Gough Island Restoration Programme Job Advert
Advert and photo from RSPB's Laura Beasley
Do you want to use your skills to transform the future of one of the most important seabird islands on Earth?
The RSPB is seeking an experienced Programme Manager
for the RSPB's Gough Island Restoration Programme.
A pair of Tristan albatross displaying as part of their breeding ritual on Gough Island.
Photo - J. Cleeland
Gough Island, part of the UK Overseas Territory of Tristan da Cunha, is a World Heritage Site, and one of the most important seabird islands in the world, with 22 breeding seabird species. The major threat to its biodiversity is the presence of introduced house mice that are preying on the chicks and eggs of endangered species including the Critically Endangered Tristan albatross and Gough bunting. All of Gough's seabirds, and especially those breeding in the winter, are vulnerable to mouse predation, and low breeding success means that most breeding seabird populations are declining, which has a negative impact on the site's importance and value.
Working in partnership with the Tristan da Cunha Island Council, Birdlife South Africa, Island Conservation, and the Department of Environmental Affairs in South Africa, the RSPB is now planning for the implementation of a mouse eradication operation in the Southern Hemisphere winter of 2020.
Male Tristans Albatross departing Gough Island after feeding his chick.
Photo - J. Cleeland
About the role
This is an exciting opportunity for a person experienced in the management of large-scale, complex projects. The Programme Manager will work closely with others in the team to ensure work across the many strands of this complex project stays on track. This will involve managing and developing partnerships with our many stakeholders, from the remote community on Tristan da Cunha, to key organisations and individuals in South Africa and the UK. He/she will build on the planning work already carried out and will work with suppliers and operators from New Zealand, South Africa, the UK and the USA as well as our partners on Tristan da Cunha. He/she will implement and refine the Gough Island Programme Plan, in agreement with the programme team.
About you
You will be a confident and natural leader, with a passion for island restoration projects. You will have been involved with work in remote locations, with small teams and under pressure. You will know how to get the best out of a team in a challenging and pressurised working environment. Ideally, you will have previous experience in the management of complex environmental projects involving international working.
Closing date: 14th December 2018
Role profile, application pack and contact details are available via the RSPB website: