We are looking for a skilled and experienced Project Officer who shares our passion and enthusiasm to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the South Devon National Landscape. You will be responsible for developing an innovative and engaging portfolio of projects that deliver on National Landscape Management Plan priorities for Nature, Climate, People and Place rooted in collaborative partnerships.

You will be part of a dynamic team at the South Devon National Landscape working with a wide range of project partners to secure funding, develop projects, and lead schemes which deliver transformative landscape scale positive change.

If you are enthusiastic about driving nature recovery whilst inspiring and enabling landowners, land managers, businesses and communities to take climate smart positive action to benefit everyone, this job is for you.

This exciting role is an incredible opportunity to work in one of the UK’s finest protected landscapes – the South Devon National Landscape is highly designated and includes Special Areas of Conservation, Sites of Special Scientific Interest, National Nature Reserves, Heritage Coast and forms an important part of the South Devon Heritage Coast and South West Coast Path National Trail itself part of the King Charles III England Coast Path.
Designated since 1960, this protected landscape is a rich patchwork of coast, estuaries, farmland, wooded combe valleys, characterful towns and villages. Home to over 34,000 residents it is also enjoyed by many thousands of people who visit each year.

For further information on the National Landscape see www.southdevon-nl.org.uk  

To arrange an informal discussion about the role  please contact Roger English, South Devon National Landscape Manager

 roger.english@southdevon-nl.org.uk 

Closing date: Sunday 12 July 2026
In person interviews are anticipated to be held: Thursday 23 July 2026

The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.

Job Purpose

Projects and Partnerships: Lead on developing and delivering impactful and innovative projects and programmes
in collaboration with partners, to achieve the statutory purpose of conserving and enhancing the natural beauty
of the South Devon AONB, meet AONB Management Plan priorities.

Management Plan: Take a lead on delivery of the statutory National Landscape Management Plan including
preparing delivery plans and completing annual reviews to ensure outputs and outcomes meet defined
objectives.

Funding: Seek opportunities to secure private, public and philanthropic funding to deliver projects in support of
management plan priorities.

Data and Monitoring: Collate analyse and present data and evidence in support of management plan
effectiveness. Monitoring, data analysis, mapping and reporting back on effectiveness of the delivery plan.

Role Profile

Project Development & Management

• Develop short, medium and long-term projects in support of National Landscape Management Plan priorities, responding rapidly to opportunities where they arise, while maintaining long term strategic thinking.
• Develop, maintain and evolve effective partnerships to enable delivery of projects and initiatives.
• Work closely with National Landscape team colleagues and partners to secure private, public and philanthropic funding to support National Landscape purposes.
• Deliver projects in support of the SDNL Management Plan on time and to budget with a focus on outcomes for nature, climate, people and place.
• Provide support and input to external projects where the SDNL team plays an enabling or partnership role.
• Manage delegated project budgets on behalf of funding bodies, completing associated reporting requirements.
• Coordinate and where appropriate contribute specialist technical skills in support of multidisciplinary projects.
• Procure and manage contracts on behalf of SDNL partnership and team.

National Landscape Management Plan

• Develop and implement an ongoing programme of work to support the review, preparation, publication and monitoring of the statutory South Devon National Landscape Management Plan strategy and delivery plan.
• Lead on nature recovery and climate change action as part of SDNLs response to the Environmental Improvement Plan or England
• Monitor and report annually on progress with the implementation of the National Landscape Management Plan in relation to output and outcomes by delivery partners and relevant authorities. Analyse progress and use results to shape subsequent annual delivery plans.

Partnerships

• Develop and utilise effective partnerships with organisations and individuals that can positively contribute toward conserving and enhancing the South Devon National Landscape in line with the management plan and its delivery plan.
• Be a strong champion and advocate for the protected landscape, developing excellent working relationships with the Environment, Economy and Social sectors to ensure delivery is integrated and funding opportunities maximised.
• Maintain active links with other protected landscape areas through the National Landscapes Association, Protected Landscapes Partnership, and other relevant bodies sub-regionally, regionally and nationally.

Data & Monitoring

• Co-ordinate and disseminate research and technical information about the South Devon National Landscape, its natural beauty, special qualities, distinctive characteristics and key features to review the effectiveness of the Management Plan.
• Identify gaps in data provision related to SDNLs natural beauty and special qualities. Develop and implement solutions which address this need through analysis, partnership working and data collection.
• Use GIS to collate, analyse and present data and information spatially, adapting this to the needs of a variety of audiences and to support the SDNL team in project delivery. Utilise this information to review project performance and the impact on the designated Landscape.
• Lead on SDNLs contribution to National evidence-based work including the Landscape Observatory and Protected Landscapes Partnership well as locally through ‘State of the South Devon National Landscape’ reporting.

Additional Duties

• Supervise and manage any project staff, consultants, contractors, students or volunteers involved in AONB Unit project work.
• Support the National Landscape Manager in operating the Partnership Committee and technical groups and deputise for the National Landscape Manager when required.
• Contribute to the delivery of the National Landscape’s events and outreach programme.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree or equivalent in a field relevant to protected landscape management
• Evidence of relevant continuing professional development (CPD)

Desirable

• Membership of a relevant professional body
• Formal project development / management training

Knowledge / Experience

Essential

• Significant recent experience in an environmental field directly relevant to the role profile
• Experience of developing and delivering a wide range of multi-disciplinary projects and programmes on time and to budget
• Experience of following procurement processes and managing associated contracts
• Successful track record of bid writing with evidence of small/medium/large project funding and income generation
• Proven experience of developing strong and effective partnerships with a range of organisations including not for profit/third sector, corporates and other public bodies
• Have an understanding of UK Protected Landscapes; their legislative and policy framework; and current drivers of change
• Good understanding of nature recovery, climate change action and other priorities applicable to protected landscapes and listed in the Environmental Improvement Plan for England
• Strong written and presentation communication skills to effectively convey messages to a wide range of audiences
• Ability to interpret maps, plans, technical drawings and environmental data
• Work flexibly and responsively, taking on new responsibilities as appropriate

Desirable

• Experience of utilising environmental assessments e.g. Strategic Environmental Assessment and Habitat Regulations Assessment, to drive positive outcomes for projects, plans or programmes
• Awareness of and competency in the use of a wide range of digital platforms to assist with AONB projects, monitoring and evaluation

Skills / Abilities

Essential

• Innovative thinking skills and an entrepreneurial approach with the ability to flex, respond and adapt to situations and opportunities as they arise
• Ability to match interventions in support of strategic priorities with funding and resourcing opportunities
• Ability to deliver projects to a brief, on time and to budget
• Use of appropriate project management tools and techniques to efficiently and effectively manage multiple projects at the same time
• Ability to complete project and programme evaluation and reporting
• Ability to efficiently and effectively manage multiple projects at the same time
• Negotiating, advocacy and partnership building skills
• Ability to effectively network at a strategic level and in a local, regional and national context
• Ability to understand, interpret and apply strategic plans, policies and legislation
• Ability to think and act at a strategic level in the development of projects, policies and objectives
• Ability to develop systems for monitoring and evaluating landscape change, landscape condition and implementation of the Management Plan
• Effective online research skills applied to local through to global environmental issues
• Skilled GIS user with the ability to undertake spatial analysis and understand and interpret GIS generated outputs
• Ability to produce written reports/documents on subjects that are technical and complex in nature for a range of audiences
• Skilled in using appropriate communication styles to convey technical material and subjects to a range of audiences
• Results focussed, with the ability to effectively judge outcomes and evaluate impacts

Desirable

• Competency in the use of ArcGIS or QGIS
• Ability to produce StoryMaps or similar to share information with a wide range of audiences

General / Other

Essential

• Motivated and committed, able to act independently and take a creative approach to the role, working within a small team, in collaboration with partner organisations and host local authority
• Competency in the use of Microsoft Office 365
• Hold a valid full UK driving licence
• This post involves some lone working and visits to remote countryside sites in all weathers for which a reasonable degree of mobility and fitness is required
• The post involves attending events and meetings with external groups which will involve some evening and weekend work, for which time off in lieu or overtime can be taken
• Undertake other duties as may be reasonably required

The list is not exhaustive; this role profile sets out the duties of the post at the time it was drawn up. Such details may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the duties or the level of responsibility involved

Job details

• LEVEL 5
• ACCOUNTABLE TO National Landscape Manager
• SALARY £39,862 to £44,075 per annum (pay award pending)
• LOCATION Follaton House, Totnes
• BASIS Full time, contractual hours 37 hours per week
• PACKAGE Permanent contract, Local Government Pension Scheme

Closing date 12/07/2026

In person interviews anticipated to be held 23/07/2026

Job reference SS104P001

Have you got a passion for enabling and supporting people to take positive action for nature in their local area? We are on the search for skilled and experienced facilitator to energise community conservation across the Life on the Edge project area;  co-creating Pollinator Plans, empowering and upskilling groups and individuals in the shared purpose of making a difference for South Devon pollinators.

Life on the Edge aims to restore species-rich grasslands to secure a positive future for some of the UK’s rarest invertebrates and plants living along the South Devon coast, while improving people’s health, wellbeing and nature-connectedness.

The Pollinator Plan Officer will lead on connecting local communities with the nature on their doorstep through the creation of LotE Pollinator Plans, supported by a small grants scheme. These plans will create a framework to mobilise community conservation within the project area, improving spaces for pollinators as well as people’s health and wellbeing.

This person will work with Parish communities, developing plans that respond to the potential of each unique place. The plans will identify actions for community engagement and set budgets for delivery. The Officer will also identify and engage relevant local stakeholders (such as special interest groups, parish councils, community groups), working with them to create a collaborative plan of action.

This exciting role is an amazing opportunity to work in one of the UK’s finest coastal landscapes – it is highly designated and includes Special Areas of Conservation, National Nature Reserves, Sites of Special Scientific Interest and forms an important part of the South Devon National Landscape, South Devon Heritage Coast and South West Coast Path National Trail.

If you are enthusiastic about partnering  with communities to effectively conserve and restore their local wildlife habitats whilst contributing to real landscape scale change in South Devon, this job is for you!

All interested candidates are encouraged to join an online webinar session to learn more about the Life on the Edge project and how we are currently working with using Pollinator Plans. This webinar will also be an opportunity to ask any questions in a short Q&A session. This will be held on Zoom at 1830 on Tuesday 7 July – please get in contact lote@southdevon-nl.org.uk for the link.

For an informal discussion you can contact Rob Skinner, Life on the Edge Project Manager, on 01803 229346 (or email rob.skinner@southdevon-nl.org.uk).

Closing date – Sunday 19 July 2026

Interviews will be held at Follaton House, Totnes, Devon on Tuesday 28 July 2026.

For further information on the project, go to this webpage.

The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.

Job Purpose

Life on the Edge (LotE) is a pioneering nature and species recovery project which supports people to make a real difference for nature, right where it is needed and by people who work and live here. The project seeks to make a positive difference to populations of rare and endangered invertebrates along the South Devon coast, engaging landowners, businesses and communities of local residents.

The key goal of the Pollinator Plan Officer role is to empower and upskill communities to take action to support nature. This specialist role will work with communities of place – typically villages, towns and parishes – located in, or closely linked to, the LotE hotspots (key areas of invertebrate biodiversity).

The Pollinator Plan Officer will support these communities to develop their own local Pollinator Plans that respond to the opportunities and need their area. The plans will support and enable the community to organise a wide range of projects, events and activities focused on raising awareness, engaging new people, and taking practical conservation action. The Pollinator Plan Officer will also help communities develop funding bids into the LotE Small Grants scheme and access wider funding opportunities to implement their plans.

This role will work closely with other team members to co-create plans and develop opportunities:

• Community Officer, to develop initiatives with communities of identity.
• Volunteering and Learning Officer, to support volunteering and learning.
• Conservation Officer, to advise on land management.

Role Profile

The Pollinator Plan Officer will:

• Liaise with the LotE project team to identify priority communities of place for the development of Pollinator Plans, in response to expressions of interest or any other factors
• Develop relationships with priority communities and build support for the Pollinator Plan process
• Identify key community assets (skills, knowledge, people, places, resources)
• Host and facilitate meetings and events to develop the community’s ideas to support for the Pollinator Planning process
• Provide constant feedback to the LotE team and work with team members to develop any relevant initiatives in the Pollinator Plan
• Assist the community to make funding applications to the LotE small grants fund and appropriate match funding and in kind support
• Support the community during the implementation of the Pollinator Plan. Reporting and monitoring on delivery, disseminating information to the LotE team, wider stakeholders and funders on progress
• Ensure a ‘legacy first’ approach with all project planning, ensuring pollinator conservation and community action continues beyond the end of the LotE project

Qualifications

Essential

• A degree level or equivalent qualification, or relevant experience of working in this field
• Experience of developing and supporting nature-based community projects
• Experience of working effectively with partners, managing delivery to achieve shared goals
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proven experience of utilising strong communication and negotiation skills to build effective working relationships, both within internal teams and external stakeholder
• Ability to deliver outputs to a brief, effectively managing time and budget
• Ability to work with a range of people adapting actions to meet their needs
• A full UK Drivers Licence, postholder will be required to drive a LotE vehicle
• Ability to accurately report on project activity
• Ability to prioritise, meet deadlines and effectively work under pressure
• Proficient in the use of ICT including Microsoft Office applications

Desirable

• Degree or equivalent in a field relevant to nature conservation or the environment
• Experience of delivering small scale practical nature conservation interventions, ideally with communities
• Experience of creating funding applications
• A passion for nature and experience of conservation skills and basic land management techniques
• An understanding of preparing contract documentation appropriate to project needs and to deliver required outputs and outcomes

The list is not exhaustive; this role profile sets out the duties of the post at the time it was drawn up. Such details may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the duties or the level of responsibility involved.

Job details

• Level 6

• Accountable to Life on the Edge Project Manager

• Salary £33,143 – £36,363 per annum (Pay award pending)

• Location Follaton House, Plymouth Road, Totnes

• Contract  Fixed Term until March 2029

• Department South Devon National Landscape Team