Grants and Network Manager

Purpose of role: To support international conservation grants programmes and lead on the development of our 220 strong global Winner Network at WFN: an impactful fundraising and grant-giving wildlife conservation charity focused on supporting grassroots projects across Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Reports to: Head of Grants

Deadline to apply: 31st August (before end of day). Successful candidates will be invited to interview following the deadline and we are planning for a mid October 2025 start date.

Whitley Fund for Nature

Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN) is a UK charity supporting grassroots conservation leaders across the Global South. Through project funding (Awards), training, and media profile, we support local solutions to the planet’s most pressing conservation challenges. Our winners are courageous changemakers, working alongside communities to save species and protect ecosystems. Established in 1993, we have channelled £24 million to +220 conservation leaders in 80 countries, benefitting wildlife, landscapes, and people. 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. WFN is governed by a committed trustee board. Our team is dynamic, passionate about our mission, and ambitious. The charity benefits from high profile support from Patron, HRH The Princess Royal, and Ambassador Sir David Attenborough.

Our funding is raised each year, mainly from family trusts and foundations, as well as from individuals, corporates, and international NGOs, with a current annual income of around £2.6m/year. We raise funds based on winner need, and in the coming years are seeking to steadily grow what we provide in support to winners, and so are bolstering the capacity of our team in line with this ambition.

The Opportunity

This role at WFN provides an exciting opportunity to lead on the development of our growing Winner Network Development (WND) programme, identified as one of the charity’s key areas for strategic growth and maximised impact over the coming years. We are looking for an enthusiastic and outgoing communicator who is passionate about conservation and can drive forward and create connections between our global network of over 220 conservationists, fostering knowledge exchange, capacity development and collaboration. As part of this programme the Grants and Network Manager (GNM) will help with delivery of annual thematic training workshops, with opportunity for international travel. The GNM will also assist our Head of Grants (HG) in monitoring our portfolio of active grants, with support from the Grants Assistant (GA). The GNM will also participate in the Whitley Awards application process by helping to screen the grant applications and supporting with due diligence. If you have a conservation background, and experience with capacity development programmes, proactively managing growing networks, and monitoring active grants, then this is the role for you.

GRANTS AND NETWORK MANAGER - PERSONAL SPECIFICATION

Essential:

• MSc or equivalent experience in a relevant field (e.g., Conservation/ Zoology/ Environmental Science)
• Experience cultivating and managing networks of people, with a proven track record of successful engagement and network growth
• Requisite experience in managing a portfolio of active grants within the environmental NGO sector including ongoing monitoring and evaluation
• Past experience with capacity development initiatives and/or facilitating trainings and events, including organising logistics
• Demonstrable understanding of grassroots conservation projects, issues, and solutions
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills at all levels (interface with team members, trustees, international grantees, donors, external assessors, suppliers)
• Innovative and strategic thinker; able to spot opportunities to maximise the collective impact of our winner network
• Efficient and organised, with high attention to detail whilst ensuring deadlines are met
• Proven ability in effective budgeting, negotiating and budget management
• Proficient in Outlook, Word, Excel and Powerpoint
• Flexible ‘can do’ approach and will flourish in a small office environment

Desirable:

• Experience working and/or travelling in the Global South
• Experience using Salesforce/CRM databases
• Experience working with high profile individuals

Additional details and benefits:

• Attractive holiday package totalling 30 days p.a. plus bank holidays.
• Training and professional development opportunities provided.
• Hybrid working opportunities
• Some opportunities for international travel
• The charity operates a Pension Scheme and a Life Assurance Scheme.

How to apply

• Apply via our website as soon as possible and before the 31st August (end of day).
• You will need to send your CV and a cover letter explaining why you feel you would be right for this position and your motivation
• Please indicate what your notice period, if any, would be in your letter.
• Please also send a signed copy of our Candidate Privacy Notice with your application (available at our website).

This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship. Only applicants who have the right to work in the UK at the time of application will be considered for this role.

Regrettably, due to limited resources and the high number of applications we receive, we are only able to contact short-listed candidates. If you do not hear from us within four weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been successful on this occasion.

Diversity and Inclusion

At WFN we are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse organisation, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. We celebrate and respect diversity in nature and among the people and partners with whom we work. We need more people and diversity across the environment sector, and to achieve our vision. We are therefore particularly keen to receive applications from Black, Asian or minority ethnic; disabled; LGBTQ+; or from lower socio-economic backgrounds. As a small organisation we are committed to progressing and continuing development across DE&I. Please contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application. Applications are considered solely on your demonstrated suitability for the role.