Programme officer jobs in Leeds

Overview of the Role:  We are recruiting a South East Senior Programme Officer for the National Education Nature Park to:

· Lead the National Education Nature Park programme across South East England, increasing participation in schools and education settings

· Manage and support a regional Programme Officer, including performance, development and wellbeing

· Build strong partnerships with schools, colleges, local authorities, NGOs and environmental networks

· Deliver a regional engagement strategy aligned with national KPIs on biodiversity, climate education and wellbeing

· Be a passionate advocate for nature-based learning, sustainability, biodiversity gain and green skills for children and young people

· Manage a regional budget, travel planning and reporting, ensuring compliance and audit requirements

· Facilitate workshops, training and events for educators, children and young people

· Provide expert guidance on outdoor learning, horticulture, biodiversity and environmental education resources

To work for the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is to join a thriving charity, whose mission is to be there for everyone on their lifelong adventure with gardening. Everything we do is built on the transformational power of gardening – and the benefits it brings to people, places and our planet.

And we couldn’t do this without our people. We’re proud of the knowledge, enthusiasm and ideas that each one of our team members brings. From working across our social media channels, to volunteering in the RHS Gardens, from serving customers in our garden centres to running national marketing campaigns, we believe that every member of the RHS team should have the opportunity to make a difference.  Our careers portal here provides a comprehensive overview of what we offer, the teams that work at the RHS and our great benefits.

Location: Home-based within the South East region, with regular travel across the region, or opportuntiy to be based at RHS Wisley.

Contract: 12 month Fixed Term Contract (maternity cover) to 31st July 2027

Safeguarding and Inclusion

The RHS is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and expects all personnel to share in this commitment. We are an inclusive employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

About the Role

This is no ordinary desk job. As a Programmes Officer, you will play a key role in supporting HRF’s humanitarian and development programmes, helping secure vital funding and coordinating projects that create meaningful impact for vulnerable communities worldwide.

Working closely with field teams, donors, and partners, you will contribute to programme development, grant management, reporting, and strategic coordination across multiple country programmes. The role also includes opportunities for international travel to field locations, offering direct exposure to the communities and projects you support.

What You'll Be Doing

Under the management of the Head of International Programmes (HQ-based), the Programmes Officer will support the development and implementation of HRF’s programmes, with a strong focus on programme coordination, donor engagement, and fundraising. Key responsibilities include:

Grant Acquisition and Donor Coordination

• Develop concept notes, proposals, budgets, logical frameworks, and situation analyses.
• Identify new funding opportunities through donor platforms, clusters, and networking.
• Coordinate with colleagues to gather data required for proposal development.
• Represent HRF at relevant meetings and networking events.
• Coordinate with the marketing department to support project visibility.

Grant and Programme Management

• Review contracts, MOUs, and project documentation.
• Support project teams throughout the project cycle.
• Ensure projects comply with donor requirements, work plans, and budgets.
• Maintain communication with field offices, donors, and sector focal points.
• Lead the development of narrative and financial donor reports.
• Support donor visits, meetings, and external communications.
• Act as a focal point between HQ, donors, and field teams.
• Support MEAL teams in tracking project indicators.
• Ensure programme quality in line with HRF policies and SOPs.

Organisational Strategy and Growth

• Support the development and revision of organisational policies.
• Assist in supervising volunteers and interns.
• Support recruitment processes, particularly for field offices.
• Promote cross-learning and collaboration within the programmes department.
• Contribute to country-level strategic planning.
• Deliver staff capacity-building support where required.

Administrative Work 

• Maintain and update HRF databases and records.
• Ensure proposal submission documents are accurate and submitted on time.
• Maintain organised and up-to-date files and documentation.

Who we're looking for

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant field; master’s degree desirable.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in a similar role.
• Strong understanding of the humanitarian or development sector.
• Excellent written and spoken English, with strong report-writing skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal and intercultural communication skills.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently.
• Willingness to travel internationally when required.
• Right to live and work in the UK.
• Familiarity with the UK charity sector is desirable.