Partnership and Expertise Manager x2

Never has there been a more important time for trees and forests to help tackle the climate
emergency and provide a much-needed sanctuary for people and wildlife. We aim to at least
treble tree planting rates in England by the end of this Parliament, reflecting England’s
contribution to meeting the UK’s overall target of planting 30,000 hectares per year by the end
of this Parliament.

Location

South West England

The post offers blended working within the South West, with a combination of virtual and
office-based flexible working. The successful post holder will be expected to live within the
South West Area. The parent office for this role can be either Bullers Hill, SW Area Office
near Exeter or Forestry Commission National Office, Bristol. Regular travel will be required
across the Area and to attend national meetings.

Job description

We are seeking two Partnership and Expertise Managers to lead, coordinate and build capability
for Forestry Commission / Forest Services delivery in the South West Area to enable the
protection, improvement and expansion of the woodland resource. As a senior member of the South
West Area team, you will support and prioritise the Forestry and Woodlands policy outcomes and
deliver agreed business plan objectives. Activity will increasingly focus on the government’s
woodland creation ambitions, and the need to play a key role in supporting organisational
adaptation to change at the Area level.

The post plays a critical role in supporting partnership working, taking a lead role for
communications and support in strategic and/or sensitive planning and regulatory issues. Tree
health is also a key part of the work of Forest Services with a key challenge being to help
increase the resilience of the tree and woodland resource and supporting the sector to respond
to the impacts of climate change.

The Area team has several established partnership relationships working with Natural England
and the Environment Agency, the National trust, Woodland Trust, our two Exmoor and Dartmoor
National Parks, protected landscapes and Community Forest Trusts, Local Enterprise
Partnerships, and wider stakeholders on the delivery of the Government’s woodland ambitions.

The posts have line management responsibilities, managing Field Managers, Local Partnership
Adviser and specialist roles (Ecologist, Historic Environment Advisor and Deer Officer), as
well as being the Confirming Officer for operational field staff.

KEY WORK AREAS

People Management and Development

• Provide line management, leadership, guidance and support for the Field Managers, Local
  Partnership Adviser and Specialist Roles within the Area Team. As part of the Management Team
  share responsibilities for the wider development of the team and act as the Confirming Officer
  for other team members. Work closely with other senior management colleagues – Operations
  Manager, Regional Promotions Manager and Partnership and Expertise Managers. Collaborate with
  Partnership and Expertise Managers in other Areas.

• Vision and Culture – Support the overall work of the team to ensure the effective delivery
  of our vision and culture ambition and to meet our local and national Health and Safety
  priorities. This will include supporting appropriate blended working through the Changing the
  Way We Work programme. Play an active role in the wider work of the team and its management,
  health and safety, and technical training communications. Proactively seek to support the wider
  work of the Forestry Commission by offering individual specialist knowledge to project working
  or seeking development opportunities where these can be sustained.

Operational delivery and customer service support

• Protect, Improve and Expand South West’s woodlands – Support the delivery of the
  Government’s forestry and woodland ambitions through the effective use of FC resources and via
  wider strategic partnerships such as Local Enterprise Partnerships, Local Nature Recovery
  Strategies, the Defra group (Natural England, Environment Agency and Rural Payments Agency) and
  key partners such as the Community Forests, the National Park Authorities, CONFOR, RSPB and the
  NFU. Key priorities include the increased delivery of woodland creation to build the region’s
  natural capital, to help tackle climate change and to support an increase in the resilience and
  management of the existing woodland resource.

Integrated working and communications

• Integrated Working – Work with Area Team colleagues to support the delivery of the Defra 25
  Year Environment Plan through local integrated working with partners. This will build on the
  established Defra group joint working as well as responding to the emerging opportunities from
  the England Tree Planting Programme and England Trees Action Plan, Local Nature Recovery
  Strategies, and the support from the Nature for Climate Fund and the future Environmental Land
  Management Scheme.

• Communications Management – lead on communicating key priorities and changes across the
  Area team, liaising closely with the Operations Manager and Partnership and Expertise Managers
  within the Area team. Support promotion and engagement activity across the Area working with
  the Regional Promotions Manager, Business Development Advisers and wider Area Team colleagues.

Benefits

• A Civil Service pension
• A range of family friendly benefits
• An environment with flexible working options
• Learning and development tailored to your role
• A culture which promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment
• A range of wellbeing benefits including discounted Civil Service Healthcare, access to an
  Employee Assistance Programme 24/7, Bike to Work Scheme, plus many more
• 25 days annual leave, with 1 additional day for each years’ service up to 5 years (pro
  rata)
• Ability to buy or sell 5 days annual leave
• 3 days volunteering per year (pro rata)

We aim to provide a great place to work, whichever location you work from. Blended working
forms part of our flexible and inclusive approach to future ways of working. It is an informal
arrangement which gives you the option to work some of the week from home, and some of the week
from our Forestry Commission workplaces, subject to role requirements, business needs, and
regular review. Informal blended working arrangements will be available as agreed with the line
manager.