We are looking for an energetic and creative person to join our team at RSPB Old Moor to help communities and individuals deepen their connection with nature and be active in restoring, protecting and enhancing it through Green Social Prescribing (GSP). We are recruiting a GSP officer to lead an exciting pilot at Old Moor to explore the potential within the RSPB and the impacts of delivering GSP at reserves. 

It is important that all individuals and communities have an opportunity to benefit from spending time in nature, a way of regaining balance and escaping the pressures of everyday life. The post-holder will coordinate the pilot scheme at Old Moor, working with the RSPB Nature and Wellbeing Project Manager. The role will involve managing our engaged volunteers to build a programme of green social prescribing activities which will be designed around the needs of the local community alongside the local Social Prescribing service. The volunteers will lead the activities for the pilot, with management and support from the post holder. 

About the role 

The GSP Officer will be based at RSPB Old Moor in the Dearne Valley and coordinate the pilot scheme, working closely with staff and existing volunteers and partners, developing new opportunities and engaging individuals into the trial aimed at improving people’s connection to nature and therefore their wellbeing  through Green Social Prescribing (GSP). You will work with local partners to promote our activities to people who would benefit from GSP. You will work with the Nature and Wellbeing Project Manager to evaluate and promote the outcomes of the project internally and externally. 

Key Result Areas: 

• Develop and implement a programme of activities that aim to improve people’s connection to nature and their wellbeing
• Develop a volunteer team to  deliver GSP activities at the reserve, delivering agreed objectives and targets and ensure that all volunteers receive an excellent volunteering experience.
• Facilitate and develop partnership/corporate relationships with organisations  prescribing GSP and to develop future projects to sustain the GSP pilot, working with the Nature and Wellbeing Project Manager
• Gather evidence for the evaluation through reporting, monitoring, and recording feedback from participants (evaluation will be undertaken by the Nature and Wellbeing Project Manager)
• Working with the Nature and Wellbeing Project Manager to promote the outcomes of the project internally and externally
• Ensure all activities are promoted and presented in line with RSPB Brand guidelines to ensure reputational consistency for the RSPB.
• Ensure that all activities and actions meet Health and Safety requirements so that the RSPB meets it’s legal and policy obligations. 

Essential skills, knowledge and experience: 

• Community engagement experience – ability to engage with a wide range of people face to face.
• An excellent verbal communicator able to communicate RSPB messages in a way that is understood by a range of audiences, enthuses people and engenders their support.
• Events and project management experience.
• Knowledge of Health and Safety procedures.
• Volunteer recruitment and support experience.
• Computer literacy – specifically with Microsoft Office.
• Ability to work under own initiative.
• Ability to drive/access remote locations. 

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience 

• Understanding of Green Social Prescribing or Nature and Wellbeing.  
• Able to perform administrative tasks and to deliver accurate reporting to given timescales. 
• Partnership working experience. 

This is a 6 month Contract, Part Time role for 7.5 hours pw, 1 midweek day pw (flexible).

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 13th June. For further information please contact harry.wood@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.

If you wish to provide a cover letter with your application, please include this at the end of your CV document upload.

This role will require completion of a DBS I in addition to the standard pre-employment checks.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Before applying for this role, we recommend reading through the candidate guidance notes attached to the top of this advert.