Help shape the future of floods and drought research in your area by becoming a Catchment Champion for the FDRI project.
FDRI is looking for expressions of interest from individuals currently employed by aligned organisations that could fulfil this important role and would like to become involved in the project, to help with delivery on a local level. We anticipate applications from individuals that would be available for an early start but where employees are not available, we would consider a delayed start or proposals for their recruitment.
These roles will work closely with the existing FDRI team and need to commit to three days a week for three years. The roles would suit people with a research background, that have links to key stakeholders in one of the three FDRI catchments: upper river Tweed, upper river Severn and river Chess in the Thames catchment.
We welcome applicants from new and existing partner organisations.
Role Overview:
Catchment Champions will play pivotal roles in the Floods and Droughts Research Infrastructure (FDRI). They will work under the supervision of the Catchment Science Lead and subject experts, to collate and synthesise knowledge on each of the designated sub-catchment areas (within the Tweed, Severn, and Thames river basins). Their work will underpin infrastructure design decisions.
Each Champion will be responsible for one of the FDRI catchments and for establishing and maintaining relationships with catchment stakeholders to create opportunities for collaboration. Through these relationships, the Champions will develop their understanding of each of the catchments (by gaining access to relevant data and knowledge) and support efforts to secure the necessary sites for the deployment and installation of hydrological monitoring equipment by the project team. In addition to supporting the identification and prioritisation of science requirements for placing hydrological monitoring equipment.
While not directly responsible for the physical deployment of sensors, the Champion's efforts in fostering cooperation and helping to secure site agreements will enable the team to efficiently deploy and install the sensor network. This will include contributing to workshops involving academics and other stakeholders.
The role of Catchment Champion would suit someone with a research background who has established and demonstratable links with stakeholders in one of the three catchments. There will be potential to develop the role by bringing personal strengths and knowledge, as well as adding value through your organisation. FDRI is an infrastructure project and as such the role will be applied rather than research focused. At three days per week, we anticipate the candidate will maintain other research or business interests alongside the Catchment Champion role.
Key Responsibilities:
- Work with Catchment Science Lead and subject experts: To agree and prioritise scope of activities to ensure underpinning knowledge is provided to enable robust decision making (including infrastructure design and tensioning within and across catchments)
- Lead catchment perceptualisation: Work as a member of a network of catchment champions to continuously develop the catchment perceptual models by incorporating data provided by third parties or collected during characterisation work or infrastructure deployment. This will involve the synthesis and analysis of a variety of data under the supervision of the Catchment Lead
- Identification of science requirements: support the identification and prioritisation of science requirements for placing hydrological monitoring equipment. This will involve working closely with the Catchment Science Lead and contributing to workshops including academics and other stakeholders
- Engage catchment stakeholders: Build and maintain positive relationships with landowners, community groups, local authorities, environmental agencies, water companies, and other relevant stakeholders within each catchment. Organise and support meetings to discuss access to existing data, site opportunities and project benefits ensuring the licencing and implementation teams are involved to enable sensor deployment
- Identify datasets and data providers in catchment: Consult stakeholders and liaise with digital work package lead
- Hydrological and geological knowledge: Utilise a working knowledge of the river catchment's geological and hydrological characteristics to assist in identifying suitable locations for sensor equipment
- Collaboration with project teams: Coordinate with the WP1 Observatory Lead, Project Manager, Implementation Manager and the GIS team to log and track site identification progress, providing a shortlist of potential sites and landowner contacts to enable more detailed negotiation, or creating the contacts that enable collaborative discussions that minimise cost and maximise likelihood of securing sites and creating future collaborative opportunities. Follow established procedures to document discussions, log complete actions and decisions with key stakeholders
- Collaboration with other Catchment Champions: ensure a cohesive approach across the FDRI network
- Facilitate community science integration: Engage with community science initiatives within the sub-catchment area and report back to Catchment Science Lead, identifying opportunities for integrating additional sensors and enabling innovation opportunities
- Reporting and documentation: Maintain detailed records of interactions, agreements, and site negotiations integrating with those provided by the WP1 teams and the stakeholder database. Prepare regular reports on progress, challenges, and opportunities within the sub-catchment area
- Catchment visits: It will be essential to undertake regular catchment visits to develop a comprehensive understanding of the catchment, develop in person relationships and track progress of FDRI infrastructure deployment.
Qualifications:
- Education: A degree in environmental science, hydrology, geography, geology, or a related field is preferred.
- Experience: Proven experience in stakeholder engagement, site acquisition, or community relations, particularly within environmental or hydrological projects.
- Technical skills: Familiarity with hydrological and geological aspects of river catchments. Ability to interpret and enhance perceptual models.
- Communication skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to effectively engage with diverse stakeholders and present information clearly.
- Organisational skills: Strong organisational and project management skills. Ability to log and track progress meticulously.
- Interpersonal skills: Ability to build rapport and maintain positive relationships with a variety of stakeholders.
Personal Attributes:
- Proactive: Takes initiative and works independently to drive project goals.
- Collaborative: Works well with project teams and external partners to achieve common objectives.
- Detail-oriented: Pays attention to detail in documentation and site assessments.
- Innovative: Identifies and pursues opportunities for improving project outcomes and community engagement.
Other essentials
- Full UK driving licence
- Live in close proximity to the FDRI catchment to enable regular visits.