IMPORTANT: This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders. Other applicants need not apply.
The Travel Foundation (TF) is an independent charity working with the travel industry towards a sustainable future. Our vision is of “a world where tourism provides the greatest benefits for people and the environment in destinations” and our mission is to “increase the benefits and reduce the negative impacts of tourism in destinations”. To achieve this, we develop and implement tourism initiatives that promote cross-sector collaboration, build local capacity and enable the long-term incorporation of sustainable practice.
We have recently put in place a new organisational strategy which will require a shift from individual projects to larger, more strategic programmes with a greater emphasis on stakeholder change. Within this context we aim to support core stakeholders to: identify measure and manage the impacts of their tourism activities, embed sustainability into core policies, frameworks and operational practice, and share good practice with the aim of inspiring change in others.
Join our team
We are currently seeking to employ a Destinations Programme Officer (DPO) to join the Executive team at our head office in Bristol. The Destinations Programme Officer will sit in the Destinations Programme Team who are responsible for the development and implementation of our overseas programmes and projects. The team comprises: Head of Research and Development, the Destinations Programme Manager and Destinations Programme Officers who each work with a team of Overseas Coordinators (based in destinations) to implement the programmes.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
• Manage a portfolio of overseas destination programmes and projects ensuring that activities are delivered according to timeframes and budgets and achieve the specified objectives. The DPO will work closely with the Overseas Coordinators in destinations to:
* identify key impact areas relating to tourism and put in place M&E frameworks that enable programme outputs and impacts to be measured
* encourage stakeholder support for, and participation in, the programmes and the implementing and embedding of changes in policies and practice
* create and/or support opportunities for cross-sector collaboration
* monitor and report on progress and resolve any arising problems
* manage programme budgets
* identify, contract and manage consultants and partners for project delivery
* research new project opportunities within the programmes
* develop annual project frameworks and workplans for multi-year projects
* identify and secure funds and in-kind contributions from destination stakeholders and grant-making institutions
• Provide the Destinations Programme Manager with regular updates of project progress including M&E data
• Work with the Communications team to ensure a regular supply of PR and news items
• Work with the Sustainable Practice team to support the delivery of travel industry-focused activities in destinations
• Represent the Travel Foundation at meetings, conferences and other events, including giving presentations where required
• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of developments in sustainable tourism, including compiling reports and other resource materials to help inform the future development of Programmes
• Produce reports and other materials for both the Travel Foundation and external audiences
• Provide occasional support to the Head of R&D and the Destinations Programme Manager to develop new programmes including conducting or commissioning research and scoping visits
Person Specification
The Destinations Programme Officer will be required to manage a portfolio of projects, in different thematic areas and at different stages of development and delivery. It requires an enthusiasm for learning as well as the confidence to work outside your ‘comfort zone’. The role involves engaging with people from different countries, at different levels (from fishermen to ministers) and requires sensitivity, adaptability, mediation and negotiation skills, and plenty of drive and determination.
The successful candidate will be able to think strategically, taking a broad view of their programmes and ensuring they meet the Travel Foundation’s core objectives, while still paying attention to the detail, to ensure project outputs are delivered. He/she will also need to be methodical in their work, taking care that budgets and frameworks are logical and accurate while also demonstrating creativity in developing new ideas and the initiative to take them forward.
Problem-solving skills are essential. The Destination Programme Officer will need to identify and respond to issues as (and before) they arise and, as such, be solutions-orientated in their approach.
Working within a small and busy team, having a ‘can do’ attitude and the ability to work with minimum supervision, while also being a team player, is important. The successful candidate will be expected to work to deadlines (often short) and should have the ability to remain calm under pressure and to prioritise their workload accordingly.
The successful candidate should be educated to at least degree level (in sustainable tourism or a related field) and be able to demonstrate the following:
Essential criteria
• At least 3 years’ experience of working within a tourism or environment/conservation context
• Experience of project planning, development and management
• People management skills (as a line manager or with volunteers, consultants etc)
• An understanding of the UK/international outbound travel industry
• Excellent written communication skills with a clear and concise reporting style
• Strong verbal communication and presentation skills
• Good budgeting and financial management skills
• Experience of managing multiple and complex projects and the ability to multi-task
• An understanding of M&E systems and experience of working with both quantitative and qualitative data
Desirable criteria
• Experience with resource efficiency (waste, water and energy) or environmental projects
• Experience of working overseas
• Foreign language skills (particularly Spanish)
Terms and Conditions of Employment
Salary: £26,000 - £28,000 per annum
Hours of Work: Full time at our office in Bristol – within normal office hours, although some evening and weekend work will be required e.g. to attend meetings and conferences in other parts of the UK. Multiple overseas trips will also be required to different destinations (depending on programmes managed) ranging from around 7 -18 days each.
Annual Leave: 25 working days per annum, plus public holidays.
Probationary period: 6 months
Applications
Applicants should complete the attached additional information document and submit with a covering letter and up-to-date CV, highlighting experience and skills relevant to the vacancy with particular regard to the person specification, to Cynthia Shaw: admin@thetravelfoundation.org.uk by 9am on the 19th September 2016. Please note that candidates submitting only a CV will not be considered.
The recruitment process will consist of a written assessment as well as an interview, and shortlisted applicants will need to make themselves available for interview in Bristol on the 25th/26th October.
Applications will be assessed according to the extent to which the information provided in the CV and covering letter meets the role specifications outlined above. Please note that only candidates short-listed for assessment and interview will be contacted. If you have not heard from us by 7th October, you have not been successful on this occasion.
Please see our website for all current live vacancies: www.thetravelfoundation.org.uk/about_us/recruitment/
