Conservation officer jobs in belfast

The Initiatives and Partnerships Manager plays a key role in the Trust’s Initiatives and Partnerships Team. The post holder will support the development and implementation of the Trust’s projects, manage team members and on occasion support external and partnership projects. Our work is varied, ranging from early-stage feasibility planning, partnership development, fundraising, business planning and design development, as well as supporting our conservation team who lead construction phase oversight. 

This role builds on the successes of the Trust’s longstanding Regeneration programme, which has undertaken pioneering Regeneration projects addressing some of our most pressing conservation needs, as well as developing new operating models for some of the churches in our care. The job will support our regional teams in developing and implementing projects to deliver a range of conservation, social and regeneration benefits; with the balance of each responding to local need, demand and opportunity.

In addition, it encompasses the work undertaken to develop new commercial income opportunities. Examples are our groundbreaking Champing™ initiative, as well as others such as filming, and other commercial partnerships.

We have recently published our TRUST values, which outline the behaviours and expectations that act as our foundations at CCT. We have attached the pack, outlining each value, which we will also be using as part of our shortlisting and interview process to find the right candidates that align with our values.

Salary: £53,280 (£66,600 FTE)

Hours: Part-time (30 hours per week)

Contract type: Permanent

Location: Hybrid/Home-based, with occasional travel to meetings as required (travels expenses provided)

About the Role

Buglife is looking for an experienced and values-driven finance professional to join our Senior Leadership Team as Director of Finance.

This pivotal role will lead our financial strategy, planning and governance, ensuring long-term sustainability and impact for our mission to save the small things that run the planet.

Working closely with the Board of Trustees and fellow Directors, you’ll provide clear, strategic advice that supports robust decision-making, transparency and growth. You’ll oversee all aspects of financial management from budgeting and reserves to risk and compliance, ensuring resources are used wisely and effectively.

You’ll also lead and develop a Finance Team, fostering a supportive, collaborative environment through a period of exciting organisational transformation. You’ll drive innovation in financial systems and processes, supporting digital transformation and data-driven decision-making bringing clarity to complex financial issues and helping to shape the systems and practices that underpin Buglife’s future success.

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for a confident, strategic finance leader with experience in the charity sector, strong technical expertise, and a genuine commitment to environmental and social good.

You’ll bring professional credibility, a collaborative approach, and ability to provide clear advice at Board level. You’ll combine strong analytical skills with collaborative working style and ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders balancing ambition and accountability while guiding and empowering your team.

A strong grounding in charity finance and governance, with a commitment to sustainable investment and innovation through digital transformation.

You’ll have:

• Senior leadership experience managing organisational finances and producing annual accounts
• A track record of shaping financial strategy in growing or complex organisations
• A professional accountancy qualification (ACCA/CIMA/ACA or equivalent) or equivalent experience
• Strong knowledge of charity governance, financial management, and accounting best practice
• Experience leading and developing finance teams

We’d particularly welcome:

• Experience in the charity, public, or mission-led sector
• A track record of driving innovation through digital transformation and new systems
• Knowledge of ethical investment principles and charity fundraising

Full details of essential, highly desirable, and desirable criteria are available in the recruitment pack on our website.

About Buglife

Buglife is the only organisation in Europe solely dedicated to the conservation of all invertebrates. From bees and beetles to spiders and snails, we work to halt invertebrate extinctions and secure thriving, sustainable populations of these essential creatures, which play critical roles in pollination, soil health, and entire ecosystems. Our mission is to halt the extinction of invertebrate species and secure sustainable populations of these essential creatures. We work across the UK and internationally through practical conservation, public engagement, scientific research, and policy advocacy.

Our projects restore habitats, reconnect landscapes, and raise awareness about the crucial role these small but mighty creatures play in keeping ecosystems healthy. Whether influencing national policy or planting wildflowers in local communities, we’re committed to saving the small things that run the planet.

What We Offer

• A supportive and flexible working environment.
• 23 days annual leave, pro rata (rising to 28 after 3 years service), plus office closure over between Christmas and New Year.
• Enhanced pension contributions.
• Opportunities for training, development, and career progression.
• The chance to make a tangible difference to the conservation of threatened invertebrate species.
• We welcome discussions about flexible working patterns within the 28-hour week

Buglife is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We particularly welcome applications from underrepresented groups in the environmental sector, including people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, and LGBTQ+ communities.

If you require any adjustments to the application or interview process, please contact us via our website.

How to Apply

Download the Director of Finance Recruitment Pack.

To apply, please submit your CV and a covering letter outlining your suitability for the role via our website.

Application deadline: 2 November 2025

Interviews: week commencing 10 November 2025 (held via Microsoft Teams)

Due to the volume of applications, we receive, we may close our vacancies early. It is therefore advisable to apply as early as possible if you would like to be considered for this role.

If you have not heard from us within two weeks of the closing date, please assume your application has not been successful on this occasion.

Job overview

The role will focus  on growing the value of funding from large trusts and foundations globally, as well as from corporate foundations and institutional funders via consortium partnerships with larger conservation actors.

The role will oversee grant and contract management with existing organisational and institutional partnerships, as well as grow this portfolio through developing a robust pipeline of new opportunities, finding creative ways to secure visibility and first meetings, developing relationships, compelling funding applications and ensuring strong contract management oversight.

The role will lead a team of two, work collaboratively with fundraising colleagues based in the US and UK to secure visibility with and develop strong long-term partnerships with new Trusts and Foundations; and work closely with colleagues in Kenya to ensure strong project delivery and grant management. Responsibilities include:

• Lead the implementation of the Trusts & Foundations (T&Fs) programme with a particular focus on growing the portfolio of large T&Fs in the USA, UK and European markets;
• Work with fundraising colleagues across priority markets and with communications colleagues, using innovative and proactive approaches to business development and relationship building to unlock visibility opportunities and develop relationships with new prospects; in order to develop and maintain a strong pipeline of high-value funding opportunities.  
• Continue to oversee the current ‘programme funding’ portfolio which includes existing institutional funding partnerships and corporate foundation relationships in Kenya, ensuring that ongoing and new opportunities where they exist are capitalised on.
• Collaborate closely with and provide technical expertise to Ol Pejeta’s Project Implementation function in Kenya to develop and embed ‘programme funding’ systems, policies, processes, to ensure that the organisation works to the highest standards in grant management;
• Oversee collaboration and co-working with Ol Pejeta’s Programme teams and other colleagues to ensure high quality  project design content is translated into  technical proposals and budgets for donors;
• Work closely with Kenya’s implementation function to support strong project delivery and contract management. 
• As a Head of, actively contribute to team and department objectives through decision making and action on planning, budgeting, monitoring and reporting.

Key Activities

• Support the Chief Fundraising Officer with overall strategy development, implementation and adaptation;
• Work closely with the Chief Fundraising Officer to ensure operational and budget planning, management and reporting of resources;
• Oversee the T&F team’s operational planning processes, annual reporting and core performance monitoring;
• Strategic coordination of multiple stakeholders in proposal development processes (programme experts, internal stakeholders, partners and donors);
• Build strong relationships across all departments of the organisation and with existing and new partners;
• Support the recruitment process/selection/appointment of fundraising staff across the department.

Strategic leadership delivery and management of Trusts and Foundations priority in the global fundraising strategy.

• Develop and implement tactics for T&Fs that support Ol Pejeta to meet its overall strategic objectives;  
• Ensure that the relevant parts of the Fundraising strategy, planning and practice is adaptive to both internal and external changes and that the team adopts innovative approaches to its work;
• Effectively integrate T&F team objectives and outcomes into wider Ol Pejeta income targets and programme priorities.

Business development and management

• Proactively cultivate relationships with key prospects, donors and partners (with particular focus on US, UK and European markets);
• Network both internally and externally to ensure relevant stakeholder participation and intelligence gathering in various fora;
• Lead and coordinate proposal development, including budgeting, with programme teams and finance;
• Collaborate with Ol Pejeta’s communications and marketing department to ensure communication activities appeal to donor interests, promote our partnerships and help to position Ol Pejeta as a partner of choice;
• Research and share trends and intelligence on T&Fs, and develop relationships that strategically position the organisation to mobilise resources from new and existing donors.

Support effective grant & risk management and compliance

• Support the development and implementation of improved business policies to facilitate improved management of and accountability for T&F funding and other larger institutional partnerships;
• Provide quality assurance and technical backstopping on reporting and general compliance, in line with organisational and donor requirements;
• Guide the negotiation of strategic grants/contracts to ensure the organisation signs up to appropriate contractual requirements;
• Advise on the interpretation and application of donor rules, regulations, processes and procedures;
• Provide guidance and capacity building on grant cycle management to colleagues across the organisation.

People Management, Financial Management and Departmental contributions

• Provide inductions to staff across the organisation on T&Fs and institutional funding opportunity;
• Build, motivate and effectively collaborate with teams remotely;
• Conduct probationary reviews and annual performance management reviews for direct line management staff;
• Support the Chief Fundraising Officer to have oversight of the team budget lines;
• Work collaboratively with colleagues in the global fundraising team based in different geographical locations
• Contribute to overall departmental processes and initiatives;
• Act within the parameters set by the organisation on financial policies and procedures.

Capacity Building and Knowledge Management

• Ensure effective cross-functional collaboration to strengthen fundraising and grant management skills across the organisation;
• Oversee the development and maintenance of information systems and tools for sharing donor policies and guidelines, funding opportunities and best practice across the organisation;
• Keep pace with international developments and engage with other INGOs to keep abreast of opportunities and global trends in T&F fundraising.

Education, Language & Qualifications

• Bachelors or equivalent in a relevant field preferably Fundraising / International Development;
• Excellent verbal and written communication with fluency in English;
• Language skills in Swahili and German advantageous.

Essential Knowledge, skills and Experience

• Relevant experience working in an international NGO or philanthropy environment with diverse workforce;
• Experience in Trusts & Foundation fundraising across international markets;
• Demonstrated experience cultivating and managing relationships with trusts and foundation donors (or others) to secure six figure grants;
• Substantial experience cultivating and managing donor and stakeholder relationships;
• Exceptional interpersonal, influencing and negotiation skills with demonstrable proactivity in business development;
• Strong technical proposal writing and budget skills;
• Strong ability to manage staff and influence team members remotely;
• Ability to manage and facilitate complex projects and processes;
• Experience working on the African continent with a deep knowledge of conservation and community development;
• Willingness to travel internationally as required;
• Willingness to be on call for donor enquiries out of hours.

Desirable Knowledge, skills and Experience

• Tendering and project management experience;
• Knowledge of conservation finance including the biodiversity credit market;
• Personal network of contacts and relationships in T&Fs;
• Experience in developing complex institutional funding bids;
• Understanding of developments in alternative finance for conservation;

The Woodland Trust is looking for a Volunteer Development Officer in our North region to deliver on the volunteering strategy for the Woodland Trust and Northern England region, that connects to the Trust strategy whilst responds to regional need, adapts to the changing trends in volunteering, and maximises opportunities for volunteers to add value to our work.

The Role: 
•    The role will support compliance including record keeping, induction and training, as well as develop new opportunities based on regional priorities and deliver a range of communication and face to face activities to create a safe and positive volunteering experience.
•    You will run a range of activity to develop effective communication methods including writing articles, delivering events, supporting peer to peer support and shared learning so volunteers are engaged and feel valued.  
•    You are responsible for being the link between the National Volunteering Team and regional volunteer managers to ensure that managers feel supported and volunteers have a meaningful, safe and enjoyable experience. 
•    You will lead on regional recruitment of existing and new roles, in line with regional priorities to ensure volunteer roles are appropriate and support the needs of the Woodland Trust. 
•    This role is based in Northern England and will require the successful candidate to travel around the region.
•    This role will require an enhanced DBS check as part of our pre-employment checks.

The Candidate: 
•    You have an enthusiasm for the environment and share our core values-Grow Together, Explore, Focus and Make it Count.
We are looking for candidates who have the following experience:
•    Working with volunteers and volunteer managers including recruitment, training and managing volunteers with positive outcomes.
•    Working across a range of teams at a regional level to support existing and develop new volunteering opportunities, ensuring the support of volunteering to undertake activities in a positive, fun and safe way. 
•    Developing new volunteering opportunities in line with regional and national strategies.
•    You’ll have a collaborative approach, with the ability to work with multiple teams, building relationships with both internal and external stakeholders effectively. 
•    You’ll know how to deliver effective events including promotion, risk assessments for indoor and outdoor environments.
•    Strong communication skills, both written and verbally being able to liaise with internal and external stakeholders, especially volunteers using a variety of methods to suite the audience. 
•    This role does require regular travel around the North region. A full clean UK driving licence is required. 

Benefits & 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 + bank holidays (pro rata for part time) 
•    Buy and Sell Annual Leave
•    Enhanced Parental Pay
•    Employee Assistance Programme

About Us: The Woodland Trust is the UK's leading woodland conservation charity and is dedicated to creating a world where trees and woods thrive for both people and nature. Our mission involves engaging and inspiring individuals to contribute toward tackling the nature and climate crisis through the protection, restoration, and creation of essential woodland habitats.

Commitment to Diversity & 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, we do not ask for your CV at application stage. 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. 

Acceptable Use Policy - 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.

First Stage Interviews will be held via Microsoft Teams w/c 27th October 2025.