This vacancy has now closed

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

  • Full time
  • Circa £32,000
  • Home Based or Harbourside House, Leith
  • Closing 11th April 2022


  • Advertised from 23rd March 2022
  • Fixed term (until 31 March 2024)

Role

About us:

For over 50 years, the Scottish Wildlife Trust has worked with its members, partners and supporters in pursuit of its vision of healthy, resilient ecosystems across Scotland’s land and seas. We are proud to have the support of over 42,000 members, 1,000 volunteers and 23 Local (volunteer led) Groups.

The Trust successfully champions the cause of wildlife through policy and campaigning work, demonstrates best practice through practical conservation and innovative partnerships, and inspires people to take positive action through its education and engagement activities. It also manages a network of around 120 wildlife reserves across Scotland and is a member of the UK-wide Wildlife Trusts movement.

The Role:

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.

SSRS focuses upon one of our most charismatic and well-loved mammals – the red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris). Once widespread, red squirrels have undergone a catastrophic population decline primarily due to competition from the non-native invasive, American grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis). SSRS was formed to reverse this decline and create the conditions for this mammal to thrive in future, working with communities of volunteers and land managers, empowering them to take ownership of their role in its conservation.

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:

  • Lead and support the team of SSRS Conservation Officers, Grey Squirrel Officers and a Data Officer to deliver all aspects of the Project appropriate to their region, in accordance with the SSRS Phase 5 Project Plan.
  • Responsible for line management of seven direct reports, including daily support, regular goal-setting and appraisal, and oversee the line management Grey Squirrel Officers / Monitoring Officers.Liaise with the relevant Scottish Wildlife Trust Team Leads to guide the activities of the SSRS Data Officer, the SSRS Communications & Engagement Officer and the SSRS 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.

Application notes

For more information and to apply please visit our website

Closing date: 11 April 2022