BirdWatch Ireland, Ireland’s largest wildlife conservation NGO, is seeking a Marine Advocacy and Campaigns Officer to undertake advocacy and campaigning as part of our involvement and sub-grant agreement with the Irish Enviromental Network and the Fair Seas campaign. This person will be an active member of the Policy and Advocacy team of BirdWatch Ireland and will also be centrally involved with the Fair Seas core team at the Irish Environmental Network. The Marine Advocacy and Campaigns Officer’s line manager will be the Head of Policy and Advocacy at BirdWatch Ireland.

Specific Responsibilities include:

• Work with the Fair Seas campaign team in the delivery of the campaign advocacy strategy advocating with decision makers including politicians, government officials, and a broad range of stakeholders.
• Track, engage on and advocate for the designation of Important Bird Areas for seabirds as marine SPAs as part of the Fair Seas campaign to designate 30% of marine protected areas by 2030.
• Engage with l BirdWatch Ireland branches include arranging and giving talks  local branch events on the Fair Seas project, campaign updates, marine protected areas including the designation of marine SPAs. Additionally, the role may require participation in meetings which can occur in the evenings and at weekends.
• Effectively communicate the aims and messages of the campaign with stakeholders at a range of levels – including ministerial meetings, the Oireachtas, MEPs, departmental officials, scientists, media and the public including BirdWatch Ireland members and branches.
• Assist in the development of campaign policy positions and submissions, where appropriate.
• Arrange and host a seabird day with coastal branches.
• Work with the communications team to develop engaging social media posts and other media to raise awareness of seabirds and to engage on relevant key actions and topics.
• Write blog posts, articles and social media posts raising awareness about the campaign.
• Keep track of campaign activities and deliverables for reporting back to the core campaign, funders, the wider BirdWatch Ireland advocacy team and other reporting.
• Manage budget, invoicing and reporting to Fair Seas and reporting internally to the Head of Policy and Advocacy and the BirdWatch Ireland board.
• Engage with the wider BirdWatch Ireland marine and seabird team.
• Assist in the organisation and participate in Fair Seas and BirdWatch Ireland events including staff meetings.