Salary:       £31,185 to £41,179 pa depending on experience, plus pension and other benefits

Hours:       37.5 hours/week. Flexitime and time off in lieu system in place. 

Holiday:    24 days annual leave (pro-rata) plus bank holidays.

Introduction to the Wye and Usk Foundation (WUF)

The Wye & Usk Foundation (WUF) is a registered charity concerned with the ecology and, more specifically, restoring the habitat, water quality and fisheries of the rivers Wye and Usk. The Foundation is a delivery organisation: working in partnership with other organisations, we raise significant sums of money to remedy problems such as habitat degradation, poor water quality and diffuse pollution, barriers to fish migration, over-exploitation of our fisheries and advance the education of the public in the conservation of our rivers. WUF is the largest rivers trust in England and Wales in terms of output.

Our charitable objects are:

To conserve, protect, rehabilitate and improve the salmon and other indigenous species of animal and plant life of the rivers Wye and Usk, their tributaries, streams and watercourses ("the River") and the banks, riparian lands and catchments of the river ("the River Corridor") and to advance the education of the public in the conservation of rivers, river corridors and their animal and plant life and the need for conservation, protection, rehabilitation and improvement of such environments.

Our Values:

• Approachable – we are open-minded and value diversity
• Non-judgemental – we focus on the potential, not the past
• Inspiring – we lead by example
• Empowering – we enable positive change
• Passionate – we are absolutely committed to improving the Wye and Usk and their catchments

These values inform how WUF and its staff fulfil their objectives and responsibilities.

WUF is an equal opportunities employer. 

Context of the role

The Farm Team sits within the Land Use and Natural Capital Department of WUF where support for farm-based environmental initiatives is increasingly being combined with the phosphate reduction, soil and water management aspects of natural capital projects. The postholder will manage a team of highly qualified & experienced Catchment Advisors who are working effectively and with a high level of independence, cooperation and initiative. 

 This is an inward and outward facing role: as well as supporting Farm Team members, the postholder will provide expert sustainable farming knowledge when needed by the WUF Programme Manager (Land Use and Natural Capital) and the wider WUF Executive; identify positive ways for farmers and land managers to increase the health of our rivers; secure external funding (with support from the Programme Manager) for projects which deliver improvements; and be the lead public speaker for WUF on English farming issues.

 

Role description

Your primary responsibilities will include:

·       Line management: working with Farm Team staff to support effective work planning and delivery. Identifying and supporting development needs, agreeing delivery quality criteria, QA outputs as appropriate and formulation of individual annual plans/targets

·       Formulation of delivery plans, identifying relevant funding opportunities and creation/submission of relevant applications and tenders

·       Project management: oversight of project finances and cashflows, supporting staff with project management and delivery. Overseeing cross-cutting projects & project delivery as appropriate

·       Recruitment of new staff to the WUF Farm Team as necessary

·       Reporting on Farm Team activities and projects to the Land Use and Natural Capital Programme Manager

·       Representing WUF at external farming focused groups/partnerships and liaising with English Rivers Trusts and local partner/regulator organisations

·       Responding to relevant consultations and co-ordinating specialist (English) knowledge sharing (& updating as new regulations/guidance is issued) across the Farm Team, ensuring external communications by all staff are consistent and meet the WUF technical standards and objectives

This role, as and when considered necessary or appropriate, will be required to undertake other duties, within competence and within reason, to meet fluctuations or priorities in work demands.

The team member will be required to work in a mixture of environments including home- based, office environment, and non-standard workplaces e.g., outside on farms and on/in river sites.

Person Specification

Essential:

·       Experience of working closely with external businesses and organisations, particularly within and related to the farming community

·       Highly developed social processing, interpersonal and negotiation skills

·       High level of knowledge of farming: sustainable practices, relevant legislation, regulations and funding streams

·       Experience of leading and working within teams of professional staff

·       Collaborative working style

·       Experienced in supporting staff development

·       Confident self-starter with developed ability to manage competing priorities and delivery to deadlines and budgets

Good verbal communications skills 1:1, in groups and confidence to speak in public

·       Experience of creating and delivering projects and securing 3^rd party funding

·       High level of competence to use Microsoft Office products (specifically Excel, PowerPoint)

·       An interest in the natural environment and the issues affecting the rivers Wye and Usk

·       Valid driving licence and own car, insured for business use

·       Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail

·       Experience in report writing

Desirable but not Essential:

·       Knowledge of the Wye and Usk catchments

·       IT skills including the use of GIS (Sci Maps, Land App)

·       Organisation and delivery of events

Ability to present complex information simply and concisely to a wide range of audiences

·       BASIS (Soil & Water) qualifications

Key working relationships:

Internal

Farm Team, Natural Capital Team, Programme Manager – Land Use and Natural Capital, COO, CFO

External

Farmers and landowners in the Wye and Usk Catchment, Farming groups, Other Rivers Trusts, Natural Resources Wales, Environment Agency, Funders

Those interested in applying for this position should send their CV, along with a covering letter by email or by post to:

HR Department, The Wye and Usk Foundation, The Right Bank, The Square, Talgarth, Brecon, LD3 0BW

CLOSING DATE SEPTEMBER 27TH 2023