Farming and Land Management Project Assistant

Employer: Norfolk Rivers Trust.

Purpose: Supporting farm team project officers in engaging with landowners to deliver farm advice and interventions.

Responsible to: Farming and Land Management Team Leader.

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

Job term: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week.

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

Salary details: Grade 1: £24,000.00 (9% employer Pension Contribution).

Norfolk Rivers Trust’s ambition is to deliver catchment-scale change to our water environment. We are dedicated to protecting our watercourses from pollution, improving habitat and ecological functioning of streams and rivers, and enhancing resilience to climate change.

Since our founding in 2011, the Trust has grown to a team of over 30 employees. Together, we are delivering major projects such as river re-meandering and floodplain connections, farming and land management advice, new constructed wetlands, species re-introductions and community engagement.

The Farming and Land Management Project Assistant is an entry level position within the farming and land management team, supporting Farm Advisers and Project Officers in delivering ‘Water Sensitive Farming’ (WSF) – an ambitious water stewardship initiative that benefits the catchments of Norfolk, Cam and Ely Ouse.

The role will develop skills in communicating and working with landowners to provide environmental advice, host engagement events and assist with the delivery of bespoke interventions. The main projects currently in operation include partnerships with WWF and their corporate partnership with Carlsberg, the Riverlands National Trust partnership, the Woodlands for Water project and the Courtauld 2030 initiative.

Job description

The Project Assistant will work closely with Farm Advisors, Project Officers and the Comms and Engagement team to gain experience of all aspects of the team’s work. Work will consist of facilitating new farm visits, coordinating and supporting with engagement events, obtaining a variety of consents, assisting in site surveys and communicating successes with partners and stakeholders. The Project Assistant will be given formal training opportunities and mentoring to develop their skills towards more independent project officer roles.

Principal Responsibilities:

• Assist with preparing information for farm visits and reports.
• Undertake site surveys and record data from site visits in online systems.
• Support the production of communications materials to further promote and develop the Water Sensitive Farming initiative.
• Assist with organising events and other farmer engagement tools aimed at improving awareness and sharing knowledge.
• Work effectively with members of the team to deliver project outcomes.
• Develop skills, knowledge and confidence to undertake more independent work.
• 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.

Person Specification

Education: 

• Minimum HND/BSc in Ecology, Environmental Sciences, Geography or other Land Management related subject.

Experience and knowledge:

Essential:

• Clear commitment to the vision and values of Norfolk Rivers Trust.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with partners and stakeholders.
• Good organisational and report writing skills.
• Experience using Microsoft Office suite.
• Awareness of the need for confidentiality and sensitivity.
• Knowledge of farming practices in East Anglia (UK).
• Full UK driving licence with own car covered by business insurance is essential.
• The right to work in the UK.

Desirable:

• Experience of using a GIS.
• Knowledge of UK Agri-environment schemes.
• An understanding of the water cycle interactions with the landscape and people of Norfolk.

Applications:

To apply, please send your completed Job Application Form, Equal Opportunities Monitoring Information Form and a covering letter/email to [email protected] by 9:00am on Monday 21st October 2024. 

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

Website: norfolkriverstrust.org