JOB DESCRIPTION

Programme Lead, Environment (UK Branch)

The Opportunity

The Programme Lead, Environment will work with the Director and colleagues to lead the development and delivery of the UK Branch’s Environment funding programme. Currently, this encompasses two thematic areas, ‘Valuing the Ocean’ and ‘Citizen Engagement on Climate’. With synergies across all our programmes, however, you will also work closely with the Programme Lead, Arts, and the Head of Advocacy and Communications.

This is an exciting time to join our growing team. We are pivoting our strategy to focus on the challenges posed by climate change to the land, sea, and people – and the critical role of public engagement in addressing these challenges – while continuing to champion community engagement in the arts sector by advocating organisations to embrace their ‘civic role’. 2022 will see major global moments for public engagement in these spaces, including the UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon, and COP27, and the beginning of a process to develop the UK Branch’s next five-year strategy, 2024-28.

In this role you will play a pivotal role in these activities, while helping to shape our future environment plans. You will report to the UK Branch Director and work with a diverse, friendly team in London, and with colleagues in our Head Office in Portugal. This is a brilliant opportunity for someone with 7+ years of relevant experience looking for opportunities to manage an exciting programme of work and shape its direction, working with leading NGOs, think tanks and other partners, and contributing to the sustainable development portfolio of a major European Foundation.

Background

The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation is an independent charitable foundation established in Portugal in 1956. It is one of the largest European foundations, with headquarters in Lisbon and offices in London (the UK Branch) and Paris. The fundamental purpose of the Foundation is to improve the quality of life for all through art, charity, science and education. The Foundation is dedicated to the future, to those most vulnerable, and to the value of culture.

The UK Branch is focused on building coalitions to tackle complex global problems. Based in London, the UK Branch sits at the heart of a world centre for philanthropy which enables us to deliver on the Foundation’s mission using our networks, experience and ways of working. We look ahead, thinking globally and acting locally, to create the conditions for change by connecting across borders of all kinds – national, cultural, organisational, disciplinary and social. We prioritise the vulnerable and underserved in the UK and elsewhere.

Our approach

We seek an impact greater than our limited resources might suggest

·         We believe in balancing the long view with quick wins that inspire confidence in uncertainty

·         This means looking over the horizon and helping each other to make the best use of resources

The big picture is important to us

·         We believe we all play different roles in a complex ecosystem

·         This means understanding where best we’re placed to act and joining the dots

We can’t achieve anything alone

·         We believe that collaboration depends on trusting, sharing relationships

·         This means being open to difference, having the right conversations, and learning together

We are curious and enabling of others

·         We believe evidence is important and the solutions are out there

·         This means being creative, flexible and receptive to the outside world as well as investing in our own development

The role

The Programme Lead, Environment will oversee our strategy to promote effective action on climate change and protection of the ocean. Initially you will focus on delivering current plans for our climate and ocean programmes – managing a portfolio of existing projects and relationships and building the links between them; developing ambitious new partnerships; and drawing out lessons for influencing policy and practice to secure long-term change. You will also help us develop the UK Branch’s next five-year plan (2024-28) and strengthen alliance on environmental issues across the Foundation.

Specific responsibilities

The main functions include scoping, designing, implementing and evaluating programmes alongside general grant management duties. As part of a small team at the UK branch, you will contribute to broader strategic discussion on other programmes and the UK Branch as a whole, with an increasing focus on the international dimensions of our work. The following list is intended to provide a flavour of the role and is not exclusive. We are an agile team and we welcome people shaping their roles based on skillsets and professional interests.

1.       Programme development

·         Build and maintain knowledge of the field.

·         Research and analyse policy and practice.

·         Develop strategies and plans for new strands/programmes.

2.      Programme implementation, learning and evaluation

·         Maintain existing and develop new partnerships with practitioners, influencers, experts, other funders and delivery organisations.

·         Add value to partnerships through strategic advice and other support.

·         Ensure effective evaluation of initiatives, agreeing process and commissioning independent evaluations as appropriate.

·         Ensure learning is captured, establishing and facilitating learning groups.

·         Report to colleagues and trustees on activities, learning and impact.

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3.      Grant management and administration

·         Assess proposals, undertake due diligence and report on risks.

·         Draft and present grant proposals to the trustee.

·         Monitor the delivery of projects.

·         Prepare and monitor budgets for the strand and individual projects.

·         Undertake all related correspondence.

·         Maintain office administration including record keeping and other procedures.

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4.      Dissemination and influencing

·         Help plan and deliver dissemination and influencing to maximise impact.

·         Organise and help deliver events for partners and others.

·         Prepare written reports, articles and blogs.

·         Engage with social and other media to promote strand activities.

·         Represent the UK Branch at events and meetings including with senior policy and other

decision makers in the field.

5.      Collaborative working

·         Support colleagues in the UK Branch, sharing responsibilities and taking the lead as appropriate to maximise the impact of our work overall.

·         Help ensure a collaborative environment for colleagues and partners is promoted.

·         Work with colleagues across the Foundation in support of collective international impact.

·         Take responsibility with colleagues for reacting and replying to general enquiries.

·         Undertake any other duties that can reasonably be expected.

Accountability

Reporting to the Director, you will need to manage time in order to balance the range of requirements demanded by the post. You will be expected to work with a range of colleagues in the UK Branch and other offices, and with external organisations. Though there is minimal delegation for agreeing grants and other expenditure, the post holder is expected to oversee budgets related to the strand and to take the initiative in making recommendations for expenditure.

Person Specification

Essential knowledge and experience

·                  Experience of working in a team to design and/or implement initiatives or strategies.

·         Experience of developing and managing relationships with senior stakeholders.

·         Experience of working in environment, sustainability, conservation or other relevant sectors.

·         Comprehension of organisational development and an ability to support partners in their development.

·         Understanding of creating and implementing theories of change.

·         Sound IT experience, including familiarity with Microsoft Office applications, funding software, numerical databases spreadsheets and knowledge of the internet and web-based resources.

Essential capabilities and competencies

·         Ability to work creatively and flexibly, using your own initiative.

·         Ability to build and manage effective partnerships with senior stakeholders.

·         Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues in a small team.

·         Excellent planning and project management skills and ability to meet deadlines.

·         Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and ability to swiftly produce summaries and written outputs.

·         Ability to think laterally, co-develop solutions and see the big picture.

Desirable

·         The ability to read Portuguese would be a bonus, but is not essential.

 - Relevant academic qualifications, such as a degree in environmental science. We also welcome relevant experience gained through non-academic routes

Other

·         An awareness of equal opportunities and a personal dedication to anti-discriminatory practice.

Terms

This is a permanent position based on a 35-hour week (plus one hour for lunch). The staff guide details other terms and conditions of employment.

Salary and Pension

The salary for this post is £37-42,000 based on experience. New employees are eligible to join the UK Branch’s stakeholder pension scheme, after a successful probation period, to which the Foundation makes a matched contribution of up to 10 per cent of salary per annum.

Holidays

Leave entitlement is at the rate of 28 days per annum in addition to the statutory holidays.

Location

This post will be located at the UK Branch’s headquarters in central London. This role may require some national and international travel.

Although team members are currently working remotely, we expect to return to the office shortly with a hybrid approach (e.g. possibly 3 days per week in the office). CGF UK will provide equipment to enable effective remote working.

Equal Opportunity Policy

The UK Branch of the Foundation has an equal opportunity policy and implements a programme of positive action to make this policy fully effective by ensuring that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, colour, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, HIV status, marital status, nationality, religion or sexual orientation. The principle applies to recruitment, pay, terms and conditions of employment, promotion, training, career opportunities and service delivery.

Updated April 2022