Employment duration: Start, between August and September 2020 (subject to work permit approval, if applicable)
End, 31st March 2023
Hours of Work: Monday to Friday 8am – 4.30pm
Working Pattern: Mainly office hours but weekend and evening work outside normal office hours may be required at certain times in order to deliver organisational/project requirements, for which time off in lieu will be given.
Salary: Up to £30,000 per annum dependent on experience and expertise
Responsible To: Conservation Manager, Falklands Conservation.
OVERALL PURPOSE OF THE JOB
The primary role of the Habitat Project Officer is to lead on and deliver the Darwin Plus project
‘Recognise, protect, restore: driving sound stewardship of Falklands peat-wetlands’. This is an exciting project with significant field work to describe the flora, fauna and soils of superb wildlife ecosystems across the Falklands, including on near-pristine, rarely visited islands and inland sites accessed by off-road vehicle, small plane or boat. The successful applicant will be based in the Falklands and work as a part of the Falklands Conservation team, they will also receive training and support from project partners: the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (UKCEH), Falkland Islands Government and British Forces South Atlantic Islands.
Covering over a quarter of the Falklands’ land-area, peatlands are highly significant for carbon storage, ecosystem function, and the important ecosystems they support – from small birds and insects to penguins and sea lions. Habitat and soil loss are ongoing threats to these ecosystems, exacerbated by a lack of knowledge which prevents site-based protection and management for conservation. The project officer will plan and implement survey work to describe nationally 'Vulnerable' ecosystems (including bluegrass acid grassland, fachine scrub and mainland tussac), develop assessment tools for land-managers, and create multimedia outputs to inspire, inform and drive the protection and restoration of valuable sites.
Main Duties
In accordance with the project description:
- Manage the project and project budget.
- Deliver the project outputs within the project timescale.
- Acquire and apply skills in habitat survey and monitoring with training and support from UKCEH and local Falklands Conservation staff.
- Work with partners, stakeholders and volunteers to deliver project outputs.
- Organise and undertake field surveys and sampling, including work on remote locations such as offshore islands accessible by plane, boat and off-road vehicle.
- Analyse and report survey and sample data.
- Foster collaboration with other global experts where possible.
- In conjunction with the Communications and Marketing Officer produce articles and reports on the project work for the local media, Falklands Conservation publications, website and social media, for members’ meetings, talks and lectures.
- In conjunction with the Community Outreach Officer, provide training and engagement opportunities for the local community.
Working Relationships
Inside the Organisation:
- Accountability to the Conservation Manager and Technical Administration Officer with regard to project outputs and project budget respectively.
- Cooperative working relationship with all staff to coordinate the project work, finance, data management and community understanding, and also involvement in the organisation’s key conservation activities as a whole.
- FC Trustees, members and volunteers.
Outside the Organisation:
- Maintain a positive relationship with the Falkland Islands Government and the Environment and Policy Officers.
- Maintain positive relationships with project partners and stakeholders (mainly land managers).
- Maximise engagement and disseminate research outcomes.
Personal Attributes
- Ability to set priorities and develop research projects.
- Good communication and inter-personal skills with the ability to engage stakeholders and to motivate volunteers. An ability to foster a good working relationship with Government, civil servants and landowners will be essential to delivery of this project.
- Ability to work to deadlines under pressure.
- Physically fit and able to work independently in the field, often in challenging conditions and remote locations, requiring self-reliance and initiative.
- Team oriented, enjoys working with a wide cross section of the community.
Essential Requirements
- Graduate, preferably post-graduate qualification in field ecology, ecological monitoring or botanical and other survey techniques. Or equivalent relevant experience.
- A minimum of 3 years’ relevant experience in ecological science and/or conservation.
- Good knowledge of botanical, habitat and wider environmental survey techniques.
- Experience of field research, ideally including management of volunteers and projects, experimental design, data management, and statistical analysis.
- Experience of developing materials for the communication of scientific concepts to a range of audiences.
- Ability to deliver public presentations and produce well-written reports for diverse audiences and stakeholders.
- Comfortable with boat and plane travel under variable weather conditions, including living aboard small boats for island surveys.
- Able to use Microsoft Office software packages and comfortable with computer systems, particularly MS Word, MS Excel, MS Outlook, MS Access.
- Full driving licence.
Desirable Skills, Knowledge and Experience
- Familiarity with GIS data systems.
- Familiarity with UK National Vegetation Classification standards or other similar classification systems.
- Practical experience in conducting fieldwork in remote locations.
- Off-road driving skills and small boat handling.
- Current First Aid Certificate.
