We’re hiring a Nature Advocacy Officer
Job Title: Nature Advocacy Officer
Organisation: The Irish Wildlife Trust
Location: Coleraine House, Coleraine Street, Dublin 7, Ireland (hybrid working supported)
Hours: This is a full time 5 day week post
Salary Rate: €32 – 40,000 per year (rate determined by level of professional experience)
Contract Type: 2 year contract with a view to permanency (subject to funding)
Start date: As soon as possible
Closing date for application: 18:00 on 26th January 2026
Download this ad here > IWT Nature Advocacy Officer – Job Ad
About the Irish Wildlife Trust
The Irish Wildlife Trust (IWT) is a non-governmental organisation and charity founded in 1979. Our vision is an Ireland where wild nature thrives, and society enjoys the benefits of coexisting with diverse, functioning ecosystems. Our mission is to protect and restore biodiversity in Ireland by motivating and supporting people to take action for nature. We achieve this through assertive advocacy, inspirational rewilding, and building empowered communities for nature. We have a small dedicated staff team and a network of volunteer run branches who engage IWT members at a county level. https://iwt.ie/about-us/
Nature Advocacy Officer Role
IWT Advocacy for Nature pillar: Our society and economy are supported by and reside within the natural world, however nature is often forgotten or overlooked in policy making and the legislative process. At the IWT, we act as a voice for nature, demanding action on the existential threats of biodiversity loss, pollution and climate breakdown. We advocate for ambitious legislation, policy change and implementation to protect and restore nature.
The Nature Advocacy Officer will be a key member of our team helping us to deliver on our Advocacy For Nature pillar of work. They will work alongside our Marine Advocacy Officer and will report directly to the IWT Chief Executive Officer. They will drive advocacy on legislation and policy affecting our woodland, freshwater, peatland and farmland ecosystems. This will include the implementation of the Wildlife Act, Nature Restoration Regulation, Habitats and Birds Directives and Water Framework Directive. The Nature Advocacy Officer will advocate for policies that recognise our fundamental connection with and reliance on the natural world and the need to shift from a system geared towards un-checked extraction and exponential economic growth to a system that recognises ecological connectedness and values nature and people’s wellbeing.
Duties
The IWT Nature Advocacy Officer will report directly to the IWT Chief Executive Officer. Duties will include:
- Nature advocacy campaign delivery.
- Researching and writing IWT submissions to key public consultations.
- Representing IWT in meetings with relevant politicians and public servants.
- Writing online articles and press releases communicating IWT policy positions.
- Researching and writing IWT policy positions and papers.
- Communicating IWT policy positions to the public and the media.
- Coordination & collaboration with existing and new IWT advocacy networks e.g the Irish Environmental Pillar, Sustainable Water Network, European Environmental Bureau.
Skills, Experience & Attributes
Essential:
- A passion for wildlife protection, nature advocacy and the IWT mission and vision.
- Strong interpersonal skills. The role requires effective collaboration with IWT and network colleagues.
- Experience working as part of a busy team.
- Demonstrable knowledge of and interest in Ireland’s ecosystems and species.
- Knowledge of Irish and EU nature / environmental legislation and policy.
- An understanding of the stakeholders involved in nature restoration and land use in Ireland.
- Demonstrable organisational, time management and workload prioritisation skills.
- An ability to communicate effectively, both written and verbally.
- A relevant third level qualification e.g. natural science, environment, policy, law.
Desirable:
- Experience in nature or environmental campaigning.
- Experience in media engagement.
- Experience in political lobbying.
- Experience in policy and public consultation submission writing.
- Experience working for an environmental or advocacy organisation.
- Experience in event organisation.
- Knowledge of the Irish legislative process.
Conditions of Employment & Hybrid Working
- The successful candidate is required to be resident in Ireland and eligible to work in Ireland.
- This role allows for hybrid working in so far as is practicable. The post-holder will be expected to attend in-person internal meetings at our office on a minimum of two days a month as well as attendance of external advocacy events and meetings in Dublin and around Ireland as required.
- The IWT office is located in the bustling neighbourhood of Smithfield in Dublin City. It is five minutes walk from the LUAS Green and Red line and close to Heuston train station.
- The role requires occasional travel within Ireland and occasional weekend or evening work. All necessary expenses for work related travel and subsistence are reimbursed by IWT.
- IWT offers employee training opportunities, company pension contributions, and the bike to work scheme.
- The IWT is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to building an inclusive and supportive environment for all employees.
- A complete list of all terms and conditions and IWT internal policies will be made available to all staff members. For queries about this position or terms of employment email jobs@iwt.ie
How to apply
- Please email your CV and a Cover Letter in pdf format to jobs@iwt.ie
- Please put “Nature Advocacy Officer” in the email subject line.
- Your cover letter should be a maximum of two pages in length. In your letter please outline your motivation for this position and why you feel you have the skills and experience to deliver on the responsibilities and duties of this role.
- Applications for this position must be received by 18:00 on 26th January 2026.
- Late submissions will not be considered.
