Programme Manager - Transition Project (Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels)

Salary circa 32,000

Location Leith or Home-based (Harbourside House)

This is a {Advertised Permanent / Temporary}, {Advertised Full Time / Part Time} vacancy that will close in {x} days at {xx:xx} BST.

The vacancy

Status: Full Time until 31 March 2024

Closing date: 22nd April

Interview date: TBC

Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels (SSRS) is a project to deliver the essential protection measures required to secure the long-term future of red squirrels in Scotland and to ensure that systems are put in place to continue the delivery of these measures over the long term by working with other agencies with a stake in native species conservation and invasive non-native species management.

The successful candidate will ideally lead on the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels (SSRS) project to:

Maintain red squirrel populations that are protected from the threat of replacement by grey squirrels and from squirrelpox disease across the Highlands, Grampian, Argyll, northern Tayside and Stirling and large areas of southern Scotland and the Central Lowlands.
Support community volunteer networks and land managers to engage actively in red squirrel protection and monitoring.

Work with other agencies to develop a permanent strategic means of co-ordinating and delivering the grey squirrel control elements of the Scottish Strategy for Red Squirrel Conservation (2015), moving away from the current dependency on short-term project funding rounds.

Main Duties

Staff Management:

You will lead and support a team, including line management of seven. Further to this you will liaise with the relevant Scottish Wildlife Trust Team Leads to guide the activities of the Data Officer, the Communications & Engagement Officer and the Advocacy Officer.

Project Management

Co-ordinate the delivery of strategic grey squirrel control across all project regions.
Oversee the and delivery of community engagement and oversee the promotion of ongoing public recording of squirrel distribution in key areas and across Scotland.
Oversee the consolidation of community capacity-building and volunteer contribution across Scotland.
Collaborate with key members of the SSRS team to develop strategy for volunteer-mediated monitoring and response for the North East eradication programme.
Collaborate with other agencies regarding SSRS Phase 5 project end
Provide knowledge support and training to the Project Team and ensure the flow of good practice developments between regions.
Produce regular standardised reports on project progress for the Trust, SSRS Partners and funders with assistance of the Data Officer, together with updates for national and regional advisory groups, and wider project stakeholders.

The successful candidate will ideally:

Be educated to higher degree level in a related discipline (biological conservation or conservation) or have proven experience in a similar role
Substantial experience or qualification within a project management or staff management role
Be able to lead, support and motivate individuals to deliver complex projects in a timely manner
The ability to be hands-on and manage conflict and achieve satisfactory resolutions
Have extensive knowledge of red squirrel ecology and conservation projects and programmes
Be proficient analysis of data, evaluation and reporting at a senior level.
Have financial control proficiency regarding projects and experience in reporting to key stakeholders such as funders and partners.
Be proficient in interpreting data to a high standard to ensure best practice regarding decision making and target setting
Have a working knowledge of mammal population and mammalian invasive species management.

The Trust is a passionate employer, proactive about creating a culture of diversity and inclusive workplace that promotes and values equal opportunities for all. We welcome individuals from all networks of life, backgrounds, and experiences.

INDNET

Who we are

Over the last 50 years, the Scottish Wildlife Trust has established itself as a leader in nature conservation in Scotland, made possible thanks to the hard work and dedication of our staff, trustees, and ambassadors.