Deputy COO

Position: Deputy Chief Operating Officer

Location: London, with a minimum of 3 days per week in the office

Contract type: Full-time, permanent

Salary range: Competitive dependent upon experience

Reporting to: Chief Operating Officer (COO)

The Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) exists to protect the natural world and uphold our fundamental human right to a secure environment. We work at the front lines of environmental injustice, alongside communities most affected by climate breakdown, biodiversity loss, and exploitation - transforming evidence into action, and injustice into lasting change.

EJF is a global non-profit driven by a powerful belief: that environmental protection and human rights are inseparable. Through courageous field investigations, rigorous research, and strategic international advocacy, we expose environmental crime, challenge impunity, and catalyse systemic reform. Our work delivers real-world impact, shaping policy, strengthening governance, protecting vital ecosystems, and defending those who risk their lives to safeguard them.

Our campaigns span four deeply interconnected areas: oceans, climate, forests and wetlands, and the training, protection, and empowerment of environmental defenders and journalists. From illegal fishing and forced labour to deforestation, land grabs, and climate displacement, we confront some of the most complex and urgent crises of our time - always with a focus on accountability, equity, and durable solutions.

EJF is an international organisation with a diverse team working across four continents, united by a shared ambition: to protect people by protecting the planet. We are bold, evidence-led, and impact-driven. We speak truth to power - and we build pathways to a fairer, more resilient future. Join Us.

This is a rare and exciting opportunity to play a central role in driving effective, efficient, and impactful global operations at one of the world’s leading environmental and human rights organisations.

As Deputy Chief Operating Officer, you will report directly to the COO and support the smooth, efficient, and ethical running of EJF’s international operations across 16 countries on four continents. You will work at the heart of the organisation, supporting critical priorities such as donor relations, recruitment and retention, financial controls and development, safeguarding, risk and security, cybersecurity, and ensuring the compliance and efficient operation of offices around the world.

This is a senior operational role that offers broad responsibilities and meaningful engagement across global teams and strategic priorities. You will be a solutions-focused, highly organised, and values-driven individual who brings experience in HR, compliance, finance, and broader operations. This role is ideal for a professional seeking senior-level responsibility and broad, meaningful engagement across global teams and strategic priorities.

• Global administration and Office Management: Ensuring efficient day-to-day operations of EJF’s global offices. Supporting the development and maintenance of cost-effective, compliant and efficient systems.
• Finance and Organisational Integrity: Work closely with the finance team to ensure strong financial controls and systems are in place, robust against fraud and error. Ensure operational systems work effectively when they interface with finance, such as ensuring compliance with country requirements and undertaking procurements. The role will help ensure the finance team can provide exemplary, time-bound tracking of financial data and expenditure against agreed budgets and make recommendations on banking and investment opportunities and changing needs.
• Human Resources: Supporting and enhancing EJF’s HR systems to ensure they are fit for purpose, equitable, and appropriate across all jurisdictions. Coordinating and supporting Managers with effective recruitment processes globally. Ensuring managers have the systems and tools they need to induct, manage, and retain staff, including guidance on management, issue escalation, and performance reviews.
• Fundraising Support and Donor…