Priority habitats in NI have undergone extensive loss and fragmentation with huge knock-on negative impacts on species. To turn around these declines and create greater resilience in the face of climate change we want to bring together key stakeholders to create landscape-scale change in three high nature value landscapes. We have a really exciting opportunity for a Nature Recovery Networks Conservation Advisor. Your role will be to work in Lough Erne, Antrim Plateau and Lough Neagh to build relationships and seek out and map opportunities to create better, bigger, more and more connected habitats for NI priority species including breeding waders such as curlew, and hen harrier and merlin. You'll sit within the PEACEPlus Nature team, be managed by RSPB NI’s Head of Species and will work closely with the Reserves and Conservation Advisory Teams on the ground, as well as other stakeholders in the three landscapes. You’ll be home-based in NI, spending one year in each of the three landscapes over the three years. This role is funded through the PEACEPLUS Programme. PEACEPLUS is a cross-border funding Programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) and supported by the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland, and the Northern Ireland administration. What's the role about? The first phase for each landscape will be desk-based. You’ll gather and map as much data as possible on the extent and condition of priority habitats and then overlay this with current and historic records of priority species relevant to each landscape with a focus on breeding waders (curlew, lapwing, redshank, snipe) and hen harrier and merlin. You’ll carry out stakeholder mapping for the landscapes to understand who the key landowners are - this will include statutory bodies such as Forest Service and NI Water, farmers, eNGOs etc. You’ll meet with stakeholders to build awareness and support for the need for landscape-scale restoration and look for opportunities to carry out habitat conservation and restoration for priority species and potential sources of funding. This will involve carrying out field visits to ground-truth desk-based mapping and to demonstrate to partners what good landscape-scale restoration looks like. All of this will require close working with RSPB and PEACEPlus Teams covering reserves, advisory, data management, conservation and social science, community engagement and communications. You’ll be responsible for managing relevant data and reporting systems, and will take part in any training necessary. You’ll contribute to project communications: deliver talks, write blogs, newsletters, social media content, and work with the RSPB NI Comms team to increase visibility. At the end of each year you'll produce a report for each of the landscapes outlining key stakeholders; short, medium and long-term opportunities to create better, bigger, more and more connected habitats for priority species; and potential funding sources. Essential qualifications, skills, knowledge and experience: Degree level qualification in a relevant subject or ability to show equivalent work experience. Excellent knowledge of the ecology, species and habitats of the three landscapes and the land use pressures affecting these. Sufficient knowledge of a range of delivery mechanisms for conservation work relevant to the three landscapes eg agri-environment schemes. Understanding of the land management practices that we are seeking to influence -mostly farming but also forestry and water. Understanding of the concept of landscape scale conservation. Proven ability to influence others and negotiate desired outcomes. Excellent communication skills (verbal, written and presentational) - including an ability to speak confidently and cogently in public to a variety of audiences. Confident advocating a position to landowners and managers, local politicians etc who have different views. Competent user of core MS Office programmes. Experience of working to survey, protect and/or manage important sites, species or habitats. Experience of productive partnership working. Desirable skills, knowledge and experience: Effective project management skills. Specialist conservation knowledge in relevant areas, such as, farmland and wetlands. Competency in use of GIS. This is a 3 year Fixed-Term role for 37.5 hours per week. The RSPB reserves the right to extend or make this role permanent without further advertising dependent on business needs at the end of the contract term. We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from 10th November 2025. For further information please contact anne-marie.mcdevitt@rspb.org.uk As part of this application process you will be asked to complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above. We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application. The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract. Before applying for this role, we recommend reading through the candidate guidance notes.