JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title:
Chilterns Duke of Burgundy Project Officer
Responsible To:
South East Senior Regional Officer
Location:
Either home based or with a partner organisation within the region
Salary:
From £22,723 - £26,958 pa pro rata (Band C) plus 5% pension
contribution
Duration:
Fixed term contract ending on 30 September 2016
Background
The Duke of Burgundy is one of the UK’s fastest declining butterflies, with populations down by
nearly 50% over 10 years. The ongoing loss of colonies from chalk grassland and woodland sites
across the country highlights changes in the way these habitats are managed that has implications
for a wide range of other wildlife. Butterfly Conservation’s Dukes On The Edge project has seen
targeted conservation action at a landscape scale turn around the fortunes of this species in
several parts of south east England, leading to coordinated efforts to halt its decline across the
country. In the Chilterns, the status of the Duke of Burgundy remains critical. Despite strong
populations on one or two sites it has disappeared from many areas and most colonies are now
very small and vulnerable. This post will lead increased conservation action for the Duke of
Burgundy across multiple sites, working with volunteers and partner organisations to build
networks of suitable habitat across its range and ensure the species has a future in this
outstanding landscape.
Job Purpose
 To develop and deliver landscape-scale conservation action targeting habitat for the Duke
of Burgundy and other Lepidoptera in the Chilterns landscape.
 To work closely with landowners, site managers, our Branches, our partners and volunteers
to achieve this objective.
 To develop a costed funding proposal for targeted habitat improvements on a network of
sites, working with colleagues to secure funding and manage the delivery of the work by
contractors.
 To provide site-specific management and grant scheme advice to landowners and site
managers in a coordinated way across key habitat networks in the Chilterns.
 To organise a programme of survey and monitoring to assess habitat and species
responses to landscape-scale management.
 To support Butterfly Conservation’s existing volunteers through capacity building and
training programmes so that they are able to play a greater role in the conservation of the
Duke of Burgundy in the Chilterns.
 To recruit new volunteers through promotion, walks, events and training to help with
butterfly recording and monitoring and practical conservation management.
 To implement Butterfly Conservation’s national strategies and policies and raise awareness
of its activities in the Chilterns through events and publicity.
Technical/ Specialist skills
1. Develop a landscape-scale project to deliver a network of suitable habitat for Duke of Burgundy
across multiple sites in the Chilterns, in conjunction with the South East Senior Regional Officer,
Head of Regions, the Head Office fundraising team and Butterfly Conservation’s Upper Thames
Branch.
2. Implement landscape-scale conservation action for this and other species within key areas of
the Chilterns, by managing contractors and coordinating targeted habitat management with
landowners, project partners and volunteers.
3. Provide landowners and managers with targeted land management advice for the Duke of
Burgundy and run land management training workshops.
4. Organise public events and workshops to recruit and train volunteers to contribute to the
programme of conservation management for the Duke of Burgundy.
5. Design and oversee a programme of conservation management to improve habitat condition on
selected sites in the Chilterns by volunteer work parties.
6. Provide advice and support for efforts to reintroduce the Duke of Burgundy where necessary to
repopulate extinct habitat networks.
7. Raise awareness of the Duke of Burgundy and other Lepidoptera in the Chilterns.
8. Implement a programme of targeted survey, habitat and species monitoring by volunteers to
assess the impact of management carried out and to inform future work.
9. Collate survey, monitoring and land management data as a GIS site dossier to focus future
targeting of conservation effort on key sites.
10. Work with the Head Office media team to promote the project and the work of Butterfly
Conservation in the Chilterns.
Budget Responsibilities
1. Assist with developing and managing the project budget.
2. Report to funders on project progress.
Line Management/Contractor Responsibility
1. Oversee contractors undertaking survey, monitoring and land management works.
Dealing with Volunteers/Managing External Partners and others
1. Maintain regular contact and effective liaison with Butterfly Conservation’s Branches in the
Chilterns, local volunteer groups and the staff of relevant governmental and non-governmental
organisations.
2. Represent Butterfly Conservation on relevant partnership groups within the Chilterns where
they can contribute to the delivery of the project.
3. Raise awareness of butterfly and moth conservation among landowners, site managers,
volunteers and the general public.
4. Recruit additional volunteers to existing volunteer networks as opportunities arise.
5. Provide training in identification, survey, monitoring and land management to landowners, site
managers, conservation partners, farming/forestry advisers and volunteers through workshops.
Decision Making and Society Policy
1. Maintain good liaison with other Butterfly Conservation staff, especially those involved in
species conservation, butterfly and moth recording, volunteer development and the Head
Office finance, administration and marketing teams.
Other
Any other duties in connection with the Chilterns Duke of Burgundy Project as may be required in
agreement with your line manager.
PERSON PROFILE
JOB TITLE: Chilterns Duke of Burgundy Project Officer
Technical/Specialist Skills
A degree in a biological, environmental, forestry, or rural land use
science, or equivalent experience
Competent field naturalist with a strong commitment to nature
conservation and a sound understanding of ecological processes
A good understanding of the ecology of butterflies and moths
Knowledge of habitat management requirements of Lepidoptera and
principles of landscape-scale conservation
Sound understanding of land management systems and the
programmes of agri-environment and woodland grants
Able to develop landscape-scale conservation projects
At least one years’ relevant experience
Full driving licence (or means to travel around the area) and valid car
insurance for business use
Experience of training others or leading workshops
The ability to use IT applications, including word processing,
spreadsheets, databases and GIS
Data management experience (data recording, comparison, analysis
and presentation of findings)
Knowledge or experience of monitoring techniques
Project management experience
Essential
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Budget Responsibilities
Experience of managing project budgets
Experience of reporting to funders
Line Management/Contractor Responsibility
Experience of overseeing contractors
Dealing with Volunteers/Managing External Partners and others
Experience of working with volunteers, officers of partner organisations
and the general public
Ability to communicate with a wide range of individuals ranging from
landowners, site managers, officers of partner organisations to
volunteers
Good written, spoken communication and presentation skills
Experience of chairing meetings
Decision Making and Society Policy
Empathy with aims and objectives of Butterfly Conservation
Personal Attributes
Well organised and self-motivated; able to plan and undertake work on
your own (or with limited direct supervision)
Able to prioritise a diverse workload, meet tight deadlines and use own
initiative
Analytical and methodical, with a high degree of accuracy
Flexible: able to rapidly assimilate information and adapt to a changing
environment
Able to work effectively as a member of a team
Desirable
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Pragmatic, innovative, enthusiastic and able to motivate others
Able to manage potential conflicts by dealing with people in a calm and
professional manner
Willing to work some weekends and evenings and away from home on
occasions
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MAIN CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Job Title:
Chilterns Duke of Burgundy Project Officer
Employment start date:
As soon as possible
Place of work:
Either home based or with a partner organisation within the region
Salary:
£22,723 - £26,958 pa pro rata (Band C) for a suitably qualified and
experienced person.
Pension:
Butterfly Conservation will pay a sum equivalent to 5% of your salary
into their Stakeholder Pension Scheme with Aviva.
Probationary Period:
This post is subject to a six-month probationary period.
Duration:
Fixed term contract, ending 30 September 2016
Hours:
Part-time 18.5 hours per week (0.5 fte), but working will be flexible
and may include some evening and weekend work. Time-off-in-lieu
will be allowed for all overtime worked.
Annual Leave:
The annual leave entitlement for the first full year of full-time
employment is 23 days per annum (pro rata for part-time) plus
statutory public holidays.
Closing date:
The closing date for receipt of completed applications for this position
is noon on Friday 18 July 2014.
Interview Date:
Interviews will be held on 7 August 2014 at the Chiltern AONB
offices, Chinnor, Buckinghamshire, OX39 4HA.