Share the Shoreline - Freelance Researcher & Campaign Lead

Oxygen House; Exeter; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Part time

Job summary

A grassroots advocacy organization in Exeter is seeking a project lead to drive research and advocacy for a community initiative aimed at changing dog policies at local beaches. This role will involve stakeholder engagement, evidence gathering, and producing reports to inform policy change. Ideal candidates should possess strong project management skills, experience in relevant fields, and a passion for community advocacy. Flexible payment based on project milestones offered.

Qualifications

• Experience in research, campaign, and advocacy is essential.
• Ability to translate evidence into effective policy.
• Experience engaging diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Drive research to build the case for policy change.
• Produce a persuasive final report and presentation.
• Engage stakeholders and build a network of positive influencers.

Skills

Problem-solving

Project delivery

Inspiration

Ambition

Collaboration

Communication

Education

Experience in economics, environmental science, tourism or public policy

Job description

Overview

Are you ready to help change the rules? Looking for a new challenge? Do you care deeply about community, fairness and the natural world? Are you skilled at turning data into policy change and building movements that inspire people? If so, we want to hear from you!

About the Project

Share the Shoreline is a grassroots project in East Devon calling for an end to the seasonal ban on dogs at our local beach. Around one third of households own a dog, so barring them from their own beach unfairly penalises many local residents.

Evidence shows dog friendly policies encourage owners to stay local and spend more, driving revenue for beachfront cafés, shops and parking while supporting year-round trade. There are environmental gains too: studies suggest that letting dogs exercise locally could cut dog-related car journeys and emissions by up to 38-45% as owners no longer need to drive to distant off lead sites.

By promoting responsible dog walking in designated time slots, “Share the Shoreline” aims to balance the needs of people, pets, tourists and locals, delivering economic, social and environmental benefits for everyone.

Unlike most projects, this role hasn’t been rigidly defined. We’re looking for a collaborator who can shape the action, lead the research and craft a compelling case for change. You’ll have the autonomy to design, deliver and evolve the work in line with your strengths and the project needs.

What we know

We will need someone to drive both the research and advocacy phases of the project:

Phase 1 - Research

Deliver a focused research phase to build the case for policy change. We anticipate this will include:

• Evidence gathering: collect and analyse economic, behavioural and environmental data on visitor activity and local spending under different dog access scenarios (e.g. current PSPOs vs. relaxed policies).
• Stakeholder Engagement: work with councils, site managers, businesses, community groups, and dog-owner reps to gather insights and co-develop practical recommendations.
• Scenario Modelling: use survey and stakeholder data to model the outcomes of alternative policy approaches.
• Interim Report: summarise findings, including economic and environmental evidence, behavioural insights, and stakeholder-informed recommendations.

Phase 2 - Delivery & Advocacy

Produce a persuasive final report and presentation to be put forward for change, craft press releases and social media content, engage stakeholders at meetings and events. Build a network of positive influencers.

Why this might be for you

This is a rare opportunity to join a project at its inception. You’ll have the freedom to design, deliver and evolve the work, backed by Oxygen House. If you’re motivated by evidence-based advocacy and love building things that matter, we’d love to talk.

We’re offering a fixed-fee contract for each phase, with payments linked to key project milestones. We’re open to discussing the structure and timing of payments to reflect the agreed scope and deliverables.

We’re not just filling a box. We’re looking for the right person to help shape the box. You might be a researcher, campaigner, economist or social scientist - what matters most is your ability to:

• Solve problems: turn challenges into opportunities.
• Deliver projects: take ideas and make them reality.
• Inspire others: bring people together with purpose and clarity.
• Drive ambition: set bold goals and push boundaries.
• Collaborate: listen well and work across sectors, from conservationists to business owners and general government representatives.
• Communicate: share stories with confidence, tailoring your message to both technical and public audiences.

Experience in economics, environmental science, tourism or public policy is ideal. A background in community organising or advocacy, together with experience of translating evidence into policy is a plus. Above all, you should be excited about shaping a project from the ground up.

If this speaks to you, please include the following in your application:

• A 1-page proposal covering approach, indicative tasks/timeline, indicative fees, and two relevant examples of your previous work.
• A copy of your CV.
• A 1-2 minute video explaining why you are the right person for the role.

Applications are being managed by Oxygen House.

Closing date for applications is Monday 20th October at 9am.