Programme Manager - Environment

The purpose of the role is to advise the Trustees of the Sigrid Rausing Trust on their Environmental grant-making, with a focus on toxics and pollution. The Programme Officer will support the development of a new portfolio of grants in this area, which has a budget of £1.5 million in 2022, £2m in 2023, and is expected to grow in future years. This body of work supports civil society organisations engaged in research, campaigning and litigation, as well as remediation to combat toxic pollution in the Trust’s focus regions of Europe and Central Asia, North Africa and South Africa.

Relationships and reporting lines

The Programme Officer will report to the Programme Manager and will work closely with members of the Transparency and Accountability and Conservation teams, as well as the Executive and Deputy Executive Directors on matters of strategy. Additional key relationships include interaction with the Chief Executive, Trustees, as well as collaboration with the Trust’s other programme officers and administrative staff.

Working for the Trust

The Trust is committed to staff development. We offer various opportunities for staff to learn and develop, including an individual training budget, and management devoted to coaching and development of grant makers. We encourage staff to attend events such as conferences,

expert and donor meetings, to keep abreast of the developments in the thematic and philanthropic fields.

The Trust is committed to being a good practice employer. We offer flexible working arrangements and are continuously reviewing staff benefits.

Main duties and responsibilities

The post holder will be expected to manage all stages of the grant making process, from invitation to application, award and reporting.

Programme Officer Duties:

• Making a contribution to the strategic direction of the Trust’s environmental grant-making;

• Liaising with staff and Trustees to help develop the vision for and overall approach to the portfolio of grants on toxins and pollution;

• Identifying potential grant applicants by researching organisations in fields of interest to the Trust, networking and attending relevant events;

• Reviewing submitted applications, interviewing potential grantees, undertaking due diligence and preparing analytical reports and recommendations to the Trustees;

• Reviewing reports submitted by grantees, evaluating and reporting on the impact of grants and signing off on grant payments;

• Managing the grant making pipeline to ensure efficiency of processes and an appropriate balance of recommendations across the Trust’s grant making meetings;

• Maintaining relationships and regular communication with grantees, including site visits and attendance at grantee events;

• Keeping informed of relevant developments including civil society activity, the regulatory environment and academic literature;

• Developing relationships with other donors and stakeholders in the field; and

• Representing the Trust externally at national and international conferences.

Other Duties:

• Carrying out similar duties for other programme areas as needed;

• Conducting research into particular thematic or funding related issues relevant for the Trust as needed;

• Such other duties as the Trust may reasonably require.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

Education:

• Master’s degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field.

Experience:

• At least five to seven years (for Programme Officer) or ten years (for Senior Programme Officer) of experience in the environmental protection field, ideally with a focus on toxins and pollution;

• Experience of working in or supporting civil society, preferably within the Trust’s geographic focus areas and on the issues in the portfolio;

• Demonstrable commitment to the Trust’s guiding principles;

• Knowledge of the relevant international and regional law, policy and regulatory environment as well as the state of scientific research on toxins and pollution as they affect human health and the environment;

• Experience of developing and managing relationships with civil society and environmental stakeholders;

• Demonstrable interest in human rights and the environment and a commitment to supporting grassroots and national level actors;

• Experience of grant-making is desirable.

Key Competences and Skills:

• Adaptable and flexible;

• Organised, with the ability to prioritise and manage competing demands;

• Able to think strategically about opportunities for environmental grant-making;

• Good judgement, demonstrating objectivity and self-awareness;

• Excellent written and oral communication skills;

• Analytical, with excellent research skills;

• Able to analyse and interpret relevant scientific materials;

• An understanding of good grant making practice, including due diligence, effective grants management, legal compliance and monitoring and evaluation;

• Able to meet deadlines and manage multiple tasks;

• Attention to detail;

• Collaborative, with good interpersonal skills;

• Takes initiative but knows when to seek advice and guidance;

• Integrity, humility and a sense of humour.

SRT is only able to consider applications from candidates who already have the right to work in the United Kingdom. The post will be based in London and will require travel a minimum of six weeks a year in the UK and internationally.

How to apply:

Please submit a 2-page CV and 2-page via the charity jobs link (to assist us in removing bias from the application pfrocess) or email your cover letter and CV to jobs@srtrust.org to apply. Your cover letter must state that you have the right to work in the UK.

Closing date for applications is 11.30pm on Sunday 23rd October