- Type of appointment: From 5 October 2026, for period to 31 March 2029
- Reporting to: Director GWCT Cymru / Wales
- Location: Preferably within or commutable to Wales / Montgomeryshire and Radnorshire Area
- Hours of work: 5 days a week (37.5 hours)
- Salary: £28,000 - £32,000
Job purpose
The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) is seeking a Community and Engagement Officer to facilitate GWCT engagement in Wales, be that with members, committees, government, NGOs, funders and the general public, as well as play a pivotal role in the Gwlad y Gylfinir/Land of the Curlew Project.
We are looking for a creative, motivated, and experienced professional to cover two key areas for GWCT Cymru’s engagement plan. The candidate will work on all aspects of GWCT Cymru’s projects as well as dedicate time to the Gwlad y Gylfinir/Land of the Curlew project.
Background
The GWCT want a thriving countryside rich in biodiversity. The GWCT’s mission is to use science, advice and practical management to help those who manage land and water make the countryside a better place for nature. You will help grow GWCT presence in Wales and promote press and public relations. To become a positive financial contributor to the wider income of the GWCT organisation, by driving new net income to produce positive cashflow in Wales.
The role will also focus on the curlew conservation project Gwlad y Gylfinir/Land of the Curlew. Curlew populations in Wales have experienced significant declines due to habitat loss, predation pressures, land-use changes, and wider environmental factors. While several conservation programmes have been implemented, long-term recovery requires sustainable and diversified funding mechanisms. Green finance presents an opportunity to leverage private, public, and blended finance to support large-scale nature recovery.
The Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust is leading on the Gwlad y Gylfinir Project funded by the National Heritage Lottery Fund in partnership with Welsh Government. This project aims to working closely with the farming and rural communities supported by expert Project staff to deliver landscape scale conservation measures to support breeding curlew crisis in Wales. This feasibility study will inform future investment strategies, strengthen funding resilience, and support the development of green finance models aligned with national and regional conservation priorities.
About the role
The Community and Engagement Officer will work alongside GWCT staff and the Land of the Curlew project manager and project officers to
- Co-ordinate administration activities within Wales
- Develop clear and positive communication channels
- Undertake event planning and running
- Develop training provision
- Help with bid writing and creation of projects
- Explore corporate and private sponsorship and funding within Wales
As part of the Gwlad y Gyfinir/Land of the Curlew project you will also be expected to lead community engagement activities, creating meaningful connections between local farming and rural communities, and project stakeholders.
The Gwlad y Gylfinir project aims to connect communities with nature, promote sustainable land management, and support wildlife conservation across the region. The community and engagement officer will deliver engagement ambitions in line with the Connecting People Plan of the Gwlad y Gylfinir, helping to ensure that communities are actively involved, informed, and inspired by the project to ensure long-term sustainability and sense of stewardship amongst rural communities across the project areas. This includes national and local communications, publicity, and social media management.
Key responsibilities
GWCT Cymru
- Build capacity in Wales increasing GWCT presence, visibility and role.
- Build membership and support within Wales.
- Lead on administration within Wales.
- Support and develop projects, and demonstration farms within Wales.
- Support and advance education and training in Wales.
- Drive commercial enterprise to producing a net income to Wales.
- Drive income generation to include events & regional group fundraising.
- Promote press and public relations, working alongside the central GWCT communications department.
- Develop relationships with other organisations.
- Work alongside GWCT Director Wales.
- Help co-ordinate GWCT committees.
Gwlad y Gylfinir / Land of the Curlew
Community engagement
- Work directly with farmers and land managers to identify local champions and promote best practice.
- Organise dynamic interpretive events and produce materials for rural and farming communities, as well as wider local groups.
- Celebrate World Curlew Day (21 April) through diverse media and community activities.
- Identify and develop innovative and collaborative ways of working across project areas.
Education and learning
- Deliver education and learning opportunities for primary and secondary school pupils, youth groups, agricultural colleges, and Young Farmers Clubs.
- Develop inter-generational projects within communities, e.g., oral histories of curlew in farming areas recorded by younger generations.
Volunteering and participation
- Support national and local citizen science programmes to involve communities in curlew conservation.
- Develop new volunteering opportunities and provide training for rural communities near current curlew populations.
- Deliver a range of inclusive activities targeted at specific groups, including older adults, local organisations such as Women’s Institutes, Merched y Wawr, and U3A.
- Communications and Impact.
- Utilise best practices to communicate effectively with target audiences, ensuring engagement is meaningful and drives behavioural change.
- Deliver the aims of the Connecting People Plan in collaboration with Project Officers, helping to ensure heritage is appreciated, preserved, and celebrated.
Partnerships
The successful applicant will be expected to work with key partners which include:
- Welsh Government
- NRW
- Farmers, landowners, gamekeepers and fishermen
- Other game-focused organisations
- NFU, FUW, NSA and farming-focused organisations
- Lantra, ‘Mentera’ & Farming Connect
- Conservation charities
Person specification
- An excellent communicator to deliver GWCT messages, support and develop a motivated, progressive and effective team. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, able to engage effectively with diverse audiences, including farmers, land managers, schools, and community groups. Essential
- A team player; approachable, flexible, engaging, enthusiastic and welcoming to all. Strong relationship-building skills and able to inspire and motivate others. Essential
- Fluent Welsh speaker/writer. Essential
- Able to plan and deliver events, activities, and projects independently and as part of a team. Essential
- High level of IT and social media skills. Competent in using social media, Microsoft Office, and other communication tools to support engagement activities. Essential
- Demonstrable experience in community engagement, outreach, or public engagement roles, ideally within rural or farming communities. Desirable
- BSc/BA-level degree in a relevant subject and / or work-related experience. Desirable
- Full driving licence and access to a personal vehicle, with willingness to travel across rural Wales. Desirable
- A good understanding of modern farming, and sustainable game management. A good understanding of conservation issues and a genuine interest in wildlife and habitat management, particularly in Wales. Preferable
- Able to present well-aligned messages including research and policy material, with confidence and credibility to a range of audiences. Preferable
How to apply
If you have any questions about the role or would like the job description in Welsh, please contact Hannah Farnell at hfarnell@gwct.org.uk
If you wish to apply for the position of Community and Engagement Officer, please send your CV and cover letter to Hannah Farnell at hfarnell@gwct.org.uk. Closing date: Friday 28th August 2026.
The Gwald y Gyfinir/Land of the Curlew project is funded by the Nature Networks Programme. It is being delivered by the Heritage Fund, on behalf of the Welsh Government.