The Natural Capital Initiative has two volunteer opportunities to assist the Secretariat in the planning and running of its activities. Volunteers would need to commit a minimum of three days per week. Each placement would be for a minimum of two months full time equivalent and for a maximum of three months full time equivalent. Volunteers will help:

•Investigate topics related to NCI work themes (volunteers are likely to need to work on multiple work themes)
•Assist with the organisation and running of NCI events
•Assist with the preparation of reports and articles
•Assist with administrative tasks

One volunteering period would be expected to start in summer 2010. The other would be expected to start in the autumn of 2010. NCI partner offices are in Oxfordshire and Central London. Wherever possible, volunteers will have an opportunity to choose their primary work location. Lunch expenses and limited costs for travel between partner offices will be available, subject to prior agreement.

Further details about these opportunities, the knowledge and skills required of applicants and how to apply, are available from the internship advertisement, which you can download from the British Ecological Society’s website.

Closing date: 21st April
Interviews to be held in London on 9th June.

Executive Director of the Ecological Continuity Trust
(18 month contract initially)
London
Salary £40k – £50k

Announcing a major new executive position in UK ecology:

Ecological Continuity Trust (ECT) was established as a UK-registered charity in 2008 to address vital ecological issues of today and the future by supporting long-term, experimental field studies. An important aspect of this is to raise awareness of the importance of long-term scientific research as a critical component of the protection and enhancement of healthy ecosystems.

ECT’s board has developed the charity from the concept stage to a point where it can begin operations. A challenging new opportunity has arisen for an entrepreneurial Executive Director to build on these foundations and fulfil ECT’s vision through leading the charity during this exciting and formative first phase.

Using your energies and leadership skills, you will focus on raising the profile of long-term studies in ecology significantly in the public and policy environments. Building on the Board’s dialogues with potential partner organisations, you will build the resources to support existing and create new sites for long-term ecological experimentation and monitoring, initially in the UK. Proactive in your approach, you will build a network of ecologists and other academics that will contribute to the fulfilment of ECT’s objectives.

We are looking for a resourceful and self-motivated individual with all-round skills, determination and an ability to communicate clearly, both within the ecology community and in the public and policy environments. With a passion for delivering on the goals of the charity, you will need to demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental objectives of the ECT. A formal academic background in ecology is not mandatory: ECT welcomes applications from candidates with a proven leadership record in other fields, alongside an evident personal interest and commitment to the science of ecology and conservation.

With a fundraising background and experience of developing and working in partnerships with other organisations, you will have previously run programmes or campaigns that have educational, awareness raising and influencing objectives.

Closing date: Sunday 21st February

For further details and to apply Click here

QUEST have a vacancy for a Science to Policy Liaison Officer at their headquarters in Bristol. This post is offered as a part time (two days per week) secondment until September 2010.

QUEST (Quantifying and Understanding the Earth System) is a multidisciplinary £23M programme of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). It brings together UK scientists working in a wide range of disciplines to answer policy relevant questions on the global environment. For example: How are atmospheric composition and climate naturally regulated? To stabilise climate, how much greenhouse gasses can be emitted and when? How much climate change is dangerous (risk analysis, vulnerability of ecosystem services)? What are the biological options for reducing climate change (avoided deforestation, forestry and bioenergy) and their sustainability?

The ideal candidate will be either:
- Policy person already working within a government agency, other policy institution or NGO (e.g. Defra, DECC, DfID, Environment Agency, WWF) with a science background or good scientific understanding.
- A post-doctoral researcher in the environment or climate change field with strong experience working on policy interface.

Level of experience: equivalent to 3 to 10 years post-doctoral or agency work, PhD not necessary, experience more important. The post will require mobility, familiarity with the workings of government and ideally good personal links across it, excellent written skills, excellent networking abilities, good organisational skills and the ability to work in a team.

For more information, and details of how to apply, see the QUEST website.