South West Rainforest Alliance
Independent Chair of the South West Rainforest Alliance
Get notified of more jobs like this · No spam, ever
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
The South West Rainforest Alliance (SWRA) Chair
The South West Rainforest Alliance (SWRA) is seeking an independent Chair to help shape and champion our growing coalition of organisations working to protect, restore, and expand temperate rainforest across the South West of England. We are looking for an experienced and collaborative leader who brings strategic vision and a passion for nature recovery.
About the Alliance
The SWRA is a voluntary partnership of over 20 organisations and individuals that recognises the importance of the region’s surviving temperate rainforests and the threats they face, and is working in partnership to protect, restore and expand this valuable and internationally distinctive habitat in South West England. The Alliance is coordinated by a Coordinator, with governance provided by a Steering Group of core member organisations and the leads of the Alliance’s three Working Groups (WG); the Communications and Advocacy WG, the Rainforest Dynamics and Research WG, and the Projects and Funding task-and-finish group.
The SWRA is part of a wider UK temperate rainforest movement and works alongside equivalent alliances in Scotland, Wales, and North West England through the UK Rainforest Network. Having recently refreshed its governance and action plan, the Alliance is now entering a new and exciting phase of delivery.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
The Role
The Chair will:
- Chair two Alliance meetings (one in person and one online) and three Steering Group meetings every year, facilitating constructive discussion and ensuring clear decisions and actions.
- Work closely with the Coordinator to ensure the Alliance's strategy is being delivered and that meetings stay focused on priorities and outcomes.
- Provide constructive challenge and support, ensuring a clear focus on delivery, outcomes and impact.
- Act as a trusted, independent voice, helping to navigate complexity and maintain momentum.
About You
We are looking for a Chair who will bring:
- Strong strategic thinking and experience of working across organisational boundaries.
- A collaborative approach to leadership that allows member organisations to lead while maintaining overall strategic direction.
- Independence and impartiality, acting in the interests of the Alliance as a whole rather than any single member organisation.
- Relevant networks in the South West or at a national level, and an understanding of the landscape for nature recovery, land management and environmental policy.
- A strong personal commitment to nature recovery and the natural environment.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
You do not need to be a technical specialist in temperate rainforest ecology, but you will need to be able to confidently steer complex discussions and support evidence-led decision-making.
We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive Alliance. Whatever your background, we welcome your expression of interest.
Other Information
- Term: Two years, renewable for a maximum of two terms.
- Time commitment: Approximately one day per month on average.
- Remuneration: The role is voluntary and unpaid. Reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.
- Location: Steering Group meetings are held online. Full Alliance meetings take place twice a year, alternately in Devon and Cornwall, with one in-person and one online each year.
Interested candidates please send a 500-word expression of interest to hello@swrainforest.co.uk by 30th September 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a brief interview with the SWRA Steering Group.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills