Head of Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre

• Hours: 35 hrs per week
• Closing Date: 14^th April
• Interview Date: 23^rd April

The Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre

The Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre is one of the many local environmental record centres situated around the UK. It provides environmental information services encompassing biodiversity, geodiversity and other aspects of Sussex’s natural capital. SxBRC has a small but dedicated team of 7.6 FTE environmental data managers, naturalists and IT specialists.

The Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre is managed as a partnership project, hosted by the Sussex Wildlife Trust. Partners include local planning authorities, government agencies, conservation bodies and other organisations which need access to up-to-date biodiversity information, such as water companies.

Sussex has a vibrant and energetic biological recording community with many independent recording groups and societies. By strengthening relationships with these groups, and the wider network of naturalists, ecologists and recording schemes active in Sussex, the Record Centre facilitates sharing of ever-greater amounts of biodiversity data.

Sussex Wildlife Trust

Sussex Wildlife Trust (SWT) is a conservation charity for everyone who cares about nature in Sussex. We focus on protecting the wonderfully rich natural life that is found across our towns, countryside and coast. By working alongside local people we create opportunities for us all to connect with nature and for nature to thrive in even the most unlikely places.

We are now in a critical decade for change to protect and restore nature with the help of more people taking action for wildlife. Now is the time for an ambitious action plan to match the scale and urgency of the challenges we are facing. Our new Strategic Plan – Our Wild Sussex – will be launched in April and sets out our vision and commitment to turning the tide for wildlife so that by 2030, nature in Sussex will be in recovery.

To deliver our new strategic aims, we have recently completed a comprehensive restructure of the charity to align to our goals. This restructure has generated a suite of new roles and opportunities which will enable us to achieve our ambitions of restoring and protecting at least 30% of Sussex land and sea for nature, inspiring one in four people in Sussex to take meaningful action for wildlife, building a stronger more inclusive and diverse organisation and becoming a net zero and climate resilient organisation.

In order to encourage diversity and inclusivity within the environment sector, we particularly welcome applications from people who have an ethnically or geographically diverse background, who are non-graduates and/or are living in economically deprived areas

The Role

The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate a passion for biological recording and an enthusiasm to develop the centre’s outputs. They will need to have experience of working with partners to achieve shared objectives. Excellent communication and IT skills are vital for this role, as well as a well-developed understanding of current national policies that would require biodiversity data services into the future. The post holder will champion high quality biodiversity data services for Sussex stakeholders and work to ensure the high standards and impartiality of SxBRCs data provision.

The role will be part of a cohort of Senior Managers within Sussex Wildlife Trust, each with staff and budgetary responsibilities. SxBRC currently has a team of 7.6 FTE staff and a turn-over of over £250,000 annually.

The Person

We are currently looking for a vibrant and skilled individual to be the Head of the Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre. They will lead the team to ensure that the Centre continues to develop and delivers an excellent service to all its stakeholders, and that all SxBRC systems and relationships facilitate the needs of its data users and data providers.

Applicants will be expected to have an excellent knowledge of the collection and use of biodiversity information, and be able to lead and inspire the small, dedicated team. The SxBRC systems are built from both national and bespoke software and some technical understanding of data sharing and data management is essential.

The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate a passion for biological recording and an enthusiasm to develop the centre’s outputs. They will need to have experience of working with partners to achive shared objectives. Excellent communication and IT skills are vital for this role, as well as a well-developed understanding of current national policies that would require biodiversity data services into the future.

Benefits

• 25 days holiday plus 8 bank holidays each year (pro-rated for part time staff)
• Pension – company contribution from 6% and employee contribution of 3%
• Life Assurance - Pension Scheme Members 2 x Salary, Non-Pension Scheme Members 1 x Salary
• 2 days paid leave for volunteering each year
• Flexible working policy
• Enhanced Sick Pay
• EAP
• Employee discounts
• Informal car share arrangements

For more detailed information see what we offer page in the Recruitment Pack.

•   Recruitment Pack ( 1MB)