Programme officer jobs for the Environment sector

ABOUT US

The Woodland Trust is the UK's leading woodland conservation charity and is dedicated to creating a world where trees and woods thrive for both people and nature. Our mission involves engaging and inspiring individuals to contribute toward tackling the nature and climate crisis through the protection, restoration, and creation of essential woodland habitats. 

Join our Online Information Session! We are hosting an Online Information Session with the CEO and existing Director of Brand and Communications (Supporter Mobilisation) to give candidates an opportunity to learn more about the role and to ask any questions.

The session will last no longer than 45 minutes and will be held at 15:30 on Monday 1st September. 

THE ROLE 

We are looking for an experienced, visionary leader to join our Executive Leadership Team as Executive Director of Supporter Mobilisation. This is a newly refocused position, shaped with the future in mind, and designed to deepen the public’s relationship with trees and woods.  We are fighting for the health of people and the planet with every tree. 

You will be at the helm of our strategy to engage millions-inspiring action, growing income, and strengthening our brand. Leading a talented and passionate team, you’ll develop bold, integrated campaigns that move hearts and minds. You’ll oversee communications, digital and community fundraising, membership,  and our high-profile campaigns and Trees for All programme that builds public awareness and inspires a mass movement of support for our cause. 

Working closely with the CEO and fellow Executive Directors, you’ll also play a key role in shaping the strategic direction of the Trust and ensuring alignment across our work, people, and values.  Helping the Trust protect and restore woodlands that have stood for centuries - the crown jewels of the natural world in the UK - and create the woods of the future, means this role will leave a legacy which will last for generations.  It’s an opportunity to lead with purpose, engage and inspire others, and literally change the nature of the UK landscape for the better. 

THE CANDIDATE 

We are looking for a senior leader with a track record in large-scale communications, supporter engagement and mobilisation, or fundraising. You’ll have a strong understanding of how to use inspiring stories, quality data, and digital innovation to move people to action-and how to build momentum around a mission. 

You’ll bring strategic insight and a collaborative spirit, with the gravitas to influence at the highest levels and the heart to connect with people from all walks of life - helping us to bring trees and woods to all. 

Just as important as your skills is your alignment with our cause. You’ll be values-led - passionate about our cause and excited by the potential of this pivotal role to shape lasting change. 

Our Organisational Nature enables us to better understand what it means to be part of the Woodland Trust, empowering us to make an impact, every day. We want you to be able to role model our values; ‘Grow Together’, ‘Focus’, ‘Explore’ and ‘Make it Count’ to ensure each of us plays our part in helping to protect, restore and create our woods and trees. 

Benefits & 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 + bank holidays) 

• Annual leave buy and sell 

• Enhanced Parental Pay 

• Employee Assistance Programme 

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion: The Woodland Trust embraces diversity and inclusion. We want our team to reflect the UK's diverse community. We support people from all backgrounds to apply, especially those who are under-represented. 

Application Advice: Even if you don't meet every requirement of the role, we would encourage you to apply. Your enthusiasm for the environment and our core values-Grow Together, Explore, Focus and Make it Count-are what matter most.

To maintain fairness and reduce bias during shortlisting, we keep our candidates’ personal details hidden from hiring managers, please help us to maintain your anonymity by removing personal details from your CV prior to submission. 

Apply Now: If you're ready to make a difference and grow with us, send in your application today. We look forward to hearing from you and working together to make a positive impact on our planet. 

1st Stage Interviews will be held via Teams on Wednesday 8 October 2025.
2nd Stage Interviews will be held in-person at our Grantham Office on Tuesday 14 October 2025 

Details of both events will be shared with shortlisted candidates prior to each stage. 

ABOUT US 

The Woodland Trust is the UK's leading woodland conservation charity and is dedicated to creating a world where trees and woods thrive for both people and nature. Our mission involves engaging and inspiring individuals to contribute toward tackling the nature and climate crisis through the protection, restoration, and creation of essential woodland habitats. 

Join our Online Information Session! We are hosting an Online Information Session with the CEO and interim Director of Fundraising to give candidates an opportunity to learn more about the role and to ask any questions.

The session will last no longer than 45 minutes and will be held at 14:00 on Friday 5 September.
Please register your interest by emailing Charlotte Hines (full details available via our website). 

THE ROLE 

 Due to the retirement of a long-standing executive team member, this newly repurposed Executive Leadership role has a clear focus on our long-term financial sustainability and mission impact. As Executive Director of Fundraising Development, you will lead our strategic partnerships, philanthropy, and major income generation programmes. 

 You’ll be responsible for inspiring significant financial support through trusts, major donors, corporates, legacies, and philanthropic networks. Working closely with the CEO and fellow Executive Directors, you’ll play a key role in shaping and delivering our Strategy to 2030 - ensuring we have the income, influence, and innovation to match our ambition. 

 Protecting and restoring woodlands that have stood for centuries - the crown jewels of the natural world in the UK - and creating the woods of the future, means this role will leave a legacy which will last for generations.  It’s an opportunity to lead with purpose, engage with powerful networks, and literally change the nature of the UK landscape for the better. 

THE CANDIDATE 

We’re looking for a proven senior leader with extensive experience in fundraising, income generation or strategic partnerships - ideally within the not-for-profit sector. 

You’ll bring: 

• Strategic fundraising expertise across major giving, trusts, foundations, corporate partnerships, and philanthropy. 

• Inspiring leadership - able to guide, develop and motivate high-performing teams. 

• Strong external profile - with a track record of building and leveraging influential networks. 

• Collaborative mindset - experienced in working at Executive level, shaping cross-organisational strategy. 

• A personal commitment to nature recovery, equity of access, and environmental impact. 

Most importantly, you’ll be values-led - excited by the potential of this pivotal role to shape lasting change. 

Our Organisational Nature enables us to better understand what it means to be part of the Woodland Trust, empowering us to make an impact, every day. We want you to be able to role model our values; ‘Grow Together’, ‘Focus’, ‘Explore’ and ‘Make it Count’ to ensure each of us plays our part in helping to protect, restore and create our woods and trees. 

Benefits & 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 + bank holidays) 

• Annual leave buy and sell 

• Enhanced Parental Pay 

• Employee Assistance Programme 

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion: The Woodland Trust embraces diversity and inclusion. We want our team to reflect the UK's diverse community. We support people from all backgrounds to apply, especially those who are under-represented. 

Application Advice: Even if you don't meet every requirement of the role, we would encourage you to apply. Your enthusiasm for the environment and our core values-Grow Together, Explore, Focus and Make it Count-are what matter most.

To maintain fairness and reduce bias during shortlisting, we keep our candidates’ personal details hidden from hiring managers, please help us to maintain your anonymity by removing personal details from your CV prior to submission. 

Apply Now: If you're ready to make a difference and grow with us, send in your application today. We look forward to hearing from you and working together to make a positive impact on our planet. 

1st Interviews will be held via Teams on Friday 3 October 2025 
2nd Stage Interviews will be held in-person at our Grantham Office on Monday 13 October 2025 

Details of both events will be shared with shortlisted candidates prior to each stage. 

London (Hybrid Working)
Client: Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)

Are you passionate about sustainability and ready to support leadership at the heart of a global mission?
Hays is delighted to be working with the Marine Stewardship Council to recruit a Personal Assistant to the Chief Standards Officer. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the health of the world's oceans by supporting a senior leader in a globally respected organisation.
As PA to the CSO, you'll be a trusted right hand, enabling strategic leadership by managing complex diaries, communications, travel, and meetings. You'll also coordinate across the Science and Standards leadership team, ensuring smooth collaboration and supporting senior colleagues with logistics and administration.
This role offers a dynamic and international working environment, with the chance to engage with internal teams and external partners across the globe. You'll be based in London, with flexible working arrangements available.

What you'll bring:

• Proven experience supporting senior leaders in a PA or EA capacity
• Exceptional organisational and communication skills
• A proactive, detail-oriented approach and absolute discretion, first-class organisational skills - able to plan ahead, manage competing priorities, and anticipate needs.

Working arrangements:

• Hybrid model: minimum 50% of the time in the London office each month
• Applicants must have the right to work in the UK (visa sponsorship is not available)

About MSC: MSC's vision is for oceans teeming with life and seafood supplies safeguarded for future generations. With over 700 fisheries engaged in its certification program and products available in 66+ countries, MSC is a global leader in sustainable seafood.
Interested? Please apply here or send your CV and a covering letter to Matthew Sharman at Hays -

If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.

Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at hays.co.uk

The Woodland Trust is looking for a Conservation Officer - Mourne Park on a fixed term contract until December 2029 to support the work on the development and delivery of The National Lottery Heritage Funded project at Mourne Park.

The Role: 
•    This is a key role in The National Lottery Heritage Funded project at Mourne Park.  The Conservation Officer will be required to work on the development and delivery of woodland creation and restoration operations, natural and built heritage and countryside access projects and local habitat auditing and assessment programmes.
•    The role will be responsible for providing advice and assessments to landowners who wish to participate on the woodland creation or restoration element of the project and continually monitor work undertaken to ensure successful implementation.
•    You will co-ordinate and oversee implementation work on heritage conservation projects identified by the project, including the writing of management plans when required.
•    You are responsible for fostering good relations with partners, contractors, interested organisations and individuals, local people, visitors and the media. Identifying, reviewing and meeting with potential partners who could assist the project to meet its objectives and whose objectives could be assisted by the project. 
•    This role is based is home based and in Mourne Park, Northern Ireland and will require the successful candidate to travel to site and around Northern Ireland as required.
•    This role is a funded fixed term role until December 2029.
•    This role will require an enhanced DBS check as part of our pre-employment checks.
•    This role is made possible thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund and National Lottery Players.

The Candidate: 
•    You have an enthusiasm for the environment and share our core values-Grow Together, Explore, Focus and Make it Count.
•    Hands on experience in project delivery especially in complex, multi-disciplinary projects bringing together a variety of skills from both within and outside the organisation to plan, monitor and deliver projects on time and to budget.
•    You’ll have experience in forestry or conservation land management experience, including experience of volunteer and community engagement.
•    You will be proficient in the procuring, managing and supervision of contractors on complex operations including habitat restoration, natural and/or built heritage projects.
•    Extensive experience in managing contractors and complex contracts from procurement through to on site supervision and management.
•    You’ll have achievement in working with, developing and managing land management and owning partners.
•    You’ll have a collaborative approach, with the ability to work with multiple teams, building relationships with both internal and external stakeholders effectively. 
•    You’ll know about the techniques for habitat restoration, habitat creation for conservation objectives, and experience of managing habitats with a focus on woodland sites.
•    Strong communication skills, both written and verbally being able to liaise with internal and external stakeholders, especially volunteers using a variety of methods to suite the audience. 
•    This role does require regular travel to and from Mourne Park and Northern Ireland. A full UK driving licence is required. 

Benefits & 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 + bank holidays (pro rata for part time)
•    Enhanced Parental Pay
•    Employee Assistance Programme

About Us: The Woodland Trust is the UK's leading woodland conservation charity and is dedicated to creating a world where trees and woods thrive for both people and nature. Our mission involves engaging and inspiring individuals to contribute toward tackling the nature and climate crisis through the protection, restoration, and creation of essential woodland habitats.

Commitment to Diversity & 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. We do not ask for your CV at application stage.
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.
 
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 will be held via Microsoft Teams on Friday 5th September and Tuesday 9th September.

About the role

To promote a positive health, safety and wellbeing culture and be responsible for the provision of advice, guidance and support for staff and volunteers on all health, safety and wellbeing related matters, including the implementation and application of new and updated legislation, codes of practice, and safe working procedures.

To ensure that health and safety effectively contributes to the Trust’s strategic objectives, to embed best practice across the Trust’s operations, and drive compliance, identifying improvements, and creating a safe, sustainable workplace. The role requires a consultative, collaborative and pragmatic approach to finding solutions and appropriate measures to support the Trust’s day to day activities and improve standards.

About the Trust

Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust is a local conservation charity working to protect wildlife and help people connect with nature. With a team of volunteers we care for wild places so that nature has a place to thrive. We help people experience the wildlife on their doorsteps and to take steps to protect it.

We believe that wildlife should have space to thrive alongside our everyday lives and that everyone benefits from having access to nature.

Our head office is based in the attractive setting of Verulamium Park on the outskirts of St Albans.

Our staff team are enthusiastic, friendly and committed to wildlife conservation and exemplifies our values of professionalism, valuing contributions by others and continuing to improve.

How do we support you?

The Trust strives to be a positive employer supporting our staff through flexible and hybrid working, and training and development. We recognise the importance of our staff team and looking after their health and wellbeing. Our values and expected behaviours reflect the culture which the Trust seeks to maintain to ensure productive, efficient, effective and pleasant workplaces and roles.

In support of this, we offer an excellent benefits package, ranging from office perks, generous leave entitlements and financial benefits. You can find out more on our website.

As an employer we are committed to promoting and protecting the physical and mental health of all our staff.

You can find out more on the Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust website jobs section. 

Please see our recruitment pack for more information and on how to apply.

Closing Date is Wednesday 3 September at 9am.

Interim Director of Finance & Operations (Environmental Charity, Home based in England)

Contract: Interim circa £500 a day ltd company, or £75k per annum PAYE , 4-day week, approximately 9-month assignment. Weekly travel to London.

The Opportunity

An exceptional interim Director of Finance & Operations (DFO) is sought to join at a pivotal moment in this organisation’s journey.

Operating in a challenging financial context, with a deficit budgeted for the current financial year following a major change programme, the incoming DFO will play a critical role in restoring financial stability, strengthening governance, and ensuring robust infrastructure across finance, IT, facilities and compliance.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide effective leadership of Finance, IT, Governance and Facilities, ensuring development and implementation of strategies and effective practices across all operational areas.
• Drive financial recovery and sustainability: deliver robust financial planning, budgeting, reporting and control processes, while providing clear and strategic advice to the Board and Executive Director.
• Lead on governance, including regulatory compliance, Board reporting, and supporting a review of the organisation’s dual legal structure (limited company and charitable trust).
• Oversee people management within the Finance team, ensuring high performance, effective development, and clear leadership through a period of significant change.

The Candidate

• Professional accountancy qualification and significant leadership experience at Director level, ideally including the charity sector.
• A strong track record of restoring financial stability and leading organisations through periods of financial and cultural change.
• Experience of managing governance, compliance, IT and central services.
• Excellent judgement, interpersonal and influencing skills, with the ability to handle sensitive and complex issues (e.g. disciplinary/capability cases, compliance matters, decision-making in ambiguity).

For further information and to apply for this exciting interim opportunity, please contact Syed at Civitas Charity Recruitment.

Conservation Collective (CC) funds solutions to protect the environment, restore nature, and safeguard against climate change. The CC UK charity incubates, launches, and supports locally focused foundations, which open new funding channels to support the most impactful environmental grassroots projects. Our network comprises 20 members based all over the world and is growing. 

We manage and monitor our donor relations, grant giving governance, contacts, and event activities, via a bespoke and customised salesforce system. This was launched in early 2022 and has been developed and configured to meet our growing needs since then.

As the demand for our model increases around the world, we need a highly capable Salesforce Administrator to support us to ensure our system is well managed, users are trained, and we can create accurate reports for our donors and other audiences. We’re looking for someone who can not only ensure that the existing system works well, is well managed and who can help us generate high-quality reports from the system to help us to raise more funding to support grassroots conservation work.

The role will report to the Finance Director and will work closely with the rest of the team in the UK and around the world, it is a critical role that is central to the success of our global network, and there is lots of scope for an ambitious candidate to grow in responsibility with it. 

Key Responsibilities 

Oversee Salesforce System: maintenance, administration, prioritisation and training  

Maintenance, user management, support and development 

• Administer and maintain the Salesforce platform, managing user access, profiles, roles, and security settings. 

• Monitor system performance, troubleshoot issues, and resolve any operational or functional problem.

• Maintain reliable records in all objects on Salesforce by eliminating duplicates monthly, processing user deletion requests and updating records for lists with up-to-date information on key stakeholders (e.g. trustees, contractors etc).  

• Ensure automatic back-ups are working and up to date and an understanding of how to restore back-ups if needed, protecting our organisational data. 

• Maintain comprehensive documentation of Salesforce configurations and process. 

• Managing Data Import Templates to upload ad-hoc batch data into Opportunities, using Data Loader or any other data import and data quality tools.  

• Oversee data governance log: maintaining log of changes to review with the team, discussing effect on budget and system usage to feed into prioritisation of new features and functionality, support the communication of any platform changes to end users 

• Manage onboarding and offboarding users both with Salesforce and Microsoft platforms.   

• Oversee smooth onboarding and training process for new members and refresher training where appropriate to ensure effective adoption and system use.  

• Respond to individual questions from users via tickets, on Slack and share tips and tricks regularly via Slack Channel updates to review any Salesforce learnings, any features from latest Salesforce release, any security updates, any best practices.  

• Work with our external Salesforce consultants on any requests of flow maintenance or improvements and monitoring effective use of credits and budgets.  

Form Assembly Management 

• Manage the integration of Form Assembly with Salesforce ensuring all connectors work well and troubleshoot and update connections where needed.  

• Support users with the building/maintenance of individual Grant Application forms, updating when needed (ad hoc) and embedding them in their websites. 

• Future scope any gaps in the Grant Application process, improve data management using validation, document and improve on existing processes.

Dashboard and Reporting Management  

• Support us to produce effective and easy to understand reports from the system:

• Opportunities - pipeline and income reports

• Grants - tracker and applications analysis,

• Impact – dashboards and project reports

• Best Practice Metrics – support and create best practice reports 

• Provide quarterly analysis of user activity in the system, identifying and addressing trends or issues that arise from this 

• Support the senior management team to prepare quarterly data and reports for trustee meeting and annual reports. 

Overseeing our IT systems with the support of outsourced consultants 

As well as the Salesforce administration, the candidate we’re looking for will also be able to: 

• Be a key point of contact with our outsourced IT company, overseeing the creation of new users and managing the leavers’ processes on the MS 365 environment 

• Support CC team to maintain and ensure Sharepoint intranet is working smoothly and is up to date, user management of licenses and active users, their security settings, distribution lists.

Support the Data Protection Officer in data protection matters. 

The successful candidate for this role will need to demonstrate: 

• Proven experience as a Salesforce Administrator, who holds Salesforce Administrator certification. 

• Proficiency in Salesforce Lightning Experience.  

• Solid understanding of Salesforce security models, including roles, profiles, and permission sets. 

• Clear communication skills, both verbal and written. This is vital in supporting colleagues with less technical experience. 

• Understanding of a Microsoft 365 environment 

• Excellent problem-solving skills with the ability to troubleshoot and resolve system issues 

• Self-motivation, detail-orientation and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment and escalate where needed. 

• Ability to work independently/remotely.

• Experience in not-for-profit sector 

Ideally, they’ll also be: 

• Passionate about nature and the environment. 

• Comfortable with using Slack and Canva environments. 

• Being able to speak other languages, Spanish, Greek or Italian would be a bonus!  

• Hours: Full time (flexible hours negotiable). 

• Start date: As soon as possible 

• Location: Remote, will need to be able to travel to London for attend meetings (average 4 per year). 

• Line manager: Finance Director 

Working closely with: Executive Director, Network Director, Development Officer, Programme Manager, Development Officer, Network Coordinator 

Benefits: being part of a dynamic, creative, and growing team working to amplify the impact of local grassroots environmental work, as well as:

• Flexible working as standard (hours and location)

• Unlimited holiday allowance 

• Private medical insurance 

• Salary sacrifice pension scheme 

• CPD opportunities 

• Possible travel in the UK and internationally   

• Saving the world!   

• To apply send your CV and a short cover letter by September 11th 

Fundraising Manager

We are seeking an ambitious Fundraising Manager to grow income and support thousands of rural young people across England and Wales.

• Salary: Circa £37,000 -£40,000pa
• Location: Warwickshire, Hybrid 2-3 days per week from home 
• Hours: Full-time:  37.5 hours/week Core hours 10am-4pm (occasional evenings/weekends)
• Contract: Permanent
• Closing Date: 26th September 2025 Interviews: On a rolling basis

About the Role

We’re looking for a motivated and experienced Fundraising Manager to secure funding of one of the UK’s most vibrant rural youth charities. This is a unique opportunity to make a tangible difference, supporting young people through training, competitions, skills certificates and travel. 

You will take the lead in developing and delivering fundraising strategies that grow income from trusts, foundations, corporate partners, and individual donors. The role requires someone who can spot opportunities, write compelling bids, and nurture long-term relationships with funders and supporters.

Key Responsibilities

• Researching and identifying new funding opportunities
• Writing persuasive funding applications, reports, and case studies
• Growing income from trusts and foundations
• Building corporate partnerships and sponsorships
• Developing innovative individual giving campaigns
• Creating fundraising toolkits for local clubs and federations
• Tracking income and reporting against targets
• Collaborating closely with marketing and communications teams

About You

You may have experience in a membership-based organisation, ideally in the sporting, horse racing, countryside, or youth sector, and now want to use your skills to benefit rural young people.

You’ll be:

• A confident communicator, able to build rapport with funders, volunteers, and young people
• An experienced bid writer with a track record of securing income from trusts, foundations, or corporate partners
• Empathetic, with a genuine passion for youth development
• Charismatic and personable, able to connect naturally with rural communities and young people
• Proactive, creative, and always seeking new ways to grow income and engage supporters
• Career focussed

About the Organisation

Our client is a national charity covering England and Wales,  committed to empowering young people in rural areas. Through a wide range of programmes, from sports and training to community projects, they help thousands of young people develop skills, confidence, and leadership. Joining them means contributing to a vibrant and meaningful cause, working with passionate colleagues who care about rural youth.

Other roles you may have experience of could include:

Fundraising Officer, Development Manager, Corporate Partnerships Manager, Trusts and Grants Officer, Membership Development Manager, Head of Fundraising, Philanthropy

• Salary: £50,331 gross per annum

• Location: London

• Contract Type: Indefinite

• Hours: Full Time

• Closing Date: 8 September 2025

About the role

Join ClientEarth as our next Grants Manager and play a vital role in securing the resources that power our mission to protect people and planet. In this role you will lead on renewing and managing income from major trusts, foundations, and institutional funders, while building strong relationships with some of our largest and most strategic partners. The role also offers the chance to help shape and deliver our fundraising strategy across Europe, the US, and Asia.

Meet your Manager

You will be managed by Jamil De Dominicis. Jamil joined ClientEarth in 2019 and is based in London. As Global Head of Grants, he leads the Grants Management team and oversees ClientEarth’s grants income from trusts, foundations and other statutory and institutional funders. Prior to joining ClientEarth, Jamil worked in various policy, research and grant management roles at the international affairs think tank Chatham House and the National Foundation for Youth Music.

Main Duties

• Manage a portfolio of grants from key Trusts, Foundations and statutory funders. Ensure that funders are aware of project performance, and that ClientEarth’s implementation is always in compliance with grant agreements. 
• Develop and produce well researched and comprehensive proposals and reports to existing donors that meet funding priorities and requirements, within the submission deadline and oversee the coordination of Programme, Development and Finance teams as required for effective grant management. 
• Work closely with the Global Head of Grants, Grants Management Lead and wider Development Leadership on budget forecasts and donor pipeline to ensure effective, joined-up cultivation of prospects and income generation. 
• Oversee, review and, as appropriate, sign–off on the work of line managed staff (including reports, proposal, and other written material for internal and external purposes). 
• Support the Global Head of Grants to develop and implement the team’s annual planning and wider fundraising strategy. 

See the job description (below) for a full list of duties for this role.

Role requirements

• Significant and demonstrable experience of working in a fundraising, grant management or a project management role for a charity, NGO, private or public entity (essential)
• Significant experience of drafting complex proposals for trusts, foundations and statutory institutions and securing multi-year, six and seven-figure grants (essential)
• Experience of successfully managing donor relationships, from cultivation to stewardship encompassing both personal engagement with funders and/or coordinating the input of colleagues from across the organisation (essential)
• Excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills, with ability to foster positive working relationships with diverse internal and external stakeholders, including and especially with funders (essential)

See the job description (below) for a full list of requirements for this role.

We are also advertising another role in our Grants team for a Grants Officer. Please feel free to review the role here: ClientEarth | Careers

Note to candidates: We know that long lists of criteria can be daunting and that some candidates will not apply for a role unless they feel they are 100% qualified. If you feel you meet at least some of the essential criteria, we still encourage you to apply.

Further Information

Have a question about this job? Please visit our Careers site for advice on applying, FAQs, and more.

Flexible working:  We are proud to be a Flexa accredited Employer. Visit our Flexa Employer page for more information on our approach to flexible working. Our flexible working policy allows our people the choice to decide to work from home/another location in the country where their contract of employment is issued for 80% of their month, with the other 20% of their month being office-based  See our Benefits page for more as well as our flexible working FAQ.

ClientEarth values diversity and inclusion and the benefits this brings. We aim to appoint the most suitable candidate at all times and welcome applications from people from all different backgrounds. See our equity, diversity and inclusion journey page for more.

Please note that ClientEarth is only able to employ those who have the pre-existing legal right to work in the UK.

ClientEarth is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice or legal services to third parties.

Do you believe that it is possible to change the rules of the economy so that it works better for people and planet? Are you driven by a commitment to make the UK more equitable, sustainable and democratic? Are you an expert in social policy? If so, we have the job for you.

For 40 years NEF has turned bold ideas, robust research and community power into real-world change to build a new economy that works for people and planet. At this critical moment in global and domestic politics, we are looking for someone to head up our social policy team, leading visionary flagship programmes on public service reform, housing and social security. NEF has always been a pioneer of cutting-edge research, big ideas and effective campaigning. We work at the interface between economic, social and environmental policy and we are looking for a Head of Social Policy that can help us push this frontier. 

Working with a talented team of researchers and economists, directors and other heads, you will develop a strategy to steer NEF’s social policy work, lead the development of and fundraising for programmes of research, policy and influencing and help ensure new and existing work delivers clear, high quality and rigorous outputs and outcomes.

You will need a strong track record of leading research, policy development, a keen sense of how change happens and strong relationships with partners across politics, civil society, trade unions and business. And you will need a passion for economic, social and environmental justice and a belief that we can make change happen.

Role: Head of Social Policy

Hours of work: Full Time

NEF operates a Shorter Working Week, with a full-time equivalent of 32 hours per week. As part of our commitment to flexible working we will consider a range of options for the successful applicant, which can be discussed at interview stage.

Salary range: £56,477 to £68,268, depending on qualifications and experience

Location: London (in-office min two days per week)

Contract type: permanent

Responsible to: Deputy Chief Executive

The Head of Social Policy leads the development of our thinking across public service reform, social security and housing.  This role develops - and is responsible for the effective delivery of a NEF-wide social policy strategy and of projects that are delivering on this strategy.  The Head of Social Policy acts as a key spokesperson for NEF and promotes our work at a local, regional and national level.

As NEF has a particular strategic focus on transforming the way policy is made so that it better reflects the lived experience of the people, communities and movements that most need change, we look to heads across our different themes to help develop and test new approaches to policy and advocacy.

The Head of Social Policy generates project ideas, oversees the development of quantitative and qualitative research, leads funding bids and manages day-to-day funder relationships.  This role leads a team which both develops our thinking on social policy and provides expertise to other teams at NEF.

 Deadline for applications: midnight on 14th September 2025

Interviews: 23rd and 25th September 2025

Start date: ASAP

To apply, please send your CV and Covering letter (no longer than 2 pages) outlining how you meet the person specification in Word format.

Please also complete the Equality and Diversity monitoring from.

You must be eligible to work in the UK, we are unable to sponsor visas.

NEF is committed to providing equal opportunities for everyone regardless of their background. We acknowledge that people from certain backgrounds are under-represented in research and policy making and we’re committed to doing what we can to correct this. We are particularly keen to receive applications from black, asian and minority ethnic people; people with disabilities; people who identify as being LGTBQIA; people who have a mental health condition; and people who identify as working class or have done so in the past. We are also aware that many highly capable prospective candidates nonetheless rule themselves out of work in research and policy because they underestimate their own ability to do the role. With this in mind, we strongly encourage applications from anyone who is prepared to learn and grow on the job and would like to stress that past experience of working in think tanks is not required.

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy.  We make use of positive action to select between candidates of equal merit as a way to address under-representation in our workforce.

NEF believes in diversity

Registered charity number 1055254

Sustainable Merton, Merton's award winning environmental charity, is recruiting a dynamic individual to oversee our Community Changemakers initiative and deliver grassroots acitivity in Pollards Hill, Mitcham.  If you are passionate about sustainability, volunteering and making a difference in a local community, we would love to hear from you!

This role combines volunteer leadership with project management. The successful candidate will split their time between:
- Project management and delivery of the WeRPollards project (2 days/week), a grassroots local initiative running from September 2025 to September 2026
- Volunteer and operational management (1 day/week), supporting the charity as a whole
You will work closely with Moat Housing to deliver the WeR Pollards Community Changemaker project and also lead the development and implementation of a new volunteering strategy, support colleagues to adopt new volunteer processes,
and oversee our charity policies to support compliance and our organisational growth.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
WeRPollards project management
1. Group Development and Coordination
● Coordinate and facilitate monthly volunteer meetings at the Pollards Hill Wellbeing Studio.
● Attend the Wellbeing Studio on a weekly basis, attend schools and community pop-up events to increase awareness of and community engagement in the project
● Support volunteers with soft and technical skills development on their path to becoming Community Changemakers.
● Encourage retention and progression of existing volunteers whilst increasing group membership from 15 to 30.
● Liaise with Moat Foundation officer and project tutors to establish a pathway into volunteering and increasing membership of the WeRPollards group
● Work with colleagues at Sustainable Merton to align this grass roots work with their borough wide initiatives such as Merton Garden Streets, Mitcham Community Orchard, Repair Cafes, Preloved Studio and Merton’s Community Fridge.

2. Community Engagement
● In partnership with Pollards Hill Wellbeing Studio team, develop and implement a local engagement strategy to recruit and retain volunteers to become WeRPollards Community Changemakers.
● Design and deliver an induction and training programme for new volunteers.
● In collaboration with the PH Wellbeing Studio team conduct regular listening sessions to identify resident needs, interests and connect volunteers to, or help them develop, relevant community activities.
3. Project and Event Delivery
● Lead the volunteer group to plan and deliver community activities aligned with the 3R’s agenda, that are run out of the Wellbeing Studio, including:
○ Sewing Skills Workshops (Monthly, 10 sessions)
○ Community Gardening Sessions (Min. 5 sessions)
○ Repair Shed Sessions (Monthly, 9 sessions)
○ Street Planting Engagement & Delivery (Min. 3 events)

4. Capacity Building and Progression
● Deliver at least 6 training workshops including SMART goal setting and planning.
● Support residents to lead and take ownership of initiatives and to become Community Changemakers.
● Build a clear, accessible pathway for participation and leadership within the group and studio.

5. Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting
● Track Key Performance Indicators including:
○ Volunteer numbers, growth and retention (Target: 30 volunteers, 60% retention)
○ Number of volunteer hours contributed
○ Number of accredited or certified training courses completed
○ Number of volunteers progressing into leadership roles
○ Attendance and engagement in all community sessions
● Conduct volunteer satisfaction surveys and gather qualitative feedback.
● Report quarterly on progress to PHCC meetings, outcomes and impact to the Pollards Hill Community Committee.

Volunteer and operational management - Sustainable Merton

● Develop and implement a volunteering strategy covering recruitment, retention, induction, training, and development
● Identify and recruit a cohort of Community Changemakers
● Draft volunteer role descriptions across all projects
● Conduct annual volunteer surveys
● Plan and deliver twice-yearly recruitment drives
● Establish a volunteer recognition scheme
● Build partnerships with local organisations
● Create centralised onboarding systems
● Maintain and manage safeguarding policies and training records
● Collaborate with volunteers and staff on fundraising campaigns and applications
● Ensure our policies are kept up to date
● Oversee risk register
● Support reporting and KPI tracking
EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS
Essential

● Experience of managing and supporting volunteers
● Community Engagement experience
● Understanding of environmental issues & the 3R’s agenda
● Project coordination and planning
● Knowledge of volunteer database management and GDPR for volunteers
● Excellent organisational and communication skills
● Ability to prioritise and meet deadlines
● Proficiency with Google Suite
Desirable

● Budget monitoring or financial oversight experience
● Bid writing experience
● Knowledge of Merton and the Pollards Hill area