Environmental Strategy & Advocacy Manager

Northern Ireland Environment Link • Full-time • Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom • £42,500 / year • 2w ago

Environmental Strategy & Advocacy Manager

Charity Jobs NI is delighted to be recruiting on behalf of Northern Ireland Environment Link (NIEL) for an Environmental Strategy & Advocacy Manager. This is a senior leadership opportunity for an experienced environmental professional who can lead strategic advocacy, manage a high-performing team and help shape environmental policy and collaboration across Northern Ireland.

This role will suit candidates with strong experience in environmental strategy, advocacy, stakeholder engagement and team leadership. It may also appeal to those searching for opportunities such as Policy Manager, Advocacy Manager, Environmental Policy Manager, Strategic Partnerships Manager or Public Affairs Manager.

About the Organisation

Northern Ireland Environment Link (NIEL) is the networking and forum body for non-statutory organisations concerned with the natural and built environment of Northern Ireland. Its 69 full members represent 190,000 individuals, 262 subsidiary groups, have an annual turnover of £70 million and manage over 314,000 acres of land. Members are involved in environmental issues of all types and at all levels, from the local community to the global environment.

NIEL brings together a wide range of knowledge, experience and expertise which is used to help develop policy, practice and implementation across a wide range of environmental fields.

The Role

The Environmental Strategy & Advocacy Manager will play a key leadership role in advancing NIEL’s mission by overseeing the work of the Area Leads team and supporting delivery of the organisation’s long-term strategic vision.

Working at a senior strategic level, the postholder will lead the development and delivery of NIEL’s advocacy plan on biodiversity and climate change, representing the interests of NIEL and its members while supporting engagement with key political and sector stakeholders.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who combines strategic thinking, policy awareness and relationship-building skills with the ability to manage people, coordinate complex workstreams and influence positive environmental outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

Lead and manage the day-to-day work of the Area Leads team to support delivery of NIEL’s business plan, mission and vision
Oversee recruitment, onboarding, performance management and development of team members
Foster engagement, collaboration and open communication across the team to support delivery of overlapping strategic objectives
Carry out performance reviews and support individual development planning
Service NIEL’s Strategic Policy Committee and ensure delivery against its objectives
Create, review and update NIEL’s Manifesto for the Environment
Develop, agree and deliver NIEL’s advocacy plan in line with strategic priorities and measurable outcomes
Lead NIEL’s engagement with MPs, Members of the NI Assembly and Councillors
Manage stakeholder relationships and coordinate engagement activity with Area Leads and members
Coordinate team delivery against the NIEL business plan, KPIs and policy priorities
Ensure reporting requirements for the Board, funders and other stakeholders are met within agreed deadlines
Oversee governance across NIEL’s strategic areas and report to the CEO, Strategic Policy Committee and Board
Ensure delivery and reporting against compliance measures set by funders, including budgets, project claims and post-project evaluations
Represent NIEL on groups, committees and at conferences
Coordinate feedback from members representing NIEL externally
Work with the CEO, Head of Development and Environmental Projects and Senior Leadership Team to identify, apply for and deliver funding
Contribute to the wider strategic direction of the organisation
Support NIEL in embedding Equality, Diversity and Inclusion into its standard ways of working
Undertake any other reasonable duties as required

Person Specification

Candidates should be able to demonstrate strong leadership, advocacy and policy experience, ideally within an environmental or similarly complex stakeholder-led setting.

Essential Criteria

Educated to degree level in a relevant discipline such as Biology, Geography, Planning or a related area
At least 3 years’ experience of managing people and teams to deliver high performance
At least 3 years’ experience of advocacy planning and delivery in relation to the environment
Strong understanding of environmental policy and key issues within the sector
Demonstrated experience of delivering against strategic plans and coordinating complex workstreams
Demonstrable experience of interpreting and influencing policy issues, including preparing briefings, publications and reports, and managing compliance or governance processes
Experience of applying for funding for externally funded programmes
Excellent interpersonal, influencing and collaboration skills, including the ability to engage at senior stakeholder level
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including presentation and report writing
Ability to engage, motivate and support colleagues to achieve results and meet organisational goals
Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office, email and internet use
Access to a form of transport which ensures duties are fulfilled

Desirable Criteria

Experience managing people and teams in a similar environmental sector organisation
A track record in identifying, securing and leading on funding applications for externally funded programmes
A sound understanding of the strategic context, including EU and national government policy and practice, political institutions and the process of government in relation to the environment
Experience of facilitating meetings and working groups
Experience of incorporating diversity, equality and inclusion into wider environmental matters

Location

NIEL Office, Lombard Street, Belfast, BT1 1RD, with hybrid working arrangements available by agreement with the Line Manager. This role will require regular travel throughout Northern Ireland and within the UK and Ireland.

Salary

£42,500 per annum

Hours of Work

37.5 hours per week, normally Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

Contract

Permanent

Benefits

Contributory pension scheme of 7.5%
25 days annual leave plus 12 statutory holidays
Employee Assistance Programme
Occupational Sick Pay
Occupational Family Leave

Closing Date

Monday 27th April 2026

How to Apply

If you are passionate about shaping environmental strategy, leading advocacy work and helping influence positive environmental change across Northern Ireland, we would love to hear from you.

Simply apply now with your CV to register your interest. A member of the Charity Jobs NI team will be in touch to discuss your application and guide you through the next steps of the process.

Early application is advised, as the employer reserves the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications or interest be received.

Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure that their application is submitted and received by the stated closing date and time.

Charity Jobs NI is proud to be supporting Northern Ireland Environment Link as recruitment partner for this vacancy.

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