Environmental Defenders Programme Officer
Location: Based in London – 3 days in the office/week.
Salary range: £37,000-42,000
Contract: Full-time. Permanent
Benefits:
22 days leave (and statutory holidays), increasing by 1 day for the first year worked and then by 2 days for each year of service after. Extended paid leave over Christmas / New Year.
Generous pension contributions, increasing for each year of service
Private health insurance and cycling to work scheme
About EJF
EJF exists to protect the natural world and defend our fundamental human right to a secure environment. We believe in equity and justice and a need to respect, defend, and empower communities most at risk from habitat loss, biodiversity collapse and global heating.
EJF investigates and exposes abuses and supports environmental defenders, Indigenous peoples, communities, and independent journalists on the frontlines of environmental injustice. We work internationally to drive changes to the very ‘architecture’ of environmental governance, securing permanent solutions to protect our planet.
With over 115 staff, including grassroots mobilisers, filmmakers, investigators, and advocates in 16 countries, we campaign to protect our global ocean, climate, wetlands, and forests, as well as environmental defenders.
About the role:
EJF seeks a dynamic and highly organised individual to join our expanding Environmental Defenders (ED) programme. This is an exciting opportunity to join our team as we scale up support for grassroots leaders who protect our planet and defend interlinked human rights.
Working closely with the Global Programme Coordinator, the ED Programme Officer will enable EJF to deliver tailored training on advocacy, investigation, and filmmaking to environmental defenders worldwide. This starts with supporting the coordination of our new Ocean Defenders project alongside EJF’s teams in Southeast Asia and West Africa.
As an effective multitasker and skilled coordinator, you will lead the operational and logistical elements of our capacity-strengthening programmes. You will build and maintain strong relationships with our partners, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, tailored support. The role requires excellent planning abilities, a strong attention to detail and a passion for helping others.
This position offers significant room for growth and learning. The successful candidate will be given opportunities for development such as participating in training projects overseas and growing project management responsibilities.
Key responsibilities:
Taking instruction and guidance from the Global Programme Coordinator (and in her absence, a named member of the Senior Management Team), the Environmental Defenders Programme Officer will:
Plan and organise in-person (and remote) support for environmental defenders – leading on scheduling, budgeting, logistics and other administrative elements of the EJF support.
Support the implementation of the capacity-strengthening programme, following up with colleagues and partners to ensure continuous progress towards deliverables.
Coordinate with environmental defenders (grassroots NGOs and other civil society leaders) – maintaining relationships with focal points, collecting feedback, and monitoring support needs.
Contribute to the implementation and improvement of the monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) processes, to measure the programme’s impact, the quality of the support provided and adapt to emerging needs and priorities.
Support with creating new and streamlining internal processes – developing templates, centralising training materials, and facilitating the sharing of lessons learned across teams.
Assist with production of reports to funders and in securing new and additional funding for the programme.
Support communications efforts on the Environmental Defenders programme, drafting impactful content for the website, sharing successes with the EJF comms team and identifying other opportunities to improve the programme’s visibility.
Ensure that digital images from the Programme and from partners are logged in the EJF image library and utilised effectively to drive engagement in the programme.
Conduct research and participate in networking opportunities to identify potential organisations and individuals to join and benefit from the Environmental Defenders Programme.
Liaise between partners and EJF’s finance function to ensure that activities are delivered within budget, delivering value for money.
Essential experience and skills:
Experience coordinating logistics for international trips, events or complex projects.
Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with partners (NGOs or others) from different cultures and across time zones.
Experience in managing complex schedules and meeting deadlines.
Experience with budget management (planning and reporting) and ensuring cost-effective use of resources.
At least two to three years’ professional work experience in a relevant field (e.g. environmental action, human rights, international development, project management, etc.)
Strong research, written and verbal communication skills, with an ability to present information in a clear, compelling way to diverse audiences (in person and online)
Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple workstreams.
Excellent attention to detail and high reliability.
Proactive and solutions-oriented mindset.
Ability to adapt to changes in plans and a quick learner.
Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to work diplomatically and collaboratively with partners from diverse cultures.
A deep-rooted commitment to environmental justice and a determination to change the world for good.
Desirable experience and skills:
Fluency in additional languages: French, Portuguese, Thai, Bahasa or Spanish.
Background working with people and organisations in the Global South, and an understanding of decolonial approaches.
Experience in designing or implementing training programmes.
Experience with advocacy, communications, policy change or filmmaking.
Experience in developing templates and standardising practices (e.g. SOPs, M&E, feedback processes, training materials).
Experience working within non-profit organisations.
We are actively seeking candidates from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and experiences, and we strongly encourage applications from individuals who are underrepresented in the environmental sector.
Even if you don’t meet every requirement listed, we encourage you to apply. We value potential and dedication, and we are committed to providing development opportunities to help the right candidate grow into the role.
Please send your CV and a brief cover letter (1.5 page maximum) to: recruitment@ejfoundation.org. Please begin the names of both files (CV and cover letter) with your own name or initials (e.g. Alba.Smith_CV or AS_CV).
Closing date for applications: Thursday 23rd October 2025
If you have not heard from us within two weeks of the closing date, please assume your application has been unsuccessful.
Interviews: Starting 29th October 2025
Candidates must have the legal right to live and work in the UK. EJF is an equal opportunities employer committed to fostering diversity within the workplace.