Principal Policy Officer - Land Use

This is an exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of shaping RSPB’s vision for land use across the UK, at a time of transformational change within the land use and agricultural sectors. We urgently need to change how we use our land to meet our climate and nature targets, including through changing farming practices and nature-based solutions such as creating woodland and restoring peatland.

We are looking for a highly motivated and effective advocate to lead our land use change programme, skilled in developing persuasive, evidence-based arguments for change and with a proven track record in delivering successful advocacy initiatives for a range of internal and external audiences.

You will be passionate about developing and securing outcomes that help tackle the nature and climate crisis as one, skilled in convening stakeholders and working with senior leaders to reach consensus on organisational positions, with a strong political understanding and the ability to identify and analyse emerging issues in the UK and internationally where relevant to our objectives.  

You will have strong policy development and advocacy skills, knowledge of land use policy, farming systems and nature conservation issues across the UK, including nature- and climate-friendly farming, and excellent communication skills to help drive this work forward internally and externally.  

What is the role about?   

UK land is currently under a lot of pressure. We need it to deliver food and timber; contribute to our climate targets; and support the recovery of nature, among other demands. Nature has a critical role to play in tackling this challenge - supporting agriculture and sustainable food production, holding vast stores of carbon, and reducing the impacts of extreme weather events such as flooding and heatwaves.   

The postholder will lead our work on UK land; developing RSPB’s strategy for the change we need to see for land use in the UK to protect and restore nature. The postholder will maintain and develop the RSPB’s reputation as a key and influential thought-leader in land use, nature- and climate-friendly farming and nature-based solutions, influencing and shaping the debate nationally and internationally, to support the delivery of the RSPB’s strategy to save nature.    

Externally, the role will focus on advocating RSPB policy effectively to relevant external audiences, including farmers and land managers, NGOs, industry, businesses, and our members and supporters, to secure critical policy objectives for the RSPB and drive the change we need to see for nature across the UK.   

This is a particularly changeable and fast-moving time in land use and farming policy across the UK, and you will need to be adaptable and able to change approach and priorities where required.  

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:  

• Strong leadership qualities, with an excellent track record of delivery and fostering an inclusive and supportive team culture 
• A proven track record of effective policy development and knowledge in one or more areas of land use in a UK context: agriculture, nature-based solutions, conservation land management, agro-ecology, agro-forestry and land-based measures for climate adaptation and mitigation, with strong negotiation and influencing skills 
• A good understanding of governmental and political institutions relevant to land use and farming policy 
• A positive approach to collaborative working, building on the strengths of others to get the best out of both internal and external teams  
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to establish networks and reciprocal working relationships across the organisation and beyond 
• Ability to analyse complex issues in a fast-paced environment coupled with well-honed political acumen  
• Excellent organisational, project management and time management skills, including the ability to balance limited resources across competing priorities 
• Ability to act independently to generate and lead on policy positions and manage projects 
• Excellent communication skills, able to communicate clearly and concisely with a range of audiences, including an ability to speak confidently and cogently in public to a variety of audiences, including those with opposing views 
• Degree level qualification in a relevant subject, or ability to show equivalent ability through work experience 

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience: 

• Confident and capable of being a public face for RSPB policy and advocacy to the media and social media 
• A good understanding of the role of public facing communications/campaigns in supporting policy advocacy 

This is a permanent, full-time role. We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from 14th August 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.

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.