Surveys and Research Manager

Live Here Love Here

Salary: £32,000–£36,000 per annum

Hours: 4-day working week

Contract: Permanent (subject to funding)

Location: Hybrid – Home working and Belfast office, minimum 2 days per week

This position is funded through the DAERA Environment Fund.

About Live Here Love Here

Charity Jobs NI is delighted to be working in partnership with Live Here Love Here, formerly Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful, to recruit an experienced and analytical Surveys and Research Manager.

Live Here Love Here is an independent charity dedicated to connecting people with nature through education, engagement and empowerment. Its work spans community engagement, environmental education and local environmental quality, helping people and communities across Northern Ireland take positive action for the environment.

The Role

The Surveys and Research Manager will lead the delivery, development and quality assurance of Live Here Love Here’s environmental survey programmes, including Borough Cleanliness Surveys, Cleaner Neighbourhood Surveys and Marine Litter Surveys.

This is a senior, specialist role combining environmental surveying, data analysis, research, policy and reporting. The successful candidate will ensure survey methodologies remain robust, relevant and responsive to emerging policy priorities, while producing reliable data and insight to support decision-making, environmental policy and behaviour change across Northern Ireland.

Alongside managing survey programmes, you will lead on the technical aspects of Live Here Love Here’s approach to litter, champion the use of Excel, GIS and data-driven methods, support policy development and ensure appropriate standards of data protection and GDPR compliance.

The role includes both strategic and practical delivery, with the post-holder expected to undertake environmental surveying alongside coordinating colleagues who support programme delivery.

This opportunity may particularly appeal to candidates currently working as an Environmental Data Manager, Research and Insights Manager, Survey Manager, Environmental Research Manager, GIS and Data Manager, Policy and Research Manager or Environmental Monitoring Manager.

Key Responsibilities

Data, Research and Survey Management

Lead the delivery of Borough Cleanliness Surveys, Cleaner Neighbourhood Surveys and Marine Litter Surveys, including associated reporting.
Undertake regular field-based surveying alongside coordinating other staff involved in survey delivery.
Maintain and develop survey methodologies and systems in response to changing environmental and policy priorities.
Lead on the technical aspects of Live Here Love Here’s approach to tackling litter.
Monitor and improve data collection approaches across the organisation.
Develop and support data visualisation tools to track performance and communicate findings.
Champion effective use of Excel, GIS and other data-driven approaches in strategic and operational decision-making.
Ensure retained data meets GDPR and organisational privacy requirements.
Research best practice in survey methodology and data management and apply relevant learning.

Policy and Insight

Review the impact of interventions and support the Chief Executive in shaping policy direction based on research findings.
Support the Senior Management Team in responding to policy and strategy developments.
Undertake policy analysis, prepare briefings and contribute to consultations.
Support relevant environmental quality and enforcement networks and working groups.
Develop research that contributes to understanding and encouraging pro-environmental behaviour change.

Management and Stakeholder Relationships

Develop and maintain a strong network of contacts involved in environmental surveying and reporting.
Build effective relationships with councils, partners, funders and other stakeholders.
Manage budgets, resources and staff time associated with surveys and reporting.
Ensure projects and contractual commitments are delivered on time and within budget.

Reporting and Communications

Ensure survey data is accurately collected, analysed and quality assured ahead of publication.
Work closely with the Communications team to produce accessible, evidence-led reports.
Respond to relevant technical and media enquiries.
Translate complex data and trends into clear information for non-specialist audiences.
Support the development of data-led website content, graphics and maps.
Represent Live Here Love Here as a subject-matter expert on surveys and data at relevant groups, committees and conferences.

Business Development and Compliance

Develop relationships with funders and stakeholders to strengthen the reputation and reach of survey and reporting programmes.
Support continued income generation from existing survey services and explore new opportunities.
Lead on Health, Safety and Environment requirements for colleagues participating in surveys.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Experience

Essential

A relevant degree-level qualification or at least three years’ equivalent demonstrable experience.
Significant professional, non-academic experience in data management, interrogation and analysis.
Significant surveying or auditing experience.
Strong report-writing skills, with the ability to present complex information in different formats for a range of audiences.
Strong attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy and precision.
Ability to communicate data trends clearly and accessibly to non-specialist audiences.
Proficient ICT skills, including Microsoft Office.
High and demonstrable proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
High and demonstrable proficiency in GIS.
Experience of data security, privacy and GDPR compliance.
Full current driving licence and access to suitable transport.

Desirable

Experience using content management systems.
Experience in business development.
A recognised Excel qualification.
A recognised GIS qualification.
Experience publicly presenting findings or acting as a spokesperson on relevant issues.

Knowledge and Understanding

Essential

Knowledge of environmental matters.

Desirable

Understanding of how local government is administered and services are delivered.
Understanding of approaches to pro-environmental behaviour change.

Personal Qualities

Essential

Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a wider team.
Energy and drive to meet and exceed expectations.
Analytical and solutions-focused approach.
Strong organisational skills and ability to balance strategic priorities with practical delivery.
Confidence working with detailed datasets while being able to communicate the wider story behind the evidence.

Why Join Live Here Love Here

Meaningful impact: Lead research and environmental survey programmes that generate evidence used to understand and improve local environmental quality across Northern Ireland.
4-day working week: Enjoy full-time pay while working 30 hours over 4 days, with a paid non-working day each week. Staff are contracted to 37.5 hours per week but benefit from this enhanced working pattern. Given the seniority of the role, additional hours may occasionally be required.
Specialist leadership role: Become Live Here Love Here’s lead expert on environmental surveys and data, with opportunities to influence research, policy and organisational decision-making.
Flexible working: Hybrid working with a minimum of 2 days per week in the Belfast office, alongside travel to survey sites, events and meetings.
Professional development: Access Carbon Literacy training and opportunities to further develop expertise in environmental research, GIS, data and policy.
Varied work: Combine data analysis and research with practical field surveying, stakeholder engagement, policy and communications.

How to Apply

If you are an experienced research, data or environmental surveying professional who wants to use evidence and insight to drive positive environmental change, we would love to hear from you.

Simply apply now with your CV to register your interest. A member of the Charity Jobs NI team will be in touch to discuss your application and guide you through the next steps of the process.

Closing Date: Wednesday 14th October 2026 at 9am

Interviews: Thursday 22nd October 2026, in person in Belfast

The post-holder may at times have contact with children and vulnerable adults. Finalisation of the contract of employment will be subject to the successful outcome of Access NI checks.

Live Here Love Here asks applicants not to rely on AI tools when preparing their application. Applications should reflect the candidate’s own experience, voice, understanding and suitability for the role.

If you have any questions about the role or the application process, please contact the Charity Jobs NI team. We’re here to help.

Charity Jobs NI is proud to be supporting Live Here Love Here with recruitment for this vacancy.

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