate the positive impact of RSPB Youth Groups and their contribution to RSPB strategic outcomes.
• Identifying, developing and delivering training and resources required by RSPB Youth Groups to maximise their impact for nature.
• Championing RSPB Youth Groups both internally and externally, influencing and raising awareness of what they do through communications planning to make sure that their contribution is celebrated and valued.
• Lead, manage and support a team of country expert volunteers to assist with some or all the above.

This role will work alongside the Youth Group Development Officer, North/South England to manage the England network of Youth Groups. The successful candidate will work closely with colleagues across four countries and UKHQ from a range of teams including Area Teams, People Engagement, Youth Mobilisation and Volunteering.

This role will require one evening each month to deliver training and induction sessions. Additionally, you’ll travel up to six times a year, at weekends, to visit RSPB Youth Groups in person.

For more detailed information about the role and the candidate we are looking for please see the recruitment pack.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

1. Strong understanding of best practice and sector standards in working with young people in a non-formal youth setting, combined with a proven ability to design, develop and successfully deliver a range of activities that engage and inspire groups of young people.
2. Knowledge and understanding of volunteering best practice, innovation and sector standards with a strong track record of successfully developing volunteering roles across an organisation.
3. Understanding and experience of volunteering through working with volunteers in a management capacity.
4. Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence, persuade, guide and negotiate effectively. Skilled in active listening and constructively challenging thinking where appropriate.
5. Strong analytical skills with the ability to identify problems and determine areas of improvement. Adept at working collaboratively to develop creative strategies and practical solutions that drive positive change.
6. Ability to maintain a strong focus on achieving results while effectively prioritising tasks and resources.
7. Experience in designing, developing and delivering youth-focused projects or initiatives that result in measurable/tangible improvements for young people.
8. Experience in delivering operational advice, guidance and training to individuals at all levels, while building and maintaining strong, productive stakeholder relationships that drive collaboration and results.

Additional information

This is a Permanent Part-Time role for 26.75 hours per week.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position on Tuesday 13 January 2026. For further information please contact [email protected].

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

This role will require completion of a DBS 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.

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

The RSPB is a licenced sponsor. 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.