Public Affairs Officer

Public Affairs Officer

Salary: Up to £34,125

Location: Home based, with occasional travel around the UK

Full time: 35 hours per week

Permanent Contract

Closing date for applications: 6th October 2024

First interview: 15th October 2024

Second interview: 21st October 2024

About Us

The Wildlife Trusts are a grassroots movement of over 900,000 members, 32,500 volunteers and 2,500 staff across the UK. We are at an exciting moment in our 110-year history, with an ambitious new strategy setting out a vision of nature in recovery, with abundant, diverse wildlife and natural processes creating wilder landscapes where people and nature thrive.

The next 10 years will be critical in determining what kind of world we will 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. It will require key stakeholders and the public to take action for nature’s recovery. This will require big, bold changes in the way we think and operate, and the development of a strong, collaborative culture. We have already made great strides in the development of our agricultural policy, and we are now ready to build on these successes and explore new areas and innovative solutions.

About You

If you are interested in policy and public affairs and are looking to help drive positive change across Whitehall; and would like to work for one of the UK’s best-loved nature charities, then we have an exciting opportunity for you. We are looking for a supportive, enthusiastic and knowledgeable colleague to be based in our policy and public affairs team to ensure that nature’s recovery and climate action is kept at the heart of the political conversation.

The post will support the Head of Public Affairs in helping the Wildlife Trust movement develop relationships with key influencers in Westminster. You will work with policy, campaigning, and communications colleagues to build support for The Wildlife Trusts’ advocacy priorities and will also have the chance to work with other charities and NGOs, as we develop dynamic and exciting campaigns to address the twin crises of our age - climate change and loss of the natural world.

You will have an understanding of the legislative process and parliamentary procedures and will have the ability to communicate detailed policies in a compelling and persuasive way. Experience of and a proven track record of working with politicians and civil servants is advantageous, as is experience of supporting successful advocacy campaigns and fronting policies and programmes.

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 judgemental and are inclusive. We want our people to be as diverse as nature, so 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.

RSWT take our Safeguarding responsibilities extremely seriously. Please click here to read our commitment statement. The Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts 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.