South West Peak Slowing the Flow Project Manager

Transcription

1 South West Peak Slowing the Flow Project Manager 25,000pa plus pension, full time, fixed term contract for five years Cheshire Wildlife Trust is leading a five-year multi-partner slowing the flow project as part of the South West Peak Landscape Partnership Scheme carrying out catchment wide land management activities promoting natural flood management. The project is funded by the Environment Agency and the Heritage Lottery Fund. With the government committing 15m to natural flood management now is an exciting time to be launching this project and we are looking to recruit a skilled project manager to take forward our ambitious programme of activities. Working with landowners, land managers, conservation and regulatory authorities, local communities and water companies, you will plan, deploy and evaluate a variety of natural flood management interventions to deliver the following multiple benefits for people and wildlife: Reducing flood risk for communities at risk of flooding Improving water quality Conserving, creating and restoring habitats Enhancing biodiversity Capturing carbon Reducing sediment input into watercourses As project manager you will also be responsible for reporting to a steering group and to the Heritage Lottery Fund. The location of the position is flexible, with being home-based, working at Cheshire Wildlife Trust offices or being based with one of the partner organisations an option. However, you can expect to spend much of your time working across the South West Peak District visiting sites, working with landowners and local communities and attending meetings, sometimes in remote areas, so a full driving licence is essential. This project is one of a programme of activities as part of the wider landscape partnership scheme. You can find details on the scheme here. The job description and application form can be found on our website How to apply Please send completed application forms to reception@cheshirewt.org.uk. For more information about the role call Martin Varley on Closing date for applications is midday on Monday 30th January. Interviews will take place on Wednesday 22 nd February.

2 Job Description JOB TITLE South West Peak Slowing the Flow Project Manager TEAM Cheshire Wildlife Trust Area East Team WORKING BASE The role is initially home based, but shared office space is available at Cheshire Wildlife s Bickley Hall Farm and there may be an opportunity to work in partners offices RESPONSIBLE TO The role is shared between the Director of Conservation and the Reserves Manager East RESPONSIBLE FOR No staff responsibilities. Responsible for volunteers and contractors OVERALL PURPOSE OF JOB The principal purpose of the Slowing the Flow role is to apply an ecosystems approach to catchment management to achieve multiple benefits to people and wildlife. The officer will be responsible for developing and implementing natural flood management to slow the flow and enhance biodiversity across sub-catchments in the South West Peak, working with farmers, land managers and local people and engaging with partner organisations and stakeholders. Specifically this will involve delivering a variety of terrestrial and aquatic habitats improvements, alterations and restoration to reduce rates of surface run off in order to delay and limit peak flow discharges on rivers to protect Communities at Risk of flooding. A range of tools are available to the Slowing the Flow Officer, including a dedicated capital grant, specialist advice from riverine experts, land management advisers and academic researchers, in addition to support levered from agrienvironment and forestry schemes. The post is financed as part of the Heritage Lottery Fund supported South West Peak Landscape Partnership Scheme and the Environment Agency. MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES Deliver a range of land-based outputs and outcomes that slow the flow and improve the ecosystem services of the South West Peak headwater catchments. Deliver annual work plans based on the target outputs and outcomes identified in the project plan and report quarterly to the project steering group and HLF landscape partnership scheme manager. Secure agreement from farmers and land managers to mitigate the issues by working with, and drawing down advice and incentives, when necessary, from others such as Natural England, Forestry Commission, Environment Agency and Peak District National Park.

3 Develop strong working relationships across a network of farmers, producers, technical advisors, regulators, NGOs and communities in your catchment area. Carry out monitoring, sampling and analysis to support and validate catchment activities and incidents. Data collection includes; water quality and flow; soil compaction and filtration; key biodiversity indicators In conjunction with the Peak District National Park Authority Farm Advice Service deliver relevant agricultural on-farm advice, e.g. assisting with preparation of management plans and applications for agri-environment schemes Supply information to the South West Peak Landscape Partnership in developing and sustaining a communication network utilising , meetings, Twitter, Facebook, written educational material and press articles appropriate to the different sectors engaged on catchment Represent the Landscape Partnership at community events, workshops, table top discussions, lectures and stalls at markets, community meetings (WI, Gardening groups, equine groups), farmers meetings, students etc. Manage a budget including a small scale capital works grant (in liaison with Peak District National Park staff) for NFM interventions. Maximise resources and where possible bring additional funding towards cost of delivery Work with coordinating partner organisation to maximise opportunities to deliver multiple benefits for nature through the land use advice campaigns for farmers and land managers Engage with the relevant catchment partnership hosts Contribute to a co-ordinated, partnership, landscape-scale approach to advisory provision across the project area, in close liaison with Catchment Sensitive Farming (where relevant), Environment Agency Officers, Natural England Officers, National Park Advisors and others as required. JOB SPECIFICATION (This section details the role requirements in terms of management, accountability, impact, independence, contacts and creativity, in addition to describing the working environment.) 1. Management and Supervision No direct line management responsibilities relating to this post. Initially home-based post, with associated lone working conditions. It has minimum supervision and will require high levels of self-motivation. Oversight and management of the work of external professionals and contractors 2. Accountability and Resources Responsible for achieving all targets agreed in the work plan and completing set tasks within the required timeframe and to the highest standard Responsible for management of the capital grants scheme, including all project budgets reporting and monitoring spend to ensure projects delivered on budget

4 Responsible for keeping up to date records and work log and compiling quarterly finance claim and progress reports 3. Job Impact Responsible for maintaining good relationship between the partners and exploring opportunities for new collaborations Ambassador for the Landscape Partnership Scheme, responsible for upholding the partners reputation, image and level of service Facilitating land management change in project area Responsible for building and maintaining relationships with partner organisations 4. Independence and Judgement You will often be working independently Responsible for organising and managing your own time on a day-by-day basis Responsible for prioritising tasks and seeking clarity when required Responsible for ensuring that health and safety procedures are adhered to. Overall supervision is provided but you will often be working alone and sometimes in collaboration with others. There may be some who are hostile to what you are discussing and calm judgement is required to decide on how to proceed in the interaction. 5. People and Contacts Day to day contact with stakeholders including other conservation charities, statutory agencies, local communities and local authorities. Will work with staff at all levels within Cheshire Wildlife Trust and partner organisations Regular contact with funding bodies and partner organisations 6. Creativity and Innovation We are looking for a high level of creativity and innovation around this post A need to be versatile and flexible, able to adapt to a variety of daily challenges and sometimes last minute changes to planned work Expected to use own initiative and creative thinking to find the best solution to a problem or completion of a task. 7. Working Conditions This is a fixed term position until 31 st December All new employees to the Trust undertake a 6-month probationary period, in which time they are expected to establish their suitability for the post This is full time position. The normal working day for Cheshire Wildlife Trust is 9am to 5pm but there will need to be some flexibility around these hours. Overtime is not paid but Time Off In

5 Lieu may be accrued, if authorised in advance by your line manager (in line with CWT s TOIL policy). Holiday entitlement will be based on a full time allocation of 20 days per year, plus Bank Holidays, plus 3 specified days over the Christmas period. An extra days holiday will be accrued each year during the first 5 years of service up to a maximum of 5 extra days. CWT operates an employee pension scheme. Employees will be eligible to join the scheme after successfully completing their probation period. Salary: 25,000

6 PERSON SPECIFICATION JOB TITLE Slowing the Flow Officer TEAM Cheshire Wildlife Trust Area East Team Experience Essential Desirable Experience of working in forestry or agricultural/ land management Proven experience in project management and co-ordination, including budget management and use of monitoring systems Experience of partnership working with statutory and voluntary organisations Experience of managing contract and contractors Experience in producing and using Risk Assessments and Lone working procedures Knowledge and Skills A degree or equivalent in Agricultural/Water/Environmental Science A good working knowledge of upland and riparian habitats Experience of environmental legislation relating to the farmed environment and statutory land based designations (SSSIs, etc) A good understanding of Health & Safety working practices A good understanding of effective methods of stakeholder engagement A good understanding of communications and social media Able to write effective reports IT skills including GIS Be able to research, analyse and interpret information An understanding of relevant land management funding streams Personal Qualities Ability to communicate effectively, with integrity, tact and diplomacy, both verbally and in writing, to a wide range of stakeholders Ability to work well on their own initiative with high levels of self-motivation and enthusiasm A willingness to be flexible and respond to changing situations A willingness to work occasional weekends A valid UK driving licence