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Job description

Nature Connection & Recovery will connect people with nature to boost health and wellbeing, while equipping communities with the skills and confidence to take climate-positive action locally. The Nature Connection & Recovery Officer will be: Highly personable, passionate and organised Equally comfortable building relationships in communities as they are engaging with organisations and project partners Committed to supporting community powered change and facilitating local people to empower themselves to act for nature Skilled in utilising the environment as a focus for bringing people together from different communities, identities and traditions. The project activity will take place in Ards & North Down and is part of a UK-wide campaign to highlight the role of nature in solving the climate emergency and how nature connection and recovery can also support physical and mental health and well-being. Ulster Wildlife has established links with the Ards & North Down 3rd Sector Hub who will support delivery of the programme with local people and community groups across the area. This project is funded by The National Lottery Climate Action Fund via the Eden Project.

Responsibilities

• Scope, develop and facilitate work within and between communities across the Ards & North Down Council area.
• Work with community organisations within the areas of focus and facilitate community conversations to co-design innovative actions for nature’s recovery within shared green spaces
• Work with project partners to plan and deliver a series of short-term nature connections groups which focus on improving wellbeing through connection to nature and small-scale nature recovery activities.
• The creation of 10 nature recovery ‘demonstrator’ sites where participants have been supported to take nature and climate positive action
• Build positive relationships between Ulster Wildlife and other similar community-based organisations to support objectives, reach wider and more diverse audiences, and promote effective partnership working
• Work with project partners to establish a ‘Learning Network’ to facilitate the sharing of knowledge, skills and experience
• Contribute to the monitoring and evaluation framework for the project, ensuring all monitoring and evaluation requirements are completed and records managed securely and effectively.
• Co-ordinate project partnership meetings
• Work with the Community Engagement Manager to ensure budget and associated spending is tracked effectively and actively explore funding opportunities to extend the capacity and impact of the project.
• To supervise, support and mentor project volunteers.
• Maintain positive working relationships with a range of relevant stakeholders including community representatives, local authority staff and wider supporters.

Skills and Qualifications

Essential Skills

• A degree level qualification in a relevant subject and 1 year relevant experience working with community organisations and nature conservation OR 3 years relevant experience working with community organisations and nature conservation.
• A keen interest and knowledge of nature and wildlife conservation issues.
• An ability to communicate effectively, both written and verbal, effective presentation skills and the ability to converse with a diverse range of people at all levels.
• Experience of organising and delivering training and other forms of support for communities.
• Experience of implementing health and safety policies and procedures, including undertaking risk assessments.
• Effective organisational skills to include the ability to manage and prioritise workloads and meet deadlines.
• Experience of monitoring and evaluation, project reporting and budget tracking
• An ability to work independently without direct supervision.
• Strong digital skills, including a solid understanding of Microsoft Office and the ability to adapt to new technologies, including AI-based tools.
• Have access to transport for business purposes which will enable the fulfilment of the requirements of the post.
• Able to work hours outside of standard office hours when required to fulfil the duties of this post e.g. evenings and weekend working for which time off in lieu will be given.

Desirable Skills

• Experience of working in the voluntary/charity sector.
• Experience of supporting community organisations to carry out local environmental improvement projects.
• Experience of facilitating community relations work and developing positive cross community engagement.
• Knowledge and experience of communities across Ards & North Down Council area.
• Experience of producing material for social media.