Croft Woodland Adviser – Western Isles (Lewis & Harris)

ABOUT US

The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity. We want to see a world
where trees and woods thrive for people and nature. The Trust engages and inspires people to
make their difference tackling the nature and climate crisis helping protect, restore and
create our vital woods and trees.

THE ROLE 

The Croft Woodlands Project is a partnership initiative between Woodland Trust Scotland, Point
& Sandwick Trust, Scottish Forestry, Scottish Crofting Federation, the Woodland Croft
Partnership, Shetland Amenity Trust, Orkney Woodlands Project and Communities Housing Trust.
The aim is to engage crofters in woodland creation and management on their holdings to deliver
multiple benefits in terms of biodiversity, agricultural diversification, landscape and
environment. This role receives generous support from Point & Sandwick Trust.

The Project Adviser will be responsible for the day-to-day delivery of the Croft Woodland
Project in Lewis and Harris, and will engage with crofters, common grazing committees and other
land managers to take forward woodland schemes. The focus will be on woodland creation, but the
role will also involve the provision of woodland management advice. The Adviser will work
closely with colleagues, the principal project partners and an external Project Advisory Group
to develop relationships, deliver events, and promote woodlands on crofts. 

This role is a 0.5 part-time post (18.75 hours/ week), working closely with the Croft Woodland
Adviser for the Uists and Barra and the other members of the Croft Woodland Project team. 

Initially, a company vehicle will be provided for this role, starting with a hire vehicle for
the first 6 months in post. After this initial 6-month period we will review vehicle business
use to ensure the post-holder is complying with the eligibility criteria as stated in our
Company Vehicle Policy. If the post-holder complies with those criteria, a longer-term lease
vehicle will be sourced and provided.

THE CANDIDATE

With experience of developing and delivering woodland creation and woodland management schemes
with a focus on island/croft sites, you’ll have a good understanding of woodland and croft
grant schemes and of crofting in Scotland. 

You’ll have experience of advising and working with crofters, communities, land managers and
woodland owners and of working with contractors and consultants. Self-motivated and flexible,
you’ll be able to plan, organise and manage your own workload and develop ideas that further
the work of the project. 

Our Organisational Nature enables us to better understand what it means to be part of the
Woodland Trust, empowering us to make an impact, every day. We want you to be able to role
model our values; ‘Grow Together’, ‘Focus’, ‘Explore’ and ‘Make it Count’ to ensure each of us
plays our part in helping to protect, restore and create our woods and trees.

WHAT TO EXPECT BY JOINING A TEAM AND MAKING A DIFFERENCE

There’s no other organisation like the Woodland Trust. Joining the team you will be making your
contribution to tackling the nature and climate crisis. In return, we recognize and value our
people. You’ll have our full support, training and opportunities for professional development,
along with a contributory pension, life assurance, good holiday allowance and the opportunity
to work flexibly from home. 

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY & INCLUSION 

At the Woodland Trust, we want to reflect and represent the full richness of diversity in the
UK. Fewer of our employees are Black, Asian or minority ethnic; disabled; from lower
socio-economic backgrounds or under 25; so we are particularly keen to receive your application
if you are from one or more of these groups. We can also discuss anything you may need to
achieve your full potential at any stage of the process. We assess your application solely on
your demonstrated suitability for the job. Nothing else.

To ensure anonymised recruitment, if you have uploaded your CV, shortlisting panels do
not see your CV until shortlisting has been completed. Before submitting your
application, please ensure you have completed the supporting information section with details
of experiences that clearly evidence as many aspects of the job description as possible.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of
suitable applications. If you are interested, we’d encourage you to submit your application as
early as possible.