BirdWatch Ireland is seeking an enthusiastic and self-motivated individual with excellent interpersonal skills and 3 years’ experience in project management or similar role. They should also have good bird identification and survey experience, to lead organisation of the Bird Atlas 2027-31 across the Republic of Ireland.

The post-holder will be responsible for the recruitment and management of a team of staff, contractors and volunteers. This will include three regional coordinators (funding dependant), contract field staff, a network of volunteer county organisers (typically with one or more per county, where they can be recruited) and survey volunteers nationwide to achieve coverage in the winter and breeding season surveys for the Bird Atlas 2027-31. They will be the main point of contact for volunteers in the Republic of Ireland. They will also be responsible for ensuring consistent methodologies are utilised, leading an extensive surveyor recruitment and training campaign, identifying any gaps in coverage and ensuring data validation is completed.

Key responsibilities:

1. Take overall responsibility for the project management and coordination of the Bird Atlas in the Republic of Ireland, to ensure that an integrated and consistent approach is taken to the project. This will require a close working relationship with the Atlas Steering Group, Irish Atlas Steering Group, funding partners, lead partner (BTO), Country Organisers, and other partners and stakeholders.
2. Direct responsibility for organising Bird Atlas coverage in the Republic of Ireland. This will require the recruitment and management of a staff of three regional organisers (dependent on funding); contract fieldworkers; a network of volunteer county organisers (typically with one or per county, where they can be recruited) and survey volunteers nationwide.
3. Lead on the recruitment and coordination of an extensive network of volunteers across Ireland. Volunteer coordination and training will be a central aspect of this role year-round.
4. Oversee the Bird Atlas project budget for the Republic of Ireland. This will include drafting annual projects budgets (with the Head of Surveys and Monitoring), monitoring project expenditure and working with the Head of Finance on financial reporting.
5. Assist the BirdWatch Ireland Senior Leadership Team with project fundraising. This may include delivering presentations to funders, writing grant applications and funding bids and project reporting/drawdowns.
6. Support the county organisers and other volunteers to fulfil coverage targets in all regions of the Republic of Ireland, working closely with BTO colleagues in Northern Ireland. Support the provision of volunteer training.
7. Ensure that quality of records is maintained for the entire Atlas by (a) ensuring that the methods are adhered to consistently, (b) that appropriate data checking procedures are in place, (c) liaison with local experts where necessary.
8. Be responsible for maintaining oversight of data collection, including the computerisation of any paper records, verification, handling of sensitive records and so on.
9. Input into methods for feedback of provisional results and coverage information, and on methods of final presentation of results. Maintain oversight of all feedback to volunteers across the Republic of Ireland.
10. Lead the establishment and ongoing coordination of the Irish Atlas Steering Group and report progress and all aspects of implementation to the Atlas Steering Group (Britain & Ireland), and to other committees as required.
11. Promote the Atlas through BirdWatch Ireland and other publications (e.g. Wings), websites, the press, radio and television interviews, and through talks to BirdWatch Ireland Branches, NPWS staff, Biodiversity Officers and at conferences. This will require close liaison with staff in the BirdWatch Ireland Communications Team.
12. Liaise with other surveys and data sources to mobilise records for inclusion, under the guidance of the Methodology Working Group.
13. Provide support to any local atlas projects underway in the Republic of Ireland.
14. Take a major role in developing the contents, structure and format of the final Atlas products and in preparing maps and text for those products.
15. May be required to carry out limited fieldwork, possibly requiring periods away from home.