Advocacy & Communication Coordinator

The NGO Forest Coalition is a coalition of NGOs working together to influence and inform UK policies, programmes, actions and laws on forests, corporate accountability and human rights. We aim to combat global deforestation, forest conversion and degradation and protect and improve the rights of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities. We recognise the importance of forests for climate, biodiversity and people and seek to build a strong forest movement in the UK.

Job Title

Advocacy & Communication Coordinator for the UK NGO Forest Coalition.

Job Purpose

In a pivotal decade for climate and nature, more efforts are needed to put forests at the heart of global attention. We are looking for an ambitious Advocacy & Communication Coordinator for the UK NGO Forest coalition to drive collaboration and ensure our vital work has real impact on UK decision makers and international discussions.

The Advocacy & Communication Coordinator will lead the administration of the coalition, support the development of a co-ordinated strategy and plan of action for the year ahead, and be hands-on with promoting the forest agenda. They will liaise directly with politicians and civil servants to ensure a more productive policy debate and drive forward successful advocacy strategies. The Advocacy & Communication Coordinator will also help in the running of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Global Deforestation and will lead on expanding the coalition to new members to build a strong forest movement across the UK.

Duties and Responsibilities

Develop and project manage the workstream and administration of the NGO Forest Coalition:

• Coordinate the development of annual strategies and work plans for the coalition identifying key focus areas and key activities.
• Organise and facilitate regular coalition meetings, with agendas and detailed notes and following up on the action points of those meetings.
• Ensure administrative organisation of the coalition resources, including the coalition website.

Effective coordination and tracking of fundraising actions across proposals and membership contributions:

• Co-manage the finances with the coalitionʼs finance representative.
• Recruit and induct new organisations to the coalition and proactively manage member relationships.
• Alongside the Management Committee develop a fundraising strategy to ensure the coalition continues to grow and develop.
• Lead on drafting funding applications, reporting and relationship management with funders.

Ensuring the coalition works collaboratively to engage constructively with the UK government and parliament:

• Advocate for policy in the UK Government, UK Parliament and other institutions that will ensure the UK ends its role in global deforestation, and support Coalition members in doing this.
• Increase the flow of information and dialogue between Government and NGOs, through regular and effective engagement.
• Organise a regular cadence of coalition meetings with government actors on the priority areas of engagement including with the key government departments: DEFRA, DESNZ, FCDO, International Forests Unit.
• Contribute to improving both NGO understanding of Government policies and spending, and Government understanding of NGO work, intelligence and proposals.
• Build understanding of forests and related human rights issues among MPs and Peers.
• Provide relevant coordinated input into government policies and projects, drafting Parliamentary questions and select committee scrutiny through new or existing inquiries.

Effective administration of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Global Deforestation:

• Provide Secretariat services for the APPG, creating a plan of action to engage politicians in the work of the coalition.
• Organise regular APPG events and briefings to ensure high profile speakers and Indigenous voices are heard in Parliament.
• Liaise with other relevant APPGs, parliamentarians and stakeholders.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• An experienced project manager who excels at organising and managing systems that keep coalition members informed and up to date.
• In-depth knowledge of how the UK Parliament and Government works - using the processes and conventions to help drive forward the coalitionʼs strategy.
• Experience brokering consensus across civil society and engagement with civil servants and politicians.
• Experience leading collaborative initiatives or working in cross-organisational coalitions
• A keen understanding and interest in the drivers and impacts of deforestation. Expertise in the supply chains and commodities causing the destruction would be an advantage
• A demonstrated commitment to human rights and the minimisation of the impact of global deforestation on Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
• An excellent writer and researcher, able to draft policy papers and statements.
• An ability to work with the media to highlight potential opportunities for coverage.

Indicative Salary & Working Conditions

The employment structure for this role is flexible and will be agreed in consultation with the Coalition, depending on applicable requirements. It may be offered either as an in-house position or as a consultancy. In both cases, the salary or day rate will be competitive and aligned with current UK NGO benchmarks.

The role is based in the United Kingdom, within a reasonable commuting distance of London. It is primarily remote, but regular in-person attendance will be required for strategy sessions and external meetings. This is a four-day-per-week position. The role will be a 12 month contract with the expectation and option to extend based on performance.

Deadline for applications: 2 December 2025
First Round Interviews will be 10 December in London
Second Round Interviews will be 16 December in London

During the interview process, you will be asked relevant questions and will be asked to make a presentation to the hiring panel, which will be regarding what you believe to be the most pressing forest-related policy issues for the UK government to address.

Travel costs to both interviews will be reimbursed.

If you'd like to discuss the job, please contact: Alexandra Benjamin, [email protected]