Invasive Species Programme Manager

National Biodiversity Data Centre; Munster; On-site; EUR 56,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The National Biodiversity Data Centre in Ireland is seeking an Invasive Species Programme Manager to oversee delivery of the work programme, manage a small team of Invasive Species Officers and handle budget reporting.

The role requires a postgraduate qualification or at least five years in biodiversity, plus strong project management, strategic thinking and communication skills. Driving licence and work rights in Ireland are essential.

Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualification Level 9 in biodiversity-related subject or five years’ relevant experience.
• Proven track record in project management.
• Minimum three years’ experience managing a team.
• Strong commitment to biodiversity conservation.
• Experience of networking and partner engagement.
• Ability to develop and think strategically.
• Good research and report writing skills.
• Good organisational and project management skills.
• Excellent motivational, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Full clean Irish, EU or UK driving licence.
• Full rights to work in the Republic of Ireland.

Responsibilities

• Overseeing delivery of an agreed work programme, including programme reporting and management of an annual budget.
• Managing a small team of Invasive Species Officers.
• Reviewing and editing information relating to invasive species such as species action plans, risk assessments, guidance material and publications.
• Overseeing communications and relevant awareness campaigns.
• Promotion of invasive species recording and fostering greater collaboration between relevant partners.
• Ensuring that all policies and procedures of the National Biodiversity Data Centre are proactively implemented and that a positive work culture is fostered and promoted within the team.
• Contributing to the general work of the National Biodiversity Data Centre as requested.

Skills

Programme management

Team leadership

Strategic thinking

Research & report writing

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Driving licence

Right to work in Ireland

Education

Postgraduate qualification Level 9 in biodiversity or related field

Job description

The National Biodiversity Data Centre is a state-sponsored centre, established to support biodiversity data and information needs to address the biodiversity crisis. It was established as a Company Limited by Guarantee in December 2022, following a decision of Government to secure the long-term future of the Centre. The primary role of the Centre is to contribute to build the knowledge base on biodiversity and track how it is changing in Ireland. It works to ensure that data and information on Ireland’s biodiversity is more freely available and accessible for use in research, conservation management and decision-making.

Within the Centre, the invasive species unit is in development. It currently has one Programme Manager and five project officers; but is expected to grow. The second Programme Manager will join the team to assist with delivery of an expanded work programme in coming years.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Overseeing delivery of an agreed work programme, including programme reporting and management of an annual budget.
• Managing a small team of Invasive Species Officers.
• Reviewing and editing information relating to invasive species such as species action plans, risk assessments, guidance material and publications.
• Overseeing communications and relevant awareness campaigns.
• Promotion of invasive species recording and fostering greater collaboration between relevant partners.
• Ensuring that all policies and procedures of the National Biodiversity Data Centre are proactively implemented and that a positive work culture is fostered and promoted within the team.
• Contributing to the general work of the National Biodiversity Data Centre as requested.

Candidates must demonstrate in their cover letter and Curriculum Vitae that they meet all the essential criteria identified for the post. Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application, have;

• A relevant post graduate qualification Level 9 in the National Framework of Qualifications in a subject relevant to biodiversity e.g. environmental science, ecology, earth/natural sciences, zoology, botany, natural resources management, or, have a minimum of five years’ experience working in a relevant area,
• Proven track record in project management,
• Have a minimum of three years’ experience of managing a team,
• Have demonstrated a strong commitment to the conservation of biodiversity,
• Have experience of networking and partner engagement,
• Have demonstrated an ability for strategy development and strategic thinking,
• Possess good research and report writing skills,
• Possess good organisational and project management skills,
• Have excellent motivational, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Have a full clean Irish, EU or UK driving licence.
• Have full rights to work in the Republic of Ireland.

Additional Desirable Criteria for the role

• Post graduate qualification relevant to ecology or biodiversity data analytics,
• Experience of working on invasives species. The working environment of the National Biodiversity Data Centre is dynamic and evolving, requiring all staff to embrace and manage change and take on new responsibilities as needs arise.
• Consequently, the responsibilities outlined for each role should not be regarded as comprehensive in scope and may be added to or altered as required, in line with the requirements of the National Biodiversity Data Centre.
• The Invasive Species Programme Manager will report to the Chief Scientific Officer.

The post is whole-time and offered as a 4-year contract.

The applicable salary scale for the post is as follows: (Seven Increments + two *Long Service Increments) €56,106 – €57,636 – €59,676 - €61,206 - €62,736 - €64,266 - €66,307 - €68,347¹ – *€70,387², with increments being awarded annually, subject to satisfactory performance in the role.

Closing Date for Applications: 5pm on Friday the 27th of November 2026 (Late Applications will not be considered)