EcoCareers.ie

Client: Hedgerows Ireland
Location: Fully remote
Contract Type: Part-time (21 hours per week)
Salary: €20,000 per annum
Closing Date: 5.00pm Friday 9th of May 2025 

Hedgerows Ireland CLG is a not-for-profit charity dedicated to the conservation and nature-friendly management of hedgerows across the island of Ireland. We are an All-Ireland organisation with Directors based both in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. We are a member of the Irish Environmental Network and the Environmental Pillar and also receive funding from the Heritage Council.

Our Vision: A network of native hedgerows across Ireland managed in a nature-friendly way to sequester carbon, protect biodiversity, and provide shelter and water quality benefits.

Our Mission: Raising awareness about the value and appropriate management of hedgerows; promoting the craft and profession of hedge laying; and documenting our hedgerow heritage.

Our Strategy: Sharing knowledge through social media, talks, and hedge walks; organising projects and training days in hedgerow establishment, management, and rejuvenation; and working with other environmental groups to create policy and legislative change.

Key Responsibilities

Hedgerows Ireland’s Board of Management is seeking a Part-Time Executive Officer to support the organisation’s operations. This service provider will be self-employed and operate as an Independent Contractor. They will be responsible for leading the organisation in the delivery of its objectives and strategy as defined in annual plans and budgets.

The successful contractor service provider will:

• Develop work plans, monitor progress, and review targets in cooperation with the Board;
• Set budgets and produce annual accounts and financial reports, ensuring responsible use of limited resources;
• Submit annual core funding applications and lead in identifying new income streams and funding sources to increase capacity and ensure Hedgerows Ireland’s financial stability;
• Manage Hedgerows Ireland’s day-to-day operations and ensure they comply with legal and statutory requirements and achieve consistent professional standards;
• Complete Hedgerows Ireland’s registration process with the Charities Regulator;
• Build and maintain working relationships with government departments, state agencies, relevant organisations, landowners, local communities, and other key stakeholders;
• Develop strong relationships with Hedgerows Ireland’s members, training providers, and project partners to facilitate learning and build competency in hedgerow management;
• Facilitate monthly online members’ meetings and organise an Annual General Meeting;
• Represent Hedgerows Ireland in media appearances, meetings, and events as required to promote the organisation’s mission and strategy;
• Improve internal communications and governance frameworks to ensure organisational effectiveness as well as championing best practices in policies, procedures and systems, including risk management, safeguarding, health and safety and GDPR;
• Manage quotations, invoices, and other banking tasks related to Hedgerows Ireland’s events and programmes of activity;
• Collaborate with the Board and other staff members to respond to general queries and organise educational events, training days, and other programmes as required;
• Lead the planning and delivery of the organisation’s annual All-Ireland Hedge Laying Championships;
• Other tasks that the Board may deem within the reasonable scope of the Executive Officer role.

Candidate Requirements

Key Requirements & Experience:

• A degree or equivalent in an area relevant to the role or 5 years relevant experience.
• Senior management experience in a relevant role.
• A passion for nature conservation.
• Designing, delivering, and reporting on work plans and financial budgets.
• Managing organisational operations, governance frameworks, and strategies.
• Access to a form of transport which will permit the post holder to carry out the duties of the post in full.
• Prepared to deliver service outside of normal working hours as necessary.
• As an Independent Contractor, provision of appropriate insurance policy and tax certificate as necessary.

Desirable:

• An awareness of the value of Ireland’s native hedgerows, best practices in managing them, and relevant policy issues.
• An understanding of Ireland’s agricultural and land use sectors.
• Experience with event management and human resources.
• Experience managing WordPress websites and other online systems and software.

Essential Skills:

• Effective judgement, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
• Track record of professional integrity, effective performance, and self-management;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Ability to multitask and attention to deadlines;
• Excellent interpersonal skills for relationship-building and conflict resolution if needed.

Role Description

The Executive Officer will report to the Board of Directors. The location is fully remote, with in-person attendance at meetings and events as required across the island of Ireland and potentially abroad. The role is part-time for 21 hours per week. The hours are fully flexible and can be distributed throughout the week if preferred. Some evening and weekend availability will be required. This service provider will be self-employed and operate as an Independent Contractor. The fees for the provision of services are €20,000 per annum for a 21-hour work week.

Application

Please complete the application form on www.hedgerows.ie/careers, including an attached CV file.

Closing Date: 5 pm (17:00) on Friday 9th of May 2025.

*Please mention EcoCareers.ie when applying for this position.*