Communications & Engagement Officer - Evidence Emergency

Closing date:
Thursday 19 March 2026
Salary: £30,000-£31,500 FTE depending on experience
Contract type:
Fixed term

Working hours:

Flexible

Location:

Pirbright HQ, School Lane, Pirbright, Surrey, GU240JN

Remote working available

Chloe India

Job reference:
Communications & Engagement Officer

This role is a short term contract from April to October 2026, with potential for extension. Variations of hours (part or full‑time) and salary will be considered for the right candidate. Hybrid (office facilities in Pirbright or Leatherhead) or fully remote working options are also available.

The Evidence Emergency (EE) project is a critical initiative within the Wildlife Trusts federation aimed at addressing the urgent need for robust, evidence‑driven decision‑making in conservation efforts and ensure each and every Wildlife Trust has a culture of evidence‑based conservation. This project recognises the growing importance of digital technologies and facilitating knowledge‑sharing in understanding and protecting wildlife and habitats across the UK.

The project's main goals include enhancing the use of evidence to support key decisions and encourage the creation and sharing of the work being done by Wildlife Trusts to fill our evidence gaps. It seeks to build capacity for evidence‑led decision‑making while fostering a culture of innovation and knowledge‑sharing across the federation, as well as supporting the development of innovative digital solutions to support conservation work.

A key component of the project is the establishment of the Evidence Centre of Excellence, which will drive long‑term improvements in how evidence is used in conservation efforts.

• Support delivery of the Evidence Emergency Projects Grow Phase, working closely with the Wildlife Trust cross‑federation project team.
• Lead the communications and engagement strategy during the establishment of the Evidence Centre of Excellence and assist with facilitation of the Evidence Advocates network.
• Maintain visibility and momentum for the project across the federation, generate interest in evidence‑based conservation approaches, and encourage engagement with the Evidence Centre of Excellence digital platform.
• Create varied, creative, and engaging communications (e.g., newsletters, blog posts, short videos) using the EE project's voice, style, and branding; develop, share, and maintain content and resources to populate the digital hub.
• Promote and encourage user‑generated content; track engagement with content and adapt communications based on feedback and usage.
• Provide regular feedback to the project team and attend project management meetings to support the development of the project through a continuous and iterative process.
• Organise and facilitate cross‑Wildlife Trust meetings and events, including the Evidence Advocate (EA) network: inviting guest speakers, liaising with EAs, producing and sharing meeting summaries/recaps.
• Identify sources of future content from these meetings and feed this back to EE colleagues to support planning.
• Monitor the team inbox and respond to EA enquiries.
• Support the organisation and delivery of knowledge‑sharing events, innovation workshops, and a cross‑federation conference.
• Speak about the project and the Centre of Excellence at federation‑wide events and local Wildlife Trusts (occasional travel may be involved; most meetings are remote) and/or chair meetings.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to translate complex or technical subject matter into clear, engaging narratives for different audiences.
• Excellent organisational and time‑management skills, with ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to work independently using own initiative and judgment.
• Good IT competence and creativity (Microsoft Office required; experience using Mail Chimp, Canva or similar design tools, or video‑editing software for short‑form content is an advantage).
• Experience delivering regular, high‑quality content; demonstrated enthusiasm for behaviour and culture change communication (direct experience not essential but valuable).
• Strong, relevant background and personality that aligns with the role; ability to adapt and innovate within a conservation context.
• Open to transition careers or freelancers seeking greater stability.

We are committed to having an inclusive and diverse workplace and encourage applications from backgrounds which may be underrepresented in our sector, including people from minority ethnic backgrounds and people with disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Employer. We will offer an interview to all candidates that meet the primary criteria for the post. Please let us know if you require any adjustment to make our recruitment process more accessible.