Contract jobs for the Environment sector
How's your job search on our site?
Job description
Contract: 6-month fixed term
Salary: £34K
Location: Oxford, office based or hybrid
Responsible to: Hannah Worker, Regional Programme Manager, Oxon-Bucks Region.
Background
Freshwater Habitats Trust (FHT) is the UK’s leading conservation charity concerned with the protection of freshwater habitats. We are a friendly, evidence-based organisation that works to protect UK and European freshwater wildlife through practical and innovative nature conservation projects. Our organisation is well respected nationally and internationally, and we work with a network of statutory, NGO and private partners both in the UK and the rest of Europe. Freshwater Habitats Trust was originally founded in 1988 (as Pond Conservation) and has a substantial track-record of originating new ideas through research in freshwater biodiversity conservation to inform and drive our practical conservation and policy work.
FHT has a central office in Oxford, and regional hubs in the north of England and the New Forest and out-posted staff in Cornwall and Wales. We run a range of practical projects throughout the Midlands and work with partners on research and policy projects throughout the UK and internationally. Since 2017 we have seconded staff to the Newt Conservation Partnership (NCP), a new community-benefit society established by NatureSpace, Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (ARC) and FHT, to create and manage habitats for the NatureSpace District Licensing scheme for great crested newts.
Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire are key areas for Freshwater Habitats Trust’s work. Building on the Trust’s historic work in the county and starting in 2021, Oxfordshire was the first region where we began the implementation of the organisation’s new strategic approach to freshwater conservation, the Freshwater Network. The Freshwater Network is the network of high quality freshwater and wetland habitats, and terrestrial habitats generating clean water across the landscape, that together support our most important freshwater wildlife.
Role
This is a strategically important role within the organisation, offering substantial responsibility and an opportunity for the successful candidate to play a leading role in delivering one of the UK's most ambitious freshwater restoration programmes.
The role will primarily focus on the Ock and Thame Farmers: Floodplains and Freshwaters Project, Ock and Thame Farmers: Freshwaters and Floodplain Restoration, one of Defra's pilot Landscape Recovery projects. Having recently completed its two-year development phase, the project is now entering a critical stage of assurance and negotiations with Defra ahead of implementation.
Key areas of work will include ongoing engagement with land managers, supporting informed decision-making and participation, supporting the establishment of governance and legal structures required for delivery, developing agreements and ecosystem service contracts, undertaking land assessments, and refining habitat designs where required. The project currently involves more than 80 land managers across approximately 7,100 hectares of land in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.
In addition to the Landscape Recovery project, the role will involve managing a portfolio of smaller projects across the region. This will include supporting staff delivering catchment monitoring programmes and helping to develop a pipeline of habitat creation and Natural Flood Management opportunities.
You will be responsible for the day-to-day management and coordination of project delivery, working closely with the Programme Manager, Finance Manager, Senior Management Team, project partners, consultants, contractors, and participating land managers.
Key responsibilities
Project management:
· Responsible for work planning, defining tasks and allocating resources.
· Resource, manage and support the project team.
· Responsible for the projects’ budgeting and financial management including: (i) regular reporting to the Project Director and Regional Programme Manager; and (ii) implementation of all financial processes for the projects including regular claiming and reporting funder.
· Responsible for all contract and logistics management
· Responsible for ensuring health and safety procedures are followed, implemented and reported on.
· Track and monitor project progress.
· Present to stakeholders, as required.
· Implement and manage change when necessary to meet project outputs.
· Update all internal management information data systems
Project communications:
· Working with the Freshwater Habitats Trust Communications Team to deliver the communication plans for the projects.
Project development:
· Working with other members of Freshwater Habitats Trust staff and landowner networks to develop future projects to continue our work on the Freshwater Network in the region.
In the longer term there will be opportunities to influence the development of the Freshwater Network concept as it builds and develops in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and adjacent counties.
Additional general responsibilities for the post holder
· Help to build a positive relationship between Freshwater Habitats Trust and its partners.
· Understand and follow Freshwater Habitats Trust’s internal procedures including Health and Safety, information management systems, site protocols etc.
· Work closely and constructively with your manager and colleagues in all areas of your responsibility.
· Undertake other duties as the Senior Management Team may from time to time require.
Knowledge and experience
· Degree or equivalent in a relevant subject (at least a 2:1)
· Full current driving licence
· Proven project and budget management skills
· Proven experience of managing multi-partner projects in the field of practical habitat creation and management, including on the ground delivery to deliver practical conservation outcomes
· Experience of staff management
· Good knowledge of restoration ecology for both freshwater and wetland habitats
· Experience of contractor management
· Knowledge of land management stakeholders and policy
· Computer literate: Word and Excel are essential, GIS is desirable
· Proven ability to communicate effectively with a range of stakeholders, including landowners and the public
· General interest in wildlife
Personal qualities
· Ability to manage workload and competing priorities effectively and meet internal deadlines through effective forward planning
· Good verbal and written communication skills
· Good interpersonal skills - approachable, professional and courteous
· Attention to detail and able to deliver on time
· Ability to work independently and as part of a team
What we have to offer
At Freshwater Habitats Trust we value employees' unique views and encourage them to develop their interests. We also offer the following benefits:
• Flexible working
• 35-hour week
• 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays
• Pension with 6% employer contribution
• Mobile phone allowance
• Free eye tests
• Free Employee Assistance Program
• Mileage pay
Registered Charity
11 - 20
Freshwater is our passion. Together, we can make a difference for wildlife.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Salary: £35,553–£39,481 pro rata
Location: Home-based (with occasional meetings in Coventry)
Contract: 12-month fixed term, part-time 20-40% FTE (1–2 days per week equivalent)
About Cord
Cord is an international charity working to make peace a reality where people don’t have the freedom to exercise their rights. We work to build the relationship between those in power and local communities.
We believe that people flourish when all parts of society work together. Peaceful relationships make that possible. The simple act of talking begins a journey of growth which transforms mistrust, includes the excluded and turns adversaries into allies.
Cord operates in eight countries and implements programmes in the following areas:
- Empowering Women & Girls
- Accessing Fundamental Freedoms
- Climate & the Environment
- Economic Empowerment
- Supporting Stronger Societies
We are a small, committed team who love working together to make a huge impact. A 2026 global staff survey returned very positive feedback about Cord as a place to work with strong expressions of belonging, purpose and value, and with 97% of staff saying that would recommend Cord as a great place to work. We are looking for a great candidate to join this fantastic organisation and contribute to our work to Build Peace. If you like the sound of us, then take a look at the recruitment pack and come and join our team!
The Role
We are looking for an experienced and proactive Trusts and Foundations Fundraiser to grow this vital area of income. This is an exciting opportunity to shape and deliver our trusts and foundations strategy at a key point in our organisational development, helping to diversify income and support innovative, impactful programmes.
You will lead on identifying and securing new funding opportunities, building strong donor relationships, and writing compelling proposals and reports. You’ll also represent Cord externally and work collaboratively across teams to develop strong cases for support.
About You
We are looking for someone with a proven track record of securing funding from trusts, foundations, or philanthropic donors, alongside excellent writing and communication skills. You will be confident building relationships and proactively developing opportunities, with a strong understanding of the philanthropic landscape.
You’ll be an excellent communicator and able to translate complex programmes into persuasive funding cases, and comfortable building relationships through networking and outreach.
If you like what you read and are passionate about real and lasting change, come and join us and be part of the Cord story.
To apply please send us your CV and a Cover Letter detailing your interest in the role and how you fulfil the requirements outlined in the job description.
This is a home-based role, with some occasional travel to Coventry required for meetings. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
The Woodland Trust is looking for a Funded Projects Officer to aid the success of our project delivery.
The Role:
• Aid the successful delivery of projects through the development of realistic project budgets that inform internal decision-making and strengthen funding applications.
• Monitor income and expenditure against approved budgets, highlight risks and implications, and help ensure the Trust remains in a healthy financial position.
• Maximise grant income through organised grant claims, good funder relations and effective negotiations.
• Report on restricted income within projects, feeding into budgets, forecasts and year end requirements.
• Manage complicated funding packages, whilst avoiding double funding, and coordinate claims and reports for multi partner projects.
• Ensure compliance with funder, Trust and statutory requirements, including VAT, procurement and funded-project guidance.
• Produce financial and written reports for internal decision-making and for updating funders, project teams, management and senior leaders.
• This is a hybrid position with a mix of home working, and from our head office in Grantham, Lincolnshire. Head office attendance would be required no more than once a month on average.
• This is a fixed term contract until March 2027.
The Candidate:
• A confident communicator able to listen, interpret, challenge, influence and explain complex financial principles to non-experts.
• Experienced in the development, production and monitoring of project budgets, including analysing implications, risks and assumptions.
• Skilled in project management, delivery and grant management, ideally across multiple projects at any given time.
• Able to develop and deliver high quality numerical and written reports, ensuring accuracy and spotting potential risks.
• An understanding of funder rules, requirements and funding opportunities, maintaining good working relationships with funders.
• Able to consider the impacts and implications of projects on Trust budgets, resources and funds, contributing to accurate reforecasting.
• Experience working in a similar role or fundraising-related role in the charity sector would be advantageous.
Benefits and Wellbeing:
Joining our team means you’ll be a big part of tackling environmental and climate issues. We take good care of our staff, offering support and training opportunities. We also offer:
• Enhanced Employer Pension
• Life Assurance
• Flexible & Hybrid Working Options
• Generous Annual Leave - 25 Days Plus Bank Holidays (pro rata’d for part-time)
• Buy and Sell Holiday Scheme
• Enhanced Parental Pay
• Employee Assistance Programme
About Us:
The Woodland Trust is the UK’s largest woodland conservation charity. We want to see a world where trees and woods thrive for people and nature. The Trust engages and inspires people to make their difference tackling the nature and climate crisis helping protect, restore and create our vital woods and trees.
Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion:
To achieve our vision of a world where woods and trees thrive for people and nature, we need to better reflect society and the communities we work in. All people, no matter their background, identity, ability, or circumstance, should benefit from trees.
People of colour and disabled people are currently under-represented across the environment and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we particularly encourage you to apply.
Please contact us to discuss any additional support or adjustments you may need to complete your application.
Application Advice:
For fairness we keep our candidates’ personal details hidden from the hiring managers, and we
Make sure that your Personal Statement clearly shows how your skills and knowledge link to the specifications in the job description and you share with us your passion for the role. Even if you don't meet every requirement of the role, we would encourage you to apply.
Acceptable Use - Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We understand that candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their job applications-for example, to help structure or edit written responses. We welcome the use of AI in this way, particularly where it helps improve accessibility, such as for neurodivergent applicants. However, we ask that any information submitted reflects your own experience, skills and understanding. During interviews, candidates are expected to respond independently without the use of AI tools.
Apply Now:
If you're ready to make a difference and grow with us, send in your application today. We might close the job opening early if we get a lot of applications, so it's a good idea to apply soon. If we do close the advert early, and you have an application in process, we will email you prior to closing to give you time to complete.
1st stage interviews are to be held via MS Teams on June 23rd & 24th, with 2nd stages on June 25th.
