Contract Director of fundraising jobs

Job description

Contract: 6-month fixed term

Salary: £34K

Location: Oxford, office based or hybrid

Responsible to: Hannah Worker, Regional Programme Manager, Oxon-Bucks Region.

Background

Freshwater Habitats Trust (FHT) is the UK’s leading conservation charity concerned with the protection of freshwater habitats. We are a friendly, evidence-based organisation that works to protect UK and European freshwater wildlife through practical and innovative nature conservation projects. Our organisation is well respected nationally and internationally, and we work with a network of statutory, NGO and private partners both in the UK and the rest of Europe. Freshwater Habitats Trust was originally founded in 1988 (as Pond Conservation) and has a substantial track-record of originating new ideas through research in freshwater biodiversity conservation to inform and drive our practical conservation and policy work.

FHT has a central office in Oxford, and regional hubs in the north of England and the New Forest and out-posted staff in Cornwall and Wales. We run a range of practical projects throughout the Midlands and work with partners on research and policy projects throughout the UK and internationally. Since 2017 we have seconded staff to the Newt Conservation Partnership (NCP), a new community-benefit society established by NatureSpace, Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (ARC) and FHT, to create and manage habitats for the NatureSpace District Licensing scheme for great crested newts.

Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire are key areas for Freshwater Habitats Trust’s work. Building on the Trust’s historic work in the county and starting in 2021, Oxfordshire was the first region where we began the implementation of the organisation’s new strategic approach to freshwater conservation, the Freshwater Network. The Freshwater Network is the network of high quality freshwater and wetland habitats, and terrestrial habitats generating clean water across the landscape, that together support our most important freshwater wildlife.

Role

This is a strategically important role within the organisation, offering substantial responsibility and an opportunity for the successful candidate to play a leading role in delivering one of the UK's most ambitious freshwater restoration programmes.

The role will primarily focus on the Ock and Thame Farmers: Floodplains and Freshwaters Project, Ock and Thame Farmers: Freshwaters and Floodplain Restoration, one of Defra's pilot Landscape Recovery projects. Having recently completed its two-year development phase, the project is now entering a critical stage of assurance and negotiations with Defra ahead of implementation.

Key areas of work will include ongoing engagement with land managers, supporting informed decision-making and participation, supporting the establishment of governance and legal structures required for delivery, developing agreements and ecosystem service contracts, undertaking land assessments, and refining habitat designs where required. The project currently involves more than 80 land managers across approximately 7,100 hectares of land in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.

In addition to the Landscape Recovery project, the role will involve managing a portfolio of smaller projects across the region. This will include supporting staff delivering catchment monitoring programmes and helping to develop a pipeline of habitat creation and Natural Flood Management opportunities.

You will be responsible for the day-to-day management and coordination of project delivery, working closely with the Programme Manager, Finance Manager, Senior Management Team, project partners, consultants, contractors, and participating land managers.

Key responsibilities

Project management:

· Responsible for work planning, defining tasks and allocating resources.

· Resource, manage and support the project team.

· Responsible for the projects’ budgeting and financial management including: (i) regular reporting to the Project Director and Regional Programme Manager; and (ii) implementation of all financial processes for the projects including regular claiming and reporting funder.

· Responsible for all contract and logistics management

· Responsible for ensuring health and safety procedures are followed, implemented and reported on.

· Track and monitor project progress.

· Present to stakeholders, as required.

· Implement and manage change when necessary to meet project outputs.

· Update all internal management information data systems

Project communications:

· Working with the Freshwater Habitats Trust Communications Team to deliver the communication plans for the projects.

Project development:

· Working with other members of Freshwater Habitats Trust staff and landowner networks to develop future projects to continue our work on the Freshwater Network in the region.

In the longer term there will be opportunities to influence the development of the Freshwater Network concept as it builds and develops in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and adjacent counties.

Additional general responsibilities for the post holder

· Help to build a positive relationship between Freshwater Habitats Trust and its partners.

· Understand and follow Freshwater Habitats Trust’s internal procedures including Health and Safety, information management systems, site protocols etc.

· Work closely and constructively with your manager and colleagues in all areas of your responsibility.

· Undertake other duties as the Senior Management Team may from time to time require.

Knowledge and experience

· Degree or equivalent in a relevant subject (at least a 2:1)

· Full current driving licence

· Proven project and budget management skills

· Proven experience of managing multi-partner projects in the field of practical habitat creation and management, including on the ground delivery to deliver practical conservation outcomes

· Experience of staff management

· Good knowledge of restoration ecology for both freshwater and wetland habitats

· Experience of contractor management

· Knowledge of land management stakeholders and policy

· Computer literate: Word and Excel are essential, GIS is desirable

· Proven ability to communicate effectively with a range of stakeholders, including landowners and the public

· General interest in wildlife

Personal qualities

· Ability to manage workload and competing priorities effectively and meet internal deadlines through effective forward planning

· Good verbal and written communication skills

· Good interpersonal skills - approachable, professional and courteous

· Attention to detail and able to deliver on time

· Ability to work independently and as part of a team

What we have to offer

At Freshwater Habitats Trust we value employees' unique views and encourage them to develop their interests. We also offer the following benefits:

• Flexible working

• 35-hour week

• 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays

• Pension with 6% employer contribution

• Mobile phone allowance

• Free eye tests

• Free Employee Assistance Program

• Mileage pay

The National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance (NCJAA) is embedded in Clinks. It has a distinct network, identity and website as well as an advisory group, an independent chair and distinct funding for specific work.

The NCJAA aims to ensure that the arts are used within the criminal justice system as a springboard for positive change. The NCJAA represents a network of over 500 individuals and organisations that deliver creative interventions to support people in prison, on probation and in the community, with impressive results. We support this transformative work by providing a network and a voice to promote access to arts and culture for people in the criminal justice system, as a springboard to positive change.

Clinks supports, promotes and represents the voluntary sector working with people in the criminal justice system and their families. Our vision is of a vibrant, independent and resilient voluntary sector that enables people to transform their lives.

Job purpose

To develop and grow the NCJAA network and develop and maintain effective working relationships with partners and stakeholders.

Job summary

The coordinator is responsible for overseeing all work and development of the NCJAA and sits within Clinks’ National Influencing & Networks directorate . The coordinator will work with a range of different stakeholders, including the NCJAA Advisory Group and the wider membership, to improve policy and practice in relation to arts-based work with people in prison, on probation and in the community. This includes maintaining and strengthening the NCJAA as the leading national network for arts organisations and individuals that work in the criminal justice system.

Reports to: Clinks Director of National Influencing & Networks

1. Duties and key responsibilities

Strategy and planning

· Work closely with Clinks colleagues and the NCJAA network to develop and deliver the NCJAA annual work plan which include a range of activities that will raise the profile and promote the work of the arts sector in the CJS, including events, publications, training, mentoring, research and networking opportunities

· Work closely with Clinks colleagues, the NCJAA advisory group, chair and wider network to help inform and shape the future direction of the NCJAA and its strategic goals, paying particular attention to its role, sustainability and emerging opportunities

· Coordinate the quarterly arts forum in collaboration with the Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3) arts seat holder and government representatives

NCJAA project management & delivery

· Provide leadership for the NCJAA in the arts and CJS sectors

· Deliver the projects set out in the NCJAA’s annual workplan

· Coordinate the functioning of the advisory group of the NCJAA, including its quarterly meetings, minutes and election

· Manage work as required by NCJAA’s role as an Arts Council England Sector Support Organisation, including how we effectively capture and measure the NCJAA’s impact as the leading national arts and criminal justice network

· Provide regular and relevant reporting information as necessary to ensure all NCJAA projects and activity are working to the agreed timetable, budget and are achieving agreed outputs and outcomes, reporting any exceptions promptly to the Director of Support and Development

· Work collaboratively with various Clinks’ staff teams to deliver the NCJAA work plan and support the delivery of Clinks’ wider work plan

Stakeholder and external relations

· Work closely with HM Prison and Probation Service and other government departments and agencies to promote communication and partnership between Government and the arts in the criminal justice sector e.g. working with and supported by Clinks’ policy team, participate in meetings of the Reducing Re-offending Arts Forum convened jointly by Clinks and HM Prison and Probation Service

· Work within Clinks’ National Influencing & Networks directorate to ensure the experience and knowledge of arts and cultural organisations working in criminal justice is reflected in Clinks representation and influencing work with national government

· Assist colleagues working in the arts sector to interpret the emerging criminal justice environment and develop sustainable opportunities

· Maintain a wider view of criminal justice and arts policies and guide and support arts organisations to interpret these in a relevant and appropriate manner

· Identify and promote research and evidence in the field of arts and criminal justice

Income generation

· Work with Clinks colleagues responsible for income to identify funding sources, submit funding applications and monitoring reports when required, both for specific NCJAA projects and for the future funding of the work as a whole to ensure the sustainability and future development of the NCJAA

Budget

· Work with Clinks colleagues responsible for finance to maintain financial oversight of the overall NCJAA budget and all relevant project budgets to support the NCJAA work to progress effectively

2. General responsibilities 

· Represent and be an ambassador for NCJAA and Clinks

· Work to support the mission, ethos and values of Clinks

· Be flexible and carry out other associated duties as may arise, develop or be assigned in line with the broad remit of the position

· Support and promote diversity and equality of opportunity in the workplace

· Work collaboratively with others in all aspects of our work

This job description does not form part of your contract of employment and can be amended from time to time as the needs of the organisation require.

Person specification

Experience

· Experience of the arts and social inclusion sector is essential

· Experience of the criminal justice voluntary sector is desirable

· Experience in forming working relationships with opinion formers and key stakeholders to influence policy and practice.

· Experience in leading and monitoring complex projects and measuring impact with national strategic significance, preferably in the arts.

· Experienced in multiple funder and stakeholder management

· Proven track record of developing and delivering successful projects, including the development of project plans and budgets; implementation; evaluation; reporting and monitoring

· Working to deadlines singularly and as a part of a team responsibility

Skills and abilities

· Excellent interpersonal and strong spoken and written communication skills which engage audiences, encouraging understanding and participation

· Ability to liaise with a wide range of stakeholders with different perspectives, including voluntary sector agencies, arts organisations, government, private sector, service users and media

· The ability to lead, inspire and co-ordinate a complex network of organisations working  and supporting arts in criminal justice settings

· Influencing, negotiation and communication skills at a national level

· Facilitate and chair meetings at all levels of the organisations engagement – nationally, regionally, locally

· Highly organised with an ability to maintain effective record keeping systems

· Adopt a problem solving, solution-focused approach and make decisions effectively and timely

· Ability to work both independently and as part of a team

· Strategic thinking, planning and project management skills

· IT skills at a level that supports report writing, email, internet and databases

· Adaptability and flexibility in being able to take on new roles and manage a range of different internal and external relationships.

· Budget management and reporting skills

Knowledge

· Knowledge and understanding of the criminal justice system policy and operating environment in order to promote and support the arts within it.

· Understanding the value of different art forms in criminal justice settings

· Knowledge and experience of national policy, practice and membership organisations relating to arts and/or criminal justice sector

Education and training

· No one specific qualification is required, but evidence of recent continuing professional development in a professional area with demonstrable relevance to the role

Personal attributes and other requirements

· Able to travel extensively nationally

· Able to work some evenings and weekends and stay overnight where necessary.

· Works well in a team with a flexible approach to work

· Personal resilience and the ability to stay focused in a rapidly changing environment

· Demonstrable passion for and commitment to the transformative role of the arts in criminal justice settings

· Demonstrable commitment to anti-racism, anti-discriminatory practice and equal opportunities. An ability to apply awareness of diversity issues to all areas of work

· Commitment to the values and ethos of supporting people in the criminal justice system

· Commitment to upholding the rights of people facing disadvantage and discrimination in the CJS

Bursary Support and Educational Partnerships Lead

About King Edward’s School, Bath
Founded in 1552, King Edward’s School (KES) is Bath’s oldest school and one of the leading co-educational independent schools in the south-west of England. The School was recently awarded Independent Secondary School of the Year in the South West by the Sunday Times Parent Power Guide 2026. Serving pupils aged 3–18 across its Pre-Prep, Junior, Senior and Sixth Form sections, KES combines a rich heritage with a forward-thinking approach to education.

About the role:

Responsible for developing and strengthening King Edward’s School’s partnerships with primary schools, youth-focused organisations, local authorities and other relevant bodies, primarily across BANES and Wiltshire.

The role focuses on expanding engagement programmes, widening access to a KES education, and increasing applications to the School’s means-tested Bursary Programme. It also includes supporting bursary applicants and families throughout their journey with the School.

Key Responsibilities

General

• Develop and grow partnerships with local primary schools and youth organisations, enhancing the School’s outreach and support programmes.
• Design and deliver a targeted community engagement strategy aligned with the School Development Plan and bursary access objectives.
• Promote and increase applications to the means-tested Bursary Programme to widen access to KES.
• Work collaboratively with Admissions, the Bursar and the Development Director to ensure a joined-up approach across outreach, bursaries and admissions.
• Engage the wider school community to raise awareness of bursary and partnership initiatives.
• Act as a professional and approachable ambassador for King Edward’s School within the local community.

Application Deadline: June 17, 2026

Please see the attached job description for more in depth list of the main responsibilities and person specification.