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A coalition of water and nature-focused charities including The Wildlife Trusts, the Rivers Trust and Sustainability First have called on Steve Reed MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, to formalise and strengthen the Water Restoration Fund in the upcoming Water (Special Measures) Bill.

The Don Catchment Rivers Trust was established as a charity (number 1134414) in 2010 to help protect and restore rivers in the River Don catchment area, this includes not just the River Don but all the rivers and streams which flow into it such as the River Dearne, River Rother, the Sheaf, Went, Ea Beck and many others. Our rivers are a valuable asset which tell the story of our culture and heritage. They are important for people, wildlife and the local economy, and form an integral part of our landscape. Our vision is help our rivers THRIVE. Positive change will ensure our rivers and their wildlife are better valued and protected into the future. The rich heritage, ecology, history and amenity value of our rivers will be appreciated by people, communities, and decision makers. The Trust currently employs 11 members of staff, and we are governed by a Board of Trustees. The Trust also has a team of over 100 volunteers, who help up us to deliver river clean ups, citizen science, habitat improvements and educational activities. For more information about the Trust and its work, please see our website: https://​dcrt​.org​.uk/ About the role: This is a new role at Don Catchment Rivers Trust, which will support the Chief Executive Officer in the running of the Trust, with a focus on income generation and associated stakeholder organisation engagement. As an environmental charity there are opportunities available to us that we want to link in to. This may be environmental markets, Biodiversity Net Gain, delivery contracts, and other new emerging income streams – we are looking for a person to lead the way on researching opportunities, helping the CEO to make decisions on our focus, and readying the Trust to implement. This post is both internal and external facing. Internally, you will help ensure that the Trust and it’s processes are well managed and our staff well supported, so that we can maintain quality in our next phase. You will have an excellent rapport with people and be a team player. Externally, you will represent the Trust with key stakeholders, promote the mission of the Trust, and encourage organisations and authorities to support us as an environmental charity. Using the Trust’s excellent track record of delivery, you will have the ability to find, develop, and realise sustainable income opportunities. Main duties: Organisational support and income generation:Ensure that the Trust is positioned to take advantage of income strands available to us. This may include helping with project funding bids, but more importantly you will focus on external organisational support and core income available to the Trust as an environmental charity.Represent the Trust at partner meetings, working groups and networks as appropriate, ensuring that the work of the Trust is promoted to new and existing contacts.Assist the CEO with business planning and the development of the Trust, ensuring we are best placed to achieve our aims.Set up and maintain a central register of grant and income opportunities for the Trust. You will proactively research new opportunities for the Trust.Support the CEO in external communications. As a team we will ensure clear messaging of our mission, values, and impact, and proactively use this to promote the work of our charity.This is a new post, and it is expected that the duties of the Trust Development Manager will adapt as opportunities arise and the Trust develops. This will be reviewed regularly. Internally: The balance and focus of internal responsibilities assisting the CEO will be determined by the skills and experience of the preferred candidate, to potentially include:Evidence based approach: using data and GIS to evidence and prioritise our work.Staff: assist the CEO with day-to-day HR, staff appraisals and skills developmentHealth & Safety: maintain high standards within our health and safety policy and procedures.Policies & Procedures: helping to ensure that the Trust’s suite of policies and procedures are maintained, reviewed and adhered to. Please see that attached job description, at the bottom of the page, for the full list of skills, qualities, and experiences desired. Terms and Conditions:The post will require frequent travel around the Don Catchment and therefore a full UK driving licence and access to a car is essential. Car insurance providers need to be made aware of this business use. Mileage expenses will be paid in accordance with the HMRC non-taxable levels and is not inclusive of the commute to the office.DCRT will make an employer’s contribution to your pension scheme of choice in line with the Rivers Trust pension scheme. New schemes can be set up through the Rivers Trust if desired.The post receives an annual holiday entitlement of 25 days plus statutory bank holidays for a FTE post, calculated on a pro rata basis for part time hours. The working days between Christmas Day and New Years Day are also given as extra holiday.Formal appointment to the role is subject to satisfactory references, a DBS check (if appropriate) and a three-month probationary period. To apply for this role: Please return your application form to jobs@​dcrt.​org.​uk by noon on 2^nd February 2025 — CVs and covering letters are not accepted. For more information or an informal chat about the role, please call Rachel Walker (CEO) on 01302 439081 or send an email to jobs@​dcrt.​org.​uk to request a call back during office hours. DCRT will shortlist applications and invite them to an interview at the DCRT office in Doncaster on 13^th February 2025.

Are you a dynamic individual with a background in education, looking for your next challenge? Do you have a passion for inspiring others about our water environment and wish to work for an ambitious local charity? This could be the role for you. Purpose of the job: Water Champions will help schools and young people understand and cherish their riverscapes and take action to help protect them, building a community of change. Water Champions are part of the collaborative Downs to the Sea project. Made possible by support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Downs to the Sea brings together a partnership comprising the South Downs National Park Trust, South Downs National Park Authority, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Western Sussex Rivers Trust, Brighton and Hove City Council, and Writing Our Legacy. Together the partnership will restore and protect ponds and wetlands across the South Downs, in the Arun Valley and at Pagham Harbour, which are some of the most special places in and around the South Downs National Park yet failing to reach their ecological potential. Through engagement activities, the project will reach more diverse audiences, promote health and wellbeing, and develop people’s skills and understanding of the landscape, especially the vital role that water plays in all our lives. We have two Water Champion roles available, one focusing on engagement with schools and young people, and the other to engage with parish councils and communities (see separate advert and person specification). We can be flexible with working hours, but require a minimum of 22.5 hours per week, up to a possibility of full-time employment. Principal Responsibilities:Design and deliver a programme of engagement, awareness raising and empowerment for primary and secondary schools, colleges and youth groups via interactive assemblies, curriculum-linked classroom learning and clubs, as well as practical work outside the classroom and on the rivers.Deliver inspirational activities to raise awareness of the issues faced by our riverscapes and associated wildlife and empower young people to take action for change.Inspire local action to improve water quality and river health and get more people out in our riverscapes.With other team members attend community events and festivals and promote the Water Champions messages via street stalls.Work with our Comms teams on a variety of communications to spread the Water Champions message.Pursue ways to link with other elements of the Downs to the Sea project and programme of work.Prepare regular reports to the Downs to the Sea Project Board and for reporting outcomes to the NHLF.Perform administrative duties as required by the role​.To carry out any other duties in line with the role as required by the WSRT Trust Manager and Downs to the Sea Project Board​.To collaborate with other WSRT projects such as our River Guardians citizen science water quality testing programme for mutual benefit of each pro​ject​.Be responsible for health and safety of yourself and others. TeamworkAct as a responsible WSRT team member and develop productive collaborative working relationships with other members of the Downs to the Sea Partnership.Contribute to and/​or lead on team meetings, training and/​or committees internally or externally.Work with Trustees & WSRT Staff to sustain and strengthen an inclusive, supportive, caring working environment. Other duties You are required to be flexible, undertaking such other duties appropriate to the grade and content of the work as may reasonably be required of you. Please note that, in consultation with you, WSRT reserves the right to update your job profile to reflect changes in, or to, your position. BenefitsYou will be a member of a small, dynamic, passionate, and supportive team, joining WSRT at an exciting time of growth.10% Recharge policy – WSRT team members are encouraged to take 10% of their working week for mental and physical recharge, getting out into the catchment to explore a new area, further their knowledge or enjoy a river-related activity.25 days holiday, plus bank holidays (pro rata for part time staff) and Christmas to New Year shutdown.Flexible working.Employee assistance programme (counselling, specialist legal and financial support).Pension scheme (3% employee, 5% WSRT). Learn more on the Western Sussex Rivers Trust Website and please see the attached job description below for the full breakdown of the role and required skills and attributes. How to apply: Please email a cover letter and CV to info@​arrt.​org.​uk. We welcome informal discussions if you would like further information about this role or working for WSRT. Your cover letter should detail how you fit the role and person specification and be no longer than two pages. Applications should be made by 9am on Monday 10^th February 2025. Interviews will take place on Wednesday 26^th February 2025 and will be held in Fittleworth, near Pulborough. Following the initial interview, we may require potential candidates to complete a second interview including an activity with a school group.

Are you a dynamic individual with a background in community engagement, looking for your next challenge? Do you have a passion for inspiring others about our water environment and wish to work for an ambitious local charity? This could be the role for you. Purpose of the job Water Champions will help parish councils and communities interpret, understand and take action for their local water environment, and help build a community of change. Water Champions are part of the collaborative Downs to the Sea project. Made possible by support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Downs to the Sea brings together a partnership comprising the South Downs National Park Trust, South Downs National Park Authority, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Western Sussex Rivers Trust, Brighton and Hove City Council, and Writing Our Legacy.Together the partnership will restore and protect ponds and wetlands across the South Downs, in the Arun Valley and at Pagham Harbour, which are some of the most special places in and around the South Downs National Park yet failing to reach their ecological potential. Through engagement activities, the project will reach more diverse audiences, promote health and wellbeing, and develop people’s skills and understanding of the landscape, especially the vital role that water plays in all our lives. We have two Water Champion roles available, one focusing on engagement with parish councils and communities, and the other to engage with schools and young people (see separate advert and person specification). We can be flexible with working hours, but require a minimum of 22.5 hours per week, up to a possibility of full time. Principal ResponsibilitiesDesign an info pack for parish councils to increase local understanding of the ecology and pressures facing our riverscapes, and how to protect them.Provide relevant local information to guide change, including assessing opportunities for projects and signposting to WSRT team members, partner organisations and other advisory organisations.Give presentations in person and online to raise awareness of ways to help our rivers.Work collaboratively with parish councils to deliver projects to improve our riverscapes, inspiring local action to improve water quality and river health and get more people out in green/​blue spaces.With other team members attend community events and festivals and promote the Water Champions messages via street stalls.Work with our Comms teams on a variety of communications to spread the Water Champions message.Pursue ways to link with other elements of the Downs to the Sea project and programme of work.Prepare regular reports to the Downs to the Sea Project Board and for reporting outcomes to the NHLF.Perform administrative duties as required by the role​.To carry out any other duties in line with the role as required by the WSRT Trust Manager and Downs to the Sea Project Board​.To collaborate with other WSRT projects such as our River Guardians citizen science water quality testing programme for mutual benefit of each pro​ject​.Be responsible for health and safety of yourself and others. TeamworkAct as a responsible WSRT team member and develop productive collaborative working relationships with other members of the Downs to the Sea Partnership.Contribute to and/​or lead on team meetings, training and/​or committees internally or externally.Work with Trustees & WSRT Staff to sustain and strengthen an inclusive, supportive, caring working environment. Other duties You are required to be flexible, undertaking such other duties appropriate to the grade and content of the work as may reasonably be required of you. Please note that, in consultation with you, WSRT reserves the right to update your job profile to reflect changes in, or to, your position. BenefitsYou will be a member of a small, dynamic, passionate, and supportive team, joining WSRT at an exciting time of growth.10% Recharge policy – WSRT team members are encouraged to take 10% of their working week for mental and physical recharge, getting out into the catchment to explore a new area, further their knowledge or enjoy a river-related activity.25 days holiday, plus bank holidays (pro rata for part time staff) and Christmas to New Year shutdown.Flexible working.Employee assistance programme (counselling, specialist legal and financial support).Pension scheme (3% employee, 5% WSRT). Learn more on the Western Sussex Rivers Trust website and please see the attached job description below for a full breakdown of the role and required skill and experience. How to apply: Please email a cover letter and CV to info@​arrt.​org.​uk. We welcome informal discussions if you would like further information about this role or working for WSRT. Your cover letter should detail how you fit the role and person specification and be no longer than two pages. Applications should be made by 9am on Monday 10^th February 2025. Interviews will take place on Thursday 27^th February 2025 and will be held in Fittleworth, near Pulborough.