Assistant, Policy & Engagement

ABOUT THE WOODLAND TRUST
The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity.  We want to see a world where trees and woods thrive for people and nature. The Trust engages and inspires people to make their difference tackling the nature and climate crisis helping protect, restore and create our vital woods and trees.  

We are pleased to be offering this funded placement in partnership with Year of Service and Flying Futures. Year of Service is an exciting funded programme of paid work placements. It’s paid work that pays back! UK Year of Service unlocks the power of the next generation to help solve some of our toughest challenges, putting them into paid positions of work and helping communities where the needs are greatest.

THE ROLE – WHAT YOU’LL DO
The Diversity & Inclusion Assistant is a 9-month funded placement opportunity for the chance to gain experience working alongside our Head of Diversity and Inclusion. 

The types of activities you might be involved in include: 
•    Answering simple enquiries using standard responses  
•    Helping to organise, promote or take notes at meetings and events  
•    Sourcing potential imagery and content for communications  
•    Building relationships across the Trust, including our UK-wide network of inclusion allies
•    Researching external groups that the Trust might wish to work with
•    Opportunity to work with data to measure our success
•    The chance to bring your own ideas and perspectives to the placement
THE PERSON – WHO YOU ARE
You will have:

•    A keen interest in diversity and inclusion
•    Good written communication skills
•    A keen interest in learning and developing new ideas, working with others to bring them to life
•    Experience of using Microsoft Word and email with the ability to use IT and learn new tools with support
•    Motivation to create change
•    A passion for the environment 
You will be:

•    Organised and able to pick up new skills quickly
•    Able to build relationships with people easily 
•    Able to work independently and as part of a team
Our Organisational Nature enables us to better understand what it means to be part of the Woodland Trust, empowering us to make an impact, every day. We want you to be able to role model our values; ‘Grow Together’, ‘Focus’, ‘Explore’ and ‘Make it Count’ to ensure each of us plays our part in helping to protect, restore and create our woods and trees.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
•    Introduction to diversity and inclusion, unconscious bias and how to be an active bystander

Additional Requirements:
•    You’ll be aged between 18 – 24 years old
•    You’ll be based in North England (North West, Yorkshire & Humber and North East)
•    You must be able to start employment with us between the 13th and 17th May
•    You must be out of employment, education and training
WHAT YOU’LL GET
•    Casual dress – no uniform, wear what’s comfortable 
•    Good holiday allowance (minimum 23.5 days including bank holidays)
•    Full support, training and opportunities for professional development 
•    A friendly and supportive line manager
•    A buddy system
•    An opportunity to network and learn about the wider sector
•    Contributory pension
•    Life assurance 
•    Flexible working 

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY & INCLUSION 
At the Woodland Trust, we want to reflect and represent the full richness of diversity in the UK. Fewer of our employees are Black, Asian or minority ethnic; disabled; from lower socio-economic backgrounds or under 25; so we are particularly keen to receive your application if you are from one or more of these groups. We can also discuss anything you may need to achieve your full potential at any stage of the process. We assess your application solely on your demonstrated suitability for the job. Nothing else.
To ensure anonymised recruitment, if you have uploaded your CV, shortlisting panels do not see your CV until shortlisting has been completed. Before submitting your application, please ensure you have completed the supporting information section with details of experiences that clearly evidence as many aspects of the job description as possible.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. If you are interested, we'd encourage you to submit your application as early as possible.