Animal network officer jobs in Langport, somerset

The Woodland Trust is looking for an Ancient & Veteran Tree Officer to join our exciting Sherwood’s Living Legends project funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. A development grant has been awarded by Heritage Fund to help the Woodland Trust progress the project over 18-months to apply for a 5-year delivery stage grant. If this application is successful, the project will safeguard the future of ancient and veteran trees in Sherwood Forest and reconnect communities with this iconic landscape. This is a fixed term contract for 18-months, with the potential for an extension. 

This role does not come with a company vehicle, however after a 9-month period in-post, we will review vehicle business use to see if the post-holder is reaching the eligibility criteria as stated in our Company Vehicle Policy.  If the post-holder complies with those criteria, with sign off from our Facilities Team, a vehicle will be sourced and provided. Please note that out Company Vehicle Policy is also under review as part of our Job Families and Contract Review project, so the eligibility criteria therein are subject to change in due course. 

To align with our Job Families, the successful postholder will undertake the title "Outreach Adviser - Sherwood".

The Role: 

• Lead the review and consolidation of existing datasets to inform a coherent, landscape-scale strategy for recording and mapping ancient and veteran trees (AVTs) across the Sherwood NCA. 
• Develop and test robust survey methodologies for AVTs, next-generation trees and successional deadwood habitats at scale. 
• Build strong collaborative relationships with project partners, landowners and stakeholders to support the development of the NLHF (National Lottery Heritage Fund) project. 
• Plan and deliver meaningful landowner consultations, ensuring clear communication and high-quality engagement. 
• Shape the project’s technical direction by identifying gaps in current knowledge, proposing innovative survey approaches, and helping define the evidence base for future landscape-scale interventions. 
• Coordinate information flow across partners, ensuring insights, datasets and field findings are shared, aligned and feeding directly into project design. 
• Generate interest and participation in AVT training and wider project initiatives, identifying opportunities for large-scale partnership working. 
• Represent the project at meetings, forums and events, sharing best practice and linking activity with wider Woodland Trust and partner programmes. 

The Candidate: 

• Strong biological recording skills with proven experience surveying ancient and veteran trees and/or associated species. 
• Proficient in GIS mapping and spatial analysis, with the ability to manage, interpret and consolidate complex datasets. 
• Knowledge of AVT ecology, identification, and the threats facing these irreplaceable habitats. 
• Experience advising landowners within woodland conservation, arboriculture or forestry, including familiarity with land management grants and agri-environment schemes. 
• Skilled communicator, confident in written, verbal and public-facing settings, able to represent the organisation professionally. 
• Excellent partnership-building abilities, with a track record of developing productive networks and collaborative relationships. 
• Highly organised, able to plan, prioritise and adapt to changing circumstances while maintaining attention to detail. 
• Full driving licence and ability to travel widely, including to remote sites. 

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 leading 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 CVs are redacted until after shortlisting is complete. 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. 

Interviews to be held on April 22nd 2026. 

About the role

Research has shown that there is significant potential for new and existing wealth holders to use their resources to fund climate action, and demand for trusted advisors to accelerate both the pace and efficacy of philanthropy. The Impatience Earth team has a track record of delivering quality philanthropy advisory for climate action, and with a growing team we have the capacity to take on new clients.

As the Philanthropy Catalyst Lead, you will be instrumental in building a strong pipeline of clients who would benefit from our climate advisory services. You are someone who is comfortable connecting with and engaging wealth holders, such as high-net worth individuals, family foundations and corporate foundations that have the potential to commit substantial resources (£200k+ year) to climate action. 

These clients may be based in the UK or Europe (as reflects the majority of our client base so far) although you will also work with colleagues engaged in catalysing philanthropy in other regions of the world. 

You will report directly to the Co-CEO, but also work closely with other members of the team and partners such as the Environmental Funders Network (EFN) to grow climate philanthropy. This is not a fundraising role for Impatience Earth: the primary focus will be to further develop and hone our business development strategy; to find, qualify and cultivate prospects; and to support the delivery of advisory services as needed once prospects are converted into clients. 

About Impatience Earth

Impatience Earth is a non-profit climate philanthropy consultancy founded in 2020 with a mission to educate, challenge and inspire wealth holders to take bolder funding decisions to address the climate emergency. 

Since 2020, our engagement with over 40 philanthropic foundations and businesses has supported them to make over £250m of new funding available for climate action, and we have already helped them make grants to over 200 different organisations. A great deal of these clients have come from word of mouth and from within our team’s existing connections, and we are now looking to expand our reach beyond our own network. 

We have ambitious plans to unlock greater funding for intersectional climate justice work, with bespoke advisory for new climate funders continuing to be a core pillar of our 2026-2030 strategic plan. 

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: 

• Further developing our business development strategy. This would include:

  • Reviewing and assessing previous and existing business development activities, and prioritising actions 

  • Identifying key target audiences and referral partners

  • Proposing realistic and stretch targets for our business development activities

  • Developing concise and effective communications for our target audience, for example, by crafting compelling outreach emails

• Researching, qualifying and engaging with prospective clients. This would include: 

  • Using your past experience of engaging wealth holders to suggest new business development or prospect research ideas

  • Reviewing funder databases for leads and relevant information 

  • Initiating a new (simple!) system of tracking client leads from identification to conversion

  • Arranging and joining scoping conversations with potential clients 

  • Identifying events and spaces to engage with prospective clients

• Initiating and managing key relationships. This would include:

  • Stewarding prospective clients who are not yet ready to engage with our services 

  • Re-engaging and managing strong relationships with key referral partners and intermediaries, such as EFN, private banks, wealth advisors, family offices and other philanthropy advisors

  • Representing Impatience Earth externally at meetings and events to meet our business development objectives 

• Working closely with colleagues to integrate business development across programmes. This would include:

  • Working with Impatience Earth colleagues who lead our Strategic Communications, Global South and International Partnerships work to guide and support their activities around business development 

  • General support and advice to strengthen all staff members’ business development knowledge and skills 

• Support client delivery. As and when you convert prospects into clients, we may need you to support client leads with delivery. This might include arranging and facilitating expert meetings and strategy sessions.

What we’re looking for

• At least 3 years previous experience of working in major gift fundraising, trust and foundation fundraising, private wealth advisory, or similar that gives you insight and knowledge into the philanthropic landscape, HNWIs, and the networks and ecosystem in which they operate

• Someone who enjoys engaging with philanthropists in-person and at events, and comfortable having interesting but sometimes challenging conversations 

• A proven track record of converting leads into confirmed high value clients (or funders) at the 6- or 7-figure level and managing successful relationships with them

• Strong research skills, including ability to use datasets and access information to find and qualify prospects

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• A self starter who is able to think both creatively and strategically about business development; able to work independently but also as part of a dynamic and highly collaborative team

• Confidence engaging with different types of stakeholders, especially high net worth individuals, and the emotional intelligence and social skills to build genuine, trusted relationships

• A good understanding of the role of philanthropy in the context of social, economic and climate injustices 

• Committed to tackling the climate crisis with a good grasp of its causes and solutions - though our team will provide training if you have not worked in a climate-focused role before

• Commitment to anti-oppression and social justice

You’ll have an advantage if you: 

• Have developed or contributed to the development of a successful fundraising or business development strategy 

• Have previously advised philanthropists, family offices, or foundations 

How you’ll know you’re doing a good job

• Impatience Earth is advising new clients that we had not previously engaged with

• You have converted prospects into clients that will contribute to our headline KPIs around funding catalysed and disbursed for impactful climate solutions

• You build and manage a high-quality pipeline of prospects

• You have stewarded trusted relationships with key partners turning them into a source of referrals and leads

• You have collaborated with the client delivery team to ensure a smooth handover from agreeing the terms of the client project to starting the engagement

• You contribute to increasing the team’s knowledge around business development, and understanding our Unique Selling Point 

How To Apply:

Unfortunately, we are not able to sponsor visas, nor are we able to have calls with candidates in advance of application. We are using CharityJob to accept applications, so please apply through the CharityJob portal. The only exception to this is if you would like to submit a video cover letter, in which case please email your full application to yelena @ impatience.earth

We are committed to inclusive recruitment. If you have any access requirements or need reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know so we can discuss how to support you. This might include extended time on the assignment or alternative formats for the interview. 

We recommend that you do not use AI for the content of your CV or cover letter. This is based on past recruitment rounds where applications that were written without the use of AI were more likely to go through to the next stage e.g. they were personalised with specific and relevant examples. 

Stage 1: Using CharityJob, please submit your CV and your short answers to the following two questions (no more than 1.5 pages): 

1. What experience do you have working with high-net worth individuals and are there any success stories you’d like to share as a result of their work with them?

2. What perspectives and skills make you a stand out candidate for this specific  role?

Stage 2: Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a short initial video call carried out on Zoom to discuss your experience and what excites you about the role. We will send all candidates the interview questions in advance. 

Stage 3: You will be asked to complete a short assignment at a time that suits you. At this stage in the process, we will offer candidates a £50 stipend to cover the time invested in this exercise.

Stage 4: As part of the final interview stage, you’ll be invited to a full interview, and we will be sending all candidates the interview questions in advance. At this stage in the process, we will offer candidates an additional £50 stipend to cover the time invested in preparing for the interview.

As part of the interview process, you will meet our Co-CEO Yasmin Ahammad, Senior Manager Raysa Franca and People and Wellbeing Director, Heather Salmon. For more information, see our website impatience.earth.

Screening questions: 

Do you have the right to work in the UK or the EFTA/EU?

Have you worked with High-Net Worth Individuals before?

Have you contributed to a growing pipeline of clients or funders in your past work?

About Us
The National Landscapes Association represents and supports the UK’s National Landscapes (Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty) The Association is a charity and non-profit membership organisation. The team advocates, communicates and fosters collaborative action which supports the UK’s network of National Landscapes to be as effective as possible. We champion the interests of National Landscapes with governments and coordinate the delivery of national projects.

About the Role
As Head of Partnerships and Fundraising, you will lead the development and delivery of an ambitious income generation and partnership strategy for the National Landscapes Association. This is a pivotal senior role, focused on securing and growing diverse funding streams, including corporate partnerships, philanthropy, grants and strategic collaborations to support the long-term resilience of the organisation and the wider National Landscapes network.

You will drive new business, negotiate high-value partnerships and oversee a strong pipeline of opportunities, while leading and supporting a high-performing Development Team. Working closely with the Chief Executive, Board and key partners, you will operate at a strategic level, shaping propositions, building influential relationships and positioning National Landscapes as a compelling investment opportunity within the environmental and nature-based solutions space.

Key Responsibilities

• Income generation & strategy: Lead the development and delivery of an ambitious income diversification strategy, identifying and securing funding from corporate partnerships, philanthropy, grants and strategic collaborations.
• New business development: Drive the full partnership lifecycle from prospect identification and relationship building through to proposal development, negotiation and deal closure for high-value opportunities.
• Partnership development & stewardship: Build and maintain strong, trusted relationships with funders and partners, ensuring high-quality account management and delivery against agreed outcomes.
• Team leadership & performance: Lead and support the Development Team, setting clear objectives, fostering a positive team culture, and ensuring delivery against income targets and pipeline goals.
• Strategic positioning & influence: Work with the Chief Executive and Board to shape compelling partnership propositions, represent the organisation externally, and position National Landscapes as a leading partner for investment in nature.
• Governance, reporting & insight: Ensure robust pipeline management, forecasting and reporting, while maintaining oversight of legal, financial and reputational considerations across partnerships.

See the role description for more information.

Why Join Us?
At the National Landscapes Association, you’ll be part of a passionate and forward-thinking team making a meaningful impact. You’ll gain exposure to a wide range of high-profile policy issues, work alongside experts across the UK, and help shape the future of our most valued landscapes.

We are currently looking for a Trusts and Grants Officer to work with the Grants and Project Development Manager and Somerset Wildlife Trust (SWT) teams to help nurture and grow our portfolio of Trust, Foundation and other Grant income to support core Trust activity and individual projects.

Trusts and Grants Officer
Salary: Banding Level 2 £27,000 - £30,500 FTE. (£21,000 - £24,400 per annum actual for 30 hours per week)
Contract type: Permanent
Working hours: Part time, 30 hours per week
Location: Taunton, Somerset, Opportunity for Hybrid working

About Us

Somerset Wildlife Trust is a local independent charity and the only organisation uniquely focused on improving the natural environment of Somerset for the benefit of wildlife and people. We champion Somerset’s stunning, diverse, and important natural environment, making the case for nature to the public and politicians. We protect wildlife and lead the recovery of the environment by example, including on our nature reserves.

About You and the Role

This is a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious individual who is confident in managing a portfolio of small trusts and foundations and would like to gain experience working on major trust and grant applications.

We are looking for an experienced trusts and foundations fundraiser to join our team. This role will be a key part of our fundraising team, managing a portfolio of trust and foundations with the capacity to give up to £25,000 and the opportunity to assist with major grant funding bids which will enable us to drive forward our ambitious goals.

• You will deliver high quality written applications and reports in line with funder deadlines and keep in touch with donors and prospects via phone, virtually and in face-to-meetings and visits. We are looking for someone who has:
• Ability to manage tasks from start to finish and prioritise work to meet set deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to engage with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to think creatively to generate income in line with our strategy.

Key responsibilities and tasks to meet the fundraising strategic targets:

Responsibility 1: Income generation

• Managing a portfolio of Trusts and Foundations to complete funding applications and, working with the Grants and Project Development Manager, to agree an annual programme of grant and trust applications to meet defined income targets.
• Assisting the Grants and Project Development Manager on major grant-funding applications and aligning smaller funds to secure match-funding for larger projects.
• Carrying out prospect research to identify new trust and grant funding opportunities.

Responsibility 2: Fund Relationship Management

• Stewarding an agreed portfolio of existing Trust and Foundation relationships, ensuring funder contributions are appropriately recognised and acknowledged and that grant criteria are met.
• Co-ordinating reports to funders, ensuring reports meet requirements and are sent on time.
• Developing new relationships with trust and foundation prospects identified to secure new income.
• Ensuring data on grant income and funders are updated and maintained to a high standard on the Trusts’ customer relationship management system (Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT) and SWT SharePoint.
• Assisting with the administration of the Trust’s Programme Management Board (PMB) and project development documentation, helping develop cases of support and content for funding applications.

Responsibility 3: Supporting Wilder Fundraising Strategy

• Highlighting funding opportunities to SWT teams and contributing to funding applications led by other teams.
• Liaising with SWT Finance team to ensure grants are properly recorded, allocated and spending tracked.
• Providing additional support to the Fundraising & Marketing Team (F&M) and other SWT teams, as required and agreed with your line manager.

We offer some fantastic benefits including:

• 7% employer pension contribution
• Life assurance
• Flexible and agile working
• Wellbeing support – EAP, wellbeing champions
• Diversity networks through RSWT/TWT
• Paid volunteer days
• Continuous Professional Development opportunities
• 33 days of holiday (25 + bank holidays) + Christmas shutdown
• Staff social calendar and events

The opportunity to make a real and positive difference to nature, communities and the climate

Closing date: Friday 24 April 2026
N.B. We encourage you to apply as soon as you can. Shortlisting will begin upon receipt of applications, and the position may be closed ahead of schedule if we receive sufficient interest.

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

We believe everyone is part of nature and should have the opportunity to experience nature, and in turn value and want to protect our natural world.

Our people are the most valuable asset we have in achieving our strategic goals. We know that while we have amazing people with an amazing diversity of skills, experiences, and backgrounds we have work to do to make sure we are as inclusive and representative as possible.

No agencies please.