The Rivers Trust is the umbrella body of the Rivers Trust movement, comprising over 60 independent local charities. Our vision is for wild, healthy, natural rivers, valued by all. We are at a critical point in our history as we expand to deliver projects to protect and replenish this critical part of the natural environment, and our research and expertise is now needed more urgently than ever as water supply and quality move up the public agenda.
The island of Ireland is the fastest-growing area of the rivers trust movement, and as part of what will be a major team expansion across the island of Ireland in 2023, we are looking for a motivated and highly-organised person to join our team and fill a newly-created Project Manager role.
This is pivotal positions, managing The Rivers Trust’s projects in Northern Ireland, with opportunities for cross-border working on projects in Ireland.
The role will involve collaborating with a wide network of stakeholders including landowners, water companies, government and the NGO sector across the UK, Ireland, and Europe. You’ll be supported by the existing Rivers Trust project management team who are based in different locations all across Great Britain and Ireland.
The Project Manager will work on both domestic and EU funded projects, as well as help to build on our project delivery in Northern Ireland.
You’ll be involved in every stage of the project life-cycle, from initiation to completion and evaluation, ensuring that projects are delivered smoothly and effectively, on time and within scope and budget.
Whilst environmental and freshwater knowledge and experience is desirable, we are looking for someone who can deliver professional and effective project management to ensure efficiency in realising our projects’ objectives in line with our organisational and charitable objectives.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a friendly team working within a thriving movement, and to make a meaningful personal contribution to environmental protection and improvement.
The successful candidate will need to live on the island of Ireland and work primarily in Northern Ireland.
It’s a full-time, home-based role, with regular contact and meetings with colleagues, though the job holder will be required to travel within Northern Ireland, Great Britain, Ireland and occasionally Europe. We offer flexibility around working hours, including the option of a 9-day fortnight – time off in lieu is also available. We offer 25 days holiday pro rata (rising to 28 days) plus statutory holiday days. We are happy to make adjustments for people with disabilities and/or caring responsibilities, and we welcome applications from all communities.
Key responsibilities include:
- Establishing and leading on a range of projects from initiation to completion, ensuring deliverables are met on time, within budget and scope
- Developing project plans, schedules and milestones, identifying potential risks or issues and developing contingency plans.
- Communicating and collaborating effectively with project stakeholders, including landowners, environmental NGO’s, consultants, contractors, water companies, academic and research institutions, and local and national government bodies.
- Managing project budgets, timelines, resources and scope, reporting to multiple funding bodies using different systems and processes
- Conducting regular project reviews, providing status updates and addressing any potential issues or risks that may affect the success of projects.
- Supporting new project development and contributing to securing funding for our activities in Northern Ireland and Ireland
- Delivering complex projects and programmes from initiation to closure stages
- Managing multi-sector stakeholder relationships to achieve partnership and project objectives.
- Reporting to multiple funding bodies using different reporting systems and processes.
- Contributing to the evaluation of projects, reviewing their outcomes and making improvements to management systems
- Supporting other colleagues on the team in the delivery of projects, providing cover for absences and transferring any specialist knowledge.
- Following all Rivers Trust policies including on Health & Safety, EDI, IT, and GDPR.
- Contributing to a respectful and inclusive working culture.
The salary for this role will be £31,867 – £33,638 per year, dependent on skills and experience, plus benefits including 9% employer pension contribution.
(Please note this is based on the Grade 4 of our pay system for the UK – we may offer a higher salary within the grade in exceptional circumstances, based on skills and experience).
To apply, please send your CV and detailed cover letter highlighting how you meet all of the following criteria:
Essential knowledge, skills, and experience
- Experience of reporting to funders, including evidencing milestone and outcome delivery, risks, final and mid-project technical reports,
- Undertaking project change control and presenting spend forecasting and financial reconciliations to funders (including EU, national and local Government, corporate foundations, charities, the community sector, and others)
- Experience of developing and maintaining core project management deliverables (project plans, reporting, risks)
- Budget management
- Experience in delivering EU-funded projects
- The ability to build, develop and maintain significant internal and external relationships with a wide range of stakeholders (e.g. landowners, environmental NGO’s, consultants, contractors, water companies, academic and research institutions, and local and national government bodies.)
- Proven ability to collaborate on cross-functional teams while working remotely.
- Proven ability to achieve delivery through others
- Good communication skills.
- Detail and deadline-oriented, able to manage multiple priorities
- Must be proficient in using computers (Microsoft Office – we also communicate by Slack but familiarity with this isn’t a requirement)
- The ability to work occasional evenings, weekends, and overnight stays when necessary (e.g. to attend events and conferences, or visit key stakeholders on-site)
Desirable criteria, only include these if you have them:
- Project management training and/or qualifications
- Experience of project management in the NGO sector
- Experience of project programme management
- Experience of working with corporate partners
If you have any questions which will help you decide to apply and aren’t answered on our website, please get in touch with Laura Tippin and she’ll get back to you.
Please note we can only accept applications made through this site, and not sent by email or other methods.
Closing date: Sunday 20th August 2023.
Applicants will be given at least one week’s notice in advance of interview, and interviews are being planned for September 2023.
