Farming and Land Management Advisor

Purpose: Delivering soil and water advice and implementing on farm interventions

Reports to: Farming and Land Management Team Leader

Location: Office at Bayfield near Holt / hybrid working. Visits across Norfolk and Cam and Ely Ouse (CamEO) catchment with mileage expenses £0.45 per mile.

Job term: Part-time or full-time from 22.5 – 37.5 per week

Contract: Permanent

Annual Leave Entitlement: 25 days plus 8 days bank holidays pro rata

Salary details: £25,787 to £32,740 pro rata (9% Employer Pension Contribution)

We are seeking an enthusiastic, organised and proactive farm and land management advisor
to play an important role in delivering ‘Water Sensitive Farming’ (WSF) projects – an ambitious
water stewardship initiative which will benefit the river catchments of Norfolk and the Cam and Ely
Ouse. The principal aims of this initiative are to improve water quality and quantity, as well as
soil health and on-farm biodiversity, by reducing the impacts of diffuse water pollution from
agriculture at a river catchment-scale.

The advisor will develop and take ownership of farmer relationships across the catchments,
providing a programme of targeted farm advice including the identification of opportunities
to improve the water environment. In addition, the applicant will oversee the implementation
of bespoke and flexible mitigation measures such as wetlands and silt traps; and where
suitable, will direct farmers to appropriate agri-environment schemes.

The advisor will work closely with the WSF team and partners to organise knowledge-exchange events and to showcase work being undertaken. Communications and relationships will be made through the Broadland Rivers, Cam and Ely Ouse and Norfolk catchment partnerships, and the successful candidate will work closely with, and be supported by, a range of catchment partners to plan events, address issues and discuss potential solutions. These include organisations that represent farmers such as farming businesses and the agricultural supply chain, along with various project funders.

The main projects include partnerships with The Coca-Cola Foundation; WWF and their corporate partnerships with Aviva, Tesco and Botanica; Riverlands National Trust partnership; HLF Brecks Fen Edge ‘Managing the Margins’; the Woodlands for Water project; and the Courtauld 2030 initiative.

Job description

The successful applicant will be responsible for:

• Delivering one-to-one farm advice and completing Water Sensitive Farming reports
• Maintaining project databases and lead on reporting to project partners
• Supporting the production of communications material to further promote and develop the Water Sensitive Farming initiative
• Organising events and other farmer engagement tools aimed at improving awareness and sharing knowledge
• Identifying, designing and managing the delivery of mitigation measures
• Engaging and contributing to catchment meetings and liaising with partners
• Work effectively with partners and stakeholders, represent the Trust through catchment partnerships and seek opportunities to develop existing and additional mutually beneficial relationships
• On occasions, responsible for Project assistants, volunteers, work experience
• The above list should not be regarded as exhaustive, from time-to-time staff may be required to carry out other such duties as determined by the Trust

Education:

• Minimum HND/BSc in Ecology, Environmental Sciences, Geography or Land Management related subject or equivalent relevant experience

Experience and knowledge:

• Sound knowledge of agriculture and local farming practices, as well as agri-environment schemes, soil and water conservation
• Familiarity and experience of catchment-scale processes, and how these interact
• Experience of managing and working with contractors to implement mitigation measures or equivalent
• Experience of engaging with key stakeholders and working collaboratively with partner organisations
• Experience in the use of GIS mapping (preferably ArcGIS)

Personal skills and qualities:

• Clear commitment to vision and values of Norfolk Rivers Trust
• Excellent communication skills
• Good organisational and reporting skills
• Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary organisation
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with land managers, partners, and stakeholders
• Full UK driving licence with own car covered by business insurance

Applications

To apply, please send your completed job application form and a covering letter to [email protected] by 5pm on Monday 10^th April 2023.

Please note, applications may close before the deadline if enough have been received. Please apply early to avoid disappointment.

Interviews will take place on Friday 14^th April 2023.

If you have any questions regarding this role, please contact: Sam Hurst on 07944 443652