Senior Scientific Officer - Aquaculture (2693)

Are you highly driven, determined, self-motivated and have a passion to create a better world for farmed animals? If so, we want to hear from you. At the RSPCA, we believe all animals deserve a good life. We work for the benefit of every animal – whether companion, wild, farmed, or animals used in science. Choose a career with us and make a positive difference to the lives of animals.

We are looking for a new team member as a Senior Scientific and Policy Officer (SSPO) to lead our work on aquaculture, where you will work with a dedicated team of other leading farm animal welfare experts. 

One of the key roles of the SSPO Aquaculture is lead responsibility for the development of the RSPCA's higher welfare standards for Atlantic salmon and rainbow trout. These standards have impact both nationally and internationally, including under the RSPCA's own farm assurance scheme - RSPCA Assured. 

It is a key role within the Farm Animals Department, which is within the RSPCA's Science and Policy Group.

Working hours: 35 hours per week - Monday to Friday. 

Hybrid role: You will work from home and, on occasion, from the RSPCAs office in Horsham, West Sussex: the expected commitment is at least one day per month in our Horsham office. 

Contract: Permanent

We think this role's going to be popular and are expecting to attract high interest so we strongly encourage early applications to avoid missing out - closing date is  the 8th of February.

Aquaculture is one of the fastest growing farmed animal sectors in the UK, yet it remains largely unregulated. Without a specific legal framework for the farming or slaughter of farmed fish, these animals need a champion - that champion is you.

As our SSPO Aquaculture, you will be driving tangible change and leading the way in farmed fish welfare within the world's oldest animal welfare charity.

A key part of the role is also to provide a support function to RSPCA Assured, as you will support the scheme for the assurance of both salmon and trout. 

Without this work, the standards for these species would cease to exist, leaving millions of animals without a "voice" and the industry without a benchmark for excellence.

Your impact will include:

• Defining Excellence: You will write and evolve the welfare standards that dictate how salmon and trout are raised and treated - ensuring they are leading the way and spearheading positive change.
• High Level Advocacy: You will represent the RSPCA in Parliament, at international conferences, and in the media.
• Industry Transformation: You will proactively engage with key retailers, governments, likeminded NGOs and other key stakeholders to push the boundaries of what is possible in fish welfare.
• Thought Leadership: You will provide technical expertise to key stakeholders nationally and internationally, including Eurogroup for Animals. 

Innovation: You will explore new technologies and opportunities to ensure the RSPCA remains at the front edge of improving the lives of farmed fish.

We are looking for a visionary who is equally at home on a farm as they are presenting to policymakers. The post holder must be highly driven, determined, passionate, self motivated, and have a ‘change the world' mentality. We are looking for someone who genuinely wants to make a significant impact and a large, lasting change to the lives of farmed aquatic animals. 

To be successful within this role, you must have:

• A high level of farmed fish production and welfare knowledge.
• Hands-on experience of working with farm animals in a commercial environment. 
• Project management experience.
• Experience of developing standards.
• Excellent communication, relationship and influencing skills.
• Experience of presenting to the media, government bodies, and at large scale conferences.
• The ability to navigate internal and external challenges with a self-motivated, "world-changing" mindset.

Successful candidates for certain RSPCA roles will need to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK - We are unable to sponsor visas at RSPCA

Interviews will be held in person on the 24th and the 25th of February.

We want to ensure we do all we can to give you a positive candidate experience through our recruitment. Whilst we do try to give feedback where we can, sometimes due to receiving high levels of applications, this may not always be possible

We are building the future of a diverse Society, and our priority is to support animal welfare by finding people from all backgrounds who are committed  to our mission.  For this reason we actively encourage a wide diversity of applications - in particular from members of minority ethnic groups, and people with disabilities - as these candidates are currently under-represented at the RSPCA. Your transferable skills & lived experiences could make you a valuable addition to our RSPCA Family! 

We're here to support you and encourage you to let us know if you need any adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process. Please feel free to contact us at resourcingteam@rspca.org.uk or 0300 123 0685 so we can ensure the process works for you.