Location
West Sussex

Hours
Full Time (hours not specified)

Salary
£30,000 per annum

About the Role
Do you love our rivers? Are you well organised and a great communicator who can build effective relationships for action? Can you assimilate new information quickly? Do you wish to make a real difference to the health of our riverscapes? This could be the role for you.

As hosts for the Arun and Western Streams Catchment Partnership, the Western Sussex Rivers Trust (WSRT) aspires to further harness the potential of this expert group, widening its scope, increasing collective influence and delivering more projects to create tangible improvements in our riverscapes. The Catchment Coordinator will be a key role to make this happen.

The Catchment Coordinator will facilitate and host the Catchment Partnership, working with partners to explore ways to make the partnership even more effective and impactful. The role involves diversifying the partnership by bringing in new organisations and increasing its influence as a trusted source of expertise, strategic leadership and action. The work is guided by the Catchment Management Plan, which the Coordinator will ensure remains a valued and useful document.

This role will work closely with the new Catchment Partnership Project Manager (starting January 2026), who is responsible for planning and delivering an ambitious pipeline of collaborative projects. Both roles are funded by Southern Water, one of many catchment partners sharing the ambition to drive forward action for the partnership and our rivers.

Principal Responsibilities
- Plan, organise and facilitate Catchment Partnership meetings and field visits
- Send regular email updates to partners
- Review the existing structure and engagement of the Catchment Partnership and explore new ways to make it more dynamic and effective
- Diversify the partnership by bringing in new partner organisations
- Strengthen the Catchment Partnership as a trusted source of expertise and strategic leadership, increasing its influence
- Establish, support and facilitate sub-groups or task and finish groups to explore specific topics important to the partnership or deliver projects (e.g. Coastal, Water Resources, Research)
- Lead public-facing campaigns and communications with support from WSRT staff and contractors
- Support the Project Manager to build and deliver a shared project pipeline and plan
- Build upon the existing Catchment Management Plan by assimilating the project pipeline and ensuring it evolves as a live document with excellent partner buy-in
- Monitor progress towards shared aims and objectives using agreed mechanisms
- Further develop and maintain the AWSCP website
- Raise the profile of the AWSCP and its work across all relevant audiences, including attending occasional public events to inform and engage local communities
- Develop and maintain an online resource library accessible to all partners
- Develop an in-depth understanding of the catchment, including its ecology, hydrology, and environmental challenges
- Stay updated on relevant scientific and environmental developments

Benefits
You will join a small, dynamic, passionate, and supportive team at WSRT and the catchment partnership during an exciting time of growth.
- 10% Recharge policy encouraging time for mental and physical recharge in the catchment
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays (pro rata for part-time staff) and Christmas to New Year shutdown
- Flexible working arrangements
- Employee assistance programme including counselling, specialist legal and financial support
- Pension scheme (3% employee contribution, 5% WSRT contribution)

We welcome informal discussions for those interested in learning more about the role or working for WSRT.

Experience
Proven ability to organise and facilitate meetings and events. Experience in partnership working and stakeholder engagement is highly desirable. Strong communication skills and ability to build effective relationships for collaborative action.

About you
Well organised, proactive and an excellent communicator. Able to assimilate new information quickly and work collaboratively with a diverse range of partners. Passionate about river and catchment conservation and motivated to make a tangible difference to the health of riverscapes.

Qualifications
Relevant qualifications or experience in environmental management, ecology, or related fields would be advantageous but are not explicitly required. A willingness to develop an in-depth understanding of catchment ecology, hydrology, and environmental challenges is essential.