Project Support Officer – Wilder Horsham District

Sussex Wildlife Trust

Sussex Wildlife Trust (SWT) is a conservation charity for everyone who cares about nature in
Sussex. We focus on protecting the wonderfully rich natural life that is found across our
towns, countryside and coast. By working alongside local people we create opportunities for us
all to connect with nature and for nature to thrive in even the most unlikely places. 

We are now in a critical decade for change to protect and restore nature with the help of more
people taking action for wildlife. Now is the time for an ambitious action plan to match the
scale and urgency of the challenges we are facing. Our new Strategic Plan – Our Wild
Sussex – was launched in April and sets out our vision and commitment to turning the
tide for wildlife so that by 2030, nature in Sussex will be in recovery.

To deliver our new strategic aims, we have recently completed a comprehensive restructure of
the charity to align to our goals. This restructure has generated a suite of new roles and
opportunities which will enable us to achieve our ambitions of restoring and protecting at
least 30% of Sussex land and sea for nature, inspiring one in four people in Sussex to take
meaningful action for wildlife, building a stronger more inclusive and diverse organisation and
becoming a net zero and climate resilient organisation.

In order to encourage diversity and inclusivity within the environment sector, we particularly
welcome applications from people who have an ethnically or geographically diverse background,
who are non-graduates and/or are living in economically deprived areas

Wilder Horsham District

Wilder Horsham District is a pioneering partnership project between Sussex Wildlife
Trust and Horsham District Council. It aims to work closely with local communities and
landowners to reverse the decline in wildlife by creating and connecting habitats to deliver a
Nature Recovery Network for the Horsham District. For more information see: Wilder Horsham District Sussex
Wildlife Trust

The Role

This is a replacement role joining the established Wilder Horsham District Project Team. You
will provide administrative support for the delivery of the Horsham District Nature Recovery
Network, working with the project’s Senior Land Advisor and Land Advisor, other key individuals
from Sussex Wildlife Trust and Horsham District Council and a variety of external stakeholders.

The role requires high quality administrative and communication skills alongside a passion for
and understanding of nature conservation. You will be a first point of contact with landowners
and community groups and skills in data and contact management are important as well as use of
social media platforms. You will administer the Wilder Horsham District Steering Group, manage
the volunteer team and ensure clarity and quality in all project communications. You will have
a key role in documenting and supporting legal compliance for the project in terms of
integrating into existing Sussex Wildlife Trust systems, Health and Safety and GDPR. You will
have opportunities to grow your conservation knowledge by joining work parties and site visits
with the other Team members.

With a District wide geographical portfolio and a broad range of stakeholders, it is possible
that you will be asked to undertake occasional evening and weekend work.

The Person

We are principally looking for a team player who will work well with the Wilder Horsham
District Team and with the wider Nature Recovery Team but who is also able to work
independently when required.

You will have a passion for Wildlife and Nature Recovery and an interest in the restoration of
natural processes. Ideally, you will have an understanding of the role of Nature Recovery
Networks. Knowledge of a range of conservation techniques and practices from rewilding to
species specific enhancements is desirable. 

You will be organised, adaptable and creative with excellent interpersonal and communication
skills. While extensive experience is not a necessity you will need high quality administrative
skills and excellent IT skills. Some knowledge of working with GIS is desirable. 

Benefits

• 25 days holiday plus 8 bank holidays each year (pro-rated for part time staff)
• Pension – company contribution from 6% and employee contribution of 3% 
• Life Assurance – Pension Scheme Members 2 x Salary, Non-Pension Scheme Members 1 x Salary
• 2 days paid leave for volunteering each year
• Flexible working policy
• Enhanced Sick Pay
• EAP
• Employee discounts
• Informal car share arrangements