This year we have introduced a variety of new roles across the company and through the different services we provide. We will be sharing some of the new positions we have announced and how these roles will positively impact the work we do.
Our Wildlife Emergency Preparedness & Response Team is introducing a new role of Wildlife Response Operational Lead, and we are pleased to announce that Frankii Rouse has been appointed in this position.
While working as a Senior Response Specialist at OSRL, Frankii has demonstrated a strong commitment to oiled wildlife response and exceptional leadership. She has served as the Lead on our Wildlife Equipment Stockpile and Chair of our Wildlife Core Group: an internal forum that supports our wildlife response services and builds subject matter expertise within our Response Teams. More recently she covered the role of Wildlife Preparedness & Response Manager during Paul Kelway’s parental leave. In her new position, she will utilise her extensive knowledge of oiled wildlife response and continue to support various response-related activities as a key member of the Duty Team. Her efforts will significantly contribute to enhancing our integrated response capability, further strengthening the services we provide to our members.
Background: Wildlife in OSRL’s Long-Term Strategic Review
As part of our recent Long-Term Strategic Review (LTSR) we have reviewed our existing wildlife strategy to ensure that the wildlife strategic plan aligns with our wider strategy and timeframe.
The focus was on ensuring that these aims align with our new 5-year strategies for Response, Preparedness and the new Engagement Function at OSRL.
One structural change from the LTSR is that Paul’s role of Wildlife Preparedness and Response Manager was renamed to Wildlife Technical Authority. The job description remains the same and the role continues to have responsibility for OSRL’s long-term strategy for Wildlife, but it is now situated within the new Science, Technology and Stakeholder Engagement (STSE) Team under Engagement.
The Wildlife 5-year strategic aims and how they fit with the new OSRL Functions
Wildlife in 2024: Interest and activities growing
Wildlife preparedness and response continues to be an area with growing interest from our Members and we have seen increased engagement and preparedness activities. Furthermore, our service offerings have expanded with the addition of the Wildlife Assessment Team from GOWRS to our Wildlife SLA services now sitting alongside Technical Advice from Sea Alarm and our Wildlife Response Equipment. In practice, what this has meant is that even with a flourishing Wildlife Core Group, there is a need for more dedicated focus and attention on the integration of our wildlife services and response readiness. This new role within our Response function has been created to address this.
In a nutshell, the Wildlife Response Operational Lead will have more of an inward focus on readiness and operational excellence, whereas the Wildlife Technical Authority is more externally focused on our Engagement with our strategic partners, our Members and the wider world. In practice, both roles will work very closely together to ensure all activities are aligned with the wildlife 5-year strategy and will also remain available to provide technical advice and guidance to OSRL teams.
The Wildlife Response Operational Lead will sit within Response and report to Mario Fazio in his role as the Global Response Integration Manager. Frankii will also continue to remain part of the on-duty rotation as a Senior Responder to maintain and offer her response skillset during incidents and exercises.
Summary
The new role and updated structure underscore our continued commitment to wildlife preparedness and response. By enhancing internal and external collaboration, operational readiness, and strategic alignment, we are better equipped to handle wildlife incidents in collaboration with our wildlife partners, and to support our members.
Paul said: “Congratulations to Frankii on this appointment. It is a testament to her dedication to the field of wildlife preparedness and response over the last five years and the expertise and knowledge she has gained. I really look forward to working with her in this new role as we continue to advance our strategic aims to facilitate collaboration, expand understanding, improve response capability and enhance preparedness for wildlife emergency response”.