CHANGE Project Manager

Charity Jobs NI is delighted to be recruiting on behalf of Northern Ireland Environment Link (NIEL) for a CHANGE Project Manager to lead the delivery of an important cross-border environmental project funded funded byPEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). This is a high-impact leadership opportunity for an experienced project professional who can oversee delivery, governance, compliance and partnership working across a complex, multi-stakeholder initiative.

This role will suit candidates with strong experience in project leadership, environmental policy, stakeholder engagement and compliance-led programme delivery. It may also appeal to those searching for opportunities such as Project Manager, Programme Lead, Operations Lead, Delivery Manager, Environmental Project Manager or Strategic Project Lead.

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 membership brings together extensive knowledge, expertise and experience to help shape policy, practice and implementation across a wide range of environmental issues.

NIELs work also extends across the island of Ireland, where it collaborates with partners including the Irish Environmental Network to address shared environmental challenges and support stronger cooperation, dialogue and evidence-led policy development.

About the Project

The Collaborative Horizons for All-island Nature and Governance Enhancement (CHANGE) project is a cross-border initiative designed to strengthen environmental governance and cooperation in response to increasing regulatory divergence and shared ecological challenges in a post-Brexit context.

Delivered in partnership by NIEL and the Irish Environmental Network, the project will support collaboration, consultation, data analysis and policy development across key environmental areas including climate action, biodiversity, marine conservation and freshwater management. It will also help create a stronger framework for cross-border environmental consultation and cooperation.

The Role

As CHANGE Project Manager, the successful candidate will lead the planning, coordination and day-to-day delivery of this ambitious environmental programme, ensuring that all objectives, outputs and outcomes are achieved in line with funder requirements and strategic priorities.

Reporting to the Head of Development & Environmental Projects, the postholder will provide both strategic and operational leadership, oversee project governance, manage project finances and claims, support partner organisations, service the Project Steering Group, and lead a small internal team.

This is a senior role requiring excellent judgement, strong organisational ability, confident stakeholder engagement skills and the ability to manage delivery across complex governance structures and multiple partners.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the planning, coordination and overall delivery of the CHANGE project to ensure agreed objectives, outputs and outcomes are achieved

Facilitate effective cross-border and all-island collaboration among project partners and stakeholders

Coordinate the project work programme to ensure delivery against KPIs, milestones, Steering Group requirements and funder expectations

Ensure all project activity aligns with funder requirements and NIELs strategic priorities

Support partner organisations with capacity building and strategic development where required

Oversee project governance and provide reporting to senior management, the Steering Group and the NIEL Board where relevant

Ensure compliance with all funder requirements, including budget management, claims, reporting and post-project evaluation

Maintain risk registers and escalate emerging risks or challenges appropriately

Provide day-to-day line management to the project team, including recruitment, onboarding, performance management and staff development

Build and maintain strong relationships with participants, funders, project partners and key stakeholders

Represent the project and NIEL on relevant groups, committees and at conferences

Oversee financial tracking, forecasting, expenditure approvals and audit readiness

Contribute to the wider strategic direction of NIEL and support organisational priorities including Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Person Specification

Candidates should be able to demonstrate a strong track record in project management, leadership and partnership working, ideally within a complex, funded or compliance-driven environment.

Essential Criteria

A relevant degree in an area such as Environmental Policy, Environmental Law, Climate Action, Biodiversity, Marine or Freshwater Management, or a related discipline, or at least 5 years experience in a comparable role

At least 3 years experience of successful project management, including line management

At least 3 years experience of leading grant and/or project administration and management

Proven experience managing EU-funded or similarly complex, compliance-driven projects

Demonstrated expertise in monitoring, evaluation and impact reporting

Experience leading small teams and coordinating multi-stakeholder initiatives

Strong financial management skills, including budgeting, reporting and audit preparation

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including report writing and presenting complex information clearly to diverse audiences

Strong analytical, critical thinking and problem-solving skills

Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines

Excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills, including the ability to engage with senior stakeholders

Ability and willingness to travel to meet the requirements of the post

Flexibility to work evenings or weekends where necessary

Desirable Criteria

Experience in the NGO sector or another relevant sector

Knowledge or experience of cross-border or transnational cooperation

Knowledge of environmental issues

Location

NIEL Office, Lombard Street, Belfast, BT1 1RD, with hybrid working arrangements available by agreement with the Line Manager. Frequent travel will be required across Northern Ireland and the border counties of the Republic of Ireland, with occasional travel elsewhere in the UK. Applicants must therefore be based within Northern Ireland.

Salary

£45,000 per annum

Hours of Work

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

Contract

Fixed-term contract until 31 January 2029, subject to funding, with the possibility of extension. Secondment opportunities will also be considered.

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 13th April 2026 at 9am

Interview Date

Week commencing 20th April 2026

How to Apply

If you are passionate about leading impactful environmental work and building stronger cross-border cooperation on the island of 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 candidates 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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Skills:
Project Management Environmental Programme Delivery