Communications Manager – Global Centre on Biodiversity for Climate (GCBC)
Developing effective communications solutions to promote the formation and work of the GCBC in conserving, managing, and using biodiversity to address the impacts of climate change.
Full Time
Salary £40-42k p.a.
Overview
The Global Centre on Biodiversity for Climate (GCBC) is hiring for a new role – a full time Communications Manager who will lead the communications and event management for this important Defra funded programme, implemented by DAI Global UK.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced communications and events professional with an interest in biodiversity and conservation to promote the important work of the GCBC and drive the creation of a network of academics, NGOs, Indigenous People and Local Communities to address the climate crisis and who will thrive as part of the leadership of a small team operating in a fast-paced environment.
We are looking for someone with 5-10 years’ experience of working in a related role, who has excellent writing, editing and multimedia skills, experience of working directly with clients of UK Government funded projects, can improve the design, and lead the implementation, of our communications strategy and can demonstrate an interest in biodiversity and climate change.
The GCBC has been operational since 2023 and will continue until 31/3/2028 with a high probability of extension until 2033.
About the Programme
The Global Centre on Biodiversity for Climate (GCBC) is an international research centre that supports the development and uptake of effective solutions for conserving, managing, and using biodiversity to address the impacts of climate change. The centre is funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and implemented by DAI.
The GCBC will make grants to organisations in order to establish a global network of research institutions and experts to address critical research gaps in how the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity can address both climate adaptation and mitigation, while improving livelihoods. The GCBC will help ensure future decision-making in this area is led by and grounded in robust scientific evidence and will focus on ensuring strategic, policy-relevant results, with a global network of knowledge exchange and learning.
The research delivered through the GCBC will:
• Improve resilience to climate impacts, support sustainable livelihoods and economic opportunities, and reduce carbon emissions and biodiversity loss;
• Foster collaboration between experts and research disciplines to inform policy and unlock finance for biodiversity-based solutions to climate change and poverty;
• Be based on local need and incorporate strong engagement from Indigenous Peoples and local communities;
• Identify and disseminate policy-relevant good practice which can be scaled up and replicated;
• Deliver on our international climate and biodiversity commitments and implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, and
• Meet ODA eligibility of having the primary purpose to promote the economic development and welfare of developing countries.
The first and second grant competitions were launched in 2023 and 2024 respectively, with further competitions to be launched each year until the close of the programme. Grants range in value from £100,000 to £1m with a total funding budget of around £14m per competition window in the GCBC focus regions; sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and Caribbean, South-East Asia and the Pacific, and Small Island Developing States.
The Role
The Communications Manager is a key player within the GCBC team. The project relies heavily on the implementation of a successful communications strategy to; maximise the number of applications for grant funding; keep grantees up to date with programme developments and requirements; share progress and experiences across the range of GCBC grantees; communicate clear expectations and processes to potential applicants; assist in providing insightful reporting to the client; manage the scheduling of and implementation of learning events; promote the successes of the project and share learning across the network of grantees and stakeholders, thereby building interest, engagement and support for the research that GCBC produces.
To do this the Communications manager will; maintain and update the GCBC website; collate stories and lessons for the GCBC newsletter; work closely the GCBC Grants Managers and Biodiversity Lead to develop communication material highlighting successes and learning; assist in setting up and managing events and trainings (with the subcontractor responsible for International networking); work with a range of consultants to develop communications products; work closely with the comms team at Defra to respond to ad hoc requests.
This is an exciting opportunity to work closely with organisations who are trying to solve problems at the nexus of biodiversity, climate change and livelihoods.
The specific responsibilities are outlined below.
Roles & Responsibilities
· Implement the GCBC communications strategy and advise the client on any updates or changes. Develop and implement a content calendar.
· Track communications activities to ensure GCBC is delivering products to the client on time and to contribute to delivery of the project’s KPIs.
· Increase the reach of the GCBC network via effective social media and other communication strategies.
· Manage contracts with GCBC communication providers such as the GCBC website provider and translation services.
· Support the compilation and drafting of success stories, newsletters, talking points, social media content, presentations and other communications products.
· Implement a series of events as described in the communications strategy.
· Create, design and produce written and visual communication products, including social media, web-based storytelling, and “learning bites” in close coordination with the project’s team members.
· Attend virtual and occasional in person meetings with Defra and the project team as part of the GCBC Communications Working Group.
· Apply consistent UKID/GCBC branding and formatting to reports, presentations, event materials and other publications.
· Lead the work on the translation plan, ensuring that GCBC documents are accessible to a wide range of audiences.
· Oversee uploading of final communications products to GCBC shared drives so that all products can be easily found and shared as requested.
· Promote and ensure uptake of the Technical Assistance Facility to upskill GCBC grantees.
· Support other communications tasks as required.
Essential Skills, Experience and Qualifications
– A graduate degree in a relevant area.
– 5-10 years’ relevant experience in leading project communications.
– Experience of website/newsletter management to increase visibility and accessibility.
– Exceptional writing and formatting skills to produce professional looking documents and presentations.
– Experience building media relations and managing the reputation of the client and DAI by ensuring consistent, positive messaging across all platforms.
– Digital and social media proficiency including analytics, content creation and strategy formation.
– Ability to build and maintain excellent relationships with the team, the client and sub-contractors.
– Exceptional attention to detail ensuring that all messaging is error-free, professional, and aligns with the project’s objectives
– Ability to manage time and prioritise to deliver in a fast-paced and time pressured environment.
– Demonstrable experience of managing and delivering large events, including, content creation, scheduling, contracting and coordination.
Desirable skills Experience and Qualifications
– Experience of working on HMG funded programmes
– Knowledge and understanding of Biodiversity or climate change sector
– Ability to work in French, Spanish or Portuguese
How to apply
Input Basis and Schedule of Work
LoE: Full time fixed term contract
Start Date: April 2025
End Date: 31/3/2028, with the possibility of extension until 2033.
Location; Working from Home with occasional travel to London. The successful applicant will have the right to work in the UK.
Supervision: Reports to the Biodiversity Lead
DAI offers a generous benefits package and there are several day-to-day perks of working at DAI that help keep us happy and motivated!
Candidates must be eligible to live and work in their preferred location within the UK without the need for sponsorship.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, age, religion, sex, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.
You will be pleased to know that we strive to uphold the highest ethical standards and that we are working with our clients to reduce the opportunity for people who are known to have breached ethical standards to work in our field. Any staff and/or consultant contract with DAI, therefore, will be subject to satisfactory reference checking and vetting.
Apply here: https://phf.tbe.taleo.net/phf04/ats/careers/v2/viewRequisition?org=DAINC&cws=48&rid=9276