Role
NSAP Project Manager
Reporting to:
Project Seagrass CEO
Salary:
£42, 000
Contract:
Fixed term 15 months
Hours of work:
Full time, 35 hours per week, flexible hours, to include weekend and bank holiday working as required.
Location:
Project Seagrass Headquarters, Unit 1 Garth Drive, Brackla Industrial Estate, Bridgend, CF31 2AQ (with regular travel required across Wales including some hot desking at Seagrass Network Cymru member organisations)
Introduction
Seagrass Network Cymru (SNC) is a collaborative platform that provides a unified voice to secure a future for seagrass in Wales. The SNC is a network of organisations and individuals with an interest in seagrass protection and restoration in Wales, it comprises of NGOs, academics, government and management agencies and the private sector. The network works to increase public awareness of the value seagrass meadows across Wales, share expert knowledge and drive coordinated action to support the protection and enhancement of Welsh seagrass meadows into the future through improved science, monitoring, management and education.
The National Seagrass Action Plan (NSAP) was developed in 2024 by SNC. The NSAP outlines actions to be taken over the next five years to contribute to the achievement of the overall vision: Welsh seagrass meadows have been recovered and are supporting biodiverse, healthy and productive marine ecosystems, vibrant communities, a sustainable economy and making a valuable contribution to the climate emergency response. This work takes a pan-Wales approach to seagrass habitat recovery by developing a long-term mechanism for coordinated action and will provide a blueprint for broader seascape revival. The NSAP outlines the need to map Wales s seagrass, identify key evidence gaps for scaled recovery, improve community awareness of the value of seagrass to the climate and biodiversity crises, and develop community focussed approaches to conservation and restoration.
Overview
In the first 15 months the NSAP Project Manager will work with SNC partners to translate the NSAP into an implementable plan with a strong governance framework. They will also deliver secretariat duties for the continued operation of SNC and support the development of a financing model to generate further external funding to deliver on actions specified within the plan.
This role will sit initially within SNC member organisation, Project Seagrass, but in line with the long-term vision of the plan, the role will collaborate and coordinate across network member organisations and beyond.
It is anticipated that a strengthened, robust NSAP, endorsed by government, will catalyse further investment to scale up the work required beyond this first 15 months.
SNC Objectives
1. Identify and address evidence gaps drawing on expertise from the SNC and other associated networks.
2. Improve community awareness of the value of seagrass and nature-based solutions to the climate and biodiversity crises by providing examples and opportunities for community participation in monitoring and restoration work.
3. Coordinate the piloting of community focussed approaches in North Wales and Pembrokeshire to reduce localised pressures and provide a blueprint for national implementation. This will build on existing work across Welsh SACs.
Purpose of the role:
The Project Manager will coordinate delivery of the NSAP, performing a secretariat function for the SNC and ensuring a delivery-focused approach that clearly defines who is responsible and how the initiatives are driven.
The role will focus on coalition building, integrating existing work and reports, and enhancing knowledge and mapping. This coordinated approach will facilitate the successful execution and scaling of SNC conservation activities.
Key duties & responsibilities:
Drive continued development of the National Seagrass Action Plan, including the design of a strong and robust governance structure future proofing delivery of the Plan s long-term objectives.
Contribute to the ongoing development of an effective and sustainable strategy for NSAP delivery, distilling into individual implementation work packages
Co-ordinate with external partner and network members to ensure cohesive logistics planning and project/objective delivery.
Manage and supervise staff assigned to support delivery of year one objectives, ensuring effective performance.
Provide necessary levels of leadership, direction, support and advice to staff to ensure coordination and effective teamwork.
Manage all work packages and associated administrative activities and functions of SNC as related to the NSAP; initiating, coordinating, and implementing systems, policies and procedures, ensuring maximum efficiency.
Review and improve governance structure and systems for the effective implementation of the NSAP
Responsible for the proper auditing and reporting of all operational activities and projects and ensuring accurate and up to date records are maintained of work undertaken
Responsible for maintaining and developing systems of monitoring that can capture and analyse performance data to track progress of projects
Person Specification
Essential Criteria
Values
Demonstrable evidence of taking pride in delivering professional services and solutions
Ability to work together in an environment of equity, trust and respect
A commitment to improving the environment and acting in a responsible environmental manner
Qualifications
Degree or advanced qualification in a relevant field
Experience
A minimum of five years experience of operational and/or project management in a related post
Experience in strategy development
Confident line manager with experience of building, leading and motivating teams
Knowledge of UK marine systems and policy
Knowledge and skills
Confident in building and developing partnerships with external and internal stakeholders, able to influence different audiences
Excellent leadership skills, always leading by example
Ability to work independently and self-motivate
Excellent IT skills
Evidence of excellent communication skills including report writing and presentations
Knowledge of the marine sector in the UK (marine systems/policy frameworks
Desirable
Field experience of UK marine systems
Experience operating in the charity, conservation or third sector in the UK
Ability to speak Welsh
Seagrass knowledge/experience
Additional Information
All applicants will need to have an existing right to work (visa) in the UK.
Application Deadline: 7th February 2025