Farming and Rural Enterprise Officer (Farming in Protected Landscapes)

Post: Farming and Rural Enterprise Officer – Farming in Protected Landscapes Programme
Directorate: Park Management – Conservation and Environment
Responsible to: Conservation and Environment Manager
Responsible for: No direct reports
Grade: Band 5
Term: Fixed Term Contract through to 31st March 2025
Workbase: Based from our offices in Rothbury or Hexham including travel within the National
Park. Hybrid work from home options also available. 

Job purpose 

Work alongside NNPA Farming Officers and Farming in Protected Landscapes Programme (FiPL) team,
to support the Northumberland National Park land management community and successfully deliver
the FiPL Programme. 

Develop and coordinate projects with land managers and other stakeholders that deliver the NNPA
Management Plan, Business Plan and Natural Environment Vision (NEV) through the FiPL
Programme. 

Key Result Areas

Strategy Development and Implementation 

• Liaise with other staff in the Conservation and Environment Department to ensure effective
  targeting of schemes and projects to secure delivery of the Authority’s strategies and
  corporate objectives, taking into account wider issues such as Natural Capital enhancement,
  climate change ambition and catchment planning. 
• Coordinate project development between the Farming and FiPL teams. 
• Ensure FiPL projects are complimentary to alternative funding mechanisms and policy. 

Project Development and Implementation 

• Work closely with the NNPA Farming Officers and FiPL Programme team to identify and develop
  projects with land managers.
• Provide advice to land managers and colleagues on funding through the Authority’s and other
  grants schemes. 
• Assist land managers with application forms and associated requirements i.e. consents and
  quotations. 
• 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 H & S
  Policy and Practices. Report to the designated H & S representative accidents and dangerous
  occurrences. 

Support and Advocacy 

• Provide detailed technical advice, training to farmers, landowners and managers, staff and
  the Authority on FiPL.
• Have an understanding of the links between Countryside Stewardship and new projects. 
• Working closely with partner organisations, ensure that these schemes are widely and
  effectively applied in the National Park to deliver the Authority’s Vision, statutory purposes
  and corporate objectives. 
• Working with the team develop, monitor and review policy in relation to natural capital and
  the farmed landscape in order to achieve the Authority’s stated objectives and outcomes. 
• Provide advice to land based businesses on the development of rural diversification
  projects, renewable energy and climate adaptation schemes. 
• To support project and programme level evaluation, including reporting to funding bodies
  and the National Park Authority.

Partnership and Liaison 

• Through collaboration with other organisations, contribute to the development of the
  Authority’s role as a key consultee and advisor for the delivery of land based schemes,
  including the provision of land surveys, management plans, technical advice and training for
  applicants and their agents. 
• Work with other staff within the Authority to interpret farming and related rural issues to
  a wider audience. 
• Deliver sustainable land management activities with a focus on empowering communities and
  enterprising local businesses and social enterprise.
• As part of a team, support a culture which fosters innovation, creativity, open
  communication and collaboration throughout the Authority. 
• Work closely with the FiPL team and Conservation and Environment Manager to report on
  targets. 

Other Duties 

• Write reports for the Authority and Leadership Team as required. 
• Proactively support the promotion of equality and inclusion in all areas of work. 
• 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.
• Comply with General Protection Data Regulation (GDPR) and implement Memorandum of
  Understanding with key partners, as appropriate. 
• Undertake any other duties consistent with the post as may be directed by the Conservation
  and Environment Manager. 

Person Specification 

Essential Requirements 

Knowledge 

• Educated to degree level in a land based discipline or equivalent level of experience. 
• Knowledge of agricultural and forestry land management policy and grant schemes, issues and
  techniques to achieve environmental improvement and habitat connectivity.
• Knowledge of current Natural Environment policy and issues facing rural upland communities.

Experience 

• Experience and in-depth knowledge of upland farming and land management systems. 
• Experience of writing grant applications. 
• Experience of working with agri-environment schemes. 
• Experience of working with farmers and landowners and other statutory agencies. 

Skills 

• Excellent interpersonal skills, in particular an ability to discuss and negotiate
  effectively with landowners and other stakeholders.
• Ability to influence partners, land managers in a way that leads to effective delivery and
  good working relationships.
• Confident in the use of information technology systems, the use of Microsoft Office 365, MS
  Teams and GIS applications.

Personal Qualities 

• Ability to travel to sites throughout the National Park in order to fulfil the requirements
  of the post. 

Desirable Requirements 

• Knowledge of National Park purposes. 
• Experience of budget management. 
• Experience of working with a wide range of stakeholders. 
• An ability to express complex ideas clearly in a written form.