To lead the conservation advice activity of Kent Wildlife Trust.

Transcription

1 Conservation Advice Manager Job Title: Function: Responsible to: Responsible for: Conservation Advice manager To lead the conservation advice activity of Kent Wildlife Trust. Head of Conservation, Policy and Evidence Planning Officer, Policy and Planning Officer, Thames Gateway Officer, Land Management Advisor, Consultancy Officer Kent Wildlife Trust Kent Wildlife Trust is one of the largest of the 47 Wildlife Trusts, which together make up the Wildlife Trusts Partnership. We are supported by our 31,000 members and governed as a member-led charity. We have the simple aim of protecting Kent s wildlife for the future. To this end, we own or manage 64 nature reserves covering 7,500 acres; we campaign and lobby politicians, decision makers and landowners to ensure site protection and good habitat management; and we run a full programme of education work with schools, colleges and adult groups. The Trust also has five Visitor Centres. The Trust operates from its headquarters at Tyland Barn, just north of Maidstone. The 75 professional and support staff work within five sections of Reserves; Conservation, Policy, & Evidence; People Engagement; Marketing & Membership and Finance & Support Services Visit our website to see the range of our activities Job Purpose The role of the Conservation Advice manager at Kent Wildlife Trust is to enable the Trust to deliver consistent and effective advice, to those whose activity has a significant impact on the natural environment, in order to influence land use and land management to achieve the best outcomes for wildlife. The Trust is working towards a vision to ensure that at least 30% of Kent and Medway - land and sea - is managed to create a healthy place for wildlife to flourish. This involves working with a range of organisations and individuals to influence the way that land is used and managed. We play a key role in influencing planning and development in the county, and have a strong reputation for consistent and effective work in this area. The high level of development in Kent, including a programme of major development initiatives, provides a challenging environment in which significant wildlife benefits can be sought and achieved. The Trust also has a long history of providing excellent conservation land management advice to landowners and land managers, particularly those of Local Wildlife Sites, and helping farmers to access Countryside Stewardship schemes. We also provide advice to diverse businesses, on ecological and conservation issues. In order to achieve its ambitious vision, the Trust needs to provide advice to influence a much larger area of land and to secure sustainable resources to support this work. This post will open up opportunities and enable us to scale up the work that we do, to meet this challenge. You will lead the team of staff delivering this work, actively developing the skills and capacity of the team to enable more advice to be provided to landowners and new products to be delivered by the advisory service. You will ensure that systems are in place to maintain a professional and consistent service and to evaluate impacts, developing strategies to achieve the best possible outcomes for biodiversity. You will improve the existing financial model, including working with team members to submit proposals, tenders, and applications and proactively growing relationships to win business and funding, ensuring the sustainability of the Trust s advisory work. The Trust is valued for the independence of its advice, and provides much of this advice free of charge, delivering its charitable objectives. However, the scale of the task requires a greater engagement and this is funded through a variety of mechanisms, including grant funding, charitable donation, and charging fees for specific services through 1 29/05/2015

2 a professional consultancy. Securing significant income to contribute to the cost of the Trust s advisory work is of the essence to this post. You will be responsible for identifying and converting opportunities, through an appropriate mixture of grant applications, tender submissions and contract negotiation, to maximise income in order to achieve our strategic business plan. You will be working to meet agreed income generation targets. You will support the work of colleagues in the Conservation Advice team, and the Head of Conservation, Policy and Evidence, as appropriate, to work towards the delivery of the Trust s vision for a resilient ecological network for Kent. An important part of your role will be to work with another new post, the Connectivity Programme Manager to develop ways to ensure that the provision of advice leads to implementation of management and increases in biodiversity. 1 Principal Duties 1. Managing and developing the Conservation Advice Team a. Leading, developing and supporting the team. b. Maintaining the focus and direction of staff. c. Ensuring that the team s contribution to project work is delivered on time and to budget. d. Identifying and developing traditional and, where appropriate, new skills and capacity in the team, to enable the provision of a wider range of services and to support the delivery of the Trust s strategic business plan. e. Working with and directing the work of volunteers as necessary. f. Reporting to the Trust s Conservation Committee. 2. Overseeing and driving the delivery of conservation advice a. Maintaining effective budgetary control and administrative systems. b. Ensuring milestones, strategic targets and KPIs are met. c. Implementing a robust system for tracking progress on requests for advice. d. Seeking and developing funding opportunities to finance the work of the Conservation Advice Team and where possible, the wider Trust, including working with team members to submit proposals, tenders, and applications and proactively growing relationships, to win business and funding. This will include working to agreed income targets. e. Working with colleagues to ensure KWT advisory work delivers long term gains for biodiversity. f. Management of the delivery of major contracts and services. g. Overseeing the Trust s work on forward planning and development control issues, ensuring the quality, consistency and effectiveness of the Trust s voice in planning. h. Ensure that information on the relevant sections of the website is up to date. 2 29/05/2015

3 3. Supporting the delivery of conservation advice a. Support the work of the Conservation Advice team, and the Head of Conservation, Policy and Evidence, within your existing areas of competence. This will depend on existing skills, but may include: i. Leading on some strategic policy issues and responding to key consultations ii. With the Head of Conservation, Policy and Evidence, and other colleagues, providing evidence and representing the Trust s views at planning inquiries on occasion iii. The provision of advice and guidance sheets for responding to broad topics and requests for generic advice iv. Preparation of reports and plans 4. General a. In all work, to operate alongside and in close co-operation with The Wildlife Trusts at a regional and national level. b. Any other duties as reasonably required by the Chief Executive. 2 Skills and Qualifications Good people management skills, with at least two years experience of managing a team of professional staff A high level of initiative able to initiate and develop new ways of working Excellent organisational skills, able to ensure effective and timely delivery of work Experience and understanding of generating income from tenders, commissioning and contracts, with corporate, public sector and not-for-profit organisations Experience of grant applications and fundraising Experience of working within a profit-making consultancy Demonstrable experience of budget management Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal Good presentational and negotiating skills Educated to degree level in a relevant subject Essential Desirable 3 29/05/2015

4 An ability to work on your own initiative and as part of a team A clean, current driving licence At least one of the following competencies A. An understanding of the legal and planning policy framework which underpins nature conservation at local, national and international level A good understanding of the planning system and current planning policy B. An understanding of current nature conservation policy and strategy, particularly in the context of farming practice Experience of providing advice to farmers or other land managers on biodiversity and management to enhance wildlife C. A demonstrable understanding of the ecology of main habitats and systems, and of the key factors affecting biodiversity and the principles of landscape ecology Experience of contributing to nature conservation in a professional capacity 3 Other Considerations 1. The post is advertised as a full-time post. 2. The post is offered on a fixed term of three years. Continuation of the post is anticipated but will be dependent on availability of funding. 3. Appointment will be subject to a six month probationary period. 4. No person shall be treated less favourably than another on the grounds of sex, sexual orientation, marital status, race, ethnic or national origin, religion, colour, age or disability. 5. Appointment is conditional upon receipt of satisfactory references. 6. The Trust operates a no smoking policy. 7. Kent Wildlife Trust is an equal opportunities employer and applicants for staff vacancies shall be shortlisted for interview and appointed purely on the grounds of their suitability for the post as laid out in the advertised job description (subject to 6 below). 8. All staff share a common duty to recruit members and volunteers and enhance the good reputation of the Trust whenever the opportunity arises 9. KWT aims actively to enhance, wherever possible, the opportunities for people with disabilities to experience, understand and enjoy the natural environment. All staff share the responsibility in achieving this. Further information is available from the Head of People and Wildlife 10. Under Section 7 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, all staff have a legal responsibility to: a. take all reasonable care of their health and safety while at work; b. ensure as far as reasonably practicable the safety of other persons, whether other employees or members of the public, who may be adversely affected by their own actions 4 29/05/2015

5 c. co-operate with the Trust to enable it to discharge its obligations satisfactorily 4 Employment Package All posts within the Trust operate within pay bands; the relevant band for the Conservation Advice Manager is Points 18-25, currently 27,956 to 33,518 with annual increments of circa 500 (depending on available finances and performance). The point on the scale at which applicants start will depend on skills and experience. Finances permitting, these bands are updated once a year to allow for the rate of inflation. Incremental rises also happen annually depending on available finances and performance. Normal working hours are a 37½ hour, 5 day week, plus an hour for lunch each day. Normal office hours are 9.00 until 5.30, although the job may involve some evening and weekend working. Overtime is not paid, but time may be taken off in lieu. The holiday allowance is 23 days a year plus 8 days statutory holidays. After 3 months in post, staff will be enrolled into the Trust s pension scheme. The Trust will contribute 9% of gross salary provided the employee contributes a minimum of 4%. 5 Procedure for Applicants Applications Applicants should read the Guidance Notes carefully before completing the application form clearly and in black ink please (for copying purposes). Please DO NOT send your CV. If you wish to discuss this post, please telephone Sue Young on The closing date for applications is mid-day on Friday 26 th June Interviews Interviews will be held on Thursday 9 th July and will include a short presentation. After the interview, candidates will be given a tour of the offices and have the opportunity to meet Trust staff. 5 29/05/2015