Senior Policy Officer - Uplands

Are you ready to make a difference for nature, climate, and people?

The RSPB is looking for a Senior Policy Officer to lead on shaping policies that transform the future of the English uplands. These vital landscapes, from peatlands to moorlands, hold the key to tackling the biodiversity and climate crises. In this high-impact role, you’ll advocate for sustainable land use, collaborate with key stakeholders, and turn cutting-edge science into policies that deliver real change. This is your chance to be at the forefront of conservation policy, protecting habitats and species while driving a vision for thriving uplands!

What's the role about?

The English uplands are critical to addressing the dual crises of climate change and biodiversity loss. These landscapes:

• Store carbon: Healthy peatlands in uplands act as significant carbon sinks.
• Regulate water systems: Uplands play a vital role in capturing and managing water flow downstream.
• Support biodiversity: Priority species such as Hen Harriers, Curlew, and Cuckoo rely on these habitats.

This role will:

1. Advancing Uplands Policy and Advocacy

• Advocate for evidence-based policies that promote nature-positive land use and management across the English Uplands.
• Address complex topics such as grouse shooting, prescribed burning, and renewable energy.
• Build partnerships with influential stakeholders, including government bodies, farmers and land landowners.

2. Showcasing and building on success

• Work across the RSPB's upland estate and beyond to help showcase nature positive management in partnership
• Use these inspiring exemplars to advocate for policy that will help drive nature friendly upland management across farming, game management and beyond.

3. Leadership and expertise

• Bridge policy and scientific research to drive forward RSPB’s priorities in species recovery and nature-based solutions
• Support internal casework on high-profile issues such as burning on peat and renewable energy projects.
• Represents the RSPB in key external forums.
• Ensures accurate communication of scientific evidence to influence policies and counter misinformation.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

• Excellent knowledge and understanding of upland conservation issues and solutions
• Proven experience of operating effectively in a policy and or advocacy role
• A good understanding of governmental and political institutions of the specified department and location where relevant to environment/biodiversity policy
• Well honed political acumen coupled with the ability to analyse complex issues in a fast paced environment
• Ability to identify, target and advocate RSPB policy effectively to relevant external audiences (including government, business, NGOs) through presentations, attendance at conferences appropriate use of social media, etc to further RSPB policy advocacy objectives
• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders in the relevant policy area, including senior government officials, other NGOs, academia and business in order to build optimum conditions for successful advocacy for RSPB policy positions
• Able to travel to remote sites around Northern England without the use of public transport
• Excellent communication skills (verbal, written and presentational), including an ability to speak confidently and cogently in public to a variety of audiences, including those with opposing views
•  A good understanding of the role of public facing communications/campaigns in supporting policy advocacy
• Experience of leading or facilitating the delivery of relevant policy research to inform policy positions
• Confident and capable of being a public face for RSPB policy and advocacy to the media and social media
• Degree level qualification in a relevant subject

This is a Permanent role 37.5 hours per week. We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from 8th April 2025. 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.

Please be sure to clearly demonstrate with examples how you meet the essential skills, knowledge and experience set out above.

This role will require completion of a all 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 covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

The RSPB is a licenced sponsor. This role is eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship