Expeditions Officer

Post: Expeditions Officer
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full-Time
Location: South Kensington, London SW7
Salary: £35,897–£39,180 per annum, depending on experience

About Us

The Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers) is the learned society and professional body for geography and geographers. It is also a charity and a membership organisation. The Society was founded in 1830 and has been one of the most active of the learned societies ever since. It was pivotal in establishing geography as a teaching and research discipline in British universities and continues to play a key role in geographical and environmental education.

The Society is a leading world centre for geographical learning – supporting education, teaching, research, professional practice and scientific expeditions, as well as promoting public understanding and enjoyment of geography and providing advice to policymakers.

The Society offers professional accreditation to members through Chartered Geographer status.

About You and the Role

Joining a specialised team at a time of growth, the Expeditions Officer will deploy first-hand exploratory field research experience in providing practical support for practitioners, helping reinforce the Society’s role as an international leader and convening power representing diverse forms of geographical exploration.

This operational role is central to evolving the Society's technical resources, strategic programmes, and flagship events, ensuring our support for both our grant recipients and the wider community of practitioners remains rigorous and impactful.

Key Responsibilities

Expedition advisory support

Participate in the provision of advice and support to Society grant recipients and other expedition teams and individuals across their project lifecycles.

Training, events and content

Work with colleagues and external trainers to develop and organise needs-based training opportunities, primarily for Society grant recipients and other supported individuals and teams, across a range of subjects.

Support the development of multimedia resources to support Society members and the wider community of field practitioners in undertaking safe, ethical, impactful expeditions.

Governance and reporting

Contribute data and updates for the bi-annual reporting to the Expeditions & Fieldwork Committee and quarterly workplan reporting to management and trustees.

The successful candidate will have demonstrable experience leading successful exploratory field projects, preferably through overseas, collaborative, impact-driven ventures in remote and challenging contexts.

The successful candidate will apply both academic knowledge and a practical understanding of safe, ethical and impactful field research, significantly expanding the Society’s capacity to support diverse forms of geographical exploration.

Salary and Benefits

This is a permanent, full-time post subject to successful completion of a probationary period of three months. The salary range for this post is £35,897–£39,180 per annum depending on experience and qualifications. The post is based in Kensington, London.

There are a range of benefits at the Society which include the following:

• 35-hour working week with core working hours between 10.00am and 4.00pm.
• Flexible working arrangements are available with a mix of office based and home working.
• 25 days annual leave per annum, pro rata, plus public bank holidays.
• Society closure between Christmas and New Year, in addition to the basic annual leave allowance.
• Pension scheme - 3% employee, 7.5% employer.
• Group Life Assurance at four-times basic annual salary.
• Corporate eye care vouchers.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Free 24-hour Employee Assistance helpline with available counselling support.

Applications must be received by 9.30am on Friday 10th April.
Interviews are planned to take place on 20 April.

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

The Society aims to be an equal opportunities employer. We strongly encourage applicants from those traditionally underrepresented in the geographical discipline.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. The Society is unable to offer work visa sponsorships.

No agencies please.