Conservation research assistant jobs
Purpose of role: To support the Head of Partnerships in managing and retaining the charity’s existing donor base and in establishing new major donor partnerships to secure significant income for the Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN): an impactful fundraising and grant-giving wildlife conservation NGO focused on supporting grassroots projects across the Global South.
Reports to: Head of Partnerships
Contract: Full-time, permanent contract, working 5 days p/w
Deadline to apply: Friday 23rd May (but please apply at your earliest convenience). Initial interviews will be targeted for end of May.
Whitley Fund for Nature
Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN) is a UK charity supporting grassroots conservation leaders across the Global South. Through project funding (Awards), training, and media profile, we support local solutions to the planet’s most pressing conservation challenges. Our winners are courageous changemakers, working alongside communities to save species and protect ecosystems. Established in 1993, we have channeled £24 million to +220 conservation leaders in 80 countries, benefitting wildlife, landscapes, and people. WFN is governed by a committed trustee board. Our team is dynamic, passionate about our mission, and ambitious. The charity benefits from high profile support from Patron, HRH The Princess Royal, and Ambassador Sir David Attenborough. Our funding is raised each year, mainly from family trusts and foundations, as well as from individuals, corporates, and international NGOs, with a current annual income of around £2.6m/year. We raise funds based on winner need, and in the coming years are seeking to steadily grow what we provide in support to winners, actively pursuing new partnerships to support our mission.
The Opportunity
We are looking for a motivated and detail-oriented Partnerships Manager to join our small and dynamic team. This new role will support the Head of Partnerships and wider WFN team in delivering our fundraising strategy, stewarding high-value donor relationships, and unlocking new opportunities for income growth.
The Partnerships Manager will work directly with some of WFN’s existing portfolio of 30 Major Donors made up primarily of Trusts, Family Foundations and High-Net-Worth Individual (HNWI) supporters, with some Corporates. The Partnerships Manager will maintain close professional relationships with supporters that are bespoke and require excellent interpersonal skills, with most meetings taking place in-person, in central London.
This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a highly respected conservation organisation making a real difference on the ground.
PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER - PERSONAL SPECIFICATION
Essential
· A proven track record of fundraising, donor management, and/or building relationships with stakeholders in the non-profit or philanthropic sector.
· Excellent writing and communication skills, with experience drafting donor materials and reports.
· A proven track record in the development of grant applications, including drafting objectives, activities, timelines, indicators, and budgets, as well as coordinating narrative content and inputs from across the team.
· Past experience coordinating and delivering fundraising and engagement events.
· Experience coordinating volunteer committees.
· Exceptional interpersonal qualities, and comfortable liaising with high-profile individuals and senior stakeholders.
· Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
· Proactive, dependable, and able to manage multiple priorities.
· A flexible ‘can do’ approach with the ability to chase opportunities, while remaining resilient and positive
· An open and collaborative working style, with a willingness to share information, communicate clearly, and contribute to a supportive small team environment.
· A genuine interest in conservation and/or passion for social and environmental equity through a grassroots approach.
Desirable
· Experience working with donor databases or Salesforce.
· Familiarity with trusts and foundations, HNWI fundraising, or corporate partnerships.
· Previous work in a small, agile team or start-up-style organisation.
Additional details and benefits
· Attractive holiday package totaling 30 days p.a. plus bank holidays.
· Training and professional development opportunities provided.
· Hybrid working opportunities
· The charity operates a Pension Scheme and a Life Assurance Scheme.
This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship. Only applicants who have the right to work in the UK at the time of application will be considered for this role.
Regrettably, due to limited resources and the high number of applications we receive, we are only able to contact short-listed candidates. If you do not hear from us within four weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been successful on this occasion.
Diversity and Inclusion
At WFN we are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse organisation, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. We celebrate and respect diversity in nature and among the people and partners with whom we work. We need more people and diversity across the environment sector, and to achieve our vision. We are therefore particularly keen to receive applications from Black, Asian or minority ethnic; disabled; LGBTQ+; or from lower socio-economic backgrounds. As a small organisation we are committed to progressing and continuing development across DE&I. Please contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application. Applications are considered solely on your demonstrated suitability
Registered Charity
6 - 10
Whitley Fund for Nature is a fundraising and grant-giving nature conservation charity supporting grassroots practitioners across the Global South.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
We are looking for an experienced and motivated individual to join our team as Senior Technical Specialist (Nature Positive), (Parental Leave Cover) to lead important programmes of work within the Business & Nature team including the development of corporate nature strategies, supply chain frameworks, net positive impact, nature-related risk and impact assessments and ecosystem target setting.
This position presents an exceptional opportunity to work with leading global businesses and other stakeholders and play a leading role in translating nature ambition into practical on the ground impact. As a senior member of the team, you will get involved in wide ranging projects and activities, contributing technical expertise across different geographies and sectors including mining, packaging and food and agriculture. You will be presented with opportunities to apply and grow your proven knowledge and experience of the business and nature field through the practical application of fast evolving frameworks, models and concepts.
A collaborative and dynamic team player, you will be a recognised expert in the field of business and nature, with an established skillset in research and analysis, written and verbal communication, and leading relationships at a senior level. You will have an in depth understanding of the international landscape for business and nature, the role of the private sector in halting and reversing nature loss, and the interconnections between nature and wider sustainability issues.
In return we offer the opportunity to work for a ground-breaking organisation at the forefront of global conservation with generous pension contribution, attractive annual leave allowance, life insurance and salary exchange schemes.
Our offices are located in The David Attenborough Building in central Cambridge, just a few minutes’ walk from glorious historic buildings and museums, the picturesque River Cam, the central market and shopping centre and a host of cafés and restaurants.
Please visit our website and download the job application pack for further details on how to apply.
The closing date for applications is Sunday, 18 May 2025.
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!
This is an exceptional opportunity to be at the heart of a truly exciting heritage restoration project to restore, renew and open up to new audiences, a nationally-important building in a thriving but economically and socially challenged central London neighbourhood.
In November 2024, St Peter’s Walworth submitted a First-Round application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) for Development Phase funding for the “Building Beyond: Soane Reimagined” project. The request was for a First Round Pass of £3.1m and a Development Grant of £438,000. A decision was received by NLHF on 13th March 2025 and pending Permission to Start, the Development Phase is set to run for 18 months, at which point a Delivery Round application will be submitted to activate a Delivery Phase. Staff, a Design Team, a QS and specialist consultants will need to be competitively appointed to complete a list of required documents/studies for the Delivery application. Design development needs to be completed to RIBA Stage 3, planning, Faculty and consents need to be in place and all partnership funding raised or pledged.
Capital works are proposed to the exterior of the Church, respecting its heritage integrity, making it more sustainable and putting it in good order throughout. Similarly inside, where improvements will make the Church more welcoming, improving infrastructure and circulation and accommodating planned activities. Works will take place over the three floors: Crypt Basement, the Ground Floor and the Gallery/First Floor.
A full time Heritage Manager will need to be appointed at the beginning of the 18-month Development Phase. The successful candidate will provide leadership for the Project reporting to Claire Maugham (Chair of the Steering Group Committee) involved in strategic planning, management, execution, and coordination with internal and external stakeholders. In order to achieve the goals of St Peter’s Walworth, they will oversee design development to RIBA Stage 3 of “Building Beyond: Soane Reimagined” and oversee the preparation of key NLHF checklist documents, supporting on the roll out of a successful fundraising campaign - with a target to raise just over £1m working with a Fundraising Appeal Board, and a F/T Trusts and Foundations Manager.
The Heritage Manager will be a strategic thinker with an understanding of the planning and delivery of major projects funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF). We are also looking for a candidate that will successfully integrate partnerships that are being forged in the local area. They should have a strong background in project management and possess the ability to move adeptly between big picture thinking and day-to-day operations, where it will be necessary, for example, to process their own admin.
The Heritage Manager will have some experience of fundraising, networking and financial management and be comfortable working in a start-up environment, being able to demonstrate experience of extensive community engagement, as well as an understanding of and empathy with the ambitions and vision of the St Peter’s Walworth PCC (Parochial Church Council) and the needs of a Grade 1 listed building.
They will bring an inclusive approach to their work, able to centre and involve the church and local community in the project while integrating the experience of a wide range of volunteer professionals
Their task will be ensure that the project is delivered within time and to budget in accordance with an agreed programme, budget and checklist of deliverables, as well as working closely with all project stakeholders and partners.
St Peter’s Walworth is an inclusive and welcoming Church. We seek candidates with the skills and experience required, irrespective of any protected characteristics, and encourage applications from all regardless of background. We are especially keen to receive applications from people who are members of communities minoritised and under-represented in the heritage sector. We are a Christian church but this role may be filled by someone of any faith or of none.
Please apply with a CV and cover letter outlining your experience and motivation for this role.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.