Finance & Administration Officer

Location: Flexible - Home-based or office-based at Darlington Farmers Auction Mart, Darlington (Teesside applicants encouraged)

Hours: 18.5 hours per week with flexible working hours

Contract: Fixed Term - 12-month contract

Join a team creating greener places for people and nature

Tees Community Forest is looking for an organised, proactive and personable Finance & Administration Officer to support the delivery of our ambitious woodland creation programme across Tees Valley.

As part of England's Community Forests - a national network of 15 Community Forests - we work with landowners, local authorities, businesses and communities to create new woodlands, improve biodiversity and connect more people with nature. Together, the network has planted more than 10 million trees since the Trees for Climate programme began in 2020, delivering 35% of all Government-funded tree planting in England. During the 2024/25 planting season alone, over 3.1 million trees and 2,500 hectares of new woodland and hedgerows were created, while engaging more than 19,000 local people in woodland and community projects.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role behind the scenes, ensuring our projects run smoothly and our funding programmes are delivered efficiently.

About the role

You'll be at the heart of our day-to-day operations, providing administrative and financial support to our delivery team and acting as a key point of contact for landowners and partners. This varied role is ideal for someone who enjoys organisation, problem-solving and working collaboratively.

Key responsibilities

Trees for Climate support

• Manage the Tees Community Forest central enquiries inbox and respond to landowner
• Process landowner funding claim forms accurately and
• Liaise with operational delivery teams to confirm works have been completed and inspected before payments are processed.
• Maintain accurate financial and administrative
• Support annual funding claims and reporting.

Tee s Community Forest governance

• Assist with co-ordinating Tees Community Forest woodland advisory group, including agreeing dates, organising venues and catering, distribution of agendas and supporting papers.
• Support Tees Community Forest Director in annual reporting against the Tees Community Forest strategic plan.

Central administrative support

• Support the wider team including diary management, booking travel and accommodation, taking and drafting minutes.
• Work closely with finance staff within Community Forest Trust (accountable body for Tees Community Forest).
• Support development and content of Tees Community Forest website.

About you

We're looking for someone with the following skills:

• Highly organised with excellent attention to
• Comfortable managing multiple tasks and meeting
• Confident communicating with a wide range of people by email, phone and in
• Experienced in administration and financial
• Competent using Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Outlook and
• Able to work independently while also being part of a supportive
• Willingness to work flexibly and adapt to the needs of a small charity.
• The ability to travel to Teesside to attend in person meetings.
• Experienced using social media platforms and using word press to manage websites.
• Experience using project management software (or equivalent).
• Experience of grant administration, public sector funding or environmental projects would be advantageous but is not essential.

What we offer

• A flexible, family-friendly role with genuine work-life
• The option to work from our office at Darlington Farmers Auction Mart.
• Flexible working hours to fit around your
• Enhanced pension scheme
• 14 days annual leave inclusive of statutory holidays (35 days FTE)
• A supportive and passionate team making a real difference to landscapes and communities across Tees Valley.
• Meaningful work that contributes to tackling climate change, increasing biodiversity and creating healthier places for people to live.

Apply now

Join Tees Community Forest and help us grow a greener future for Tees Valley.