Job Title:
Operations and Communications Assistant (Fixed-Term, Entry Level)
Salary:
London Living Wage equivalent - £28,860 (pro rata)
Contract: Fixed-term for 12 months, 17.5 hours/week (Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays). Occasional evening and weekend work is required and will be agreed in advance. The SLBI operates a Time Off in Lieu policy.
Benefits: Holiday allowance is 33 days including bank holidays (pro-rata). We are also closed between the 27th and 31st December for a rest period which is not taken from your holiday allowance. 5% employer pension contribution. Free attendance at SLBI events and workshops.
Location: The South London Botanical Institute, Tulse Hill (and occasional work at other locations in South London)
Application deadline: Friday August 28 Interviews: Week of September 14 in person at the SLBI
Start Date: As soon as possible
How to apply: Please send a CV and a cover letter (700 words max) outlining your motivation, experience, and suitability for the role at the SLBI to [email protected] If you would prefer, you are welcome to send us a short video or audio file (no longer than 5-8 minutes) outlining the above. If you would benefit from a short conversation about the SLBI and the role, please book in a phone call: https://calendar.app.google/PecFVkvHv1eeeV1e7
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If you require adjustments and support during the application process, please let us know.
About Us
The South London Botanical Institute (SLBI) is a unique centre for urban botany, rooted in the heart of Tulse Hill. As a community learning space, we champion the vital role of plants in sustaining life, emboldening communities, and addressing the climate and biodiversity crises. Our mission is to connect people of all ages and backgrounds with plants through inclusive, experiential and intergenerational learning that blends botany, creative practice, and grassroots organising.
The Role
This is a fantastic opportunity for a someone looking to build their skills and start developing their career in the environmental, education or charity sector. As our Operations and Communications Assistant, you’ll play an important role in keeping things running smoothly behind the scenes, helping set up and deliver events, and publicising our work. We strongly encourage applications from people who live or work in Lambeth and/or who have a meaningful cultural connection to the area and South London more broadly.
You’ll work closely with our small and friendly team, supporting a variety of day-to-day tasks which include:
- Helping lead on communications to publicise SLBI events, including basic design for social posts and posters, and drafting and publishing social copy
- Assisting with facilities management, including keeping shared spaces clean, tidy and stocked, and helping lead on monitoring for pests in the herbarium
- Supporting with production of materials for SLBI volunteers, including herbarium learning guides Supporting communications across the staff team and volunteers, including taking minutes and managing schedules
- Ordering and organising supplies, tools and other shared resources Helping to sort, catalogue, and archive materials and documents
- Supporting preparation and delivery of events, including setting up and clearing away sessions for schools, volunteers and public openings and supporting groups when needed
- Responding to general enquiries by email and phone
- Assisting with data entry, and keeping records and digital files up to date and well organised
An enhanced DBS check is necessary for the role, which SLBI will pay for on appointment. Please disclose in your application if you have any convictions, cautions, reprimands or final warnings that are not “protected” (as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013).
This is a great opportunity for someone early in their career who is organised, reliable, and enthusiastic about plants and working in the not-for-profit sector.
Skills, qualities and experiences - we’re looking for someone who:
Essential
- Has experience of working in and with community groups, including community organising
- Has 12 months of relevant experience (volunteering, personal, or professional)
- Has events production and organising experience, including logistics and promotion
- Has very good prioritisation, communication (written and spoken) and research skills
- Is comfortable, welcoming and open to working with people across different ages, genders, racial and class backgrounds
- Is comfortable using basic computer programs (like email, Word, Excel, Canva), as well as Instagram, Eventbrite and Facebook
- Is passionate about plants, nature, social justice or community work
Desirable
- Has strong knowledge and experience of Lambeth and South London
- Has a creative, nature-based or botanical practice
As a local, community-focused organisation, we aim to be representative of the diverse communities we work with in Tulse Hill and elsewhere in Lambeth. We would particularly like to encourage applications from Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic backgrounds, who are currently underrepresented in the SLBI. Before you skim the job description, please remember you don’t have to tick all the boxes to apply. Charity experience is not a requirement. We all experience a bit of imposter syndrome. If you believe you could contribute to the future of the SLBI, then apply anyway!
What You’ll Gain
- Experience working in a busy educational charity
- Practical skills in admin, communications, operations, and teamwork
- A reference and support with future opportunities
- A friendly, supportive team that values growth and learning
- Training and support
Pay: £28,860.00 per year
Work Location: In person
