University of Stirling

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Project Director Forth Climate Forest (FCF)

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Post Details

Full time.
Fixed term for 24 months.

The closing date for applications is midnight on Wednesday 12 April.

There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK.

For the purposes of sponsorship, this is a role under SOC code 1139.

The University of Stirling recognises that a diverse workforce benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers and welcome applications from those who would contribute to further diversification of our staff and ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is woven into the substance of the role. We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds including gender, identity, race, age, class, and ethnicity.

The Post

Scotland’s International Environment Centre

Scotland’s International Environment Centre (SIEC) is a pioneering collaboration that seeks to delivertransformational change in the protection and enhancement of our biodiversity and natural resources to drive increased economic prosperity, wellbeing, and a just transition to a net zero future.

Established as part of the Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal, SIEC is funded through an investment of £17m from the Scottish Government and £5m from the UK Government, with additional funding leveraged through private and match-funded investment. The investment builds on the University’s global reputation for environmental science, and the Forth Valley’s established status as a hub for environmental and conservation activity in Scotland.

Further information: https://www.stir.ac.uk/about/scotlands-international-environment-centre/

The Forth Climate Forest

The Forth Climate Forest is a key partnership project hosted by SIEC and delivered with Stirling, Clackmannanshire and Falkirk Councils and Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, in collaboration with a range of other stakeholders. The project will engage individuals, communities and landowners on tree planting within the Forth Valley Area (FVA) to deliver improved canopy cover, woodland connectivity and carbon sequestration amongst wider social, climate and ecological benefits.

The Project Director role will deliver the drive, development and strategic direction for the Forth Climate Forest project. They will be responsible for the day-to-day direction, leadership and management of the project team and resources. The post holder will champion and promote the FCF across the Forth Valley Area (FVA) to deliver improved quantity, quality and connectedness of tree planting across the FVA. The Project Director will network with other SIEC projects, funders, businesses, and local communities to build a sustainable funding and planting profile for the FCF and maximise the benefits of the project to people and the environment.

Description of Duties

Responsible for the deliverables and realising the benefits of the FCF project, centring on increasing the quality, quantity and connectedness of trees and woodlands in the Forth Valley Area to benefit people, biodiversity and carbon sequestration
Driving the profile of the FCF amongst stakeholder groups across the FVA including landowners and managers, tree planting investors and local communities. This will involve raising awareness of needs and opportunities that can be addressed through development of the FCF and securing support for its activities, and long-term stewardship
Develop a strategic approach to the identification and development of the FCF themes, in order to promote the FCF concept and maximise its benefits
Develop and lead the implementation of a programme of work for the FCF, monitoring and reporting on progress to the FCF governance (Steering Group and Programme Board)
Oversee the development, setup, delivery, and evaluation of individual projects
Lead communication on delivery of the FCF and oversee dissemination of information on projects and activities, lead networking, overseeing the production of publicity and other material and the development of a web-based information system
Consult regularly at a senior level with partner organisations to encourage and support the development of the FCF, and identify and address emerging needs, opportunities, and constraints
Provide leadership, direction, and support to members of the FCF team in the development and delivery of their activities and participate in the appraisal of team members
Manage the budget for the FCF
Prepare regular progress and financial reports and other papers for the funder, FCF Programme Board and Steering Group and attend Board meetings as appropriate
Work to maximise benefit from collaborative working with project partners and other SIEC projects in support of FCF aims
Identify potential sources of finance and other resources for FCF activities prepare funding bids and other applications for support, and establish appropriate delivery and reporting mechanisms in line with funder and donor requirements

Essential Criteria

Degree level qualification or equivalent education, preferably in a relevant subject area
A well-developed understanding of major challenges and opportunities linked to climate, biodiversity and health and wellbeing
Highly-developed interpersonal skills necessary to build and maintain effective working relationships with a wide range of colleagues in academia, business and industry
Excellent project management skills, and experience of successful management of large projects, preferably in a land management, environmental research or forestry setting
Experience and evidence of successful delivery of major multi-agency and multi-sector projects
Experience of developing and implementing funding plans to support project delivery
Excellent communication skills
Excellent initiative, negotiation, persuasion and problem-solving skills and the ability to develop and implement solutions
Attention to detail, in accordance with professional standards
Ability to work towards, and deliver agreed outputs within defined timescales
Understanding of complex business requirements
Ability to work autonomously and effectively organise workload
Ability to analyse and provide reports from data
A skilled team worker, negotiator and effective leader

Desirable Criteria

PhD in a relevant area, high-level leadership qualification or Masters in Business Administration
Experience of intersectoral partnership working and creating momentum to deliver in environmental projects
A proven ability to generate ‘added value’ and leverage resources from a range of funders
An ability to shape and reconcile conflicting agendas and to concentrate and focus resources on strategic priorities
Ability to innovate and gather all concerned round a common agenda of delivery
Experience of advocacy and consensus-building amongst a diverse range of stakeholders, including political and public sector, private sector and community

Behaviours and Competencies

The role holder will be required to evidence that they can meet the qualities associated with the following behavioural competencies, as detailed within the AUA Competency Framework.

Managing self and personal skills
Being aware of your own behaviour and mindful of how it impacts on others, enhancing personal skills to adapt professional practice accordingly

Delivering excellent service
Providing the best quality service to external and internal clients. Building genuine and open long-term relationships in order to drive up service standards

Finding solutions
Taking a holistic view and working enthusiastically to analyse problems and to develop workable solutions. Identifying opportunities for innovation

Embracing change
Being open to and engaging with new ideas and ways of working. Adjusting to unfamiliar situations, shifting demands and changing roles

Using resources effectively
Identifying and making the most productive use of resources including people, time, information, networks and budgets

Engaging with the wider context
Enhancing your contribution to the organisation through an understanding of the bigger picture and showing commitment to organisational values

Developing self and others
Showing commitment to own ongoing professional development. Supporting and encouraging others to develop their professional knowledge, skills and behaviours to enable them to reach their full potential

Working together
Working collaboratively with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising and valuing the different contributions people bring to this process

Achieving Results
Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done

The University

The University of Stirling is committed to providing education with a purpose and carrying out research which has a positive impact on communities across the globe – addressing real issues, providing solutions and helping to shape society. Stirling is 4th in Scotland and 43rd in the UK for research impact, with 87% of its research having an outstanding or very considerable impact on society – and more than 80% rated either world leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021). Interdisciplinary in its approach, Stirling’s research informs its teaching curriculum and facilitates opportunities for knowledge exchange and collaboration between staff, students, industry partners and the wider community.

The University of Stirling is ranked among the top 30 UK universities for student satisfaction (National Student Survey) and top 10 in the UK for postgraduate student experience (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey), and has an overall five-star rating in the QS Stars University Ratings.

More than 17,000 students study with the University of Stirling globally, with over 120 nationalities represented on its scenic central Scotland campus alone. The campus – also home to 1,700 staff – has its own loch and castle, and a recent multi-million-pound redevelopment has delivered modern, flexible, and digitally connected study and social spaces at the heart of campus, including enhanced student support and retail and catering outlets.

The University has twice been recognised with a Queen’s Anniversary Prize – the first for its Institute for Social Marketing and Health (2014) and the second for its Institute of Aquaculture (2019). Stirling is Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence and its recently redeveloped world-class facilities provide the perfect training environment for the University’s sports scholars – many of whom compete at the highest level, including at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games – and for students, staff, and the wider community.

As a signatory to the £214 million Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal, the University is driving productivity and inclusive growth across the Forth Valley, and beyond. Through pioneering collaborative solutions to global challenges, researchers are putting innovation, skills, and partnership at the heart of a sustainable economic recovery.
www.stir.ac.uk @stiruni

Job number: FAC01650
Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract
Closing date: 12-Apr-2023
Location:: Stirling Campus
Grade: Grade9 £54,421-£63,059 p.a.
Faculty/Service: Faculty of Natural Sciences