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Science Fundraiser

Employer
RSPB
Location
Sandy, Bedfordshire
Salary
Starting at: £22,073 to £23,912 per annum
Closing date
25 Aug 2019

Job Details

Science Fundraiser
Reference number: gs7mv-1
Location: Bedfordshire
Salary starting at: £22,073 to £23,912 per annum
Hours: Full time
Contract: Fixed Term

The ability of RSPB's world-class science to identify and redress the causes of decline in biodiversity is being constrained by our external income. The need to boost our external funding from hitherto largely untapped revenue streams is critical if we are to continue, and indeed expand, our vital conservation work. To this end, a new post of Science Fundraiser is being created to lead fundraising for RSPB Conservation Science.

The post will focus initially on accessing funding from specialist sources, especially Research Councils, so minimising overlap with our core fundraising activity. The post-holder will sit within and work within the Project Development and Support Unit but liaise regularly with the Principal Research Manager and other staff in the Conservation Science department and High Value Fundraising to support income generation. This will be a two-year contract post in the first instance. 

Key responsibilities include:

  • Identify potential new sources of income, which could increase and diversify science funding streams and develop strategies to tap into these sources, focusing on Research Councils.
  • Strengthen relationships between RSPB fundraisers and the Conservation Science department, to ensure a coordinated approach to fundraising that focuses effort in line with strategic priorities.
  •  Identify specific potential opportunities to generate income from external funding sources and match these to agreed science priorities.
  • Work with Conservation Science department staff to submit quality funding bids tailored to appropriate opportunities and partners before April 2021.
  • Support Conservation Science department staff in submitting high quality funding bids by gathering non-scientific information (e.g. financial, legal) required for the bids.
  • Identify the requirements of our funders, including communications requirements to ensure effective dialogue.
  • Assist with monitoring and ensuring accurate administration of funding, as needed, in line with the team work programme and the RSPB's project management framework to meet organisation's governance requirements.
  • Liaise with Conservation Science department staff to ensure that all contractual requirements, e.g. communications, reports and events dependent on external funding are delivered to contract and to the highest standard.
  • Ensure funder engagement activity is correctly branded, represents our organisational values and follows governance guidelines in order to promote and present a professional RSPB brand.
  • Plan and attend appropriate meetings and events in order to manage funder and partner relationships and advocate the work of the RSPB and the need to grow support in order to Save Nature. 

The role may require some working away from the primary base at The Lodge, Sandy, Beds. 

Closing date: 25 August 2019
Interview date: 11 September 2019

TO APPLY AND FOR MORE INFORMATION:

If you would like to find out more about this position and to apply, please click the Apply button to be directed to our website where you can download the Role Profile and Application Details.

This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. You will be asked to declare unspent convictions and cautions at offer of employment stage.

Please make sure you include reference number gs7mv-1 on your application.

No agencies please. 

Company

The RSPB (the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) is a large, national charity dedicated to the conservation of birds and other wildlife and the environments on which they depend. Founded in 1889, the RSPB has more than a million members, over 2,000 employees and 13,500 volunteers. RSPB’s UK headquarters are in Bedfordshire and it has an annual income of nearly £133 million.

RSPB carries out conservation work in many different areas. It runs a network of 200 nature reserves covering almost 13,000 hectares, which are home to 80% of the UK’s rarest or most threatened bird species. It works with farmers to identify wildlife friendly farming methods, researches bird populations and partners with international conservation organisations.

RSPB is also an advocacy organisation, lobbying the government on diverse topics such as planning, wind farms and economics. It has a UK headquarters, three national offices and nine offices in the English regions. Its million-plus members, 200,000 of whom are youth members, make it the largest conservation organisation in the UK. RSPB also has 150 local groups and more than 80 youth groups. It has a volunteer to staff ratio of 6:1.

The charity was founded in Manchester in 1889 as the Plumage League (initially as a campaign against the killing of birds for the fashion industry). It received a Royal Charter in 1904, becoming the ‘Royal Society for the Protection of Birds’. RSPB moved to its present headquarters in Sandy, Bedfordshire, in 1961.

One of the RSPB’s most popular activities, carried out for children since 1979 and for adults since 2001, is the Big Garden Birdwatch. The Birdwatch is an annual data collection of bird populations that takes place every January. In 2016, 519,000 people were involved, counting over 8 million birds. The Birdwatch enables RSPB to build a picture of garden wildlife across the UK. It has shown, for instance, that the sparrow population has declined by 60% since 1979.

RSPB also urges supporters to ‘make a home for nature’ in their gardens. Activities include creating feeding stations and homes for hedgehogs, providing flowers and plants for moths, creating habitats for frogs and toads and forming safe corridors from one garden to the next.

RSPB, along with sister organisations, Stop Climate Chaos Cymru and Stop Climate Chaos Scotland, is part of The Climate Coalition. It argues that the effect of climate change on wildlife and wild places can already been seen and that increased flooding and rain from climate change will spell disaster for birds and wildlife.

RSPB is also a member of BirdLife International, a global partnership of conservation organisations that share common objectives.

RSPB is a major fundraising charity and spends around 90% of its income on conservation, public education and advocacy.

Company info
Website
Telephone
01767 680 551
Location
The Lodge,
Potton Road,
Sandy,
Bedfordshire
SG19 2DL
GB

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