Helen Pitman

Experience

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  WWF-Australia

  Feb 2004 - Feb 2005

  Community Support Officer, Species Conservation

  - Project development, implementation and management, including Friends of the Western Swamp Tortoise project - Coordination of education and community events to raise awareness about conservation of threatened species - Events coordination: FrogFest 2004, National Threatened Species Day, Breakfast with the birds, Community field trips - Formation of a community group to aid in the recovery of a critically endangered species and provide education to the community via schools and communication material - School visits providing an education service for primary school students to raise awareness of conservation issues in Western Australia in regards to threatened species - Public speaking and presentations including 3rd National Frog Conference, Sydney, and National Threatened Species Day, Murdoch University - Coordination of the Threatened Species Network Community Grants Program in Western Australia, including project selection, implementation, management, budget coordination and support - Funding applications for various Threatened Species Network projects - Administration and budgeting for the Threatened Species Network - Media and communications Show less

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  Birds Australia (now Birdlife Australia)

  Sept 2005 - May 2007

  Regional Coordinator

  Regional Coordinator, Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo Recovery Project - Oversee the successful implementation of Carnaby`s black cockatoo recovery program including the monitoring and assessment of breeding colonies and flock distributions- Liaison with Natural Resource Managers to encourage and support the longer-term inclusion of recovery work for the species in future investment strategies - Provision presentation, workshops and field days for community groups and conservation professionals - Source funding and manage the AU$500,000 project budget - Manage South Coast Project Officer - Recruit and train project observers and volunteers and oversee the volunteer monitoring program - Provide advice and support to a range of stakeholders - Liaison with media outlets and multiple stakeholders to promote the recovery project and provide communication materials for promotion of direct Carnaby’s cockatoo recovery and conservation actions across the south west of Western Australia - Write and produce communication materials and the biannual project newsletter. - Provision text and regular updates for the website and national volunteer update newsletter Show less

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  WWF-Australia

  May 2007 - Sept 2009

  Communications Manager

  Developed and implemented the Threatened Species Network Communications strategy. Identified and engaged with media opportunities to communicate WWF-Australia’s conservation activities. Researched and developed communications materials and products to promote the TSN to target audiences. Developed and coordinated content including the commission of copy TSN publications, the TSN News and web page to communicate TSN’s work to targeted audiences. Filmed and edited vision of threatened species and WWF projects for use as b-roll for media, online communications such as the Futuremakers e-newsletter and DVDs profiling WWF’s threatened species work. Show less

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  Fauna & Flora International

  Sept 2009 - Oct 2010

  Communications Manager

  Developed FFI’s global communications strategy to achieve annual targets including the development and promotion of the refreshed FFI ‘brand’ and key messages to raise the profile and improve understanding of the organisation. Managed two communication officers responsible for the production of a range of compelling and clear organisation-level and project materials and the FFI website, ensuring content was up-to-date, compelling and dynamic and visitors increased by 25%. Explored and developed online communications opportunities such as online communities, blogs and social networking with the online communications officer. Ensured FFI promoted its work through superb use of audio-visual output. Built relationships with key media, editors and journalists to secure positive press coverage on the work of FFI with the media officer globally. Show less

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  Marine Stewardship Council

  Oct 2010 - Oct 2011

  Communications Manager

  Worked with the Standards & Licensing Team to broaden understanding of MSC policy to new and existing stakeholders across the globe, including conservation groups, media, industry clients and government agencies.Communicated development, implementation and evaluation of projects, policies, methodologies, guidelines and directives related to the fisheries and chain of custody standards. Utilised technical and science communication skills to ensure all relevant stakeholders engage with and understand MSC policy, including the MSC governance bodies and stakeholder groups. Developed the MSC website and policy microsite to better communicate the role, function, and output of MSC’s Policy Improvements Programme. Acted as a spokesperson, both internally and externally, and to be the first point of contact for members of the public and journalists on policy, process and the MSC standards. Prepared and disseminate information and statistics related to fisheries, chain of custody, logo licensing, developing world fisheries and policy in the MSC programme. Show less

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  WWF International

  Nov 2011 - Oct 2013

  Conservation Communications Manager

  Ensure the success of WWF’s global conservation goals using strategic, relevant and innovative communications. Design, develop and implement clear and effective external communications strategies for the global marine programme, maintain an overview, and coordinate where appropriate, the output of communications, and provide a vital link between the conservation priorities and the Communications and Marketing Division.Main duties included:- Shape and deliver targeted, inventive external communications for the global marine portfolio that catalyses change, strengthens the brand, offers compelling stories and provides opportunities and means for action- Exploit and promote rigorous communications planning approaches and tools ensure consistency of external messaging and provide content expertise for the global marine portfolio - Assemble and exploit audience / market research and identify the most effective ways to engage relevant target audiences- Lead, coordinate and support as appropriate the communications for priority international advocacy and policy conventions, meetings and events Show less

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  World Society for the Protection of Animals

  Dec 2013 - Apr 2014

  Campaign Director, Europe

  Working to WSPA’s strategic vision to develop inspiring and creative campaigns, for delivery across the European region, that achieve measurable and sustainable change to benefit the welfare of animals, and are of appeal to the organisation’s supporters and donors. Tasked with developing WSPA’s new pan-European campaign strategy which will create demonstrable animal welfare development advances. Currently I manage a team of two which will expand to four during 2014 who support the implementation of the strategy, effectively developing it to achieve maximum impact. Show less

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  Elephant Family

  Jan 2015 - May 2015

  Head of Communications (contract)

  Communication consultant at elephantfamily.org

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  Feedback Global

  Jul 2015 - Oct 2015

  Head of Communications (contract)

  Feedback is an environmental organisation that campaigns to end food waste at every level of the food system. We catalyse action on eliminating food waste globally, working with governments, international institutions, businesses, NGOs, grassroots organisations and the public to change society’s attitude toward wasting food.

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  Chagos Conservation Trust

  Sept 2015 - Dec 2021

  Director

  The Chagos Conservations Trust is a UK charity that conducts and promotes conservation, scientific and historic research in the Chagos archipelago. Its vision is to ensure that the globally important natural environment of the Chagos Archipelago is well protected, conserved and understood, inspiring the better management and protection of our planet. Our large-scale island rewilding programme, Healthy Islands, Healthy Reefs, is based on sound science highlighting the significant linkages between the health of the islands of the Chagos Archipelago and their surrounding coral reefs.By rewilding degraded islands, we aim to boost the survival of their seabird populations and support thriving coral communities. Show less

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  RSPB

  Dec 2021 - Mar 2022

  Project Manager - Seasalter Levels

  Project Manager (short-term contract) for the the RSPB's Seasalter Levels restoration project to incorporate habitat improvements that will enable the site to become a major link in a chain of lowland wet grassland nature reserves across North Kent. Restoring Seasalter Levels to its full potential will provide a sanctuary for a range of wildlife, from breeding waders and over-wintering wildfowl to water voles and rare invertebrates, creating a reserve that is well managed for nature and resilient to climate change. Show less

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  Kent Wildlife Trust

  Apr 2022 - Dec 2024

  Wilder Blean Landscape Development Manager

  Leading on the development of a 25y co-developed vision for the Wilder Blean Landscape with restoration of natural processes, return of missing species, reconnection and wilding of the landscape at its heart. A partnership project with Kent Wildlife Trust, RSPB and Woodland Trust.