Location
Cambridge, UK or Brussels, Belgium (Hybrid working)

Hours
Full-time: 35 hours per week (Cambridge) or 37.5 hours per week (Brussels)

Salary
GBP £38,000 - £42,000 or EUR 77,560.00

About the Role
BirdLife ECA is one of the six regional Secretariats that compose BirdLife International, the global authority on the status of bird species. Based in Brussels, it supports the European and Central Asian Partnership and is present in 47 countries including all EU Member States. We are seeking an experienced Nature Restoration Project Manager to lead the delivery of priority restoration projects across the Europe and Central Asia region. This role combines project implementation, proposal development, and donor engagement, working closely with BirdLife Partners, the Europe and Central Asia team, and technical colleagues to meet donor commitments, secure funding, and maximise conservation impact.

You will lead the delivery of key nature restoration projects, managing all stages from planning to reporting. This includes ensuring donor obligations are met, budgets are effectively managed, and risks are identified and mitigated. You will work closely with other key roles to integrate best practice restoration methods into project delivery and lead the implementation of a vision for the continuation of the RENATE (REstore NAture in The East) project, aligned with BirdLife’s Strategy and Regional Implementation Plan for ECA, identifying opportunities for follow-on funding.

In addition, you will lead fundraising for restoration projects by identifying and pursuing new funding opportunities. This includes scoping donors and funding mechanisms relevant to the restoration agenda in the Europe and Central Asia region, developing and writing high-quality project proposals, concept notes, and budgets in collaboration with Partners and technical staff, and facilitating connections between Partners and donors to foster long-term collaboration.

You will also contribute to the planning and delivery of the Nature Restoration Working Group agenda, ensuring alignment with fundraising and project delivery priorities, and ensure strong links between restoration fundraising, project delivery, and other BirdLife ECA programmes to maximise impact.

Experience
- Substantial experience in developing, managing, and delivering large-scale conservation or nature restoration projects within the Europe and Central Asia region.
- Experience managing at least three projects with budgets of EUR 500,000+ (ideally EU-funded).
- Proven track record in securing funding from institutional donors (e.g., EU, UN, governments), corporate sponsors, or philanthropic foundations.
- Ability to design, plan, and execute large and complex projects within set timelines and budgets, including project budgeting, grant writing, and financial reporting.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present complex ideas to policymakers, funders, and stakeholders.

About you
- Strong understanding of financial mechanisms and funding opportunities for large-scale conservation/restoration projects.
- Strong knowledge of European biodiversity, including birds and their habitats, and principles of practical conservation and restoration of habitats, ecosystems, and landscapes.
- Good understanding of European institutions, environmental policy, and regional legal frameworks.
- Familiarity with relevant international and regional policies such as the EU Nature Restoration Law, EU Biodiversity Strategy, Bern Convention, Ramsar, and CBD.
- Fluency in English.

Qualifications
A Degree in environmental science, conservation biology, ecology, natural resource management, or a related field.