- Posted: 19th October 2023
- Locaton: Oxford, UK with occasional national and international travel
- Salary: ÂŁ16,800 to ÂŁ21,600 per annum, gross pro rata (ÂŁ28,000 – ÂŁ36,000 full time equivalent)
- Hours: 21 hours per week, between Monday to Friday (flexible working offers will be considered)
- Contract: Fixed term – 1 year, with the potential to increase hours and become permanent in the future
- Department: Science, Policy and Innovation
- Reports to: Head of Policy and Science
- Deadline: Closing Date: 5th November 2023
- Interviews: Between 13 – 17 November, first stage via Microsoft Teams. Earthwatch is committed to making any adjustments we can for short-listed candidates, to facilitate participation in our interview process. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Earthwatch is recruiting a part-time Fresh Water Research Manager to help drive our global fresh water research programme supported by our FreshWater Watch citizen science tool. You will work within a small team that initiates, develops and delivers innovative and inspiring freshwater research projects with local communities in the UK as well as projects in Europe and Africa. You will lead the fresh water research for the Evenlode Catchment Partnership in Oxfordshire using citizen science to protect and improve water quality. This is an exciting time to join the programme as we are implementing an ambitious plan to scale up our activity and impact and make a tangible contribution to restoring the health of Britain’s rivers and achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 on clean water.
The ideal candidate has experience in fresh water ecosystem management, monitoring and research, and is a confident and inspiring communicator. They are passionate about freshwater science and environmental justice, and keen to work with and learn from diverse communities. They are familiar with the UK freshwater policy framework and key players within it, including those concerned with the Evenlode Catchment e.g., Thames Water, Ofwat, the Office for Environmental Protection, the Environment Agency, and various civil society groups.
They have a keen eye for strategic opportunities and the ability to convert them into funded projects that deliver impactful freshwater citizen science. They are a highly collaborative team player with a practical approach to problem-solving, as well as an eye for detail and sound time management – ensuring activities and research outputs can be timeously delivered to a high standard.
Earthwatch Europe is an environmental non-governmental organisation with science at its heart. We drive the change needed to live within our means and in balance with nature. We do this by connecting people with the natural world, monitoring the health of our natural resources, and informing the actions that will have the greatest positive impact.
Earthwatch is an environmental charity with science at its heart. Our mission is to live within our means and in balance with nature. We do this by connecting people with the natural world, monitoring the health of our natural resources and informing the actions that will have the greatest positive impact.
Our values
We are driven by people
We always show humanity in our bid to save humanity. As colleagues, we treat each other with genuine warmth and respect. In a polarised world, we’re proud to build a friendly movement of local groups, schools, scientists and businesses. Everyone’s voice is welcome and valued.
We are powered by science
Powered by science, it’s science that makes us powerful. We champion findings collected by people at the grassroots to spark change in our neighbourhoods and at the highest levels of government. We’re committed to debate, openness, honesty, listening and always learning.
We connect with nature
Disconnection from nature is at the heart of ecological crisis. Connection is a driving force for change. So let’s get our boots – and our hearts – muddy. With smiles on our faces, we inspire people to get out into nature, have fun, discover what we all stand to lose, and take action.
We fight for our planet
The environmental crisis is relentless. We, too, never give up. Each day we fight for our fragile earth, not through protest, but practical science. From planting tiny forests to protecting the world’s freshwater habitats, our evidence-based solutions are the seeds of our planet’s survival.
Responsibilities
Role Purpose:
Work within a small team to help deliver innovative, inspiring and impactful freshwater (citizen) science projects in the UK, Europe and Africa. Lead Earthwatch Europe’s efforts to conduct freshwater research in the Evenlode Catchment.
Key deliverables:
- Project execution: Ensure the timeous execution of Earthwatch Europe’s part in certain freshwater research projects — especially the Evenlode Catchment Partnership—drawing from and contributing to Freshwater Watch.
- Data management and reporting: Collect, organise and interpret fresh water data. Employ modelling, statistical and spatial analyses to extract meaningful insights. Prepare clear and concise reports presenting research findings to diverse audiences, including non-technical stakeholders.
- Stakeholder engagement: Help to build and nurture relationships with key stakeholders including communities and partners. Facilitate their engagement in freshwater projects.
- External representation: Represent the Fresh Water Programme and Earthwatch externally, giving presentations, fostering collaborations and advancing the organisation’s mission.
- Academic writing: Contribute to scientific knowledge by authoring or co-authoring peer-reviewed publications on freshwater.
- Fundraising: Support the writing of project proposals, providing expertise on fresh water science.
- Coordination: Collaborate with colleagues, line-managing a small fresh water science team and providing technical support to other parts of the organisation including the business development, fundraising and communications teams
The above list of job deliverables is not exclusive or exhaustive and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post
Requirements
Essential:
- An MSc or higher in environmental or natural sciences.
- Experience working on freshwater research projects including practical field work.
- Competence organising, analysing and interpreting temporal and spatial data, using GIS.
- Knowledge of freshwater quality challenges, policy frameworks and key stakeholders in the UK.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, and a demonstrable passion for environmental justice and citizen science
- Scientific writing and presentation skills as demonstrated through published work and participation in conferences.
- Ability to work well as part of a team, in the office, in the field and virtually.
- Written/spoken fluency in English.
- Commitment to the mission and values of Earthwatch.
Desirable experiences:
- Conducting advanced GIS analyses and statistical modelling using R (training opportunities are available).
- Line management.
- Guiding groups of students and/or volunteers, while ensuring participant safety and well-being.
- Teaching or mentoring in the environmental or natural science fields.
- Communicating to diverse audiences and communities.
Applicants must have the right to work in the UK; Earthwatch is unable to support visa applications.
Earthwatch is an equal opportunity employer. We believe that everyone has a contribution to make, regardless of visible and invisible differences. We welcome and encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply, and we will consider all applications fairly and consistently.
We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive working environment – a place where individuality is embraced and everyone has the opportunity to thrive. We value the benefits that different backgrounds, working approaches and ways of thinking can bring.
For an informal conversation ahead of applying, please reach out to Russell Galt at: rgalt@earthwatch.org.uk
Equal opportunities, diversity and inclusion
Earthwatch is an equal opportunity employer. We believe that everyone has a contribution to make, regardless of visible and invisible differences. We welcome and encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply, and we will consider all applications fairly and consistently.
We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive working environment – a place where individuality is embraced and everyone has the opportunity to thrive. We value the benefits that different backgrounds, working approaches and ways of thinking can bring.
If you require reasonable adjustments in making an application for the role of Researcher, please contact the HR team at uk.hr@earthwatch.org.uk ahead of the application deadline.
