Youth Group Development Officer

The Rspb; Manchester; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading wildlife conservation charity in Manchester seeks an inspiring individual to empower and grow their youth network. This exciting role involves coordinating operations, developing innovative initiatives for youth engagement, and advocating for youth groups. The ideal candidate will have strong volunteer management experience and exceptional communication skills. Join us in making a difference for nature and shaping the next generation of nature champions.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of non-formal youth settings and activity design.
• Experience in developing volunteering roles across an organization.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate RSPB Youth Group operations and build volunteer capability.
• Develop and implement initiatives for diverse community engagement.
• Advocate for Youth Groups within RSPB projects and activities.

Skills

Youth engagement

Volunteer management

Communication

Analytical skills

Project delivery

Job description

Key Responsibilities

• Providing regional coordination and direction of RSPB Youth Group operations and building volunteer capability in England.
• Working collaboratively to develop high quality initiatives that enable our Youth Groups to inspire new and more diverse support, giving nature a voice in more communities across England.
• Advocating for RSPB Youth Groups and embedding them in area teams, projects and activities as part of our strategic outcomes to tackle the nature and climate emergency.
• Ensuring our Youth Groups follow RSPB policies and procedures, comply with legal requirements, and work within agreed RSPB Youth Group frameworks.
• Monitoring and evaluating RSPB Youth Group activities to demonstrate the positive impact of RSPB Youth Groups and their contribution to RSPB strategic outcomes.
• Identifying, developing and delivering training and resources required by RSPB Youth Groups to maximise their impact for nature.
• Championing RSPB Youth Groups both internally and externally, influencing and raising awareness of what they do through communications planning to make sure that their contribution is celebrated and valued.
• Lead, manage and support a team of country expert volunteers to assist with some or all of the above.

Key Qualifications and Experience

• Strong understanding of best practice and sector standards in working with young people in a non‑formal youth setting, combined with a proven ability to design, develop and successfully deliver a range of activities that engage and inspire groups of young people.
• Knowledge and understanding of volunteering best practice, innovation and sector standards with a strong track record of successfully developing volunteering roles across an organisation.
• Understanding and experience of volunteering through working with volunteers in a management capacity.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence, persuade, guide and negotiate effectively, and skilled in active listening and constructively challenging thinking where appropriate.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to identify problems and determine areas of improvement, and adept at working collaboratively to develop creative strategies and practical solutions that drive positive change.
• Ability to maintain a strong focus on achieving results while effectively prioritising tasks and resources.
• Experience in designing, developing and delivering youth‑focused projects or initiatives that result in measurable or tangible improvements for young people.
• Experience in delivering operational advice, guidance and training to individuals at all levels, while building and maintaining strong, productive stakeholder relationships that drive collaboration and results.

Are you passionate about nature and wanting to make a real difference? We are looking for an inspiring individual to empower and grow our RSPB Youth Group network, offering leadership, advice and support. In this role, you'll shape the next generation of nature champions by working through volunteers.

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

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The RSPB is a licensed sponsor. 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.

The RSPB is a charity for the conservation of birds and nature. We bring people together who love birds and other wildlife, and who want to take action to restore the health and diversity of the natural world. We carry out conservation on a large scale, protect and restore habitats, and save species from extinction. We are living in a nature and climate emergency, and we won't stop while the threats persist.