Farming in Protected Landscapes Officer

Farming in Protected Landscapes Officer – North Wessex Downs AONB

• Temporary Full Time to 31st March 2025
• AONB office, near Hungerford, Berkshire

Summary

We are looking to recruit a Farming in Protected Landscapes Officer until the end of March
2025.

About the Farming in Protected Landscapes Programme 

Farming in Protected Landscapes is a successful and exciting new four-year programme created by
Defra and delivered by AONB and National Park teams across the country. The objectives of the
programme are to support farmers and other land managers to deliver more for: 

• Climate – supporting the delivery of net zero through nature and nature-based solutions to
  help communities mitigate and adapt to climate change.
• Nature – supporting the delivery of the Nature Recovery Network and achieving the
  Government’s commitment to protect 30% of land by 2030.
• People – providing a natural health service that will improve the nation’s public health
  and wellbeing through increased access to nature across all parts of society, as part of our
  green recovery
• Place – supporting these landscapes as centres of excellence and green innovation that are
  flourishing places to live and work, each with a strong identity and cultural heritage, and
  high recognition as attractive visitor destinations.

More information can be found here.

About the role

We are looking for a knowledgeable, experienced and enthusiastic team member to lead delivery
of the Defra-funded Farming in Protected Landscapes programme for the North Wessex Downs Area
of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

This is a varied role working with farmers and land managers across the AONB to encourage and
support high quality applications that deliver the aims of the North Wessex Downs AONB
Management Plan within the four programme areas of nature, climate, people and place.

You will provide advice and guidance to applicants, working closely with our Local Assessment
Panel and the programme Business Support Officer.

About you

We will look to you to have significant experience of conservation/land management, heritage
and access issues and familiarity with current agri-environment schemes and the challenges
currently facing farming and land management.

You will be an excellent communicator, in person, via presentations and report-writing, with
proven experience of engaging with, inspiring and building trusted relationships with farmers
and other land managers.

You will have support from the AONB team whilst having self-motivation and initiative.

Ideally, you will have some knowledge and appreciation of the landscapes, wildlife, heritage
and local communities of the North Wessex Downs AONB. If you are up for a challenge, we’d love
to hear from you.

Interviews will be held week commencing 17th April 2023.

For an informal chat about this job, please contact Henry Oliver, Director North Wessex Downs
AONB – email: [email protected] or ring:
07786 173296.