Peatland Programme Manager, Wales

Introduction 

Do you want to operate at scale to help tackle the nature and climate emergency? The RSPB Cymru team has built significant expertise in peatland restoration over more than 20 years. Since 2020, we have restored over 1,200 hectares of blanket bog working in partnership with a range of organisations and individuals. Our approach delivers multiple benefits such as species recovery, habitat restoration, reduced wildfire risk, flood attenuation and reduced carbon emissions. We are looking for someone with existing knowledge of peatland restoration and the Peatland Code to take forward our programme working within multiple partnerships.

You will be logical and methodical, able to form collaborative relationships, plan and process complex information and share vision and passion with different audiences. 

The successful candidate will be home based, working across north and mid-Wales.

What's the role about? 

The Peatland Programme Manager will continue the development of RSPB Cymru’s Peatland Programme across Wales at RSPB Cymru, ensuring the pipeline contributes to our conservation priorities for species and habitats alongside climate benefit. 

The role will develop the restoration pipeline at different scales, ranging from large-scale opportunities with contractors, landowners and land managers to smaller scale, ensuring a fair deal to land owners and managers and delivery of community benefits.

The role will take a nature-based solution approach to tackle the nature and climate emergency and will prioritise “gold standard” near-natural and naturally functioning peatland restoration; it will play a key role in advocating RSPB’s approach to decision makers and land managers.. 

In time, the programme manager will be expected to take on line management of a developing peatland restoration team. Our ambition is to develop a fully funded peatland programme through a blended finance model of green finance, donative income and grants.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience: 

• Experience of working to project management frameworks, principles and processes
• Experience of managing a number of projects simultaneously, preferably peatland restoration projects
• Demonstrable experience of working with and negotiating with external stakeholders such as landowners to form conservation partnerships.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to build relationships at all levels, both internally and externally
• Strong time management, organisational skills and attention to detail
• Cost and budget management
• Strong IT skills (including Excel, MS Word and Outlook)
• Ability to work as part of a team and on own initiative

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

• Technical expertise on peatland restoration and the IUCN Peatland Code
• Experience of practical delivery of projects, working with external stakeholders such as contractors and agencies
• Project Management Qualification or appropriate training

This is a Fixed-Term role for 37.5 hours per week until 31 March 2028. We would consider a reduced hours role (30 hours per week) for the right candidate.

The RSPB reserves the right to extend or make this role permanent without further advertising dependent on business needs at the end of the contract term.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from 16 July 2025. 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.

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 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.