Marine Engagement Officer

About the Nature Commission

The Commission is an independent charitable organisation, working with business, government, the third sector and the public to enhance the Island’s natural environment and promote greater native biodiversity. In particular, the Nature Commission is working to reverse the decline in biodiversity by protecting and enhancing Guernsey’s natural environment for the health of our economy and the wellbeing of our Island community. This includes:

• Encouraging our island community to connect with nature;
• Caring for nature and reduce pressures on our natural environment;
• Increasing awareness, knowledge and support for nature, including through education and effective information sharing; and
• Helping build the evidence-base for effective management of the environment by all.

Additionally, the Nature Commission is a key contributor to the implementation of the Strategy for Nature. In this context, it plays a critical role in ensuring that Guernsey’s biodiversity is both protected and enhanced, and that it is valued in government policymaking and economic planning.

The Commission acts in partnership with the Island’s not-for-profit ‘green’ sector, the business community, the States and the public. By working with and building on the substantial contributions made by other charities, the Commission harnesses and amplifies a collective ‘voice for nature’. It acts as an enabler and a champion.

The Role of the Nature Commission Marine Engagement Officer

The Nature Commission has several workstreams, including environmental education programmes, public outreach and engagement, partnerships and collaboration, monitoring against and evaluating environmental indicators, building the ecological evidence-base and associated baseline, and reporting and communicating progress and results to the public, to NGOs and stakeholders, and to decision makers through regular outputs.

The purpose of the Marine Engagement Officer is to support marine conservation work in Guernsey, with a focus on improving awareness, understanding and engagement around the marine and coastal environment. The role will focus on marine education, public engagement, citizen science, marine biodiversity data collection, and communication activity in a balanced, evidence-led and constructive manner. The role will also provide support to marine research, monitoring, and other operational priorities as agreed by the CEO. The role does not include representation or commitment of the Nature Commission on policy, strategy, or statutory matters without appropriate authorisation.

The Marine Engagement Officer operates within the governance framework established by the Nature Commission Board and reports to the CEO, or such other person or persons as the Nature Commission may determine. The role is full-time, for a total of 35 hours per week. The role is fixed term for two years, with the potential to extend depending on availability of funding. The role is funded through the Blue Marine Foundation.

Key Areas of Responsibility

(1) Marine Engagement & Education

The Marine Engagement Officer will:

• Assist in developing and promoting an ongoing programme of public events and talks, with the aim of enhancing knowledge, support and educational opportunities for the public;
• Assist in organising and delivering discussions/presentations with corporate entities to promote the Nature Commission and to build understanding and support;
• Engage with and lead volunteers, including students, community individuals, and businesses as part of the Nature Commission’s education, engagement and ESG/CSR workstreams;
• Support delivery of priority Nature Commission projects which have a coastal/marine aspect;
• Develop resources that improve public understanding of the importance of the marine environment and marine biodiversity, with input from the Ecologist on ecological processes and evidence-informed environmental management;
• Support initiatives that improve marine literacy, including through development and delivery of educational resources, school engagement activities, and collaboration with relevant stakeholders;
• Take part in and assist with the organisation and management of the annual BioBlitz;
• Raise awareness of marine ecological issues in local communities and promote involvement in initiatives, with support from the Ecologist for the technical aspects.

(2) Public & Stakeholder Engagement

In conjunction with the rest of the Nature Commission team, the Marine Engagement Officer will:

• Develop and maintain relationships with a range of stakeholders, including government, industry, landowners, community groups, and environmental organisations, helping to support constructive and informed dialogue around the marine and coastal environment for the purposes of collaboration, education, information sharing and evidence gathering;
• Assist in the development, promotion, coordination and administration of a formal, targeted marine citizen science programme, and provide for the collation and analysis of information and data gathered;
• Provide individuals, communities, landowners and government with educational support and signposting to Nature Commission publications and guidance, referring strategic or policy matters to the CEO as appropriate;
• Lead and respond to related media requests and communications, under the direction of the CEO;
• Supporting social media campaigns, preparing articles and promotional materials, showcasing existing marine education resources, and helping communicate the pressures of nature identified in State of Nature 2024 to a wider audience in an accessible and engaging manner;
• Serve as an ambassador for the Nature Commission.

(3) Research & Monitoring

• Support marine research and monitoring activities, including assisting with coordination, collection of data, and communication of findings or practical delivery;
• Ensure compliance with health and safety processes and procedures, and lead the development of risk assessments for all key areas of responsibility, where relevant;
• Assist the CEO in identifying costs associated with any projects noted above;
• Contribute to, complete and submit funding applications as required;
• Manage paperwork and filing in relation to the key areas of responsibility;
• Identify opportunities for future growth and development;
• Assist in the preparation and presentation of regular reports to the CEO/Board of Directors (and to key partners as identified from time to time) on the Nature Commission’s communication and engagement activities and outcomes, progress towards targets etc.

(4) Partnership & Organisational Support

The role will support and contribute to the work of La Société Guernesiaise Marine Biology Section (up to one day per week), alongside providing support to other Nature Commission activities where appropriate.

Note: the postholder shall not make public statements, represent the Nature Commission on policy matters, or provide formal advice to government or other public bodies except where authorised by the CEO or the Nature Commission Board.

Personal Specification

The Marine Engagement Officer is organised, with excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills. They act with confidence and can lead and motivate others. The Marine Engagement Officer has a keen interest in furthering their professional development.

Essential

• Undergraduate or postgraduate degree in science communication, media, communication, ecology, conservation biology, environmental management, environmental science, zoology, or similar;
• Understanding of marine and other environmental issues;
• Demonstrable communication skills, with the ability to convey information clearly;
• Familiarity with and ability to identify marine species in Guernsey and the Channel Islands, with enthusiasm for further learning;
• A keen interest in the natural environment and its protection and enhancement;
• A self-starter, able to act on own initiative and to organise, plan and prioritise own workload to meet deadlines, and able to work independently as well as part of a team;
• Enthusiasm and excitement for ongoing professional learning;
• Good IT skills, and ability to learn and adapt to a range of operating systems (such as SharePoint, GIS etc) and modelling software;
• Good organisational and time management skills;
• Ability to work outdoors and in varied environments and weather conditions;
• Ability to work evenings and weekends on occasion, and flexibly depending on the time of year;
• Ability to live and work lawfully in Guernsey and hold a valid Employment Authorisation;
• Full clean driving licence.

Desired

• Experience in education, engagement, or outreach;
• Experience of public engagement, event delivery, communications or social media campaigns relating to the environment, marine conservation or community engagement;
• Experience in utilising equipment and other technology to develop educational resources, such as underwater cameras, hydrophones etc;
• Experience supporting research, monitoring, or communications;
• Experience of successfully coordinating, managing, and working with volunteers and others such as contractors;
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with a multitude of stakeholder groups;
• Project management skills, and experience in leading projects;
• Ability to effectively handle multiple activities and situations simultaneously;
• Experience of meeting budgeting and compliance requirements;
• An awareness and understanding of the government of Guernsey, its policies and priorities.

Remuneration

• This is a fixed-term full-time role for two years.
• The salary range for this role is £30,000 - £38,000 per annum full time equivalent, depending on level of experience.
• 25 days’ holiday full time equivalent per annum, and paid time off on Guernsey public holidays.

How to Apply

Send a CV and a covering letter explaining how you meet the role criteria to office@naturecommission.gg.

Closing date: Sunday 29th November 2026.

More information: https://www.naturecommission.gg/get-involved/vacancies/