Project Manager – Peatland Funding (Fixed-Term)

RSPB Scotland is seeking someone who can help to secure funds for the vital restoration of Scotland’s peatlands, benefiting biodiversity, the climate and communities. This role will focus on supporting RSPB project owners in developing and submitting a pipeline of Peatland ACTION restoration funding applications, to secure statutory funding.
You will be expected to check and submit budgets, make financial claims, update income spreadsheets, and prepare regular funding reports. In addition, you will play a central role of support to site teams developing projects for the IUCN Peatland Code, providing funding guidance and expertise and be responsible for developing and submitting documents to ensure successful project validation. You will be the main point of contact between funders/validators and RSPB project teams and will play a key role in answering queries and troubleshooting potential risks and issues in a timely manner. The successful candidate will also be responsible for ensuring RSPB project owners are aware of and adhere to contractual requirements associated with a range of funding sources.
We need someone highly organised, have good attention to detail and can work to tight deadlines. We want someone who is enthusiastic, takes initiative and is flexible to accommodate opportunities that become available at short notice. Knowledge and interest in peatlands and biodiversity will be beneficial. Proven experience of successful fundraising will be beneficial.
This role sits within the RSPB Scotland Fundraising team but works closely with the RSPB Scotland Peatland Programme and a range of reserves and projects across Scotland, and as such it requires someone who is independently motivated and able to manage potentially conflicting priorities.
RSPB has secured funding for this role for three years; we hope to be able to extend this post at this time.
Key Result Areas

• Building effective relationships with RSPB staff from other departments and nature reserves to gather relevant information to inform funding applications and reports
• Manage and maintain relationships with existing and potential funders to maintain and increase financial support
• Produce and maintain relevant documentation (including funding applications, correspondence and decisions, funding offers, financial claims and project reports)
• Manage multiple project funding applications simultaneously, monitoring application progress and providing timely reporting back to funders
• Support delivery teams to report on project budget against forecast, ensuring that projects costs are kept within agreed tolerances
• Provide central resource and support for Scotland Peatland Programme and reserve/project teams across Scotland

Essential Skills, Knowledge And Experience

• Ability to liaise with external stakeholders such as funders and use relationship skills to keep funders engaged
• Able to manage multiple pieces of work simultaneously
• Able to work under pressure and adapt to changing circumstances within projects
• Proven experience of successful project, pipeline or fundraising management
• Logical and methodical, analytical and a good eye for detail
• Ability to translate complex points into clear and concise responses, managing them in a timely and efficient way
• Experience coordinate a regularly changing workload

Desirable Skills, Knowledge And Experience

• Knowledge of peatlands
• Awareness of current environmental funding opportunities and emerging financial markets related to nature and climate change would be beneficial
• Knowledge and experience of working with budgets
• Demonstrable experience of developing and working in partnerships to achieve shared outcomes

This is a Fixed-Term, Full-Time role for 3 years. 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 1st June 2023. For further information please contact [email protected]
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.
The RSPB is a licenced sponsor. This role is eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship.
Before applying for this role, we recommend reading through the candidate guidance notes attached to the top of this advert.