Places to Paddle Manager

PLACES TO PADDLE MANAGER

As our part-time Places to Paddle Manager, you will lead our efforts to promote fair, shared, sustainable open access to our beautiful Welsh waterways. You will be responsible for building a movement behind our new Clear Access Clear Waters access campaign whilst building productive relationships with groups representing landowners and other waterway users, local access forums, British Canoeing, Natural Resources Wales and Welsh Government. And you will ensure that our members have access to good information about places to paddle across Wales – and how they can help to keep those places pollution free and open to all.

This is a challenging role that requires diplomacy, strategic thinking and amazing communication skills. And you’ll be working with a small budget and limited time to do everything you might like to do. But it’s also an exciting opportunity to make a real difference if you’re passionate about ensuring our beautiful lakes, reservoirs, rivers and coastline are open to everyone. Job Details

• Working hours: 15 hours per week, flexible working contract with occasional weekend and evening work • Location: Homeworking with significant travel within Wales • Salary: £35,000 pro rata • Benefits: Annual leave, pension, and free membership of Canoe Wales • Reporting to: CEO Job Description • Lead and manage our Clear Access Clear Waters campaign to influence the Welsh government to enact suitable legislation regarding public rights of navigation; • Serve as the internal expert on access to waterways and environmental protection in Wales and provide advice to the Board, staff and members as required; • Develop a set of resources to support local advocacy with AMs and local access committees; • Organise and/or promote regular river clean-ups and other local activities to promote the health of our waterways; • Maintain and develop strong working relationships with key stakeholders including British Canoeing, Natural Resources Wales, Welsh Government, Glandŵr Cymru (CRT), ‘Waters of Wales’ campaign group, Dŵr Cymru, and representatives of anglers and other waterways users; • Support British Canoeing with their campaign for access legislation in England; • Support the Board of Directors to develop and communicate the formal Canoe Wales position on any issue relating to access to waterways and environmental protection;

• Identify and progress individual projects as appropriate with the aim of increasing access to waterways and providing more opportunities for Canoe Wales members to paddle without risk of harassment or threats of legal action. • Uphold the organisational values of Canoe Wales and contribute to the welfare of the staff team. • Carry out any other duties as appropriate to the post and the needs of Canoe Wales.

This job description is not to be regarded as exclusive or exhaustive. It is intended as an outline indication of the areas of activity and will be amended in the light of the changing needs of Canoe Wales. Person specification

This role is for someone who is knowledgeable about the politics of outdoor recreation, with a flair for diplomacy and great communication skills – you should be comfortable speaking in front of groups of all sizes and be able to write clearly with good attention to detail. You must be willing to travel throughout Wales and occasionally to England, work evenings/weekends, and be comfortable managing your own schedule and workplan. You also need to be comfortable working on your own out of your home office with remote support from the CEO and the other members of the Canoe Wales team. We especially encourage people from underrepresented groups and people with Welsh language skills to apply.

Essential Desirable

A university degree in or at least 6 years of experience in a relevant professional field – such as law, outdoor recreation, QUALIFICATIONS natural resources management, or ecology.

Experience of leading or working Paddling experience – and on advocacy campaigns, especially river paddling and/or especially in relation to outdoor coaching/leadership experience. recreation or environmental RELEVANT protection. Experience of website EXPERIENCE development or using digital Experience of using social tools for advocacy. media and/or newsletters to communicate effectively to a Direct experience of advocacy large group; with the Welsh government.

Experience of representing an organisation in sensitive meetings and negotiations;

Experience of developing productive partnerships between multiple organisations. Excellent written and verbal Good working knowledge of communication skills – very multiple Welsh waterways – comfortable picking up the including access points, water phone, leading meetings and conditions, hazards, etc. writing clearly for dissemination via email, web pages, published Some knowledge of building documents and social media. requirements/recommendations for waterway access points, Good knowledge of the history including how to make access of and legal arguments about points more accessible for navigation rights in the UK – or a disabled people. demonstrated ability to quickly develop this knowledge through A background in environmental experience of working on protection with a working another similar campaign. knowledge of the ecology of waterways and the British KNOWLEDGE Confident user of Facebook, and natural environment. AND SKILLS MS Outlook, Word, Excel and Powerpoint. Ability to speak and write in Welsh. Outstanding organisational skills – with the ability to plan and Knowledge of other software deliver a project from start to tools, including knowledge of finish with limited support. website development, e- newsletter, blogs or other social Excellent diplomacy and media or online marketing tools. networking skills – must be able to build strong relationships with people from various communities and organisations and develop effective partnerships.

Adaptable and creative – with a Passion for paddlesport and/or determined mindset that finds a outdoor recreation and/or PERSONAL way to overcome obstacles and environmental protection. QUALITIES challenges.

Approachable and friendly with a skill for diplomacy in challenging situations.

Excellent attention to detail, especially when giving official advice or producing documents or information for an external audience.

Organised and able to work unsupervised with remote support.

Commitment to the highest ethical standards. Current full driving licence and access to transport to meet the requirements of the post.

Home office or workspace. CIRCUMSTANCES

Able to regularly work unsocial hours including evenings and weekends.

Guidance Notes: The post-holder's duties must at all times be carried out in compliance with Canoe Wales’ Equality Policy, Safeguarding Policies and Code of Conduct. You will also be responsible for ensuring the health and safety of all relevant staff, volunteers, personnel and resources as per the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.