The WMCA has a rapidly evolving environment programme, which is central to the vision for a ‘fairer, greener and healthier’ West Midlands. Our focus on natural capital forms a central part of this programme and we are working with numerous regional stakeholders to deliver it. A central part of work over the next two years will be the delivery of a Community Green Grants scheme, approved by the CA Board in March 2021 with a budget of £725k. The scheme will provide local communities with grant funding to increase the access to and quality of green space where there is currently a deficit. More broadly it will also support the natural capital elements of the WMCA’s climate change programme (WM2041) including tree planting and encouraging biodiversity net gain across the West Midlands.

We are looking for an organised and driven person to set up, manage and monitor a new Community Green Grants scheme within WMCA’s growing Environment Team. As our Community Green Grants Project Officer, you will manage the delivery of the Community Green Grants scheme, ensuring the application, assessment and award process is clear, fair and transparent to communities across the region. This will involve finalising the details of the Community Green Grants scheme, ensuring it meets all stakeholder and potential recipient requirements and working with WMCA Communications Team, and stakeholders, to co-ordinate marketing and communications to launch the scheme.

This role is being offered on a two-year fixed term contract.

About you

We’re looking for someone who wants to make a real difference to our region and our planet, and who wants to leave a lasting legacy for generations to come. Ideally, with a Level 3 qualification (a full level 3 qualification is equivalent to an advanced technical certificate or diploma, or 2 A levels), you will already have some knowledge of the importance of natural capital for people and planet. You’ll be able to demonstrate a commitment to creating a fairer, greener, healthier West Midlands and be able to provide examples of how you have put this commitment into action together with an understanding of relevant policy agendas and their significance. 

You will work with stakeholders such as local authorities, businesses and environmental groups in the region to ensure applications are feasible and deliverable. Therefore, you will need experience of setting up, managing and delivering grant funding programmes, ensuring excellent project and record management for audit purposes.

About the team

In June 2019, the WMCA declared a climate emergency and set a 2041 zero carbon target. In March 2021, we had published our first Five Year Plan setting out our priorities for decarbonising the region. The West Midlands Combined Authority’s Environment Team, which forms part of the Public Service Reform Directorate, is leading the delivery of the directorate’s work on environment and climate change with the aim to create a fairer, greener and healthier West Midlands.

As part of this, we have a vision to create circular economy opportunities for the West Midlands The aim is to support sustainable growth in the region’s businesses through new circular business models, as well as to provide opportunities for the social economy and the region’s communities.

About us

Our role in the West Midlands has never been more important and in these extraordinary times we’ve shown we can step forward, speak up for our region and bring people together. Everything we do is focused on making life better for people in the West Midlands – that’s our reason for being here and it drives every move we make. We lead and support others to deliver our shared future vision for the region – a happier, healthier, better connected place to live and work. 

As an employer we fully believe that we are only as great as the people who work for us.  We are committed to providing a positive, healthy and inclusive working environment where our people feel valued and respected. We are a “Leaders in Diversity” accredited organisation, are in the Inclusive Top 50 Employers List and are one of The Times Top 50 Employers for Women.

Our employees feel they can make a difference and are excited by the growth and the potential to shape the future. As the WMCA is undergoing a period of significant change, our employees are engaging with what is going on and we are encouraging a culture where people feel they can contribute towards improvements.

We’re ambitious, forward thinking and determined to find better ways of working, always leading the way in what we do. We trust and support each other to get the job done, and encourage creativity, originality and curiosity from those who work with us. We’re committed to creating an accessible and diverse workplace, one that nurtures an inclusive environment where our people can be themselves.

If your values align with ours and you’re committed to working towards creating a future we can all be proud of, we want to hear from you.

Additional information

Throughout lockdown, most of us have been working remotely and as we begin to look forward to leading a more normal life, we’re planning a new approach to the way we use our office space. We want to develop a flexible approach to the workplace which retains some of the benefits of working from home. This hybrid approach will mean most of us working from home some of the time, blending the best of home and office working.

We are committed to developing an organisation that is representative of the diverse communities that we serve and welcome applications from all sections of the community. The following groups are currently underrepresented: young people, Black, Asian and ethnic minority groups and women at senior levels.

We are a Disability Confident Employer and offer a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants who meet the essential job role criteria. We will make reasonable adjustments, in line with the Equality Act, for disabled applicants if these are needed. Wherever possible we will offer flexible working options which assist work-life balance.

We’re dedicated to providing a broad range of rewards and benefits and constantly benchmark our benefits packages to ensure they are attractive for all our people. As well as a competitive salary, employees also receive 27 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) and access to a great pension scheme.

Supporting documents
Community Green Grants Project Officer.pdf
WMCA's Benefits Calculator.pdf