Farm Network Project Officer

Northumberland National Park Authority

Job Description

Post: Farm Networking Project Officer

Directorate: Park Management

Responsible to: Conservation and Environment Manager

Responsible for: No direct reports

Grade: Band 5 full time (37 hours per week)

Term: Fixed Term Contract through to 31st May 2026.

Workbase: Based from our offices in Rothbury or Hexham including travel within the National Park. Some homeworking opportunities available. Occasional evening work required.

Job purpose

This post will report to Conservation and Environment Manager and will be responsible for the following main tasks:

• To lead and manage the Farm Networking project by working with new and established farmer groups throughout Northumberland National Park. The aim of these groups is to bring farmers together to encourage support, cooperation and knowledge transfer in subject areas such as delivering public goods through agri-environment schemes, the agricultural transition and climate change.
• This will include establishing and working closely with farmer steering groups. With the help of the steering groups and Farming Team you would lead planning and development of a programme of learning and activities, such as farm walks and talks, prepare agendas, guide and control the events, record any actions, get paperwork signed etc.
• Collate and submit grant claims for three Defra Facilitation Fund farmer groups.
• Encourage farmer participation in established groups and identify areas that a group could be developed.
• Engage with key partners who are able to contribute to the development of quality of the Farm Networking Project
• Work closely with the farming community, land managers and other partners to develop and lead on knowledge sharing opportunities.
• Complete all project administration, including the convening of steering group meetings and knowledge transfer events, risk assessments, completion and submission of quarterly reports and payment milestone grant claims, liaising with finance staff and farming team colleagues where appropriate.
• Investigate funding opportunities and ways to deliver work in the longer term, whilst considering legacy arrangements beyond the project term.
• Promote a culture based on teamwork, open communication and collaboration throughout the Authority and the wider project Partnership.
• To further develop programmes and partnership working and to influence key organisations and stakeholders to deliver work within the National Park in support of the shared Vision of the Management Plan 2022-2027.
• Organise and arrange suitable publicity for programmes of activity and project delivery that will include showcasing demonstration projects.
• Liaise effectively with individual farmers and landowners over access to land for project fieldwork together with the NNPA Farming and Rural Enterprise Officers as appropriate.

Other Duties

• Ensure that work and service provision is carried out in a manner which safeguards the health and safety of the workforce and the general public observing and applying Health & Safety Policy and Practices.
• Undertake any other duties consistent with the post as may be directed by the Conservation and the Environment Manager.
• Proactively support the promotion of equality and inclusion in all areas of work.
• Comply with GDPR and implement Memorandum of Understanding with key partners, as appropriate.

Person Specification

Essential

Knowledge

• Educated to degree level in an environmental, land management or project management related discipline or equivalent level of experience.
• Knowledge of upland land management practices and associated grant schemes.
• Knowledge of current agricultural and natural environment policy i.e. Countryside Stewardship.

Skills

• Excellent interpersonal skills, in particular an ability to discuss and negotiate effectively with landowners and other stakeholders.
• Ability to influence partners, colleagues and land managers in a way that leads to effective delivery and good working relationships.
• Confident in the use of information technology systems and use of Microsoft Office and MS Teams applications.

Experience

• Land management experience, with expertise in at least one of the following:
• agriculture
• forestry
• water management
• ecology
• Experience of working with stakeholder groups.
• Experience of project management e.g. working to deadlines, management of budgets using spreadsheets and reporting to funders.
• A track record of working with partners in collaborative projects.

Personal Qualities

• Ability to work a flexible pattern and travel to sites to fulfil the requirements of the post.

Desirable

• Practical experience of fieldwork in an upland environment.
• Knowledge of National Parks and protected areas.
• A sound knowledge of health and safety procedures.
• Knowledge of agricultural Land Management practice.

Job Types: Full-time, Contract
Contract length: 36 months

Salary: £30,151.00-£33,820.00 per year

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee discount
• Flexitime
• Free parking
• On-site parking
• Referral programme
• Sick pay
• Wellness programme
• Work from home

Schedule:

• Flexitime
• Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Rothbury NE65 7UP: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Application question(s):

• Please describe your experience of working with farmers and landowners
• Please describe your understanding of agri environment schemes

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Rothbury NE65 7UP

Application deadline: 31/05/2023