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Amber Connett

Policy Officer
What employment sector do you work in?

NGO

How long have you had a green job for nature?

4 years

Salary Range

£25,001 – £30,000

 

Please describe the work that you do

I am responsible for delivering CIEEM’s policy ambitions and helping to expand the organisation’s policy activities. I manage and coordinate CIEEM’s four Country Policy Groups from across the UK and Ireland. This involves facilitating projects on various environmental issues, informing them of relevant consultations, organising meetings and topic-led discussions, and gathering, editing and inputting information for consultation responses. I also act as the Secretariat for the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Nature. 

What do you most like about your job? Any dislikes?

 I most like being able to work with, and learn from, a huge network of our members who are experts in their fields and are always keen to help shape CIEEM’s policy messaging or steps we take to address the climate emergency and biodiversity crisis through the Action 2030 project. Bringing everyone together and pulling their ideas and comments into something that represents CIEEM is always exciting! The aspect of the role I find most difficult is the sheer volume of policy changes and consultations to keep track of – things are never standing still and often we are juggling a few big responses/projects at a time. 

What inspired you into this career? 

Most of my conservation biology undergraduate degree was focused on field work and studying individual taxa/habitats, but we did a small module on environmental policies and how they have shaped the environment we have in the UK today. I was really excited to think there are careers that could help shape those policies to improve biodiversity on a large scale! 

Have you faced any challenges in progressing your career so far?

I have been very lucky to have gotten an internship with CIEEM straight from university which then progressed into the permanent role I am in, with continued increasing exposure to higher level policy engagement – so I would say I really can’t complain so far! In general, I would say there are relatively few roles around for policy work as it tends to be one or two people within an organisation, so movement around the sector would be challenging. 

What education/training did you have? 

I have an undergraduate degree in conservation biology, a master’s degree in applied ecology (studied while at CIEEM) and attend regular webinar and training days on advocacy, volunteer management, communication and topic-specific issues. These are generally one-day courses offered by relevant bodies. 

What advice would you give to someone coming into the profession? 

Maintain your network of contacts as you complete placements, internships etc. by reaching out and showing genuine interest in their work/lives. It still seems to be a very small sector where lots of people know each other, and they may be able to help you when it comes to finding your way in – but its always better to have a genuine connection! 

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