Join Mersey Rivers Trust and Help Make a Real Impact for Rivers, Wildlife and Communities!
Are you a skilled finance and governance professional looking to use your expertise for good? Mersey Rivers Trust is seeking a Finance and Governance Manager to join our Senior Leadership Team and help shape the future of our environmental charity.
We’re a passionate team working to protect and restore rivers across Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire — and we need someone like you to ensure our finances and governance are as strong as our mission.
APPLICANTS MUST LIVE WITHIN OR CLOSE TO THE MERSEY CATCHMENT – APPLICATIONS FROM OUTSIDE THIS AREA CANNOT BE CONSIDERED.
The Mersey Rivers Trust (MRT) is an environmental charity focussing on the protection and enhancement of rivers and waterbodies in the Mersey Catchment. It operates in an area covering Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire. We have an annual turnover of c£1m and employ 19 staff delivering up to 30 projects per year. The Trust works with partners, local communities, and volunteers to deliver a wide range of projects including river restoration, reduction of flood risk by Natural Flood Management techniques, river monitoring, volunteer events (eg river clean-ups/invasive species control and citizen science), community engagement and education events, farm advice/plans and biodiversity net gain. The Trust continues to evolve to meet the increasing challenges of protecting and enhancing rivers and waterbodies in the catchment.
We are seeking a Finance and Governance Manager to join our Senior Leadership Team and lead the Trust’s finance, governance, and back-office functions. This is a pivotal role focused on ensuring financial integrity, regulatory compliance, and effective charity governance. While not involved in field-based project delivery, the Finance Manager plays a strategic role in supporting the organisation’s mission by enabling robust financial planning, reporting, and operational support. You will work closely with the Chief Executive Officer, Board of Trustees, and project teams to ensure the Trust remains financially resilient and well-governed.
As the Finance and Governance Manager, you should possess expertise in financial control and reporting, allowing you to effectively handle delegated responsibilities. Your numerical skills and critical thinking abilities will enable you to proactively address challenges and streamline processes.
The role holder will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer and will be a member of the Senior Leadership Team. The role will also include direct line management responsibilities of the Administration Officer.
If you are a motivated financial professional with a passion for driving organisational success, we invite you to apply and contribute to our team’s growth.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the management of the back-office function and Charity governance of MRT.
- Act as the Company Secretary to ensure compliance with financial and legal requirements, as well as maintaining high standards of Charity governance.
- Work with the Chief Executive Officer to prepare and manage budgets, provide input to the Trust’s business plan and strategic initiatives.
- Contribute to the strategic direction of the Trust as a member of the Senior Leadership Team.
- Provide financial insight and analysis to support strategic decision-making and long-term planning.
- Support the development and implementation of organisational policies and procedures to ensure good governance.
- Act as a key liaison with the Board of Trustees, preparing and presenting financial and governance reports to inform oversight and decision-making.
- Lead on the development of internal controls and risk management strategies to safeguard the Trust’s assets and reputation.
- Oversee all payments, manage cash flow, income and claims.
- Support financial planning for grant funding applications to support delivery of our objectives.
- Line management of the Administration Officer.
- Renew the annual insurance policy ensuring adequate cover and value for money.
- Maintain, oversee, and update all project management reporting systems on time and to budget (including timesheets, expenses and monthly reports).
- Complete all necessary reports and keep suitable records in line with the funding requirements and document retention policy.
- Highlight any new risks and issues identified whilst carrying out duties, and work with the team to manage and resolve them.
- Fulfil duties as assigned by the Chief Executive Officer.
- Any other reasonable duties as required by MRT.
The post holder will be home based with travel throughout the Mersey catchment. The applicant will need to live within or close to the Mersey catchment to facilitate regular travel to meetings. Remote working from other parts of the country cannot be considered for this role due to the need for regular face-to-face interactions.
Candidate Profile
Essential
- A financial control and reporting background with an accounting qualification (e.g. AAT, CIMA) or qualified by experience.
- Experience of organisational governance, ideally with knowledge of UK General Accounting Practice and Charities regulations.
- Experience of financial and management reporting within a small to medium-sized charitable or not for profit organisation.
- Experience of liaising with accountants to prepare annual accounts and reports required by the Charity Commission.
- Experience of cash flow forecasting.
- Familiarity with Xero financial and project management software (or similar).
- A confident and clear communicator with the ability to communicate financial information in an appropriate manner for non-financial trustees and staff.
- Aptitude in problem-solving.
- Self-motivated and able to work effectively from home with strong communication skills and with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
- Ability to work flexibly across the working week when necessary.
- Ability to prioritise and plan activities to meet strict deadlines.
- Excellent literacy, numeracy and report-writing skills.
- Excellent presentation and communication skills.
- Strong negotiation and influencing skills.
- Good computer literacy skills (e.g. with Excel, Word, PowerPoint and project reporting systems).
- A reliable team player with good attendance and work performance.
- Ability to set performance objectives and ensure these are achieved.
Desirable
- Experience in financial planning for funding applications.
- Understanding of small-scale charitable trading.
- Experience of commercial contract management.
- Experience of managing an IT service provider.
- Knowledge of the Mersey Catchment.
- Experience in Human Resources
General Notes
- Some travel around the Mersey Catchment will be necessary therefore a current driving licence and access to a vehicle (insured for business use) is desirable or otherwise access to public transport networks.
- This positive will from time to time requires work during some evenings, weekends and public holidays to meet the needs of the post. A time off in lieu system is operated by the Trust.
- We will also require the successful applicant to undergo a basic DBS check and provide satisfactory references from previous employers.
Term and Conditions
The following terms and conditions are typically offered to Mersey Rivers Trust staff and are set out as a guide only. Terms and conditions may vary according to circumstances, and this summary does not form part of any subsequent employment
Annual leave: 25 days annual leave (pro rata) plus bank holidays that fall on working days and a 3 day shutdown between Christmas and New Year.
Location: Home Based
Registered Charity 
11 - 20
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
About Us
We are an environmental charity with science at our heart. We help people to take action to protect the nature around them; by connecting them with it and giving them the tools they need to do so. We passionately believe in citizen science and are leaders in it. Our current focus areas include helping to create nature-friendly urban spaces, growing the impact of internationally known citizen science programmes such as Freshwater Watch, developing early career scientists and sharing learning internationally, and working with partners to advance the science, tools and thinking behind citizen science.
What we are looking for
Earthwatch Europe is recruiting a Director of Science and Impact. We are looking for someone with a deep understanding of the pressures facing our natural world and how citizen science and community action can help address these challenges, using high quality data, knowledge and practical demonstration to influence governments and corporations.
You will have a background in citizen science and an in depth understanding of current and future environmental policy trends and priorities. You will be an experienced leader with excellent interpersonal skills and a track record of successful relationship and partnership development at all levels. You will have strong project and budget management experience, and you will be an exceptional strategic thinker with the ability to create and deliver effective strategies and action plans
Please see the full job description attached.
Applicants must have the right to work in the UK; Earthwatch is unable to support visa applications.
Earthwatch is committed to making any adjustments we can for short-listed candidates, to facilitate participation in our interview process. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
The successful candidate will be required to undergo a DBS check and other due diligence checks, given the nature of this position within the charity.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Job Title: River Restoration Officer
Salary £29,936 - £39,629 per annum (according to level of experience).
Contract length: Fixed term contract – 35 hours per week for 1 year – with likely possibility of extension
Location: Guildhall - Hybrid/ Flexible.
Responsible to: Thames21 River Restoration Programme Manager and Head of Improving Rivers
About Thames21
Thames21’s purpose is to deliver increasingly resilient and healthy rivers and landscapes that are closer to their natural state with an abundance of fish and wildlife, empowering and working with people to bring multiple benefits to the natural environment, to individuals and communities.
Diversity at Thames21
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at Thames21 is key to our success and as such we employ staff from a diverse range of backgrounds. This we feel is key in ensuring that everybody has an equal opportunity and is not treated differently or discriminated against because of their characteristics. We value the voices of our individual employees, and we strive to work in a collaborative, innovative and balanced way. The postholder must actively support this.
About the role
In recent years we have significantly upscaled our planning and delivery of river restoration works and in 2020/21 we restored 5km of rivers. In the next 5 years we intend to continue to expand this work, and by 2027 we aim to improve 15km of river habitat annually.
To enable this, we are looking for a committed, self-motivated and technically capable River Restoration Officer.
If you have a strong interest in river/wetland ecology, have studied rivers, their restoration and have a grasp of the techniques, designs and permitting processes required to restore rivers and improve river health, you may be perfect for this position.
Your role is to carry out fieldwork, delivering nature-based solutions across river catchments, working with a variety of stakeholders and running events with volunteers and local groups. Other additional requirements may include project development, citizen science to support delivery, as well as oral presentations and reporting.
The role involves developing concepts and graphics for river restoration actions across catchments in London. The role will involve working with principal designers and contractors and applying the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015), ensuring risks are effectively managed throughout the design and delivery of river restoration schemes.
This role is a key position in implementing Thames21’s mission. The selected candidate will be part of a successful and dynamic environmental charity, as well as part of a committed team. You will have the chance to input, help develop our goals and make a real difference to the health of London’s waterways.
The post may be appointed at different salary bands depending on the successful candidate's qualifications, skills and experience. Applicants who do not currently meet all desirable criteria but demonstrate the potential to develop into the role are encouraged to apply.
Main duties and responsibilities
· Work with Thames21’s River Restoration Manager and Thames21’s Head of Improving Rivers, as well as other stakeholders, to develop and deliver river and wetland restoration projects throughout the areas we work.
· Obtain all necessary permissions to deliver the projects, potentially including flood risk activity permits and planning permission.
· Work outside in a riverside environment in a range of weather conditions – alone, with team members, with volunteers and other professionals.
· Co-ordinate and deliver a series of river habitat and floodplain improvements, including community-led river restoration activities.
· Preparation of documentation for river restoration construction: client brief, construction phase plans, health and safety files.
· Support, co-ordinate and deliver volunteering events.
· Work with contractors to implement projects so they achieve maximum environmental and community benefits.
· Transport of equipment to/from our offices and restoration sites.
Occasionally present project updates and results to stakeholders and catchment partnerships.
· Work with project partners to develop and manage tender processes for works requiring contractors, ensuring all procurement activities meet the relevant requirements of partners, funders and legislation, including CDM 2015.
· Carry out assessments and opportunity mapping for river restoration projects.
· In partnership with others, use a range of monitoring tools to record and quantify the impact of different activities.
· Regular co-ordination with Thames21’s Communications Team to ensure key milestones are recognised and publicised.
· Maintain clear records of progress, ensure all administration and statistical information is kept, and regularly upload information onto the Thames21 database.
· Work with Thames21 colleagues to develop and implement Thames21’s 5-year plan.
· Adopt and promote Thames21’s core values.
This job description cannot cover every issue or task that may arise within the post at various times, and the post-holder will be expected to carry out other reasonable duties from time to time which are broadly consistent with other Thames21 activities with those in this document. For more information and how to apply, please see the ta
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- 25 days paid annual leave are available (pro rata) plus public holidays. In addition, the Thames21 office is closed between Christmas and New Year.
- Thames21 have an ‘Auto Enrol’ Workplace Pension Scheme with NEST.
- Thames21 operate a flexitime system of working.
- Interest free season ticket loan.
- Thames21 benefits from a workplace union with IWGB
- 24/7 access to our employee assistance programme.
- Laptop & Mobile phone for company use.
- The post holder must be willing to travel sensibly throughout London.
- The post holder must be willing to occasionally work in the evening and at weekends.
- The post holder may be required to have a current or agree to a Disclosure and Barring Service check.
- The post holder will agree to work to the Thames21 operating policies and codes of conduct.
Closing date for applications: 5pm,17 August 2026
Interviews proposed for Week commencing: 31st August 2026 (Subject to Change)
To apply for this position please, email an up-to-date copy of your CV and a covering letter through the Charity Job website with the reference (RRO0726) in the subject box of your email application.
We appreciate the time you took to apply for this role, and we understand that it can be disconcerting when you don’t hear back from a position you have applied for. However, due to the high number of applications we expect to receive, we are unable to respond to or provide feedback on individual applications. Nevertheless, we want to manage expectations. Therefore, if you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion.
Please advise in your application if you are happy for us to contact you for any future opportunities that may arise, should you not be successful in this position.
No agencies, please.
