Project Officer

We're looking for an Engagement Officer for an innovative and exciting nature, heritage and culture research project in the North East. Using your skills and experience in engagement, participation and project support, you will enable high quality collaboration and research based activity between a wide range of stakeholders.

This is a proactive, external facing role, ideal for someone who enjoys building strong relationships and connecting opportunities.

What it's like to work here

You will be working as part of the Green Corridors North East (GCNE) mission, a three year, Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) funded project to revitalise green spaces in Durham City, Teesside and Gateshead. You will join the dynamic, collaborative and ambitious North East Urban team and work regularly with our partners and wider stakeholders in local authorities, universities, local community groups, residents, landowners and charities.

What you'll be doing What you'll be doing

You will play a key role in engaging our local communities and landowners. This will primarily take place within and around the Durham City Green Corridor (DCGC), one of three locations within the GCNE. You will coordinate stakeholder activities such as research based community activation, offer practical support for the GCNE Flexible Fund, and ensure consistent and highly effective project communication across partners.

• Work closely with Community Practitioners to plan and deliver conversations and consultations with established communities in Durham.
• Co ordinate communication and engagement with landowners, land occupiers, local authorities, community organisations and associations, academics and other corridor stakeholders.
• Provide timely, targeted updates and ensure consistent, transparent communication to both internal and external stakeholders.
• Act as one of the research project's key points of contact, offering clear information, advice and guidance about the project and associated funding opportunities.
• Support proactive collaboration between AHRC partners to ensure a shared, consistent approach to stakeholder engagement.
• Contribute to information sharing and knowledge exchange across the wider GCNE team, sharing and knowledge exchange across the wider GCNE team, supporting holistic programme development.
• Support the development, delivery, and administration of the GCNE Flexible Fund (approx. eight research projects with a £15,000 value), held by Newcastle University.
• Assist stakeholders including local communities and partners in understanding and accessing the fund, offering guidance throughout the application and project using the programme's decision making framework.
• Ensure all associated administration aligns with relevant financial and organisational policies.

Governance, compliance and project management

• Ensure all activity complies with multi organisational procedures, including safeguarding, data handling, and financial controls.
• Contribute to documentation, record keeping, and reporting across project activity.
• Carry out any other duties appropriate to the role's level and responsibilities.

Who we're looking for Applications from redeployees are assessed against the minimum criteria for the role. In your application, please provide details of how you meet the minimum criteria below:

• Excellent communication and facilitation skills, including experience with public facing engagement.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of diverse stakeholders (e.g., community groups, academics, landowners, local authorities).
• Experience of working with land managers and/or relevant funding schemes.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, building productive relationships.
• Experience tracking, monitoring, and reconciling budgets responsibly.
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including occasional evenings and weekends (TOIL available; no overtime payments).

Additional criteria for all other applicants:

• Experience of using a range of Tools and approaches.to support community engagement
• A genuine interest in the communities of Durham City and its surroundings.
• Strong IT skills for record keeping and effective communication.
• Understanding of safeguarding responsibilities relating to children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
• Appreciation of the role of nature, heritage, and culture in community identity and wellbeing.

The package

The National Trust has the motto 'For everyone, for ever' at its heart. We're working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It's important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we're for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
• Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
• Season ticket loan
• EV car lease scheme (for roles that meet the salary criteria)
• Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
• Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.

National Trust place

Crook Hall, Frankland Lane, Durham, DH1 5SZ

Documents

• 260218 Additional Information Pack AHRC Roles- DCGC Enagagment Officer.pdf
• Project Officer - Grade 7 - Reset.pdf

Requirements

Compliance. Eligibility to Work in the UK

Additional information Closing Date: 29 March 2026

In line with our redeployment policy, we'll prioritise applications from National Trust employees who are under formal notice of redundancy.

To apply for this vacancy simply click the 'apply' button in the top right hand side of the page.

If you need any help with your application, i.e. due to technical difficulties, please call us on or email us at If you require an adjustment to the application process, for example due to disability or medical condition, please call us on or email us at and we'll support you as best as we can. For examples of how, please see our supporting you page. EqualOpportunities Statement

The National Trust celebrates diversity and is committed to creating a fair and equal society, free from discrimination. You can read more about our commitment to inclusion and diversity here .

Safeguarding Statement

The National Trust is committed to a safe recruitment processes to help the organisation attract and appoint the right staff/volunteer for the role and responsibilities as set out in the vacancy advert. We will not accept applicants who are not suitable to work with children, young people or adults at risk. If you have any questions around your suitability for this vacancy, please contact the people service centre.

Please note we reserve the right to close this advert early and therefore we encourage you to apply for this position early.