Development and Communications Officer

Green Schools Project is looking for a part time Development and Communications Officer to work 3 days per week to support the delivery of our fundraising strategy and lead and deliver our communications.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing team in a small but ambitious social enterprise that is helping schools and young people to tackle the climate and nature crisis. In the past four years we have grown from a one-person organisation to a team of six through successful fundraising and the growth of our unique and innovative Zero Carbon Schools programme.

You’ll be working with our Head of Development to implement our fundraising strategy, research and develop new opportunities with local authorities, academy trusts, and corporates, as well as research and write grant applications. Alongside, you’ll be responsible for leading and delivering our communications, including our social media, newsletter, and use of our website. We enable significant impact through our work and this role will tell the story.

The role would suit someone with fundraising, business development, and communications experience who is looking for more responsibility and experience across these areas. Initially 3 days per week, there is scope to increase the number of days dependent on successful fundraising.

We believe that tackling the climate and nature crisis is the most urgent issue facing society and that schools need to educate young people about the situation they face and involve them in addressing it. Young people bear no responsibility for causing the climate crisis, yet they will have to live through this issue which will define their future. We believe that, given the opportunity, they have the energy, enthusiasm, and determination to change attitudes and behaviour on a local and global scale.

Our values that we do our best to embody at all times are to be enthusiastic, innovative, environmentally responsible, ethical, collaborative, and fun.

We exist to help young people learn about and get actively involved with tackling the climate and nature crisis. We support schools to provide opportunities for their pupils to learn about the individual actions and systemic responses required.

We are keen to attract applicants from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences but particularly interested to hear from applicants where the environmental education sector is currently underrepresented (ethnicity, disability, LGBT+, living in areas of low social mobility). 

What you’ll do:

• Work with the Head of Development to implement our fundraising strategy.
• Identify and pursue opportunities to sell Zero Carbon Schools to local authorities and academy trusts.
• Research grant funding opportunities and write applications alongside the Head of Development.
• Research and pursue corporate sponsorship opportunities.
• Support with the creation of possible new revenue streams.
• Support with reporting to funders and key stakeholders.
• Review and update our communications strategy with the support of the Head of Development.
• Manage our social media accounts and devise and implement new ideas for content.
• Monitor the effectiveness of our website and support with updating it.

We need you to have:

• Experience of fundraising, business development, and communications.
• A desire to develop your skills in the above areas.
• Strong written communication skills that can be adapted to fundraising, business development, or wider communications.
• An understanding of social media platforms and how we can best use them.
• Confidence in speaking and ‘selling’ to potential partners.
• An attention to detail and an ability to keep accurate and up to date records.
• Strong organisational skills with an ability to prioritise while working on a variety of tasks.
• Strong relationship building skills with the ability to enthuse.
• A resilient attitude that sees setbacks as a chance to learn and thrives in challenging situations.
• An enthusiasm for working in a small organisation with an ability to be agile around the tasks required and an ability to thrive when offered flexibility and autonomy in your work.

It would be useful if you have:

• Graphic design skills and confidence with canva as a design tool.
• Experience working in or with schools, or to have worked with young people and a strong belief in their potential.
• A passion for environmental issues and a commitment to help tackle the climate and nature crises.
• Experience working with Local Authorities, Academy Trusts, or corporate sponsors.

What you’ll get from us:

• An opportunity to work within an award-winning social enterprise that is working to change the way schools respond to the climate and nature crisis.
• A supportive and encouraging environment in which to grow your skills and knowledge.
• £34,000 per year pro rata, 3 days per week.
• 33 days annual leave per year including bank holidays pro rata.
• Flexible working hours.

Location: Bristol. At least one day per week at a shared workspace in Bristol with other days working from home and occasional team days in London or Bristol.

Deadline for applications: Sunday 1st June