Overview

Just 21% of children in the UK have an adequate level of connection to nature. As children and young people lose this link they are more at risk of depression and obesity and they are less likely to fight to protect the natural world as adults. With over 50% of UK species in decline, we simply cannot afford to lose a generation of volunteers, supporters and professionals. Action for Conservation (AFC) is a UK charity using pioneering approaches to inspire and empower young people, between the ages of 12 and 18, to become the next generation of nature conservationists. To us, being a ‘conservationist’ doesn’t just mean following a career as a field biologist or a campaigner. We believe that a passion for conservation can flow through anyone’s life, whatever their day-job. We want to inspire today’s young people to a long-term belief in the wonder of the natural world, which will shape their dreams and actions however their life turns out.

Vision

That every young person in the UK is moved and empowered to protect the natural world

Mission

To bring the magic of nature into UK schools, inspiring a youth movement committed to conservation and to the earth

Values

Wonder, Hope, Action, Change

Objectives

Our Mission can be broken down into three key objectives that we feel contribute to achieving our overall Vision:

• Build Awareness – by bringing the magic of nature into young peoples’ lives.
• Motivate – by inspiring a youth movement.
• Empower – through developing commitment to conservation and to the earth.

Our core organisational values, Wonder, Hope, Action and Change, reflect our approach to realising these objectives:

1. ​We run conservation education workshops in UK secondary schools, delivered by young conservation professionals from around the world. These dynamic volunteers, who receive training and support from us, create a sense of wonder and inspire young people with their stories of hope.
2. We foster ongoing engagement, connecting students with opportunities to take action with local conservation organisations in the field. Students have access to materials and career mentoring on the AFC website and work experience opportunities with partners UK-wide.
3. Students can enter our challenge to become an AFC Ambassador and spend an all-inclusive week on our yearly conservation camps. During the camps students connect with nature, alongside peers from across the UK, through conservation activities, careers advice and adventure guided by young conservation professionals, the AFC team and partners including the National Trust and The Nature Conservancy. They return AFC Ambassadors, ready to drive change in their communities and among their peers through our one-year Ambassadors programme, including events, mentoring and support materials. 

Duties 

We are looking for a passionate and capable Programme Manager to work alongside our Director in delivering our vision. The position will suit a hands on and ambitious person who can help grow the organisation and wants to see their role develop as the charity does. If you feel you would make the most of an opportunity to join an exciting young charity, hit the ground running and take on plenty of responsibility, then we want to hear from you!

The Programme Manager’s key duties are as follows:

• Take the lead in organising and delivering AFC’s school workshops with the support of AFC volunteer workshop leaders.
• Recruit new secondary schools in priority areas into the AFC workshop programme and build lasting relationships with schools and lead teachers.
• Recruit, train and manage a network of young conservation professionals who will support you in delivering AFC workshops.
• Manage and deliver project partnerships with other NGOs and corporate sponsors.
• Create or commission education and marketing materials directed at young people, schools and supporters.
• Plan and deliver Action for Conservation’s residential summer camps, with the support of volunteers, partner organisations and the Director.
• Implement and further develop our one-year youth ambassador programme for students attending our residential summer camps.
• Plan and deliver successful events both as part of the youth ambassador programme and the workshop programme.
• Monitor progress towards programme outcomes through agreed indicators.
• Recruit and manage volunteers who will assist with programmatic work and communications.
• Line manage any new project staff hired by the charity and freelance workers where appropriate.
• Contribute to the communications output of the charity, including social media, blogs, newsletters, articles, talks and maintenance and development of the website.
• Support the Director in developing and implementing campaign and project ideas in response to changing Government policy on the environment, young people and education.

Additional duties:

• Assist the Director, where necessary, in making grant applications and attending meetings with funders and partners.
• Network on behalf of the charity and identify new partnerships and funding opportunities.
• Support the Director in managing programme budgets.

Person Specification

Essential:

• Experience or knowledge of working with young people in an environmental/educational context.
• Strong knowledge and awareness of environmental issues and techniques for raising awareness and creating behaviour change.
• Experience of organising and/or delivering workshops or events.
• A degree or equivalent work experience.
• A confident and passionate communicator with strong inter-personal skills and an understanding of how to engage people, and young people in particular.
• Self-motivated and committed.
• A flair for innovation and creativity with an entrepreneurial spirit.
• Strong administrative and database management skills.
• Experience using social media and other communication tools.
• Willingness to learn and to take on lots of responsibility quickly.

Desirable:

• Experience of delivering environmental education workshops.
• Teaching experience and/or a teaching qualification.
• Direct experience of working with communities to create positive change.
• Experience of managing staff and/or volunteers.
• Marketing experience.
• Social research/survey skills or experience of monitoring impact.
• Experience of budget management. 

Role Details

This is a 6-month part-time contract (3 days per week) with a starting salary of between £22,000 and £25,000 per annum pro rata (£6-8K actual), depending on experience. You may occasionally be required to work out of these hours and to travel.

There is a strong possibility of extending the contract beyond 6-months and of this becoming a full-time role, subject to sufficient funds being raised. For the right candidate, there will be substantial career progression opportunities as the organisation grows.

As an organisation we work flexibly and so the position will be based from home, co-working spaces, schools and the great outdoors! Ideally you will live in either London or Bristol and be willing to travel around the UK.

The appointed Programme Manager will have to carry out a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (formerly CRB). A full driving license is desirable but not essential.

The Programme Manager will be responsible to the Director and be required to manage volunteers, freelance staff and staff members as the role develops. 

Application Procedure

We are committed to creating an inclusive working environment, where diversity is valued and there is equality of opportunity. We therefore welcome applications from all sections of the community and we encourage a healthy work life balance.

The deadline for applications is 17.00 on April 23rd 2017 and interviews will take place on the 28th April 2017 in central London. We are looking for someone to start as soon as possible after May 1^st.

To apply please send your CV and a cover letter of no more than two sides of A4 outlining your suitability for the role, addressed to the Director, to info@actionforconservation.org with the subject line: ‘Programme Manager’.