Volunteer Coordinator (Northern Ireland Swifts)

Every spring, Swifts return to our towns and cities after travelling thousands of miles from Africa where they spend the winter. These small birds with scythe-shaped wings have total mastery of the skies. They feed, drink, mate and sleep whilst flying, only landing to nest and raise chicks. They prefer to build their nests in buildings across our towns and cities, but over time there have become fewer places they can use and their numbers in the UK are down by over half. They are in trouble and the distinctive cries of Swifts that once filled the skies in summer are dwindling.

Urgent action is needed to stop them disappearing from our skies, so RSPB NI are working alongside the Northern Ireland Swift Group and RSPB Local Groups to raise awareness of Swifts and increase direct action for them.

What tasks will you be doing?

As a Volunteer Coordinator you will be:

Responsible for directing people to how they can help Swifts using wide range of resources including RSPB’s swift action pack.

Working with RSPB Communications Team to raise the profile of swift conservation internally and externally.

Supporting the partnership work of RSPB NI, NI Swift Groups and RSPB Local Groups including:

Develop a calendar of activities throughout the year with particular focus on Swift Awareness Week

Assisting with surveying key sites this coming season

Assisting the partnership with the development of council guidance

Supporting the development of a Swift Champion Network

This is a flexible opportunity requiring the equivalent of 1-1.5 days per week and the option to role-share. We'll ensure you're provided with an RSPB laptop and are set up with access to the RSPB computer network so you can comfortably carry out your role at home.

You’ll be given a full RSPB induction and training on swift ecology and how to provide advice on conservation action for swifts. You’ll be managed by an RSPB Assistant Conservation Officer and supported by the Species Volunteer Network Project Officer and Local Group Development Officer.

Beneficial skills for this role are:

• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
• You need to be a great people person, friendly and approachable.
• Excellent telephone manner and written communication skills.
• An ability to lead/inspire others and work as part of a team.
• Creative and forward thinking.
• Computer literacy.
• Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a small team.
• Excellent record keeper.
• Happy to work from home or office.
• Tact/diplomacy

Volunteers are part RSPB foundation and are key to all we do at our reserves and in our projects, so we want to make sure we give them the best experience possible – you will play an important role in helping us do this! We know that we are facing a climate and biodiversity crisis, nature is in trouble, but we strongly believe that we can make a difference.