Plantlife International

Peat -Free Campaign Advocate

Plantlife is the international conservation membership charity working to secure a world rich in wild plants and fungi. We are the only UK membership charity dedicated to conserving wild plants and fungi in their natural habitats and helping people to enjoy and learn about them.

About the role

We have an exciting opportunity to end the peat trade and make a real difference for nature, climate and people. Thanks to funding from Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, we are seeking to employ one full-time or two part-time Campaign Advocates for two years to undertake political advocacy across the four nations of the UK, on behalf of and in collaboration with the wider Peat-Free partnership.

The extraction of peat for horticulture has devastated peatlands in the UK, Ireland and other countries for many decades. There have been notable successes in securing government commitments to legislate for a ban on sales of peat, but continuing delays mean that the essential parliamentary processes to introduce legislation have not yet begun. Meanwhile, commercial trade in peat continues to contribute to the ongoing destruction of peatlands and the degradation of their biodiversity, ecosystems, carbon stores and other ecosystem services.

The scale and the urgency of the climate and ecological emergencies demands that we redouble our efforts . Responding to this a coalition of environmental NGOs under Plantlife's leadership and including the RSPB, The Wildlife Trusts, National Trust, Soil Association and a range of gardening campaign groups have developed this Peat-Free initiative.

After decades of diverse campaigning by many organisations and individuals, the Peat-Free Campaign Advocate[s] and the wider team will focus exclusively on securing legislation to end the use of peat in horticulture throughout the UK.

About You

We are looking for a effective political influencer who is passionate about seeing positive change for nature, climate and society. You must be an experienced and collaborative advocate capable of influencing governments and parliamentarians across the UK and able to produce effective campaign communications. You will work closely with a broad partnership of NGOs, campaigners and horticulturalists and as part of a small, dedicated programme team hosted by Plantlife.

How To Apply

More information about the role, please go to our website, where a full job description and person specification can be found in the 'Recruitment Pack', including instructions on how to apply through our recruitment portal.