Project Manager (Republic of Ireland)

The Rivers Trust is a leading environmental charity and the umbrella body of The Rivers
Trust movement, comprising over 60 independent local charities. Our vision is
for wild, healthy, natural rivers, valued by all. We are at a critical point in our history as
we expand to deliver projects to protect and replenish this critical part of the natural
environment, and our research and expertise is now needed more urgently than ever as water
supply and quality move up the public agenda.

The island of Ireland is the fastest-growing area of the rivers trust movement, and we have
successfully secured a number of EU-funded projects running over several years. As part of the
expansion of our work across Ireland, we are looking for a motivated and highly organised
person to join our team and fill a newly created Project Manager role.

This is a pivotal position, managing The Rivers Trust’s and its Irish subsidiary’s projects in Ireland, including managing our Interreg North-West Europe and National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) co-funded Buffer+ project, and our Interreg Europe and Department for Environment, Climate & Communications (DECC) co- funded RiWET project; both focused on peatland restoration as part of health, functioning freshwater ecosystems in Ireland and across Europe.

The role will involve collaborating with a wide network of stakeholders including landowners, water companies, universities, government, and the NGO sector across Ireland, the UK and all of Europe. You’ll be supported by the existing Rivers Trust project management team who are based in different locations across Ireland, Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

As Project Manager you will work on both domestic and EU funded projects, as well as help to build on our project delivery in Ireland.

You’ll be involved in every stage of the project life cycle, from initiation to completion and evaluation, ensuring that projects are delivered smoothly and effectively, on time and within scope and budget.

Whilst environmental, peatland and freshwater knowledge and experience is desirable, we are looking for someone who can deliver professional and effective project management of the project and its pilot sites to ensure efficiency in realising our projects’ objectives in line with our organisational and charitable objectives.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a friendly team working within a thriving movement, and to make a meaningful contribution to environmental protection and improvement.

The successful candidate MUST live and work in the Republic of Ireland as part of EU-funding requirement.

This is a full-time, home-based role, with regular contact and meetings with colleagues, though the job holder will be required to travel within Ireland, the UK, and occasionally Europe.

We offer flexibility around working hours offering time off in lieu. The option of working a
9-day fortnight is also available.

We offer 25 days holiday pro rata (rising to 28 days) plus statutory holiday days. We are happy
to make adjustments for people with disabilities and/or caring responsibilities, and we welcome
applications from all communities.

Key responsibilities include:

• Establishing, leading and delivering on complex projects from initiation to closure stages, ensuring deliverables are met on time, within budget and scope.
• Developing project plans, schedules and milestones, identifying potential risks or issues and developing contingency plans.
• Communicating and collaborating effectively with project stakeholders, including landowners, environmental NGO’s, consultants, contractors, water companies, academic and research institutions, and local and national government bodies.
• Managing project budgets, timelines, resources and scope, reporting to multiple funding bodies using different systems and processes, including EU JEMS.
• Conducting regular project reviews, providing status updates, and addressing any potential issues or risks that may affect the success of projects.
• Supporting new project development and contributing to securing funding for our activities in Ireland and Northern Ireland
• Managing multi-sector stakeholder relationships to achieve partnership and project objectives.
• Reporting to multiple funding bodies using different reporting systems and processes, including reporting on the projects activities and deliverables on the EU JEMS portal.
• Contributing to the evaluation of projects, reviewing their outcomes and making improvements to management systems.
• Supporting other colleagues on the team in the delivery of projects, providing cover for absences and transferring any specialist knowledge.
• Following all Rivers Trust policies including on Health & Safety, EDI, IT, and GDPR.
• Contributing to a respectful and inclusive working culture.

Based on skills and experience, a competitive and comprehensive pay offer of between €39,149 and €45,673 will be awarded for this role plus 9% employer pension contribution.

To apply, please send your CV and detailed cover letter highlighting how you meet the following criteria:

Essential knowledge, skills, and experience:

• Experience of reporting to funders, including evidencing milestone and outcome delivery, risks, final and mid-project technical reports.
• Undertaking project change control and presenting spend forecasting and financial reconciliations to funders (including EU, national and local Government, corporate foundations, charities, the community sector, and others).
• Experience of developing and maintaining core project management deliverables (project plans, reporting, risks).
• Budget management.
• Experience in delivering EU-funded projects.
• The ability to build, develop and maintain significant internal and external relationships with a wide range of stakeholders (e.g. landowners, environmental NGO’s, consultants, contractors, water companies, academic and research institutions, and local and national government bodies).
• Proven ability to collaborate on cross-functional teams while working remotely.
• Proven ability to achieve delivery through others.
• Good communication skills.
• Detail and deadline-oriented, able to manage multiple priorities.
• Must be proficient in using computers (Microsoft Office – we also communicate by Slack but familiarity with this isn’t a requirement).
• The ability to work occasional evenings, weekends, and overnight stays when necessary (e.g. to attend events and conferences or visit key stakeholders on-site).
• Hold a drivers license valid in the Republic of Ireland and UK. Own transport desirable.

Desirable criteria:

• Project management training and/or qualifications.
• Knowledge of peatland and/or freshwater environmental management.
• Experience of project management in the NGO sector.
• Experience of project programme management.
• Experience of working with corporate partners.

Everyone who works for us is expected to contribute to a respectful and inclusive working culture and follow our policies and procedures including Health & Safety, EDI, Cybersecurity and GDPR.

If you have any questions which will help you decide to apply and aren’t answered on our website, please get in touch with Constanze O’Toole and they will get back to you.

Please note we can only accept applications made through this site, and not sent by email or other methods.

Closing date: 3rd October 2024 at 12pm (midday)

Applicants will be given at least one week’s notice in advance of interview, and interviews are being planned for week commencing 21st October
2024.