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- Tasks: Lead urban green space regeneration and empower communities for nature recovery.
- Company: Sunderland City Council in partnership with Durham Wildlife Trust.
- Benefits: Fixed term role until 2028 with impactful community engagement.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in urban nature and community wellbeing.
- Qualifications: Experience in coordinating community-led projects and nature-based initiatives.
- Other info: Opportunity to influence local decision-making and build collaborative relationships.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Overview
Fixed Term until 31/08/2028
This exciting role will support the regeneration of urban green and blue spaces across Sunderland, prioritising and embedding people and nature recovery into local systems and empowering communities to lead change. You’ll work closely with a newly formed partnership network and a small core staff team working towards the Nature Towns and Cities accreditation. Sunderland City Council, in partnership with Durham Wildlife Trust, is recruiting a Nature Towns and Cities Lead to coordinate the delivery of the Connecting Through Nature project, which is a transformative, place-based programme funded for three years through the Nature Towns and Cities initiative from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, in partnership with Natural England and The National Trust. Nature Towns and Cities is a coalition of public, private and third sector organisations, committed to bringing nature and green space to urban areas for everyone\’s benefit. This coalition will help to put nature, green infrastructure and heritage at the heart of local decision-making, focusing on those areas that will benefit the most.
Responsibilities
- You will be responsible for leading the planning and co-ordination of the Sunderland Nature Towns and Cities project, Connecting Through Nature. This will include coordinating staff from Durham Wildlife Trust, who are funded to work on the project, managing and monitoring projects, programmes and external funding streams which are being delivered by the Council or external partners. You will also ensure effective service delivery by supporting and monitoring grant programmes, and funding contracts.
- Lead community capacity building and inclusive engagement, across all communities
- Support the development of innovative funding models and a pipeline of investable projects
- Use experience and insight to influence decision-making
- Foster collaborative relationships across councils, partners, and communities
About You
- Has experience coordinating multi-agency, community-led projects
- Has experience working on area or nature-based regeneration initiatives
- Understands place-based, whole-system approaches
- Uses evaluation and learning to demonstrate impact in complex systems
- Builds strong, collaborative relationships across sectors
This post is exempt from the rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore will be subject to a DBS check from the Disclosure and Barring Service.
For an informal discussion please contact Helen Peverley at helen.peverley@sunderland.gov.uk
Potential interview dates are 7th and 9th October. Interviews will be held face to face in City Hall, Plater Way, Sunderland, SR1 3AA.
Applications should be made online at northeastjobs.org.uk/sunderlandcitycouncil. For further assistance contact Customer Enabling Services by email: jobs@sunderland.gov.uk
Please note that CVs are not acceptable.
Please note that all communication regarding your application for this post will be sent to the email address that you have registered online with North East Jobs, including your invitation to any online assessment you are required to undertake and your invite to interview if you are short-listed. Please check your email inbox after the closing date for notifications as you may not be notified by any other means. Please remember to check your junk mail items.
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Nature Towns and Cities Project Lead employer: Sunderland City Council
Contact Detail:
Sunderland City Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Nature Towns and Cities Project Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the field of urban regeneration and nature projects. Attend local events or workshops, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have a lead on your dream job!
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for nature and community! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers or partners, share your ideas on how to enhance urban green spaces. This will not only showcase your enthusiasm but also your understanding of the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews! Research Sunderland’s current projects and challenges in urban green spaces. Being knowledgeable about local initiatives will impress interviewers and show that you’re genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team and contributing to the Nature Towns and Cities project.
We think you need these skills to ace Nature Towns and Cities Project Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Carefully: Before you start writing, take a good look at the job description. Make sure you understand what they're looking for in a candidate. Highlight key responsibilities and skills that match your experience so we can tailor your application to shine!
Show Your Passion for Nature and Community: This role is all about bringing nature back into urban spaces and empowering communities. Use your application to express your enthusiasm for these topics. Share any relevant experiences or projects that demonstrate your commitment to environmental regeneration and community engagement.
Be Specific and Use Examples: When detailing your experience, be specific! Instead of saying you have project management skills, mention a particular project you led, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them. This helps us see your impact and how you can contribute to our goals.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through the specified website! It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets to the right people. Plus, it shows you’re following instructions, which is always a plus!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sunderland City Council
✨Know Your Project Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the Connecting Through Nature project and the Nature Towns and Cities initiative. Understand its goals, the partners involved, and how it impacts the community. This will help you answer questions confidently and show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Showcase Your Collaborative Spirit
This role is all about building relationships across various sectors. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully collaborated with different stakeholders. Highlight how you fostered teamwork and community engagement to achieve common goals.
✨Demonstrate Your Impact Evaluation Skills
Be ready to discuss how you've used evaluation and learning to demonstrate impact in previous projects. Think of specific metrics or outcomes that showcase your ability to assess and improve project effectiveness, especially in complex systems.
✨Prepare Questions for Them
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the project, the team dynamics, and the future vision for urban green spaces in Sunderland. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the role aligns with your values and career goals.
