Project Assistant - Biodiversity Programme - London

Project Assistant - Biodiversity Programme - London

ClientEarth is a non-profit environmental law, science and policy organisation with offices in London, Brussels, and Warsaw. We provide dedicated public-interest legal capacity, working with environmental NGOs and other stakeholders and acting as legal advocates for environmental objectives. We work at a policy and legislative level to lobby for strong laws and policies that protect the environment, and we pursue litigation that supports our strategic objectives. Our work is based on the development and execution of clear strategies and productive partnerships to ensure our actions to protect the human right to a clean and healthy environment have maximum impact.

We have an exciting and challenging opportunity for a reliable, self-motivated individual who thrives in a team environment to join our Biodiversity Team in London.

Job specification

The Project Assistant will support the implementation of projects undertaken by the Biodiversity team.  The Assistant will be an integral member of our team and provide administrative and research support, carrying out team and project management and planning, coordinating and planning travel and logistics for team members and for events, assisting with communications, funding applications and reporting, and conducting research. The Assistant will work under the supervision of the Biodiversity Programme Leader, but also with the guidance and support of the administration, finance and development teams of the organisation.

The successful candidate will be highly organised, confident, and positive with excellent written and verbal skills in English and, ideally, another European language. As the first point of contact for our callers and visitors, you will need a professional, friendly and pleasant manner to represent the organisation. You will also need to be comfortable working closely with senior staff, and with colleagues throughout the organisation.

You will need to demonstrate outstanding organisational skills necessary to fulfil current administration requirements for the project. You will need to be able to handle a number of competing priorities and work with efficiency. Some prior experience of administrative work or demonstrated organisational skills and abilities will be needed.

Essential qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; possibly in natural resource management, communications or political sciences, preferably with environmental expertise.
• At least 2 years of relevant professional experience.
• Fluency in English (essential) and another European language (desirable).

Other qualifications, experience, and skills to be considered in the selection process, as well as a summary project description and key responsibilities of the Project Assistant, are set out below.

Project Description

The Project Assistant will support the work of ClientEarth's Biodiversity Programme.

The Biodiversity Programme aims to defend the interests of nature and the right of all people to a healthy natural environment by working on projects related to fisheries (working towards sustainable fisheries management), wildlife (defending species and habitats and ensuring sustainable land use) and water (protecting clean fresh water and healthy oceans).

To date, we have focused primarily on marine biodiversity because healthy oceans are essential for the functioning of both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and this is an area that has enabled us to make a significant impact in a limited period of time in the EU and the UK through our work in relation to the reform of the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and on managing potentially damaging fishing activities in EU marine protected sites.

Now we are building on the expertise we have developed. We will use it to improve wildlife protection both in the oceans and on land by working to ensure the robust interpretation, implementation and enforcement of the EU conservation and fisheries legislation and to improve EU biodiversity law and policy.

Key responsibilities

Administration, Event and Travel Coordination

• Help the Biodiversity team to introduce, implement and use project management and planning tools; monitor and facilitate the use of such tools.
• Compile and/or maintain internal databases up-to-date.
• Coordinate travel and logistics for workshops, meetings and other events (including organising conferences or similar events).
• Prepare meeting summaries/minutes.
• Execute mailing/shipping of materials.
• Prepare, process and monitor payment requests, invoices and related materials according to existing procedures.
• Maintain physical and electronic records of the project’s files (e.g. reports, publications, correspondence, etc).

Communications

• Compile information for, keep up-to-date with and write (as applicable) project evaluation processes and reports, including contributing to development of periodic internal reports and of donor reports for external audiences.
• Assist preparation of publications and coordinate with the Communications team to maintain the Biodiversity Programme’s web page up-to-date, as well as to disseminate timely updates via blogs, press releases and social media outlets.
• Assist in preparation of informative and visually engaging PowerPoint presentations for different audiences.
• Liaise with external partners, organizations and individuals as required by the projects.

Research

• Conduct research and prepare concise internal briefs on various topics required for the Biodiversity Programme’s projects.
• Monitor relevant biodiversity-related events at EU, international and national levels, as required.

General Support

• Provide general support and guidance to staff and external audiences by providing prompt, informative communications to general queries on the project.
• Edit, format and proofread project publications.
• Carry out other duties as assigned.

Key skills

• Strong organizational skills and efficient management of multiple tasks and priorities.
• Excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills, with ability to foster positive working relationships with diverse internal and external individuals.
• Excellent writing, editing and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to execute work independently.
• Strong computer skills (Microsoft suite – Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and databases).
• Ability and willingness to travel, nationally and/or internationally, mainly within the EU.

Other desirable characteristics

• Knowledge of, and commitment to, biodiversity issues.
• Experience in a not-for-profit and international environment.
• Excellent judgment, flexibility, humour, diplomacy, and optimism.

To apply

Please send us your CV and a cover letter explaining your interest in joining ClientEarth and the contribution you believe you could make to the organisation.

Please include ‘Biodiversity Programme – Project Assistant’ in the email subject line, and identify the documents you are sending by including ‘[your name] Project Assistant cover letter’ and ‘[your name] CV’ in the file name.

Please address your application to Sandy Luk, Senior Lawyer, Biodiversity Programme Leader, ClientEarth, The Hothouse, 274 Richmond Road, London E8 3QW or send it by mail to jobs@clientearth.org.

Recruitment is open now and you should send your application as soon as possible. Applications are scheduled to close on 21 May 2014. We will review applications as they are received and we may interview candidates before the closing date.

ClientEarth offers a competitive salary consistent with the experience and performance levels expected of the successful candidate.

If you have any questions about the roles advertised or recruitment process, please contact Patricia Del Rio (pdelrio@clientearth.org).