Conservation research assistant jobs

Marketing & Projects Coordinator: We're looking for a detail-oriented and proactive individual to join our high-performing marketing function at Islamic Help in a unique role at the intersection of project management, internal communications, and marketing delivery.

Responsible to:      Director of Marketing & Technology

Status:                        Full-time, Permanent 

Salary:                        £26k-£29k (dependent on experience) 

Location: Birmingham – primarily office-based

Deadline for Applications: 6pm Friday 1st August 2025

Islamic Help is a UK-based international relief and development organisation that has developed rapidly since being established in 2003 and has provided support and assistance in 49 countries. Our programmes aim to help and empower disadvantaged communities in the UK and abroad; some of the key areas we work in are emergency response, WASH, education, livelihood and environment conservation.

As part of our continuing commitment to improve and enhance our relationships and communications with our donors and stakeholders, we are currently seeking a Marketing & Projects Co-ordinator who will be based at our Birmingham office.

WHAT WE OFFER

Islamic Help acknowledges that our employees are our most valuable resource. Therefore, we provide a variety of benefits aimed at promoting their professional growth, as well as supporting their mental and physical well-being, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

- Holiday entitlement of 30 days per financial year (for full-time roles; includes bank holidays entitlement – due to the nature of the role, you may be required to work on bank holidays)

- Personal learning and development opportunities.

- Automatic enrolment into our workplace Pension Plan (option to opt out).

- Employee Assistance Programme for support with health & wellbeing, financial matters, and any other assistance.

- Free office car park for staff.

The Role

We are looking for a detail-oriented and proactive Marketing & Projects Coordinator to join our high-performing marketing function at Islamic Help. This is a unique role that sits at the intersection of project management, internal communications, and marketing delivery.

You will not be solely responsible for designing social media posts, editing videos, or running ad campaigns - we already have expert teams in place for that. However, you will be invited into those processes, with opportunities to observe, contribute, and grow. We are always open to ideas that improve our work, and there is definitely scope for development in this area of marketing over time.

The core of this role is to co-ordinate, connect, and communicate - ensuring that everything runs smoothly, projects are delivered on time, and the many moving parts of the marketing department stay aligned.

This role doesn’t require deep experience in marketing execution. At its heart, it’s a project management and stakeholder coordination position. However, it’s ideal for someone with an interest in marketing and communications who wants to gain exposure and experience across a full marketing ecosystem - including brand, paid media, video, SEO, digital infrastructure, and more - in a fast-paced, mission- and results-driven environment.

You’ll work closely with the Director of Marketing & Technology, the Senior Marketing Officer, and a broad mix of outsourced specialists, including Google Ads experts, SEO consultants, graphic designers, videographers, performance marketers, and UI/UX professionals.

This is a role for someone who thrives in a structured, high-output setting, wants to be part of work that makes a real difference globally, and is eager to gain deep experience in the full A-Z of how a professional marketing team functions.

Key Responsibilities

Project Coordination

• Track and manage marketing projects from inception to completion, ensuring they are delivered on time, to spec, and aligned with brand standards
• Coordinate between internal departments and external specialists (e.g. video teams, print houses, performance marketing agencies)
• Schedule meetings, follow up on action points, and ensure teams stay on track
• Maintain clarity on project timelines, tasks, ownerships, and deadlines
• Manage platforms such as Asana, Hootsuite, and shared file systems to monitor workflow and progress.

Internal Communication & Stakeholder Liaison

• Gather marketing-related needs from other departments across the organisation
• Clarify briefs, manage expectations, and feed this information to relevant creatives or external vendors
• Ensure alignment between campaign objectives and deliverables
• Flag blockers or conflicts early and work with senior leadership to resolve them.

Marketing Support (Fluency, Not Ownership)

• Engage with marketing tools and channels (e.g. Hootsuite, social platforms, content schedules), not as the creator, but as a coordinator
• Analyse and review creative outputs (e.g. social posts, videos, copy) for basic accuracy, alignment, and tone
• Provide constructive feedback or flag potential issues to relevant team members
• Respond to or escalate social media engagement (e.g. DMs, comment moderation) when needed.

Research & Trend Monitoring

• Conduct market research to identify trends, opportunities, or gaps within the sector
• Feed relevant insight to the Senior Marketing Officer and Director to help shape campaign direction
• Monitor sector activity and competitor positioning.

 About you 

For us, it’s not just what we do, it’s how we do it. Our values are important to us and we’re looking for people who will live and breathe them. 

Why This Role Might Be Right for You

• You want to build your career in marketing and/or project management without needing to create all the assets yourself
• You love organisation, timelines, responsibility, and making things happen
• You’re a natural communicator who can keep teams and tasks aligned
• You work well under pressure and don’t shy away from responsibility
• You’re passionate about doing work that supports meaningful causes and helps people around the world
• You want to grow within a professional, supportive team that’s delivering real-world impact.

Skills & Attributes

Required

• 100% command of English, both written and verbal
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Extremely IT literate, with the ability to learn new platforms and systems quickly
• Strong project management and coordination abilities
• Exceptional time management and organisational skills
• Calm and solution-oriented under pressure
• Comfortable and proactive in seeking guidance or help when needed
• Passionate about the work, the sector, and making a difference — this is not the right role for someone simply looking to clock in and out.

Desirable

• Familiarity with marketing platforms (e.g. Hootsuite, HubSpot, Meta Business Manager, Google Analytics, etc.)
• Some prior experience in a fast-paced or stakeholder-heavy environment
• A career interest in marketing, communications, or project management.

Additional information   

Safeguarding: We are an organisation that takes safeguarding very seriously. All staff will be expected to adhere to our policies, processes, and approach.    

How to Apply 
 
To apply, please email your CV and covering letter detailing how you meet the requirements for the role.

We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. 
 
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome all applications regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, faith or disability. 

Note: Strong applicants may be contacted sooner, ahead of the closing date of 1st August 2025.

Terms and Conditions 

Job Title: Visitor Experience Manager

Hours of work: 21 hours per week.

Salary: £24,000

Annual Leave: 25 days plus bank holidays (Pro Rota)

Contract: 12 month contract, to be reviewed on successful NLHF application

Role Description

Working with other staff and volunteers, you will oversee the visitor experience to ensure a consistently high standard, delivering a wide-ranging programme of activities that will also attract a new and diverse audience to the Cathedral whilst maximising visitor donations and income.

Key Responsibilities

• Commitment to the Cathedral’s values and inclusive culture and to demonstrate them through professional behaviour working with clergy, staff and volunteers
• Management and oversight of visitor experience ensuring all visitors have a positive experience, whether they come to the Cathedral as a sightseer, pilgrim, worshipper, or event attendee
• Ensure safe recruitment, induction, training and management of paid Welcome Assistants to offer a consistently high standard of welcome and increase donated income
• Liaise with all volunteer groups involved in the visitor experience, including Welcome Stewards, Chaplains, Tower Tour Guides, Tour Guides, LEGO model builders to ensure consistency of welcome
• Deliver an exciting programme of visitor events and activities that generates income and growth whilst supporting the Cathedral’s Mission, Values and Strategic Objectives
• Make connections between Cathedral attractions, the Cathedral shop and Pilgrims’ Kitchen restaurant, and support a culture of collaboration to develop and enhance the experience for visitors
• Support the work of the Volunteer Manager to ensure that volunteers are appropriately recruited, valued, trained (particularly in respect of safeguarding), communicated with, and acknowledged)
• Work with the Head Verger/Event Manager on key projects which impact the visitor experience and drive visitor footfall
• Work with the Head Verger/Event Manager to propose and develop new and innovative projects/exhibitions to appeal to the local, and repeat visit, audience
• Be proactive in key events/projects which have a direct visitor impact, in terms of planning, scheduling and onsite operations
• Work with the Marketing and Communications Manager to ensure a consistent visitor offer ensuring positive messaging and promotion and highlight good news and events
• To present the best possible image of the Cathedral in general and in all contact and communications with the public, visitors, suppliers and all other external organisations
• Ensure high quality effective signage is in place that promotes the activities of the Cathedral and supports the visitor experience
• Maintain high quality interpretation in a range of media to meet differing visitor needs
• · Act as the ‘accessibility and diversity champion’ to ensure the Cathedral buildings, facilities and services are accessible for visitors with mobility and other special needs, as well as being involved in projects to create a wider appeal, particularly more diverse audiences
• Be alert to opportunities to work with partners in the town and County to bring visitors to the Cathedral
• Produce and manage a relevant and realistic budget for Visitor Experience and ensure operation within that budget are constantly monitored, forecasting and reporting performance against budget in conjunction with the Chief Finance Officer
• Regularly review, analyse, and report on visitor statistics to identify next steps and future requirements
• Uphold and comply with the organisation’s policies and the law in relation to health and safety, equal opportunities, safeguarding, data protection and other adopted policies and procedures as required

Person Specification

 Essential Qualities

• Sensitive to the Cathedral’s core mission as a place of worship, outreach, welcome and care, which underpins its commercial activities
• Experience in leading people within a visitor-focused operation
• Background in heritage, tourism or hospitality
• Experience of line management, team working, networking and relationship building
• A proven track record of commercial acumen and taking measured risks
• Ability to manage the complexity of demands posed by both a religious, conservation and commercial environment
• Ability to consider and see different perspectives on issues between people across departments or organisations for mutual benefit
• Ability to influence and persuade stakeholders and gain commitment of others to act and achieve outcomes
• Excel at being able to operate flexibly and prioritise issues and opportunities as needed
• Ability to communicate effectively with people of all ages and at all levels
• An ability to work flexibly including some evenings and weekends
• Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Publisher and Excel

Desired Qualities

• Familiarity with the Church of England, particularly Cathedrals
• Experience of working with volunteers
• Educated to degree level or equivalent

Probationary and notice period

In accordance with current Chapter Policy, the post is subject to a 12 week probationary period. After completion of the probationary period the notice period is one month.

Pension

After 12 weeks’ service, the post-holder with be auto-enrolled into a pension scheme with the Church Workers Pension Fund.

Policies and Procedures

To be familiar and comply with Cathedral Policies where applicable but in particular the Health & Safety Policy, the Safeguarding Policy and the Cathedral’s Social Media Policy.

Other terms and conditions

This is only a summary of the terms and conditions offered and does not replace the wording of the Standard Terms and Conditions which will form the contract between the successful candidate and the Chapter.

Role Overview: 

This is an exciting opportunity to lead the Trusts and Foundations income stream at Global Canopy, bringing exemplary relationship management and stewardship strategies to continue establishing the programme for long-term impact. This role will also nurture a small but successful team, supporting them to reach in-year and future income targets.

You will contribute to a culture of kindness, collaboration, rigour and accountability in equal measure. You will come to work with a sense of urgent mission, but one balanced by emotional intelligence. You will share our conviction that it is not just what we do that matters in our working life, but how we do it too.

Key Responsibilities
As a confident and energetic member of Global Canopy’s Development team, you will:

• Oversee the delivery of our Trusts and Foundations programme, shaping plans to ensure outstanding donor engagement and stewardship, future income growth and the delivery of our mission for forests, people and nature
• Personally manage a portfolio of prospects and existing funders at the six- and seven-figure level, inspiring them to give for the first time and continue or increase their giving
• Support the Trusts/Foundations fundraising team to develop a continuous pipeline of unrestricted and restricted funding opportunities
• Working alone and in partnership with other team members, develop high-quality tailored communications, including cases for support, bespoke proposals, concept notes and donor reports that demonstrate Global Canopy’s impact
• Engage and build relationships with peer and partner organisations to identify and explore opportunities for partnership funding applications
• Represent the voice of fundraising on strategic internal Boards and Working Groups, ensuring excellent communication flow between them and the Development team
• Collaborate effectively across the organisation at all levels, operating as a supportive and reliable fundraising colleague
• Work with colleagues across programmes, communications, operations and finance to shape annual plans and budgets 
• Leverage your understanding of market trends to adapt our approach to fundraising and donor engagement
• Effectively manage a high performing Trusts/Foundations team providing clear objectives, supervision and support to enable them to thrive in their roles
• Ensure your and the team’s work is fully compliant with both our own policies and the latest charity legislation and standards of practice
• Ensure that our CRM (Salesforce) is used effectively, kept up to date and accurately maintained with prospect and donor information
• With the Director of Income and Philanthropy Lead, contribute to the effective management of the Development team as a whole and a strong organisational fundraising culture
• Undertake any other relevant duties and projects delegated by the Director of Income

Skills and Experience
Successful candidates will:

• Have a proven track record of having identified, cultivated and secured six- and seven-figure funding partnerships with trusts/foundations
• Have proven experience of building relationships of trust, working collaboratively and in close partnership with internal stakeholders to deliver joint outcomes 
• Have excellent written and verbal communication skills, confident in synthesising complex information for external-facing, donor-friendly communication and talking with funders, prospects and stakeholders
• Be adept in negotiating in complex environments with multiple stakeholders to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes 
• Be skilled in adapting your style of management to meet individual needs and provide support to team members in achieving their professional and developmental goals 
• Be familiar with the Fundraising Code of Practice and/or other relevant fundraising best practice frameworks
• Have excellent relationship management skills and high emotional intelligence
• Have strong financial literacy, including budgeting and financial reporting
• Be able to work well under pressure and manage multiple priorities and demands
• Have experience in working in the forests, nature and/or climate sectors, preferably in a global context
• Familiarity with the human rights and social dimensions of commodity-driven deforestation and environmental degradation and/or the nexus between human rights and nature-related issues would also be beneficial

Essential Behavioural Competencies

• Proactive and agile, seeking opportunities to grow income in a dynamic and creative environment
• Passionate about demonstrating how funders can contribute to ending deforestation, an essential step in achieving urgent global goals on climate, nature and human rights 
• Enthusiasm and flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances and capitalise on new opportunities 
• Effective and positive team-player with a strong preference for collaboration

Benefits

Salary
£55k-65k full time equivalent 
This role sits within Band C on Global Canopy’s remuneration framework.

Nature of contract
Full time / Permanent. We are a flexible employer and welcome candidates wishing to work flexibly.

Base
Our office is in Oxford, with flexible home-working arrangements in place.

Holidays
36 days (including bank/public holidays) for discretionary use across the annual leave year. Option to purchase up to an additional 5 days or equivalent of one week’s leave.

Pension
Employer pension contribution of 8%.

Healthcare cashback plan
Covering dental fees, eye-care, wellbeing, physiotherapy, chiropody and much more – for you and any children. 

Group Life Assurance 
Paying a lump sum of 3 times annual salary

Group Income Protection
Paying 75% of annual salary for up to 2 years (for long term sickness).

Employee Assistance Programme
Which provides free, confidential advice on personal and legal matters.

Other
Huge range of discounts and cashback deals at gyms, restaurants, holidays, and much more.