BirdWatch Ireland, Ireland’s largest wildlife conservation NGO, is looking for a Marine Spatial Planning Specialist. The ideal candidate will be a very experienced individual, with a strong scientific background in seabird ecology, excellent knowledge of marine environmental policy and experience of offshore windfarm developments and their potential impacts on seabirds and other marine biodiversity. References will be required.

Specific Responsibilities include:

• Work with BirdWatch Ireland team, the Marine Biodiversity Officer and IEN coordinator to ensure coordination of workplans and outputs.
  Marine Spatial Planning.
• Develop a firm understanding of the current regulations and planning processes relating to the marine environment and how An Bord Pleanála, the Marine Area Regulatory Authority and Local Authorities will work together.
• Review EIAs, Screening reports and Appropriate Assessment documentation submitted as part of planning applications for ORE projects. Seek the input of relevant stakeholders and prepare submissions based on scientific evidence, for An Bord Pleanála (and Local Authorities where required) and provide follow up responses and attend/present at Oral Hearings or equivalent as required.
• Based on the science and evidence, develop submissions for new Designated Maritime Area Plans (DMAPS) and engage with Government officials and relevant stakeholders on these. Attend consultations and provide regular feedback to wider team.
• Participate in ORE company and Wind Energy Ireland consultations, where appropriate.
• Build on and develop existing knowledge and understanding of the impacts of ORE on seabirds and waterbirds. Working with the Marine Biodiversity Specialist, contribute to the production of a list of mitigation measures.
• Based on BirdWatch Ireland’s Marine Important Bird Areas, work with other stakeholders to help to develop offshore renewables sensitivity mapping for seabirds to contribute to our understanding of the spatial conflict between offshore wind farms and seabirds.
• Working with the BirdWatch Ireland marine group, develop an offshore marine renewables policy position for BirdWatch Ireland based on the scientific evidence.
• Contribute to the development of the IEN’s Offshore renewables policy.
• Undertake advocacy where appropriate on topics of concern that relate to ORE planning processes, protection of marine biodiversity, DMAPs or proposed spatial planning changes and effects to marine biodiversity.
• Engage with Government departments on the impacts of ORE projects on seabirds and sit on relevant Advisory/Working Groups.
• People engagement and communications work.