Director of Science and Policy

JOB DESCRIPTION

We are recruiting a Director of Science and Policy.

We are looking for someone with a deep understanding of the challenges facing our natural world, how our science - especially our citizen science - can help address these challenges and how we can influence government and corporate policies to drive change on the ground.

We are an environmental charity with science at our heart. We help people to take action to protect the nature around them; by connecting them with it and giving them the tools they need to do so. We passionately believe in citizen Science and are leaders in it.

Our current focus areas are:

• Nature in cities, helping to create nature-friendly urban spaces and giving urban communities access to nature, which includes our successful Tiny Forest and Naturehood programmes.
• Freshwater, with our internationally known citizen science water quality monitoring programme, Freshwater Watch.
• Farming with Nature, our newest programme which supports and encourages the farming sector to transition to more nature-friendly practices.
• Innovation, which through research projects, advances the science of citizen science.

What we are looking for

• Our ideal candidate will be passionate about the environment and how citizen science can help us to understand and protect it.
• A background in environmental and/or citizen science; and, a thorough understanding of scientific processes and needs, from field data collection to data analysis, scientific publishing, and grant applications.
• Eye for opportunities where (citizen)Science and stakeholder engagement in science can make a difference and collect the data that helps us understand and address environmental challenges.
• You will have a good understanding of how innovation and technology can improve our research and impact.
• You will be an experienced leader with a track record in helping organisations to grow, forming
• partnerships and research programmes. You will be a strong manager, an important part of our
• management team, able to contribute to discussions about the strategic direction of the charity, and capable of managing and motivating a team of over 15 colleagues, with all the processes which that requires.
• You will have a strong network among the scientific community, as well as among policy and practice stakeholders working in our focus areas. And you will have a track record of attracting funding for research.
• You will be confident speaking at events and talking to the media, from print to broadcast.
• You will be a great team-worker, comfortable collaborating with colleagues across the organisation

What we offer in return:

• Salary range between £57,750 to £68,250 per annum, gross. FTE, dependant on experience
• Flexible, home working arrangements
• 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 28 days after 3 years of service
• A generous contractual sick pay scheme
• Pension contributions on all earnings, 2% employee and 5% employer
• Life assurance 3 x salary
• A comprehensive employee assistance programme

OUR VALUES

We are driven by people We always show humanity in our bid to save humanity. As colleagues, we treat each other with genuine warmth and respect. In a polarised world, we’re proud to build a friendly movement of local groups, schools, scientists and businesses. Everyone’s voice is welcome and valued.

We are powered by science Powered by science, it’s science that makes us powerful. We champion findings collected by people at the grassroots to spark change in our neighbourhoods and at the highest levels of government. We’re committed to debate, openness, honesty, listening and always learning.

We connect with nature Disconnection from nature is at the heart of ecological crisis. Connection is a driving force for change. So let’s get our boots – and our hearts – muddy. With smiles on our faces, we inspire people to get out into nature, have fun, discover what we all stand to lose, and take action.

We fight for our planet The environmental crisis is relentless. We, too, never give up. Each day we fight for our fragile earth, not through protest, but practical science. From planting tiny forests to protecting the world’s freshwater habitats, our evidence-based solutions are the seeds of our planet’s survival.