Head of Public Affairs

Full time: 35 hours per week  

Permanent  

Closing date for applications: 15th November 2024  

First interview: 3rd December 2024  

Second interview: 6th December 2024 

About Us 

The Wildlife Trusts are a federated movement of 46 charities, supported by a central charity, the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts. Together we have 900,000 members, 32,500 volunteers and 3,400 staff across the UK. We are at an exciting moment in our 110-year history, with the development of an ambitious new strategy, setting out a vision for nature in recovery, with abundant, diverse wildlife and natural processes, creating wilder landscapes where people and nature thrive. 

Wildlife Trusts have restored and care for some of the most special places for wildlife in the UK. Collectively we manage more than 2,300 nature reserves, operate 123 visitor and education centres and own 29 working farms. We undertake research, we stand up for wildlife and wild places under threat, and we help people access nature. 

The next few years will be critical in determining what kind of world we all live in. We need to urgently reverse the loss of wildlife and put nature into recovery at scale if we are to prevent climate and ecological disaster. We recognise that this will require big, bold changes in the way The Wildlife Trusts work, not least in how we mobilise others and support them to organise within their own communities. 

What we are trying to achieve: The twin crises of nature and climate emergencies have forced the Wildlife Trusts to rethink their role. Collectively, we have set out the new and ambitious Strategy 2030. Goal 1 of that strategy is to get nature into recovery with the Wildlife Trusts providing the leadership required to achieve 30 by 30: 30% of seas and land in nature’s recovery by 2030. 

Nature’s recovery rests on five critical interventions: (1) the development of a nature recovery network; (2) creating landscape recovery areas at a scale where natural processes can operate to drive up species abundance; (3) regenerative agriculture; (4) green infrastructure threading through our towns, cities and countryside and, (5) at sea, an effective network of highly protected marine areas. 

We are entering a new era where Labour are now the government with a very clear majority and mandate for their 5 missions that they have clearly prioritised. We have already seen that the Labour government are going to make significant changes to the planning system and are establishing GB Energy. In the short term, we need to ensure that our environmental legislation is not weakened through and that we maintain high environmental standards.

About You 

We are looking for someone with the drive, and experience of high-level advocacy and facilitation skills to lead generating and implementing appropriate policies that will drive change. This is an exciting opportunity for an innovative, capable, and passionate leader who understands both nature and people. You will need to be able to inspire politicians, funders, the media, developers and communities 

You will need to enjoy working in a fast-paced environment, be organised and resourceful, have excellent attention to written detail as well as confidence in public speaking. We need these skills to come through in your clear passion for our cause. You will be part of a tight and dedicated central policy team. You will need to have excellent collaboration and facilitation skills and always strive to ensure that everyone can come together effectively across the movement of The Wildlife Trusts to achieve our new and exciting vision 

You will need knowledge of the workings of Westminster and experience of working in the third sector. We are interested in someone who is able to demonstrate experience of working with political adversaries and has no fear of engaging in robust discussions on the future of environmental law and a reverse in the destruction of our biodiversity 

We are particularly interested in someone who has experience of working with the House of Commons and House of Lords, backbenchers, and the shadow front bench 

The Wildlife Trusts value passion, respect, trust, integrity, pragmatic activism and strength in diversity. Whilst we are passionate in promoting our aims, we are not judgmental and are inclusive. We particularly encourage applications from people who are underrepresented within our sector, including people from minority backgrounds and people with disabilities. We are committed to creating a movement that recognises and truly values individual differences and identities 

The Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts takes our safeguarding responsibilities extremely seriously. Please click here to read our commitment statement. RSWT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk. For applicable roles, applicants must be willing to undergo checks with past employers and Disclosure and Barring Service checks at the eligible level. 

As a Disability Confident employer, we are committed to offering an interview to anyone with a disability that meets all the essential criteria for the post. Please let us know if you require any adjustments to make our recruitment process more accessible. 

RSWT are committed to increasing the diversity of its staff through its Levelling the Field recruitment pledge and will put any ethnic minority applicants that meet all the essential criteria for the post through to the next stage of recruitment. 

Please do not use artificial intelligence tools to assist you to complete the application form. We may not accept applications that have been completed utilising AI tools. If you would usually use tools such as these to assist you in filling in a form, please contact tash.stewart@iris.co.uk to discuss this further and understand other options. 

To avoid disappointment, you are advised to submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications are received. This is to ensure that we can manage application levels whilst maintaining a positive candidate experience. Unfortunately once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications.