Overview
The Curlew Advisory Officer (CAO) should have a strong scientific/ecology background and have excellent interpersonal skills. The role of the CAO will be to survey for Curlews (in association with the Curlew Champion and local NPWS as relevant) and engage local people on conservation efforts (namely through the NPWS Curlew Conservation Partnership). The CAO will be tasked with delivering local meetings including with agri-environmental planners responsible for GLAS Curlew plans as well as feeding back information to the Agri-Ecology Unit in terms of administration and technical matters. A detailed description of the tasks is provided below.
Areas
- Co. Donegal (Mid-Donegal and Inishowen
- Laois and Kildare
- Lough Ree
- Mid Co. Leitrim
- North Co. Roscommon and east Co. Mayo
- Sliabh Aughty Mountains, Co. Clare and Co. Galway
- Stack's Mountains, Co. Kerry
Tasks
Starting Monday 08 March 2021, the primary focus of the CAO shall be to provide ecological guidance on measures to be rolled out in their area as well as engaging on and overseeing actual implementation of measures. This advice shall be shared with local landowners, Curlew Action Team colleagues, local NPWS Personnel, GLAS planners and other relevant parties. There will be an important element of public outreach to build a positive profile for Curlews in the regions and to engage locals, particularly landowners with Curlew, in efforts to secure the future of Curlews in their area. The CAO will be the link between measures on the ground and the Agri-Ecology Unit of NPWS who will be assimilating the experiences from the Curlew conservation areas, to inform the best approaches to Curlew conservation.
| Category | Curlew Advisory Officer Focus |
|---|---|
| Surveys and nest finding | Surveying sites for Curlew occupancy Finding nests to enable conservation action |
| Advice on Curlew conservation measures | The Curlew Advisory Officer shall direct where measures are to be undertaken, using the budget available and with the consent of local landowners. The main elements are the erection of nest protection fences, predator control and the enhancement of habitat through capital works. Formal (e.g. demonstration/best practice management events) and informal (one-to-one) training and guidance shall be given to landowners involved in the scheme. |
| Local leadership and administration |
Directing the efforts of Nest Protection Officer and Curlew Champion (and CAT assistant where relevant) As regards administration, the Curlew Advisory Officer will :- The CAO will also engage with the Curlew Nest Protection Officer and will record their weekly effort and results. |
| Ecological recording | The Curlew Advisory Officer shall document in their region all locations where Curlew are feeding and nesting. This shall require appropriate survey design and techniques and use of standard recording forms. Relationships should be built locally with landowners and others, including Curlew Nest Protection Officer, local Curlew Champion, NPWS personnel, etc. A high quality report is expected at the end of the field season. |
| Interface with agri-environmental planners | The Curlew Advisory Officer shall deliver formal and informal meetings with agri-environmental planners, particularly GLAS planners operating in their area, with the purpose of providing ecological training and appropriate transfer of knowledge on Curlew breeding and feeding locations so that synergies can be realised with GLAS participants. |
| Liaison with project manager/local advisor/NPWS personnel | The Curlew Advisory Officer will report directly to the project manager in Agri-Ecology Unit. In the case of any companies or partnerships securing contracts, the CAO must still report directly to the project manager in Agri-Ecology Unit. Positive and proactive engagement with landowners, regional NPWS staff and other project operatives is a requirement of the post. |
| Liaison with landowners and public | Explaining the purpose of the Curlew conservation efforts, gaining access to lands, being courteous and respectful, operating in a non-intrusive way and building a positive profile in the local area are all requirements of the post. |
Equipment and Logistics
The local Curlew Champion shall provide their own transport/fuel, etc. and this will be taken from the overall contract amount.
Selection of Curlew Advisory Officers
A tender evaluation committee shall select one Curlew Advisory Officer for each area as advertised. In their tender, applicants are advised to clearly outline their costs, experience and expertise, in accordance with the Curlew Action Team application form. The following marking criteria shall be applied in the evaluation of tenders:
| Criterion | Marks |
|---|---|
| Cost | 400 |
| Experience | 400 (minimum required 200) |
| Qualifications appropriate to the position | 200 (minimum required 100) |
Covid-19
All work must be carried out in full compliance with Government/HSE guidance on Covid-19. In the event that such guidance or other ruling by Government around Covid-19 prevents any work related to the contract from proceeding for any period of time, then the Contractor must inform the Client, and in agreement between Contractor and Client the work schedule shall be adjusted accordingly. The Client shall not be liable for any costs arising e.g. if days could not be worked. In 2020, the Curlew Conservation Programme was considered priority work and was able to proceed during periods of restrictions.