Background
Finding Sanctuary is a partnership project that aims to plan and develop a network of Marine Protection Areas (MPAs) around the coasts and seas of South West England. The goal of the MPA network will be to safeguard marine biodiversity in the region, and to ensure the sustainability of marine resources for the long term. The project partners are: Natural England, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, South West Food and Drink, South West Wildlife Trusts, the County Councils of Dorset, Devon and Cornwall, The National Trust and the RSPB.
The project must ensure that the final network is supported by a wide cross section of stakeholders, and is successful in providing protection for marine habitats and species. The Project Liaison Officers will be instrumental in building links, gathering data and ensuring a good awareness of the project goals with stakeholders.
Your Role
As a Finding Sanctuary Project Liaison Officer you will be the principal link between the project and stakeholders such as professional fishermen and sea anglers. You will spend the majority of your time in coastal locations, introducing yourself to new people, discussing the project and collecting information through maps and questionnaires.
Finding Sanctuary uses a mapping technique to collect activity data and knowledge from stakeholders. You will carry out interviews with stakeholders using this established questionnaire and mapping method and work closely with GIS specialists at Finding Sanctuary’s head quarters in Topsham to ensure the information is accurately recorded.
You will need to build strong links with stakeholders, and ensure that there is a high level of awareness about Finding Sanctuary, its goals and the importance of gaining good information of where maritime activities are concentrated.
Your qualifications and experience
You will have a good knowledge and understanding of maritime activities in the South West region, in particular sea angling and commercial fishing. You should have good higher level education or professional qualifications, together with a high level of competence in using computers for e-mails, presentations and database entry.
Further details
A full job description and application details can be found on the Finding Sanctuary website:
http://www.finding-sanctuary.org/opportunities.php
Closing date: 30th April, 2008
Project Liaison Officer
