Project Purchasing Specialist

RSPB; Remote; GBP 39,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading conservation organization is seeking a Project Purchasing Specialist to support the PeacePlus Nature Programme. This role involves leading procurement efforts for significant conservation projects, developing strategies, and ensuring compliance with regulations. The ideal candidate will have strong procurement knowledge and excellent interpersonal skills. This fixed-term full-time position offers a salary between £39,205 and £41,856 per annum, contributing to vital conservation efforts across Northern Ireland and beyond.

Benefits

Pension Scheme

Life Assurance Scheme

26 days' Annual Leave

Qualifications

• Must be a member of or working towards a CIPS qualification.
• Strong knowledge of procurement processes and contracts.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills are required.

Responsibilities

• Lead procurement across conservation and community objectives.
• Develop procurement strategy in line with policy and guidelines.
• Carry out tendering exercises for the programme.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Analytical abilities

Procurement process knowledge

Microsoft Office Suite proficiency

Education

CIPS qualification or working towards

Tools

Procurement software

Job description

Project Purchasing Specialist

Reference: JAN20261453

Location: Flexible in Northern Ireland

Salary: £39,205.00 - £41,856.00 Per Annum

Contract: Fixed-Term, until 31st July 2029

Hours: Full-Time, 37.5 hours per week

Benefits: Pension Scheme, Life Assurance Scheme, 26 days' Annual Leave

We have an exciting opportunity for a Project Purchasing Specialist to join the PeacePlus Nature Programme. We are looking for a positive and highly organised individual who will build strong relationships within RSPB and with our project partners.

What's the role about?

PeacePlus Nature is an ambitious €20.8 million programme that brings together partners to tackle the decline in priority species and habitats in Northern Ireland, and the border counties of Ireland. PEACEPLUS is a cross-border funding Programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) and supported by the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland, and the Northern Ireland administration.

The partnership includes RSPB NI, BirdWatch Ireland, Butterfly Conservation, Monaghan County Council, River Blackwater Catchment Trust, Truagh Development Association, Lough Neagh Partnership, NI Water and An Taisce.

The programme will work to restore blanket bog, lowland wet grassland, limestone grassland and priority species including Curlew, Corncrake, Hen harrier, Small Blue butterfly and Irish Damselfly. This is an incredible opportunity to work in a programme team to increase the populations of some of Ireland’s most iconic wildlife.

PeacePlus Nature is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

RSPB NI have invested significant time in building this collaborative programme with multiple partners to create an extensive portfolio of projects some of which are new and innovative.

In this role you will support the PeacePlus Nature projects with their procurement needs.

Responsibilities

• Alongside the programme management team you will be responsible for leading, planning and delivering significant elements of procurement across the programme of conservation, science, data, ecology and local community objectives across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland.
• You will have strong links with the central procurement team with a dotted line to dedicated support and advice, and will provide purchasing support to your RSPB colleagues working on the programme while also building relationships with our project partners to assist them with any procurement relating to PeacePlus Nature.
• Alongside the central procurement team, the successful candidate will develop the procurement strategy for the programme in line with internal procurement policy and funder guidelines.
• You will carry out tendering exercises for this substantial programme and advise project teams on the funder requirements for eligible spend.
• You will work closely with the finance team to ensure that all appropriate evidence is available for grant claims.
• You will ensure compliance with relevant regulations, policies, and ethical standards.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

• Member of, or CIPS qualification preferred (or working towards).
• Strong knowledge of procurement processes, contracts, and tender management.
• Excellent negotiation, communication and interpersonal skills.
• High attention to detail and strong analytical abilities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and procurement software.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines effectively.
• OJEU and Procurement Act 2023 experience.

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

• Experience of working with grant giving and funding bodies.
• Experience of public procurement.

Additional Information:

• This is a Fixed-Term role for 37.5 hours per week until 31st July 2029.
• The RSPB reserves the right to extend or make this role permanent without further advertising dependent on business needs at the end of the contract term.

Closing date: 23:59, Sunday 15th February 2026

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from 27th February 2026.

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.

As part of this application process you will be asked to provide a copy of your CV and complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above.

Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need complete your application.

No agencies please.