Community Engagement Officer

The Sea Watch Foundation has recently received funding through the Landfill Disposal Tax Communities Scheme administered by the WCVA to fund the Caru’r Cefni, Love the Cefni project which aims to explore opportunities for community-led management of the Afon Cefni catchment and coastal area. Opportunities for biodiversity improvements and community engagement will be explored through facilitated workshops and a project plan will be co-developed. The project area covers the Afon Cefni, Cefni estuary and the neighbouring coastal area with inclusion of all habitats, communities and stakeholders.

The Community Engagement Officer will lead on conversations with the communities along the Afon Cefni catchment, identifying with the communities, key areas for action and support the development of a community led management programme. The Community engagement Officer will report to the Project Manager and will receive training in marine mammal survey, water quality monitoring and support from professional facilitators.

Minimum Requirement: Fluent Welsh speaker; experience in public engagement and community outreach. Own vehicle for project activities, all mileage will be reimbursed.

Preferred Experience: Applicants with knowledge & direct experience of community based conservation work and facilitation.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Highly organised and conscientious
Strong interpersonal skills
Ability to write and express oneself to enthuse others through the written word and face to face
Capability of managing volunteers to carry out simple practical conservation tasks
Public speaking experience
Facilitation experience
Experience of events management
Knowledge and passion for UK freshwater and marine habitats
To apply, please send an Expression of Interest letter and CV to Jenny Bond at jenny.bond@seawatchfoundation.org.uk

JOB DESCRIPTION

Duties include:

Community Engagement Activities

Organise, prepare, and run community discussions and workshops in collaboration with professional facilitators within the project area. Oversee budgets and costs, manage marketing around the events and oversee general logistics such as basic catering and venue booking etc. Ensure regular contact is maintained between the project and communities involved, through regular meetings, updates and transparent bilingual communications.

Volunteer workdays

Identify tasks and areas in which to run practical volunteer workdays. Develop relationships with partner organisations to run volunteer workdays and citizen science events. Develop risk assessments, arrange tools, communications and logistics to enable full participation by community members. Manage volunteers and a programme of work at key locations across the project area.

Reporting

Deliver regular updates to the Project Manager and contribute towards reporting to funders and Sea Watch Foundation Trustees. Maintain comprehensive records of all expenses, mileage, purchases, event attendance and metrics.