Salary: £21,600 per annum – 3 days per week (0.6 FTE)
Location: It is anticipated that the appointed Policy and Advocacy Officer will live in the south of Scotland. The appointed person will provide their own office/working base.
Reporting to: CEO
Closing date: 13 September 2026
Interview: In person w/c 21st and w/c 28th September 2026 (likely to be Johnstonebridge)
About the Red Squirrel Recovery Network and Restoring Upland Nature
The Red Squirrel Recovery Network (RSRN) is an ambitious new National Lottery Heritage Fund funded project which aims to build on conservation efforts of the last 20 years and lay the foundations for recovery of red squirrels across the north of England and south of Scotland. RSRN is delivered by a partnership of eight conservation organisations (the Northumberland Wildlife Trust, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, Lancashire Manchester and North Merseyside Wildlife Trust and Knowsley Safari in England, and Restoring Upland Nature, the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere and Bright Green Nature in Scotland), with support from leading red squirrel conservation agencies. Working at a super-landscape scale, this is the first time that any project has brought together groups from north and south of the border to co-ordinate effort and achieve lasting change within five years so that the future of this iconic species is secured as part of a natural and functioning ecosystem. In southern Scotland RSRN focuses its work across the Scottish Borders, Dumfries and Galloway and South Ayrshire.
Restoring Upland Nature (RUN) is the lead partner for RSRN in the south of Scotland. RUN is an environmental charity focused on promoting the conservation and restoration of golden eagles and other upland species in the UK. RUN has recently appointed two new Red Squirrel Project Officers who are responsible for further developing and supporting a network of volunteers across the south of Scotland and working with landowners and land‑managers to improve conservation outcomes for red squirrels. The Project Officers work closely alongside two RSRN funded Community Engagement Officers employed by the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere (GSAB) and Bright Green Nature (BGN).
Positively influencing the strategic context for red squirrel conservation is integral to the success of this 5‑year RSRN project and its longer term legacy. The Northumberland Wildlife Trust has already appointed a full‑time Advocacy and Policy Support Officer covering the north of England. In recognition of the very different legal, financial and organisational context north of the border, a draft RSRN South of Scotland Advocacy Strategy has been produced. RUN is now seeking to appoint a dedicated South of Scotland RSRN Policy and Advocacy Officer to deliver this strategy, who will be a key part of the RSRN team.
About the role
The overarching aims of this post are:
- To raise awareness of the threats to red squirrels and the importance of red squirrel conservation amongst relevant decision‑making agencies and organisations at a local, regional and national level in Scotland;
- To positively influence policies, legislation, land management and broader environmental practice and grant funding to support positive action to promote and conserve red squirrels in the south of Scotland.
More specifically the aims of the post are to:
- Develop and maintain good working relationships with other relevant organisations;
- Advise and support RUN in establishing and maintaining an effective partnership for red squirrel conservation in the south of Scotland;
- Help ensure RSRN is represented on the necessary species conservation and nature recovery platforms at local, regional and national level in Scotland;
- Advise other RSRN staff and partners on the most effective ways of developing and securing support for long term red squirrel conservation in the south of Scotland;
- Establish effective feedback mechanisms from the Volunteer Red Squirrel Groups and the Red Squirrel Project Officers working on the ground to inform required policy and practise changes to improve conservation outcomes for red squirrels in southern Scotland;
- Establish effective feedback mechanisms to ensure that any changes to policies and practices (likely to impact red squirrel conservation outcomes) made at the national, regional and local authority level are fed back to the Volunteer Red Squirrel Groups and the Red Squirrel Project Officers.
Main responsibilities
Review, map, plan and inform policy and advocacy for improved red squirrel conservation outcomes in the South of Scotland
- Work closely with RSRN South Scotland Project Officers to finalise, implement and update (as required) the South of Scotland RSRN Advocacy Strategy 2020-30 to take account of opportunities and issues relevant to red squirrel conservation.
- Continue to explore, identify and pursue opportunities to positively influence relevant woodland, conservation, land use and management policies, strategies and funding at local and, where appropriate, national level to benefit red squirrels.
- Identify and keep abreast of environmental and planning policy relevant to red squirrel conservation in the south of Scotland.
- Review how to respond most effectively to existing and potential opportunities, challenges and priorities to influence decision‑makers at local, regional and where appropriate national level.
Establish and build effective working relationships with key decision makers and stakeholders to advocate for improved policies and practices that will deliver better conservation outcomes for red squirrel conservation
- Identify and prioritise target contacts within key organisations to positively influence policy and practice essential to red squirrel recovery and conservation.
- Develop and pursue implementation of effective strategies to increase awareness and engagement within the forestry sector in south of Scotland to expand support and action essential for red squirrel conservation.
- Develop and build on relationships with organisations essential to effective red squirrel conservation in the south of Scotland including Scottish government representatives and relevant national agencies e.g. NatureScot, Scottish Forestry, Forestry and Land Scotland, National Farmers Union Scotland, Scottish Land and Estates, major landowners, Local Authorities, the private forestry sector and other policymakers, regulators and industry leaders.
Inform policy makers and land managers using quantitative and qualitative data (scientific data and evidence from the field) for improved red squirrel conservation outcomes
- To make effective use of appropriate scientific data (collated and analysed by RSRN and others) to support red squirrel conservation advocacy in the south of Scotland.
- Prepare briefing papers, including relevant facts and figures, to enable RUN and other key RSRN partners to effectively lobby for the necessary changes essential to red squirrel recovery and conservation through representation on relevant forums, consultations and working groups in Scotland at regional and national level.
- In conjunction with RUN, identify, initiate and nurture new and existing strategic partnerships with organisations, businesses, universities, research and academic institutions to amplify the impact of RSRN and leverage additional resources for red squirrel conservation in the south of Scotland.
Project management and feedback
- In conjunction with RUN CEO, Chairman and RSRN South Scotland Project Officers monitor strategic priorities for RSRN and the impact of the advocacy strategy in the south of Scotland.
- Identify and provide information to keep other members of the RSRN south of Scotland project team and Red Squirrel Volunteer Groups abreast of relevant changes in policy and support and scope to positively influence red squirrel conservation outcomes.
- Contribute to RSRN Project Advisory Group, RSRN Management Team, Partnership Board and Funder Reports as required.
- Together with the RSRN South of Scotland team and other key partners explore opportunities for joint initiatives, campaigns and funding collaborations to benefit red squirrel conservation.
- Provide quarterly written reports to RUN summarising progress in delivering the RSRN south of Scotland Advocacy Strategy, timed to coincide with and support RUN’s grant claims.
- Participate in monthly/quarterly meetings with the RSRN south of Scotland team.
- Maintain close contact with the north of England RSRN Advocacy Officer to share and learn from relevant experiences north and south of the border.
- Input to and comment on RSRN media strategies and campaigns (initiated and co‑ordinated by Lancashire Wildlife Trust) to ensure the south of Scotland is included where appropriate from an advocacy perspective.
Person specification
Essential attributes
- Confident, pro‑active, strategic thinking, well‑organised, self‑motivated person.
- Excellent communicator able to establish effective working relationships with colleagues, partners and organisations at local, regional and national level.
- Flexible attitude.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Positive attitude to work focused on solutions and making things happen.
- Proven ability of working towards delivery of agreed targets within agreed timescales.
- Enthusiasm for and commitment to red squirrel conservation.
Essential skills and experience
- Proven ability to network and build effective relationships with a range of stakeholders from different backgrounds.
- Experience of partnership working across practice‑based or research institutions.
- Experience of advocacy work at local, regional and (ideally) government level.
- Fluent written and spoken English including:
- Ability to analyse and confidently present research data gathered by others;
- Experience of producing concise, targeted reports, presentations and recommendations;
- Good working knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet and database software;
- Understanding of the financial context and mechanics of forestry, woodland, farming, agri‑environment and land management grants and support systems and scope to influence red squirrel conservation through these.
Requirements
- Applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK.
- It is anticipated that the appointed Policy and Advocacy Officer will live in the south of Scotland. The appointed person will provide their own office/working base.
- This position is 3 days per week (0.6 FTE), nominally between Monday and Friday but flexibility is required to suit the job, including some evening and weekend work.
- Travel to meet with partnership organisations within the south of Scotland and potentially further afield to meet with relevant national organisations is an essential part of this job, hence a full driving licence is essential. The successful applicant will need to provide their own vehicle and keep a record of essential mileage incurred in delivering of the above role for which mileage expenses will be paid monthly in arrears at current local authority rates.
What we offer
- RUN will provide a laptop specifically for use by the Policy and Advocacy Officer on the RSRN project.
- The RSRN South of Scotland advocacy post is for a fixed term, commencing Autumn 2026 and concluding 31st December 2029.There will be three months probationary period at the end of which there will be a formal review. A minimum of 4 weeks’ notice is required from either party from the date of appointment.
- A supportive and collaborative working environment within a small and ambitious charity.
- Membership of the NEST pension scheme; 5% employers contribution if matched by 5% employee contribution.
- 18 days annual leave per annum (pro rata of 30 days p.a. for full time posts), including fixed public holidays: Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day, and 2 January.
- Learning and development opportunities tailored to the role.
- A culture that actively encourages inclusion and diversity.
- Restoring Upland Nature (RUN) is committed to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion. Our Safeguarding Policy is available upon request.
