Northern Ireland Marine Task Force Officer

About this role

The Northern Ireland Marine Task Force (NIMTF) is a coalition of ten non-Government organisations including RSPB, Ulster Wildlife, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, WWF, National Trust, Friends of the Earth, Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful, Marine Conservation Society and Northern Ireland Environment Link, campaigning under the vision for ‘healthy, productive and resilient seas around Northern Ireland’.

This is an excellent opportunity for a passionate individual to influence marine nature conservation and the sustainable use of marine resources in Northern Ireland. The Officer will coordinate the work of the NIMTF which provides ecological and policy advice in relation to marine policies including the Marine Act (NI) 2013, the UK Marine Strategy, Maritime Spatial Planning Directive (MSP), UK Fisheries Act, NI Climate Change Act and international ocean governance commitments. They will lead on consultation responses, co-development of NI marine policies (such as the Marine Protected Area strategy, Blue Carbon Action Plan, Elasmobranch Strategy, Seabird Conservation Strategy), stakeholder input to development and delivery of the Offshore Renewable Energy Action Plan, and produce policy briefs and organise events to influence marine protection and planning. Crucially, they will provide a strong and articulate voice to key decision-makers and wider stakeholders, representing NIMTF before external audiences and within NIMTF’s network.

You will have a track record of initiating, managing and delivering evidence-based policy and advocacy work. You will have in-depth knowledge and understanding of marine policy issues facing Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom. You will be comfortable working both with coalition partners and independently, delivering on the agreed objectives and strategy.

This post is funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, and supported by NIMTF’s members. The officer is employed by Ulster Wildlife on behalf of the NI Marine Task Force.