Policy and Partnerships Senior Officer (maternity cover)

In the UK and globally, the value of biodiversity is increasingly important in human lives and livelihoods. RBG Kew’s scientific mission as a world-leading biodiversity institute is to stop biodiversity loss and develop nature-based solutions to societal challenges through its science strategy https://www.kew.org/science/our-science/publications-and-reports/science-reports/kew-science-strategy. Nature Unlocked is a Kew’s UK focused interdisciplinary conservation research programme based at Kew Wakehurst. The programme brings together Kew scientists with academic and industry partners to address the challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss in the UK. Working within Wakehurst’s diverse, multi-habitat landscape, the programme uses a living laboratory approach to co-design and test innovative scientific solutions. Central to this is the Wakehurst Ecosystem Observatory, a long-term environmental monitoring network that enables the development and scaling of new methods and evidence on ecosystem services and ecological change over time. The team are also working with external partners to scale-up the approach developed at Wakehurst. Alongside research, Nature Unlocked actively engages visitors, members, policy makers, and land managers, translating science into practice to support nature recovery and climate resilience.

Building on a successful pilot phase, Nature Unlocked has recently launched a new strategy to embed science in the Wakehurst landscape and within the organisation more generally, and to build impactful partnerships to scale methods, protocols and evidence to regional and UK landscapes. This role will lead on building impactful external partnerships, in particular with government, as well as industry, communities and academia, to ensure scientific evidence translates into practice. This is an exciting time to be joining Kew, with an upcoming Science Strategy refresh and ambitious targets for Sustainability and Landscape Succession Planning considering climate change and biodiversity loss.

In the UK and globally, the value of biodiversity is increasingly important in human lives and livelihoods. RBG Kew’s scientific mission as a world-leading biodiversity institute is to stop biodiversity loss and develop nature-based solutions to societal challenges through its science strategy https://www.kew.org/science/our-science/publications-and-reports/science-reports/kew-science-strategy. Nature Unlocked is a Kew’s UK focused interdisciplinary conservation research programme based at Kew Wakehurst. The programme brings together Kew scientists with academic and industry partners to address the challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss in the UK. Working within Wakehurst’s diverse, multi-habitat landscape, the programme uses a living laboratory approach to co-design and test innovative scientific solutions. Central to this is the Wakehurst Ecosystem Observatory, a long-term environmental monitoring network that enables the development and scaling of new methods and evidence on ecosystem services and ecological change over time. The team are also working with external partners to scale-up the approach developed at Wakehurst. Alongside research, Nature Unlocked actively engages visitors, members, policy makers, and land managers, translating science into practice to support nature recovery and climate resilience.

Building on a successful pilot phase, Nature Unlocked has recently launched a new strategy to embed science in the Wakehurst landscape and within the organisation more generally, and to build impactful partnerships to scale methods, protocols and evidence to regional and UK landscapes. This role will lead on building impactful external partnerships, in particular with government, as well as industry, communities and academia, to ensure scientific evidence translates into practice. This is an exciting time to be joining Kew, with an upcoming Science Strategy refresh and ambitious targets for Sustainability and Landscape Succession Planning considering climate change and biodiversity loss.

Policy and Partnerships Senior Officer (maternity cover)

More details

This role will play a central role in connecting Kew science with UK policy and corporate practice. Based at Kew Wakehurst, the role requires strong knowledge of UK environment policy, particularly addressing biodiversity loss, climate change, nature recovery and land use. The postholder will also translate scientific evidence into clear, compelling messages for government, industry and other external partners.

The successful candidate will bring excellent relationship-building skills, confidence engaging senior stakeholders, and experience working across organisational boundaries. They will be a strategic thinker with strong written and verbal communication skills, capable of representing Nature Unlocked at high-profile events, supporting senior visits, and contributing to collaborative funding proposals. The role also requires initiative, sound judgement, and the ability to work autonomously while aligning activity with Kew’s wider science and corporate priorities.

Interviews are due to take place on 23 March.

This role is based at Wakehurst with the option of regular home working, subject to operational requirements.

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (RBG Kew) is a leading plant science institute, UNESCO World Heritage Site, and major visitor attraction. Our mission is to understand and protect plants and fungi for the well-being of people and the future of all life on Earth.

We are working to end the unprecedented extinction crisis and to help create a world where nature is protected, valued by all and managed sustainably. We will achieve these goals by drawing on our leading scientific research, unrivalled collections of plants and fungi, global network of partners, inspirational gardens at Kew and Wakehurst, and our 260 years of history.

Join us on our journey as protectors of the world’s plants and fungi.

The salary for this position is £39,243 - £40,197 per annum (pro rata), depending on skills and experience [Band D]

Our fantastic benefits package includes opportunities for continuous learning, a generous annual leave entitlement, flexible working to help you maintain a healthy work-life balance, an Employee Assistance Programme and other wellbeing support such as cycle to work scheme and discounted gym membership. We also offer a competitive pension, an employee discount scheme and free entry into a wide range of national museums and galleries, as well as access to our own beautiful gardens at Kew and Wakehurst.

If you are interested in this position, please submit your application through the online portal, by clicking “Apply for this job”.

We are dedicated to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to interview disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.

No agencies please.