Director – St Helena National Trust

St Helena Island, South Atlantic

Start date:                   Immediate, but may be negotiated

Term:                          Three years minimum expected

Hours of work:           37.5 hours per week. Occasional weekend and evening work outside normal hours will be required

Salary:                        Circa £20,000 per annum (dependent on experience)

Responsible to:         Trust Council, St Helena National Trust

Location:                    Broadway House, Main Street, Jamestown, St Helena Island, S Atlantic

Holiday entitlement:  25 working days per annum

Closing date:              Wednesday 31^st July 2013 at 16:00 GMT

Interview dates:         Week beginning 12^th August 2013

The St Helena National Trust

The St Helena National Trust (SHNT) is a voluntary membership-based organisation and registered charity established in 2002 by Government Ordinance to take action to protect and promote the natural, built and cultural heritage on the island of St Helena.  The Trust comprises a number of local environment-related organisations. The Trust works in close partnership with RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) and is at the forefront of conservation on the Island, undertaking scientific research, environmental education, wildlife monitoring, practical conservation projects, land management activities, and providing advice to government to sustain and protect the Island’s  environment.  The organisation has a wide remit which is delivered by two permanent staff in Jamestown, and up to 18 staff and volunteers employed on specialist projects of varying duration.  In its advisory role the organisation works closely with relevant St Helena Government (SHG) directorates, participates in government committees relevant to conservation issues, and engages with stakeholders and industry. The Trust is in process of establishing an associated limited company to carry out heritage building contracts in particular.

 Purpose of the Position

As the senior staff member, the Director is responsible to the Trust Council for overall performance and efficient management of the charity and its activities.  The successful applicant must ensure that the Trust’s activities are delivered within agreed financial and operational frameworks.

 The Director will lead a team of staff and volunteers in addressing the Trust’s strategic vision and develop and implement annual work plans and budgets, as approved by the Trustees.  They will ensure: sound finances; direct all conservation actions and research programmes; and lead the Trust’s engagement with a wide range of organisations and individuals locally, regionally, and internationally. The Director will work with Trust staff to nurture existing partnerships, and broaden the fundraising and membership base of the organisation. Above all, they will lead the Trust forward at this time of major change on St Helena, with the opening of the first ever air connection to the island planned for 2016.

 Main Duties

Management

• In partnership with the Trustees, set the strategic direction of the organisation.
• Ensure all programmes are undertaken within budget limits and monitor their effectiveness.
• Line-manage the Executive Officer and Project Managers, undertake annual performance reviews, and agree individual targets and training needs.
• Implement the volunteer policy and ensure all volunteers have a safe and satisfactory experience while with the Trust.
• Be responsible for the Health and Safety policy and ensure risk assessments are undertaken.

 Operations

• Work with staff to develop conservation actions and strategies, and research projects that sustain and enhance St Helena’s unique and significant biodiversity.
• Oversee all operational activities, ensuring that annual outputs are met.
• Engage with the St Helena Government on reviewing and implementing environmental management island-wide, and working in parallel with the island Environmental Management Plan.
• Represent the Trust on steering groups or in joint initiatives related to conservation work on the Island.

 Community

• Actively develop good working relations with land users on the island, promoting land management integrated with conservation requirements, sustaining and restoring natural habitats and populations.
• Monitor and respond to developments on the Island and lead the Trust’s intervention as appropriate, drawing upon support available through the RSPB International partnership and others.
• Oversee our education initiatives, especially with the Prince Andrew secondary School, and three primary schools.
• Draft the Trust’s position statements on environmental threats and issues.
• Develop local and international community support for the Trust.

 Fundraising and Public Relations

• Broaden the fundraising base and lead on fundraising on the Island and abroad, working with the RSPB and other partners to prepare funding proposals.
• Direct the SHNT Ltd. Company (limited by guarantee) engaged in support-raising activities.

 Essential Requirements

• Post-graduate qualification in environmental/social sciences and/or business preferably with experience in both.
• Senior management experience in the charitable and/or conservation sectors.
• Proven track record of developing funding proposals and fundraising activities.
• Substantial experience of project implementation, monitoring and reporting.
• A good knowledge of and interest in environmental and/or built heritage conservation with experience from small island or developing country situations a distinct advantage.
• Advanced computer skills including MS Office, and an accounting software package (SAGE is used).
• Clean driving licence, knowledge and experience in managing a vehicle fleet and off-road driving experience.

(The successful candidate must produce certified proof verifying academic qualifications.)

 Desirable

• An understanding of conservation issues in the South Atlantic.
• Experience of environmental conservation and Protected Areas advocacy, planning and management.
• Experience of reviewing and critically assessing Environmental Impact Assessment statements.
• An understanding of development, agricultural, forestry and tourism issues and their relevance to conservation and impacts on biodiversity.
• A track record of presenting and lobbying for conservation/biodiversity related issues at an international level.

 Essential Attributes

• Excellent communication and inter-personal skills coupled with proven leadership skills, including the ability to motivate staff and volunteers.
• Excellent marketing, public speaking and presentation skills, and adept at networking professionally and socially.
• Diplomatic, able to discuss contentious issues with stakeholders including government, landowners, fishing companies and the general public while maintaining good longterm relationships, especially in the context of small communities.
• Able to handle a diverse workload, solve problems pragmatically, delegate effectively, and meet deadlines under pressure.

 Note: this post is subject to renewal of work permit by St Helena Immigration at two-yearly intervals. There will be a six-month probationary period.

Please request an application pack from sth.nattrust@cwimail.sh  

Please apply by sending your covering letter and completed application form, covering letter and CV  by e-mail to The St Helena National Trust  at sth.nattrust@cwimail.sh

Visit www.nationaltrust.org.sh to learn more about the St Helena National Trust.