Nature Networks Project Officer

About the Role

This position is with Forestry England’s North District, based at either Grizedale or Bellingham office locations. The postholder will advance Forestry England’s Biodiversity Plan ambitions by accelerating nature recovery across the nation’s forests, contributing to projects that develop over 15,000 hectares of habitat corridors to enhance ecological connectivity and enable species movement.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the vision and project planning for Nature Networks across the North District, applying project management principles to ensure timely and effective implementation.
• Develop and maintain project documentation, annual and longer-term work plans, and manage delegated budgets.
• Support external funding bids and ensure compliance with funder commitments and reporting protocols alongside the Nature Networks Manager.
• Design and oversee land management plans in collaboration with district and national teams, investigating and applying evidence-based interventions to restore dynamic open spaces at scale.
• Procure and manage contractors including graziers, forestry contractors, consultants, and academics, adhering to Forestry England’s procurement and contract management policies.
• Engage with the national Biodiversity Programme team and academic partners to share best practices and conduct feasibility studies for innovative recovery approaches.
• Coordinate with communications teams to develop project communication strategies and foster partnerships with neighboring landowners to amplify landscape-scale recovery efforts.
• Represent the project internally and externally to build support and awareness for nature recovery initiatives.

Professional Skills and Experience

• Proven success in managing, coordinating, and delivering land management or nature recovery projects.
• Strong organizational skills including workload and budget management with ability to meet deadlines and solve problems effectively.
• Hands-on experience with a variety of land management techniques and contract management processes.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams, adapting to changing circumstances.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, tailored for diverse audiences.
• Proficient with IT tools including Microsoft Office products such as Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams.

Desirable Skills

• Experience working with livestock or graziers.
• Familiarity with environmental legislation and designation practicalities.

Qualifications

• Essential: Degree in ecology, environmental science, or equivalent practical experience in nature-focused land management.
• Essential: Valid full UK driving licence, with willingness to travel to remote areas and stay overnight as needed.
• Desirable: Recognized project management qualification.
• Desirable: Membership of professional bodies such as the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management or Institute of Chartered Foresters.

Additional Information

The role is primarily based at the Bellingham office in Hexham, Northumberland, with flexible blended working arrangements. Due to travel requirements, a valid UK driving licence is mandatory and overnight stays may occasionally be required. Reasonable alternatives for fulfilling duties can be considered upon proposal.

Salary offered is £33,854 with an additional £9,807 contributed towards membership in the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Benefits include tailored learning and development, flexible working environment, inclusive culture, and a pension scheme with a 28.97% employer contribution.

Candidate Requirements and Process

Applicants will be evaluated on core behaviours: Seeing the Big Picture, Delivering at Pace, Working Together, and Making Effective Decisions. The recruitment process involves submission of a statement on relevant experience (200 words) and a personal statement (up to 500 words), technical interview questions, and behavioural assessments. Successful candidates must undergo criminal record and government baseline personnel security checks, plus a medical examination.

Applicants must be UK nationals, nationals of the Republic of Ireland, Commonwealth countries with UK work rights, or nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein and family members with the right to work in the UK.

Artificial Intelligence Note

While using AI tools to support applications is permitted, all examples and statements must be truthful, fact-based, and originate from the applicant's own experience. Plagiarism or misrepresentation may lead to application withdrawal or disciplinary action.