Purpose of role: To run a small but busy charity office, managing facilities, I.T. and database development. Supporting the WFN team across events, fundraising, conservation programmes and communications.

Reports to: Deputy Director

Place of work: Central London

Contract: Permanent contract, part-time at 3 days p/w.

Salary: £30,000 p.a. pro-rata

Deadline: We are accepting applications on a rolling basis. Please apply as soon as possible for consideration

The Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN)

WFN is a UK-registered charity (www.whitleyaward.org no. 1081455) offering funding (Awards), training and media profile to inspiring leaders of wildlife conservation projects across the Global South. We support pragmatic, sustainable and long-lasting work rooted in science and community involvement. The charity funds projects directly and we remain in regular contact with our winners. WFN also raises awareness of the serious problems facing wildlife, landscapes, climate and people through promoting the work of our winners. We focus support on nationals (leaders who were either born in the country where they work or have gained nationality) and aim to build the capacity of successful local NGOs and grassroots work. We fund mainly in Africa, Asia and Latin America where income is often hardest to raise and can have the biggest impact for people and biodiversity. Our funding is raised each year, mainly from family foundations and trusts, as well as from individuals, corporates and international NGOs, with a current annual income of £2m/year. WFN is governed by a committed trustee board. Our small team is dynamic, hard-working and strives to go above and beyond expectations. The charity benefits from high profile support from Patron, HRH The Princess Royal, Trustee Sir David Attenborough, and Ambassadors Kate Humble and Tom Heap. Next year, WFN will be marking its 30th anniversary, which provides a special opportunity to celebrate 30 years of supporting inspiring conservation leaders, and to look to the future. In line with our ambition to raise £3m/year by 2025, we are expanding our team to meet targets and increase the amount of support we can channel to our growing network of conservationists around the world as we seek to further raise their profile and foster south-south collaborations among WFN alumni.

Position of Operations Manager

WFN seeks a highly capable and organised individual to support the team across operations; including office, IT, database management, and events. You will be instrumental in ensuring that WFN’s facilities run efficiently, and that the team has administrative support across grants, fundraising and communications. This varied position offers the successful candidate a key role at WFN, essential in enabling smooth running of the charity’s systems and office environment. The Operations Manager (OM) regularly assists in helping to organise major events, such as our annual Whitley Awards Ceremony. If you have strong attention to detail, are skilled in IT and data management, and are looking for an opportunity to contribute to a high impact charity that supports grassroots conservation, then this is the position for you.

OPERATIONS MANAGER – SKILLS REQUIRED

Essential

• Extremely organised, with high levels of accuracy and attention to detail
• Excellent communication skills (interface with team members, trustees, suppliers, international grantees, donors)
• Personable telephone manner, able to respond to a variety of callers and enquiries
• Requisite experience in office and facilities management, including managing utilities contracts and liaising with suppliers
• Proven ability in effective budgeting, negotiating and budget management
• Experience in CRM database management (Salesforce), and a proven ability to handle and analyse data, and produce reports
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Office - Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint and Word
• I.T. proficient, able to liaise with I.T. consultant to maintain charity systems (Microsoft)
• Track record of providing team support including meeting minutes, logistics, travel, diaries, administration
• Able to manage and prioritise a varied workload, meeting deadlines using initiative with minimal supervision
• Ability to anticipate problems, mitigate them before they arise and troubleshoot
• Flexible ‘can do’ approach and will flourish in a small office environment

 Desirable

• Past experience working in the charity/NGO sector
• History of event organisation
• Background and/or interest in wildlife conservation
• Experience working with high profile individuals

 Additional details related to the position

• Attractive holiday package, pro-rated
• The charity operates a Pension Scheme
• Apply: Send CVs including contact details for two referees and a covering letter explaining why you feel you would be right for this position and your motivation to: [email protected]. Please also send a signed copy of our Candidate Privacy Notice with your application
• Please indicate what your notice period, if any, would be in your letter
• Only applicants who have the right to work in the UK at the time of application will be considered for this role