Jobs & Volunteer Positions

Graduate Officer, Evidence Team 

Salary:                          £25,000,  35 hours per week

Contract length:      12 months fixed term contract

Location:                      Working in catchments across London, occasionally more widely in UK. Office/Home based.

Responsible to:         Evidence Project Manager

 

ABOUT THAMES21

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at Thames21 is key to our success and as such we employ staff from a diverse range of backgrounds, this we feel is key in ensuring that everybody has an equal opportunity and is not treated differently or discriminated against because of their characteristics.

We value the voices of our individual employees, and we strive to work in a collaborative, innovative balanced way. The postholder must actively support this.

Purpose of the job

The Graduate Officer in the Evidence team will play a pivotal role in carrying out surveys and the collection and analysis of water samples across various locations in London.

This new and exciting role, involves across multiple projects and is an entry level position where you will collaborate with citizen scientists, conducting thorough fieldwork to gather data and samples, using and developing your analytical and reporting skills to contribute to the generation of impact and valuable insights for environmental assessments.

As the Graduate Officer, you will mainly play a supporting role, but you will also have the opportunity to work on and support various Evidence Programme projects, allowing you to further develop your environmental surveying, data analysis, report writing and community engagement skills.

Example projects that you could be working on include;

  • monitoring the effectiveness of wetlands and other nature-based water treatment interventions,
  • baseline environmental surveys and monitoring for a landscape scale restoration project
  • working alongside citizen scientists in various catchments across London to collect information about waterways pollution sources and possible solutions.

These projects work closely with water companies, statutory bodies, corporate companies, and community groups, therefore enabling you to get exposure of working with other key stakeholders within a project.

You will also support the Project Manager in utilising the outputs of models and GIS to create story maps to share their work widely and increase data impact.

This position offers an excellent opportunity to contribute to environmental research and assessments within London. The successful candidate will be part of a dynamic team working at the forefront of evidence-based initiatives aimed at safeguarding and improving water quality in the Thames River catchment.

Main duties and responsibilities

You will work independently but will also at times work together with the Evidence team and with expert (e.g. NGO, authorities, academics) and non-expert (e.g. community groups and volunteers) stakeholders to deliver impactful evidence for water quality and quantity issues for a variety of projects.

Tasks may include:

  • Water sample and survey collection: Conduct fieldwork to gather water samples, deploy and maintain sensors and conduct ecological surveys (such as riverfly and geomorphological surveys) from various sites across London
  • Support data collection by citizen scientists: Provide guidance on sample collection methods to ensure accuracy and consistency in data acquisition
  • Data analysis and visualisation: Combine fieldwork results with data collected through citizen science, the outputs of models and other data sources to understand catchments, evidence pollution issues and develop solutions. You will also provide data summaries in the form of graphs and maps
  • Report writing: Produce presentation and visualisation of data and results online and in verbal and written reports aimed at a range of expert and non-expert audiences to ensure pathways to impact of the evidence and wide accessibility of data in the public domain
  • Equipment maintenance: Perform routine calibration and maintenance checks of probes, loggers, and sampling kits (e.g. Aquatroll sondes, Hanna Checkers) to ensure accurate and reliable data collection.
  • Team collaboration and lone Working:
    • Work outside in a riverside environment in a variety of weathers – this will mean working on your own, as well as with team members, volunteers and professionals.
    • Work with Thames21 colleagues to develop and implement Thames21’s vision and support overarching project objectives.

 

In addition to the duties and responsibilities listed, the post holder is required to perform any other reasonable duties which may be requested from time to time.

This job description cannot cover every issue or task that may arise within the post at various times and the post-holder will be expected to carry out other reasonable duties from time to time which are broadly consistent with other Thames21 activities with those in this document.

 You will have the opportunity to:

  • Develop skills in field work, data analysis and high impact reporting
  • Help improve the evidence base around water quality, quantity and existing ecological value to enable effective decision making and restoration, develop solutions, support implementation and quantify the benefits.
  • Help improve knowledge of water quality in river catchments in London and highlight opportunities to mitigate pollution.
  • Support the development of pioneering solutions to urban and rural water pollution
  • Be part of a successful and dynamic environmental charity.
  • Explore London’s waterways and make a real difference to their health.

For more information, please read the attached link, Graduate Officer Evidence Team

Closing date:12th April 2024

 


Chair 

Salary: Voluntary (Expenses Paid)

Location: Remote working, with in person attendance to quarterly meetings in person.

Liaison with: Vice Chair, Board of Trustees, Company Secretary, Senior Management Team.

Thames21 is an environmental charity dedicated to transforming the River Thames and its tributaries. Our goal is to build climate resilience and tackle the nature emergency across London and the Thames Basin. Thames21 is actively engaged in delivering healthier rivers using nature-based solutions to build climate resilience and biodiversity. We are working to develop, deliver and showcase innovative and sector-leading initiatives through increasingly extensive and influential networks and collaborations. As the impact of the climate emergency increases, our work has never been more needed or urgent.

We work hand-in-hand with communities, providing training and support for citizen scientists, engaging people in local river enhancement efforts, and advocating for action and long-term river stewardship at the community level. We bring awareness to the public of the vital role that rivers play in the natural environment and in providing adequate and clean water for people. Our pioneering approach has gained us international recognition from partners around the world.

Do you care passionately about tackling the impact of climate change and restoring biodiversity across London and the Thames Basin? Do you want to engage with communities, tackling inequalities and helping people to become climate aware and climate active? If the answer to both these questions is yes, then read on.

We’re looking for a dynamic Chair for our Board of Trustees to help take this fast-growing and ambitious charity to the next level.

Main duties and responsibilities

The role involves ensuring good governance, advocating and networking for the organisation, supporting and challenging the CEO and Management Team, ensuring that the organisation’s growth is steady and sustainable, and motivating and managing the charity’s Trustees.

If you can operate effectively at a strategic level, with a good understanding of governance and risk, and want to help us deliver our vision for healthy rivers, we would like to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership to the organisation and the board by ensuring that everyone remains focused on the delivery of the organisation’s charitable purposes.
• Support the growth and development of Thames21 to deliver on the aims and objectives of its 5-year plan that started in 2023.
• Support the fast-growing charity to plan and achieve ambitious but sustainable growth.
• Support the development of the charity’s current corporate governance arrangements to ensure that such arrangements remain fit for purpose.
• Chair and facilitate board meetings, giving direction to Board decision -making and ensuring that decisions taken at meetings are implemented.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with stakeholders, including staff and volunteers.
• Represent the organisation at events and meetings and act as a spokesperson as appropriate.
• Network on behalf of the organisation to connect with key influencers, partners and funders and bring them into the charity’s work.
• Lead the process of supporting and appraising the performance of the Chief Executive. The candidate will also sit on the Finance Management Sub-Committee & Fundraising Sub-Committee.
• Liaise with the Chief Executive and the wider management team to keep an overview of the charity’s progress and provide support as appropriate.
• Monitor potential risks and challenges facing the organisation, supporting the steps taken to mitigate them.
• Assist with the recruitment and development of Board members, fostering a diverse and inclusive Board.
• Set a supportive, positive and proactive culture at Board level, reflecting the Thames21 core values and encouraging Board members to actively contribute their skills and expertise to the organisation.

For more information and how to apply, please see the attached job description.CH02224

Closing date: 31st March 2024

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CORPORATE VOLUNTEERING EVENTS LEADER

Salary: £28,500 – £30,000 (0.8FTE) 4 days (with variable days)

Contract length: 0.8 FTE for 12 months (with possibility to extend)

Location: Working on-site at outdoor locations around London, at Thames21 offices at Guildhall and Bow, and at Thames21 offices and/or stores at Bow, Brent and Greenwich, and occasional working from home.

Report to: Head of Fundraising

Liaison with: Corporate Volunteering Officer, Thames Programmes Manager, Thames21 Event Support Staff and Contractors. Occasionally, Thames21 Project Officers (for tributary events), local authorities, Port of London Authority

Purpose of the job

 The purpose of this job is to plan, prepare for, lead and deliver river clean-up and restoration events (1x half day event and 1 x full day event or 2 x half day events a week) for corporate volunteer groups, including planning, timing, conducting pre-event visits and risk assessments, lead the event on the day, briefing, inspiring, motivating and thanking volunteers, sort and load/unload equipment, set-up and break-down, clean, sort and maintain equipment post-event.

Main duties and responsibilities

  • Plan, prepare for, lead and deliver river clean-up and restoration events for corporate volunteer groups, including planning, timing, conducting pre-event visits and risk assessments, lead the event on the day, sort and load/unload equipment, set-up and break-down, clean, sort and maintain equipment post-event
  • Fill and submit forms relevant to event booking such as PLA, Canal & Rivers Trust, and Leaside Canoes
  • Engage, inspire and motivate volunteers, taking full responsibility for delivering successful and safe events and collect content for Thames21 communications
  • Brief volunteers on and lead them in a range of environmental activities, including clean-ups on the Thames foreshore, riverbanks of tributaries and in-channel, vegetation management such as removing invasive species or clearing scrub to improve diversity, planting and maintaining wetlands, tree-planting, toe board removal, etc
  • Brief volunteers about Thames21’s aims, the purpose of the volunteering activity and the direct impact it will have on river health, and essential Health and Safety protocols, ensuring that volunteers comply. At the end of the event, thank participants and signpost them towards other Thames21 activities and volunteering events.
  • Liaise with Corporate Volunteering Officer to ensure that groups’ needs are clearly understood and met
  • Liaise with the Corporate Volunteering Officer on event details; communicate directly with corporate contacts on logistics if necessary; report promptly on event data and feedback and maintain records on Thames21’s database;
  • Stand in for the Corporate Volunteering Officer during any absence and ensure that corporate volunteering events are adequately staffed and delivered, stepping in if necessary
  • Supervise and liaise with Event Support Contractors to ensure safe, effective and enjoyable events
  • Regularly generate and adapt Risk Assessments and Method Statements in advance of events
  • Where necessary, conduct site visits and attend inventory days
  • Oversee, brief and where necessary, train Event Support Contractors and volunteers in setting out and offering refreshments before and after the event; and in boot cleaning, biosecurity and hand washing stages at the end of event
  • With Event Support Contractors, load and unload the Thames21 vehicles with event equipment before and after the event and manage the cleaning of event equipment if required
  • Book vans for events and drive Thames21 vehicles around London to equipment stores and event locations.

 

This job description cannot cover every issue or task that may arise within the post at various times and the post holder will be expected to carry out other reasonable duties from time to time which are broadly consistent with other Thames21 activities and with those in this document.

Please see the attached job description for more details about this position.CVEL0124JD

If you are interested in applying, please email your CV and covering letter of no more than two sides, stating your suitability for the position to: recruitment@thames21.org.uk by no later than 18th February 2024, however interviews will be conducted if and when suitable candidates apply before the above closing date.

We appreciate the time you will have taken to apply to this role, and we do appreciate that it is disconcerting when you don’t hear back from a role you have applied for. However, due to the high number of applications we expect to receive, we are unable respond to or give feedback on individual applications, but we do want to be able manage expectations.

Therefore, if you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion. Closing date is 18th February 2024. Interviews expected to take place on 1st,6th or 8th March but these dates are subject to change.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at Thames21 is key to our success and as such we employ staff from a diverse range of backgrounds, this we feel is key in ensuring that everybody has an equal opportunity and is not treated differently or discriminated against because of their characteristics.
We value the voices of our individual employees, and we strive to work in a collaborative, innovative balanced way. The postholder must actively support this.