The current Chair of The Living Coast UNESCO Biosphere Partnership & Executive Board, Martin Harris, will be stepping down in the Autumn. 

We are hugely grateful for Martin’s incredible contributions during his tenure as our Chair. 

It is now time for us to start a new chapter with a new Chair as The Living Coast embraces it’s second decade.

The role of Chair

We are now seeking the next person to take on the role of chairing The Living Coast UNESCO Biosphere Executive Board and Partnership.

This involves working alongside our exisiting and establishing new partners with the aim of working collaboratively to deliver the local and global Biosphere programme objectives.

The Chair is the principle advocate and ambassador of The Living Coast, providing visible leadership for partners, stakeholders and the community, including at public facing events.  They also lead the Executive Board, which meets every other month, and the quarterly Biosphere Partnership meetings. They will also be closely involved with the Biosphere Programme Management team and youth representatives.

This voluntary position offers numerous benefits including:

• Purpose: Lead and embody a game changing organisation shedding light on positive local action towards sustainable living
• Networking: Access unique local, national and international networks
• Influence: Contribute to shaping the future of The Living Coast’s region, and empower local communities with positive climate change action
• Flexibility: Fit this role around any other existing commitments or diverse needs.
• Discovery: The role may include travelling to another UNESCO designated site in the UK or beyond once or twice a year, for which expenses will be covered.

Application process & timeline

Please refer to the full role description and apply by 08/09/25 by sending a cover letter and a CV to the following email address: sarah.jones@brighton-hove.gov.uk and mentioning “Application for The Living Coast Chair Role” in the subject

If you would like to ask any questions about the role, please feel free to contact our current Chair on LinkedIn, using the following link: Martin Harris | LinkedIn

Interviews will take place in September/October

Please let us know if you have any additional needs so we can adjust the recruitment process accordingly.

Allowances: this is a currently a voluntary role for which reasonable expenses are covered

Background

UNESCO is the United Nations Education Science and Culture Organisation championing the Sustainability Development Goals

UNESCO Biospheres are designated places of international best practice, promoting local action on sustainable development in conservation of biodiversity and cultural diversity, economic development and tourism, education & research. They are non-political organisations.

There are currently over 750 sites in the World Network of UNESCO Biospheres, including places like the Galapagos islands in Ecuador, and the Kruger National Park in South Africa, as well as 7 in the UK.

Here in Sussex, The Living Coast has been recognised by UNESCO as a Biosphere since 2014, for its world-class environment of rare chalk downland and successful partnerships delivering sustainable practices, education and research and connecting people with nature. The Living Coast operates as a cross-sector partnership of over 40 organisations, with Brighton & Hove City Council as the lead partner. Some of the flagship delivery projects include The Aquifer Project, Our City, Our World, and Greening The Cities.

2025-2026 will be a key turning point for The Living Coast as it looks to celebrate the renewal of its UNESCO designation for another 10 years, grow geographically and deliver on the new strategy.