Senior Project Officer – Co Armagh / South Down

Location: Co Armagh / South Down – home-based, with travel for practical project delivery, centred on Portadown

Salary: £25,477 per annum

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week

This role offers the chance to bring communities together through nature, combining projects supported by the Public Health Agency and Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) with paid conservation services for landowners and communities. It also includes delivery of the PEACEPLUS-funded Bloom and Branch project in the Newry, Mourne and Down Council area.

About the Organisation

Charity Jobs NI is delighted to be supporting The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) in the recruitment of a Senior Project Officer to help protect local environments and connect communities with nature across Co Armagh / South Down.

Since 1959, TCV has brought people together to create, improve and care for green spaces across the UK. Its work supports nature, strengthens communities and improves health and wellbeing through practical volunteering and conservation activities.

The Role

This opportunity will suit someone with practical experience in horticulture or environmental work who enjoys supporting others and seeing the results of their work outdoors.

The successful candidate will deliver community conservation and horticultural projects that improve local environments and support people’s health and wellbeing through nature.

Work includes Green Gym and practical horticulture sessions with community groups across Co Armagh and Mid-Ulster, involving volunteers in habitat management across parks, council sites and nature reserves, and delivering the Bloom and Branch project in the Newry, Mourne and Down Council area.

The role is home-based, with travel for practical project delivery, centred on Portadown. The successful candidate will combine practical skills with the ability to organise activities, manage resources and provide a safe, welcoming volunteering experience.

This opportunity may appeal to candidates with experience as a Horticulture Project Officer, Environmental Project Officer, Conservation Officer, Community Gardening Co-ordinator, Community Project Officer or Volunteer Co-ordinator.

Key Responsibilities

Plan and deliver community conservation and horticultural projects to agreed standards, timescales and budgets.
Deliver Green Gym and practical horticulture sessions that support health and wellbeing through nature.
Lead volunteers in practical habitat management across parks, council sites and nature reserves.
Deliver the Bloom and Branch project in the Newry, Mourne and Down Council area.
Provide volunteers with guidance, support and practical training.
Build relationships with community groups, landowners, partners and funders.
Promote TCV’s work, recruit volunteers and identify opportunities for new projects and income.
Manage project resources and oversee the safe use and maintenance of tools and equipment.
Complete risk assessments and uphold health and safety and safeguarding requirements.
Maintain accurate project and volunteer records, monitor outcomes and prepare reports for funders and partners.

About You

TCV is looking for a practical, organised person who can motivate volunteers and help communities improve their local environment.

Essential Criteria

Applicants should bring:

A good general standard of education, typically including GCSE passes in English and Maths, or equivalent qualifications or equivalent relevant experience.
Relevant experience in practical horticulture or environmental work.
Experience of co-ordinating volunteers and providing guidance to help them complete activities.
Experience of planning and delivering practical projects or services.
The ability to organise people, manage project budgets and use resources effectively.
An understanding of safe working practices and the use of relevant tools and equipment.
Good communication and relationship-building skills.
The ability to maintain records, use IT systems and report on project progress.
An interest in conservation, community involvement, health and wellbeing, and the work of the charity sector.
A full, clean or near-clean UK driving licence held for at least one year.
A First Aid at Work certificate, or willingness to undertake the training.

Desirable Criteria

An NVQ Level 3, equivalent qualification or equivalent relevant experience would be beneficial. Additional qualifications or training specifically related to the project work, including relevant horticultural or environmental qualifications and equipment competency certificates, would also be helpful, alongside previous experience within a not-for-profit or funded organisation.

Applicants must be resident in the UK and have the right to work in the UK.

Benefits

TCV’s benefits include:

26 days’ annual leave, including Christmas Eve, plus recognised bank/public holidays, increasing with service to a maximum of 31 days.
A 5% employer pension contribution where employees contribute at least 3.5%.
Training and development opportunities.
A confidential Employee Assistance Programme.
Cycle to Work scheme.
Life assurance at twice annual salary.
Family-friendly leave policies.

How to Apply

If you have practical horticultural or environmental experience and enjoy helping people connect with nature and their community, we’d 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.

Closing Date: Monday 26th October 2026

This vacancy may close early depending on application levels.

Interviews: TBC

Equality, Inclusion and Safeguarding

TCV welcomes applications from all backgrounds and is committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. As a Disability Confident Employer, it offers interviews to applicants with a disability or health condition who meet the minimum criteria. Reasonable adjustments are available.

Appointments are subject to satisfactory references, confirmation of the right to work and a satisfactory Access NI check. All employees must follow TCV’s safeguarding policies and complete mandatory safeguarding training.

Charity Jobs NI is delighted to be supporting The Conservation Volunteers with this recruitment.

Community Projects jobs

Senior Project Officer – Co Armagh / South Down