European Species Programme Officer

• Located in Cambridge, UK
• Full-time position (35 hours per week)
• Fixed term until the end of 2014 (with potential for extension, if resources permit)
• Salary in the range of £20,000 - £25,000 (plus generous pension contribution)

BirdLife International is a global partnership of national conservation organisations with a large grassroots membership, and is present in 120 countries and territories worldwide. BirdLife works together as a partnership to conserve wild birds, their habitats and global diversity, by working with people towards sustainability in the use of natural resources. BirdLife’s unique local-to-global approach enables it to deliver high impact and long term conservation for the benefit of nature and people.

BirdLife is the global authority on the status of bird species, and has recently won a contract to reassess the regional status of all European birds. To implement this project, BirdLife seeks a European Species Programme Officer to collate, analyse and disseminate European bird species data, thereby ensuring that BirdLife’s European Programme continues to address the highest conservation priorities, whilst informing and supporting the European Partnership, the Global Species Programme, and the wider community.

This position represents an exciting opportunity to join BirdLife’s internationally renowned team, work closely with colleagues and experts across Europe, and help set the agenda for European bird conservation for the coming decade. By coordinating the day-to-day running of the Birds in Europe 3 project, the successful candidate should evolve into a core staff member and help shape the future of the European Programme.

The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate:

• Experience of, and commitment to, international biodiversity conservation and/or research
• Higher degree, or equivalent experience, in a relevant scientific or environmental subject
• Sound knowledge of European bird species and the IUCN Red List criteria and categories
• Technical experience of working with and manipulating large biodiversity data sets
• Good written and spoken communication skills, including cultural sensitivity and diplomacy
• Familiarity with international environmental agreements, especially EU Nature Directives
• Strong self-management and organisational skills, coupled with an adaptable approach
• Ability to network effectively, influence and develop strong collaborative relationships
• Willingness and ability to travel in Europe and represent BirdLife in relevant fora

Click here for a detailed job description.

Before applying, please complete the self-assessment questionnaire by scoring your qualifications against the criteria, to determine your suitability for this position. If you do not score more than the threshold indicated, you are not sufficiently qualified for this role, so please do not apply.

To apply, please e-mail your completed questionnaire, a full CV and an explanatory cover letter (all in English), setting out your reasons for applying and outlining the qualifications, experience, knowledge, and skills that you feel you can bring to the role, to: recruitment@birdlife.org - marking the subject European Species Programme Officer.

The closing date is Sunday 17 June. Applications received after this deadline will not be considered. Interviews will take place on Tuesday 10 July in Cambridge