Project Manager Senior

Contract: 6-month fixed term

Salary: 34K

Location: Oxford, office based or hybrid

Responsible to: Hannah Worker, Regional Programme Manager, Oxon-Bucks Region.

Background

Freshwater Habitats Trust (FHT) is the UK’s leading conservation charity concerned with the protection of freshwater habitats. We are a friendly, evidence-based organisation that works to protect UK and European freshwater wildlife through practical and innovative nature conservation projects. Our organisation is well respected nationally and internationally, and we work with a network of statutory, NGO and private partners both in the UK and the rest of Europe. Freshwater Habitats Trust was originally founded in 1988 (as Pond Conservation) and has a substantial track record of originating new ideas through research in freshwater biodiversity conservation to inform and drive our practical conservation and policy work. FHT has a central office in Oxford, and regional hubs in the north of England and the New Forest and out-posted staff in Cornwall and Wales. We run a range of practical projects throughout the Midlands and work with partners on research and policy projects throughout the UK and internationally. Since 2017 we have seconded staff to the Newt Conservation Partnership (NCP), a new community-benefit society established by NatureSpace, Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (ARC) and FHT, to create and manage habitats for the NatureSpace District Licensing scheme for great crested newts. Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire are key areas for Freshwater Habitats Trust’s work. Building on the Trust’s historic work in the county and starting in 2021, Oxfordshire was the first region where we began the implementation of the organisation’s new strategic approach to freshwater conservation, the Freshwater Network. The Freshwater Network is the network of high quality freshwater and wetland habitats, and terrestrial habitats generating clean water across the landscape, that together support our most important freshwater wildlife.

Role

This is a strategically important role within the organisation, offering substantial responsibility and an opportunity for the successful candidate to play a leading role in delivering one of the UK’s most ambitious freshwater restoration programmes. The role will primarily focus on the Ock and Thame Farmers: Floodplains and Freshwaters Project, Ock and Thame Farmers: Freshwaters and Floodplain Restoration, one of Defra’s pilot Landscape Recovery projects. Having recently completed its two-year development phase, the project is now entering a critical stage of assurance and negotiations with Defra ahead of implementation. Key areas of work will include ongoing engagement with land managers, supporting informed decision-making and participation, supporting the establishment of governance and legal structures required for delivery, developing agreements and ecosystem service contracts, undertaking land assessments, and refining habitat designs where required. The project currently involves more than 80 land managers across approximately 7,100 hectares of land in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire. In addition to the Landscape Recovery project, the role will involve managing a portfolio of smaller projects across the region. This will include supporting staff delivering catchment monitoring programmes and helping to develop a pipeline of habitat creation and Natural Flood Management opportunities. You will be responsible for the day-to-day management and coordination of project delivery, working closely with the Programme Manager, Finance Manager, Senior Management Team, project partners, consultants, contractors, and participating land managers.

Key responsibilities

• Project management: Responsible for work planning, defining tasks and allocating resources. Resource, manage and support the project team. Responsible for the projects’ budgeting and financial management including: (i) regular reporting to the Project Director and Regional Programme Manager; and (ii) implementation of all financial processes for the projects including regular claiming and reporting funder. Responsible for all contract and logistics management. Responsible for ensuring health and safety procedures are followed, implemented and reported on. Track and monitor project progress. Present to stakeholders, as required. Implement and manage change when necessary to meet project outputs. Update all internal management information data systems.
• Project communications: Working with the Freshwater Habitats Trust Communications Team to deliver the communication plans for the projects.
• Project development: Working with other members of Freshwater Habitats Trust staff and landowner networks to develop future projects to continue our work on the Freshwater Network in the region. In the longer term there will be opportunities to influence the development of the Freshwater Network concept as it builds and develops in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and adjacent counties.

Additional general responsibilities for the post holder

• Help to build a positive relationship between Freshwater Habitats Trust and its partners.
• Understand and follow Freshwater Habitats Trust’s internal procedures including Health and Safety, information management systems, site protocols etc.
• Work closely and constructively with your manager and colleagues in all areas of your responsibility.
• Undertake other duties as the Senior Management Team may from time to time require.

Knowledge and experience

• Degree or equivalent in a relevant subject (at least a 2:1).
• Full current driving licence.
• Proven project and budget management skills.
• Proven experience of managing multi-partner projects in the field of practical habitat creation and management, including on the ground delivery to deliver practical conservation outcomes.
• Experience of staff management.
• Good knowledge of restoration ecology for both freshwater and wetland habitats.
• Experience of contractor management.
• Knowledge of land management stakeholders and policy.
• Computer literate: Word and Excel are essential, GIS is desirable.
• Proven ability to communicate effectively with a range of stakeholders, including landowners and the public.
• General interest in wildlife.

Personal qualities

• Ability to manage workload and competing priorities effectively and meet internal deadlines through effective forward planning.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Good interpersonal skills - approachable, professional and courteous.
• Attention to detail and able to deliver on time.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

What we have to offer

At Freshwater Habitats Trust we value employees' unique views and encourage them to develop their interests. We also offer the following benefits:

• Flexible working.
• 35-hour week.
• 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Pension with 6% employer contribution.
• Mobile phone allowance.
• Free eye tests.
• Free Employee Assistance Program.
• Mileage pay.