RYA Job Description
Job Title:
Planning and Environmental Manager
Reporting to:
Head of Legal and Government Affairs
Date:
June 2014
Purpose
To represent the interests of the RYA on planning and environmental matters
to policy-makers and legislators at all levels. To monitor and respond to all
planning and environmental policy and legislative proposals that might have
an impact on recreational boating interests on both tidal and inland waters.
To identify future planning and environmental threats to recreational boating
interests and influence UK Government and international policy on these
issues. To provide best practice advice on managing the interface between
recreational boating and the environment.
Dimensions
The postholder deals with Government and agencies such as DEFRA, DBIS,
DfT, DECC, Infrastructure Planning Commission, Natural England,
Environment Agency, Canal & River Trust, Local Authorities, Maritime and
Coastguard Agency, statutory conservation bodies, British Marine Federation,
BWEA, Chamber of Shipping, British Ports Association and conservation
NGOs both at senior officer level and with officers at field level across the UK.
The postholder represents the RYA on permanent and medium-term coastal
and maritime forums, working groups and advisory groups. The postholder
makes written and verbal representations to both national level and regional
audiences, on occasion through the media.
The postholder should identify future planning and environmental threats to
recreational boating interests and seek to influence government policy and
management of these issues through data collation, codes of practice,
research programmes and raising awareness of legal requirements and good
practice amongst clubs and individuals.
The postholder is responsible for managing the Planning & Environmental
Officer and overseeing The Green Blue project and its staff and any
consultants engaged to support the role of the postholder.
The job involves travel to all parts of the UK to attend office and site meetings
and to meet with the local RYA voluntary workers. The post also involves
travel within Europe.
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Context
The Cruising, Legal and Government Affairs Department represents and
protects the interests of our members and affiliated clubs at Government
level, provides them with cruising, legal and environmental advice and
information, protects existing boating facilities and supports the expansion of
facilities to cater for the future needs of the sport.
The postholder reports to the Head of Legal and Government Affairs. The
Planning and Environmental Officer reports directly to the postholder. The
postholder is responsible for overseeing The Green Blue project team and
The Green Blue Project Manager reports directly to the postholder. Some
shared administrative assistance is available as required.
Accountabilities

To make and maintain effective links with Government across the UK
at all levels, as well as non-governmental organisations, in order to
influence the development of government policy relating to planning
and environmental issues where recreational navigation interests are
affected, including marine spatial planning, strategic environmental
assessments, offshore energy developments, river basin management
plans, marine nature conservation.

To represent the interests of the RYA on planning and environmental
matters at a European and International level, including at the
International Maritime Organisation, the European Commission and the
Oslo Paris Convention Commission, and (where appropriate) to
represent the European Boating Association (EBA) on such matters.

To promote and represent RYA policy and provide policy advice to
RYA Regional Associations and staff and provide support to RYA
regions and home countries to enable them to promote a consistent
policy and to deal effectively with regional and local planning and
environmental issues. This may involve developing relationships with
Devolved Administrations, non-departmental government bodies and
other organisations as appropriate.

To liaise with sports organisations such as Sports Councils, Central
Council of Physical Recreation, other sports national governing bodies
and the British Marine Federation to contribute to an effective sport and
recreational lobby on planning and environmental issues.

To monitor planning and environmental policy, land-use plans, coastal
and marine management plans, and all planning and environmental
legislation. Assess relevance, consult with colleagues and local RYA
voluntary representatives and respond to consultations and matters of
policy development in order to protect members’ interests, whether
under power or sail, on inland or coastal waters.
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
To oversee the work of The Green Blue team and to provide
leadership, guidance, professional and pastoral support to The Green
Blue Project Manager and to members of the team.

To line manage the Planning & Environmental Officer and provide
leadership, guidance, professional and pastoral support as necessary

To give planning and environmental advice both written and verbal and
where necessary represent affiliated clubs’ and organisations’
interests, assist clubs in local planning and environmental management
issues, liaising with regulators across the UK as necessary (e.g.
Natural England, Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales, DOE
NI) to ensure boating activities can continue.

Produce up to date planning and environmental guidance for clubs and
training centres, ensuring they remain legally compliant, and updating
the relevant pages on the RYA website.

To act as secretary to the RYA’s Planning and Environmental
Committee and its associated expert working groups. Work with RYA
committees and partner organisations to formulate RYA policy on all
matters affecting the natural environment and built facilities for boating.
Oversee the work of the Regional Planning & Environmental Coordinators.

To assist in the implementation of the RYA’s Facilities Strategy by
acting as a resource for RYA Regional Development Officers on
planning and environmental issues, to minimise facilities development
constraints.

To promote good practice guidance on marine environmental
protection and marine nature conservation within the boating sector.

To support the work of the EBA and ISAF at European and
International levels, where appropriate.

To monitor current research into the impact of recreational boating on
the environment, where needed identify ways to minimise the impact
and ensure that the scientific evidence behind, rather than any
potential misperception of, the impact is disseminated.
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Planning and Environmental Manager – Person Specification
Attributes
Essential
Desirable
Source of
Evidence
Knowledge
Detailed knowledge of environmental issues affecting coastal
and inland boating, including legislative framework.
Knowledge of Government policy relating to the marine and
inland waters environment, including marine consents
processes.
Computer literacy – Microsoft Office and understanding of
databases.
An effective, representative, advocate and negotiator, whether
dealing with volunteers, clubs, allied organisations or
government at all levels.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Excellent interpersonal skills at all levels, including diplomacy,
integrity and the ability to develop good working relations.
Strong ability to work independently, to manage their own and
others’ time effectively and to prioritise their own and others’
workloads.
Leadership, management and mentoring skills.
Several years of work in a relevant field.
Experience of managing a small team.
Experience of communicating complex issues to a variety of
audiences.
Educated to degree level.
Knowledge of UK & EU environmental law and
practice.
Knowledge of UK planning law and practice.
Practical sailing and/or motorboating experience at
least equivalent to RYA Day Skipper level.
Application
Interview
Public speaking, being comfortable delivering
presentations to and interacting with a wide range of
individuals in a variety of environments, from
conferences to small meetings.
Application
Interview
Experience of working in a volunteer-led environment.
Experience of lobbying activity and environments.
Experience of engaging with the media, both written
and verbal.
Relevant post-graduate academic or professional
training.
Decisiveness, energy, leadership, passion and
creativity.
Application
Skills
Experience
Qualifications
Values/Qualities Enthusiasm for boating.
Ability to work as part of a team.
Self-starter, able to work on own initiative.
Commitment to getting the job done.
Application
Certificates
Interview
References
June 2014
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