Wildlife jobs

We are seeking an organised, proactive, and people-focused Business Support and Grant Manager to join our growing charity. This new full time role has been created to support increasing demand and offers the opportunity to contribute directly to projects that deliver lasting community impact. The position is offered on a two-year fixed-term contract, with the intention of becoming permanent. Some UK travel, including occasional overnight stays, will be required.

Reports To: CEO

Contract: Full Time Fixed Term (2 years) with the intention of becoming permanent

Location: Within commuting distance of Milton Keynes, with UK travel and occasional overnight stays. Hybrid working from home will be optional following an induction period of at least two months at the head office. 

Purpose of the Role: To provide effective business support and development assistance to the charity while managing community grants from application through to award, monitoring and reporting. The postholder will support organisational growth, stakeholder engagement, tendering for new contracts, and the delivery of grant funding that creates positive community and social impact.

Probation Period: Four Months

Key Responsibilities:

Business Support

· Support the day-to-day operational effectiveness of the charity.

· Coordinate, prepare and submit tenders and business proposals.

· Gather and collate information from internal and external stakeholders to support submissions.

· Ensure all submissions are completed accurately and within deadlines.

· Support the CEO and Grant Director with reports and presentations.

· Maintain accurate records, databases and organisational documentation.

Grant Management

· Administer grant programmes from application to project completion.

· Review and assess funding applications against agreed criteria.

· Undertake due diligence and eligibility checks.

· Attend community benefit fund Advisory Panel Meetings.

· Monitor grant expenditure and funded project progress.

· Review monitoring reports and evaluate project outcomes.

· Ensure compliance with governance, funding conditions and reporting requirements.

· Maintain accurate grant records and audit trails.

Stakeholder Engagement

· Develop and maintain positive relationships with funders, applicants, community groups and partners.

· Provide guidance and support to applicants throughout the grant process.

· Support the onboarding of new clients.

· Represent the charity at meetings and events and public consultations.

· Act as a key point of contact for stakeholders and grant recipients.

Community Benefit Funds

· Support the development and delivery of community benefit funds.

· Assist with planning, governance, assessment and reporting activities.

· Support research and community engagement initiatives.

· Contribute to ensuring funds deliver measurable and lasting community outcomes.

General

· Uphold the values, policies and procedures of the charity.

· Work collaboratively across the organisation.

· Undertake other duties appropriate to the role and level of responsibility.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria:

Experience

· Experience of preparing tenders, funding bids or funding applications.

· Experience of stakeholder engagement and relationship management.

· Experience of managing multiple projects and competing priorities.

· Experience of producing reports and maintaining accurate records.

Knowledge

· Understanding of grant-making processes and funding assessment principles.

· Knowledge of governance, compliance and accountability requirements.

· Understanding of community-focused or charitable activities.

Skills & Abilities

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

· Strong organisational and project management skills.

· Ability to assess information objectively and make evidence-based recommendations.

· Strong attention to detail and accuracy.

· Ability to build effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.

· Competent in Microsoft Office applications and database management.

· Ability to work independently and use initiative.

Personal Attributes

· Proactive and self-motivated.

· Professional and trustworthy.

· Strong commitment to fairness, transparency and integrity.

· Adaptable and solutions-focused.

· Passionate about supporting communities and delivering positive impact.

Desirable Criteria

Experience

· Experience working within a charity, community organisation, social enterprise or funding body.

· Experience managing community benefit funds.

· Experience of contract management or project delivery.

· Experience supporting senior leaders or board-level governance activities.

Knowledge

· Understanding of social value and community wealth-building principles.

· Knowledge of charity governance and funding environments.

Qualifications

· Degree-level qualification or relevant professional experience.

· Relevant qualification in business administration, project management, fundraising, grant management or a related discipline.

Other Requirements

· Willingness to travel across the UK.

· Ability to undertake occasional overnight stays.

· Right to work in the UK

· UK Driving License

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

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.

The Woodland Trust is looking for a Project Officer - Mourne Park. The successful candidate will be required to work for the Woodland Trust Northern Ireland (WTNI or the Trust) on the development and through third party management; the delivery of woodland creation, restoration and other forestry operations, natural and built heritage and countryside access projects, local habitat auditing and assessment programmes. They will undertake the successful delivery of The National Lottery Heritage Fund project, Mourne Park - 500 years of undiscovered natural heritage, to target and budget.

This is a fixed term contract until December 2029.

The Role:

• Lead the delivery of conservation and habitat restoration projects across the estate, including woodland creation, ancient woodland restoration, species recovery and heritage conservation activities.
• Plan, procure and oversee contracts and site works, ensuring all activities are delivered safely, efficiently and in line with Woodland Trust standards, FSC requirements and environmental legislation.
• Drive evidence-led conservation management through ecological surveys, habitat assessments and monitoring programmes that inform land management decisions and measure environmental outcomes.
• Build strong relationships with landowners, partners, agencies and local stakeholders, promoting collaborative approaches to nature recovery and sustainable land management.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and environmental stewardship, securing and managing all necessary consents, licences and permissions before works commence.
• Maintain effective project and financial management, keeping accurate records, monitoring budgets and reporting progress to support organisational and funder requirements.
• Champion community engagement and advocacy, representing the project and the Woodland Trust at meetings, events and public forums to raise awareness of conservation achievements and opportunities.
• Support and coordinate volunteers, colleagues and wider projects, contributing to funding bids, visitor engagement, corporate events and the successful delivery of Woodland Trust objectives across Northern Ireland.
• This is a homebased role, requiring regular travel to locations within the Mourne Park landscape and wider Northern Ireland, sometimes to remote locations. You would be expected to live within reasonable travelling distance of your area of responsibility. Occasional travel to regional offices and overnight stays will be required.
• This is a home working position with regular travel to Mourne Park. Occasional travel to other offices, remote locations and overnight stays may also be required.

The Candidate:

• Strong project delivery experience, with a proven track record of managing complex, multi-disciplinary projects and coordinating a range of stakeholders to deliver successful outcomes on time and within budget.
• Practical forestry, woodland creation or conservation land management expertise, including experience delivering habitat improvement projects and engaging volunteers and local communities. Additionally, delivering safe, inclusive and engaging activities for children, young people and vulnerable adults across a range of settings.
• Experience building and managing effective partnerships, working collaboratively with landowners, contractors and other organisations to achieve shared objectives.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to confidently engage a wide range of audiences through presentations, reports, consultations, events and digital communications.
• Commercial awareness and sound decision-making ability, ensuring projects deliver maximum impact while achieving value for money and balancing organisational priorities.
• A collaborative and innovative approach, with the ability to develop new ideas, work effectively across teams and identify opportunities to strengthen project and partnership outcomes.
• Highly organised and self-motivated, able to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines and work independently while maintaining a positive, solutions-focused mindset.
• Relevant qualifications and practical requirements, including an HND or degree in a land, environmental, countryside or forestry-related discipline, strong IT skills, and a full driving licence with the ability to travel as required.
• The successful candidate will be required to undertake an Enhanced Background Check, as part of our pre-employment screening.

Benefits and Wellbeing:

Joining our team means you’ll be part of our fight for a greener, healthier planet for people and wildlife. We take good care of our staff, offering support and training opportunities. We also offer:

• Enhanced Employer Pension
• Life Assurance
• Flexible and hybrid working options (7am - 7pm)
• Generous annual leave - 25 Days plus Bank Holidays (pro rata for part-time)
• Buy and sell holiday scheme
• Enhanced parental pay
• Employee assistance programme

To support inclusivity and remove barriers for candidates, we publish all salaries upfront and proudly follow the We Show the Salary pledge. The salary listed is the set salary for this role, and we don’t ask applicants to state their current pay or expectations. If you choose to apply, we’ll take that as confirmation that the advertised salary meets your expectations.

About Us:

The Woodland Trust is the UK’s largest woodland conservation charity.  We want to see a world where woods and trees thrive for people and nature. The Trust engages and inspires people to make a difference by protecting, restoring and creating woodland and getting more trees in the ground.

Our commitment to Diversity and Inclusion:

To achieve our mission, we need to better reflect society and the communities we work in. 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.

Application information and advice:

For fairness we keep our candidates’ personal details hidden from the hiring managers, and we do not ask for your CV at application.

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.

Completed applications will be reviewed by a hiring manager and/or a member of the recruitment team, and you will receive an update on the outcome of your application via email.

Acceptable Use - Artificial Intelligence (AI):

We understand that candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their job applications. 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, apply today. We might close advertising 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 progress, we will email you prior to closing to give you time to complete.

Interviews will take place via Microsoft Teams on 8th September 2026.

As part of our friendly and collaborative Finance team, you will help ensure the smooth and accurate processing of financial transactions across both the charity and its wholly owned subsidiary. Your responsibilities will include processing and recording income, maintaining sales and purchase ledgers, and providing essential support with a range of day-to-day finance activities. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys working with numbers, takes pride in accuracy, and wants their work to contribute to a meaningful cause.

We are looking for an organised and detail-oriented individual with experience in finance, accounting, bookkeeping, or a similar administrative role. You will have a proven ability to process financial transactions accurately, maintain reliable records, and use finance systems, Microsoft 365 applications, and Excel with confidence. A sound understanding of basic accounting processes is essential, and a relevant qualification would be advantageous. Alongside strong numerical and organisational skills, you will demonstrate exceptional attention to detail and the ability to handle confidential information with discretion and professionalism.

As the role involves working closely with colleagues across the organisation, you will be a proactive team player with excellent customer service and communication skills. You will be comfortable building positive working relationships, solving routine finance queries using sound judgement, and managing your workload effectively both independently and as part of a team. Above all, you will bring a reliable, conscientious, and enthusiastic approach, helping to ensure the Finance function delivers an excellent service that supports World Land Trust's mission to protect and restore threatened natural habitats around the world.

Please refer to the application pack which can be found on our website which contains the full job description, person specification and how to apply. You will need to log your application and upload your CV, along with a covering letter. Your covering letter is an important part of your application and should include why you’re interested in this role and working for World Land Trust, along with a summary of how you meet the essential criteria in the person specification.