JOB DESCRIPTION NATURAL FLOOD MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR

REPORTS TO: Trust Director/SERT Manager

RESPONSIBLE FOR: No direct line management but may be responsible for contractors and volunteers as appropriate

LOCATION: Office base in Carshalton (SM5) with hot desking options in Addington and Leigh. Travel throughout the UK and to continental Europe (Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Germany)

The South East Rivers Trust (SERT) is an environmental charity dedicated to achieving healthy river ecosystems, for all, across the South East of (including parts of South London, Hampshire, Berkshire, , East and ). The Trust’s mission is to deliver outstanding river ecosystem enhancement through science-based action, collaboration, education and engagement. SERT has recently expanded its area of coverage having grown out of the Wandle Trust. The Trust is a member of the national Rivers Trust and is part of the rivers trust movement which is described as having ‘wet feet’ because it concentrates its efforts on practical improvement works on the ground. The Trust’s core values are central to all it strives to achieve, including bringing positive energy, expertise and specialist knowledge to develop good relationships and deliver to a high standard to make a real difference on the ground.

SERT is seeking a new project coordinator to deliver natural flood management on river catchments in Kent, initially focussing on the catchment area of the River . Natural Flood Management (NFM) employs a variety of techniques to hold back water within a river catchment using interventions which apply natural processes to store and attenuate water. Such techniques can include: the creation of runoff attenuation features, e.g. ponds; increasing the roughness of surfaces, e.g. by planting woodland; de- compacting soils to increase infiltration; altering land management practices to reduce surface water runoff; reconnecting a river with its floodplain; installing woody material in and around river channels; and remeandering rivers. Collectively, these measures slow the flow of water to reduce flood risk to properties and infrastructure downstream.

The installation of these NFM measures will complement larger-scale engineered flood management solutions which protect larger conurbations, and contribute to providing a level of protection to areas that fall outside these schemes. The NFM measures also have the potential to bring significant extra benefits, e.g. enhancing wildlife value. This is an exciting new position which will work alongside a number of other organisations, to plan, design, deliver and monitor NFM solutions contributing to the delivery of the Medway Flood Action Plan. The position will suit a natural leader with an enquiring mind keen to see their plans for flood risk reduction through to implementation on the ground.

JOB SUMMARY

This new position is jointly funded by the European Union European Regional Development Fund North Sea Region Programme, through the FRAMES project, and Defra’s Natural Flood Management Fund, through which the has secured funding for a project in the Medway catchment. The position will be a central part of both these projects which have the complementary objective of delivering effective NFM in the upper Medway in Kent.

You will identify and plan where NFM measures can be targeted to contribute to reducing flood risk, initially focussing on the upper catchment area of the , but with the scope to include a broader area as opportunities arise. You will be able to draw on and interpret modelled data from the Environment Agency and project partners and commission further modelling if required, combining this information with walkover surveys to learn from local communities where flooding has previously occurred. You will work with project partners and landowners to identify a suite of NFM interventions which will deliver optimum flood risk reduction. You will involve them in a co-design approach to ensure wide buy-in. You will then work with SERT project delivery staff and contractors to deliver these NFM measures on the ground. You will identify and implement appropriate monitoring to assess the effectiveness of the NFM measures installed, inform any necessary adjustments and contribute to the knowledge base on the effectiveness of NFM measures. Finally, you will showcase your NFM work as demonstration sites to encourage others to implement NFM measures, contributing to a catchment based approach to reducing flood risk.

You will be involved in the FRAMES project (Flood Resilient Areas for Multi Lay-Er Safety Approach) which brings together partners from five European countries to increase the resilience of infrastructure and communities to flooding. As part of this project, you will work with the National Flood Forum to engage with flood affected communities in the planning and delivery of NFM measures. This is one of three NFM pilot projects being delivered in the UK by rivers trusts and the National Flood Forum for the FRAMES project and you will have the opportunity to liaise with project partners at the Trent Rivers Trust and the Tees Rivers Trust. You will be responsible for reporting on the project activities you have undertaken for SERT, supported by the Trust’s finance staff.

In the Medway catchment, the Environment Agency has recently coordinated and launched the Medway Flood Action Plan, which has been supported by a range of local and national bodies, including SERT, parish councils, Kent County Council, Natural England, the Forestry Commission, the National Famers’ Union, Country Land and Business Association and others. Several of these bodies are working together through a NFM sub-group to plan and coordinate action. You will provide a central role in coordinating and supporting this NFM sub-group to facilitate delivery of NFM measures under the Medway Flood Action Plan.

Your role will contribute to drawing in further funding to deliver NFM measures, including supporting Environment Agency staff in the development of their business case to draw down further funding to deliver NFM measures. You will also have the opportunity to be an integral part of the Medway Catchment Partnership, driving forward holistic water management, and linking in with several other water initiatives in the Medway catchment.

Whilst you will be part of the SERT team and based at the office in Carshalton, it is envisaged you will spend a good proportion of your time within the Medway catchment. You will build good relationships with partners, landowners and communities living and working in the catchment and you will gain a comprehensive understanding of how water moves through the Medway catchment. You will have the opportunity to hot-desk in partners’ offices in Kent, including Environment Agency offices in Addington and Leigh.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. NFM project delivery

1.1 Identify where to locate different types of NFM measures to contribute to an overall reduction in flood risk. 1.2 Where appropriate, undertake spatial and/or flood modelling (either yourself or by commissioning it as required) to inform where to locate NFM measures and what impact they may have on reducing flood risk. 1.3 Work with partners and communities to co-design NFM measures ensuring good buy-in to delivery. 1.4 Be responsible for gaining landowner and other permissions to deliver NFM work on the ground. 1.5 Work with partners, including those in the Medway NFM sub-group, to coordinate and maximise the additional benefits gained from delivering NFM interventions, e.g. enhanced biodiversity and wildlife value. 1.6 Work with the SERT team, contractors and partners to oversee the delivery of NFM interventions on the ground. 1.7 Design and implement monitoring schemes to determine and record the effectiveness of the NFM measures and the multiple benefits that may arise. 1.8 Produce a record of all the NFM interventions delivered by the Medway NFM sub-group and the multiple benefits they derive, recording their locations and characteristics and to share knowledge, e.g. through the Medway Catchment Partnership website (currently under construction). 1.9 Deliver the Trust’s targets for the FRAMES project and Environment Agency Medway NFM project, implementing good budget and project management.

2. Partnership working, coordination and communications

2.1 Build strong relationships with partners and communities in the Medway catchment and Kent to facilitate successful and effective implementation of NFM. 2.2 Develop good relationships with partners in the UK and abroad with an interest in NFM and building flood resilient societies, contributing to the evidence base on NFM and working with natural processes. 2.3 Be responsible for good communication (both internally and externally) of the work you are undertaking and contribute to the knowledgebase on NFM, e.g. through the SERT and Medway Catchment Partnership websites, writing reports and speaking at conferences. 2.4 Be responsible for coordinating and running meetings for the Medway NFM sub-group. 2.5 Create and manage a communications strategy for the Medway NFM sub-group to deliver the NFM component of the Medway Flood Action Plan. 2.6 Contribute to the Medway Catchment Partnership. For the right candidate, there will be the opportunity to contribute to leading this Catchment Partnership.

3. Project reporting, claiming and fundraising

3.1 Be responsible for reporting on project activities and finance (supported by the finance team) for the FRAMES project (reporting to the Rivers Trust who co-ordinate the UK activity) and for the Medway NFM project to the Environment Agency. 3.2 Participate in and contribute to project meetings, based in the UK and abroad, for FRAMES and the Medway Flood Action Plan. 3.3 Contribute to, and lead on where appropriate, fundraising for delivering further NFM work, including assisting the Environment Agency with their internal business case.

4. Contribute to the work of the South East Rivers Trust

4.1 Contribute to and support the work and growth of SERT, delivering the Trust’s vision, mission and core values. 4.2 Contribute to the Trust’s systems and process, ensuring good record keeping, project and budget management, and reporting to funders, partners and internally as required. 4.3 Contribute to developing funding opportunities and fundraising for the Trust’s NFM work. 4.4 Contribute to the Trust’s external communications (e.g. through websites, social media and presentations), profile and good reputation. 4.5 Other duties as may be appropriate to the position.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Please keep this person specification in mind, as well as the Trust’s core values when completing your application. Knowledge, experience, skills and aptitudes will be assessed through both the application process and at interview.

Requirements Essential Desirable 1. Training and Experience 1. Educated to at least degree level in a relevant field or equivalent relevant work X experience in the aquatic environment sector 2. Professional qualifications and/or memberships, e.g. CIWEM X 3. At least three years of experience of designing and/or delivering flood risk X management projects 4. Experience of surveying rivers and their catchment areas X 5. Experience of working with flood affected communities X 6. Experience of working with natural processes for environmental outcomes on X the ground 7. Experience of working in partnership with a range of organisations, e.g. X government agencies, local authorities, NFU, interest groups, etc. 8. Demonstrable experience of successful budget and time management X 9. Experience of claiming and reporting processes for EU funded projects X 10. Experience of coordinating meetings for interest groups X 11. Experience of successfully communicating water-related messages to a wide X variety of audiences through a range of media, e.g. website, presentations etc. 12. Experience of using GIS to inform environmental decisions X 2. Knowledge and Understanding 13. A good understanding of the causes of flooding and what can be done to X reduce and mitigate their impact 14. A good level of knowledge of NFM techniques and how to design them to X reduce flood risk 15. A good level of knowledge of flood modelling and the techniques appropriate X for NFM 16. A good understanding of the responsibilities of different authorities relating to X flood risk and NFM 17. An understanding of how land management programmes and funding streams X

can be used to enable delivery of NFM measures (e.g. agri-environment schemes) 18. A good working knowledge of MS Office, email and social media X 19. A good working knowledge of GIS (ArcGIS or open source software, e.g. QGIS) X 20. Understanding of good record keeping and how to fulfil funders’ requirements X 21. A good understanding of the challenges of working in the NGO sector and/or a X small organisation 3. Skills, Abilities and Personal Attributes 22. Excellent organisational skills and able to set yourself and meet deadlines X 23. Proven ability to work in a team with a range of partners X 24. Excellent communication skills for both internal and external audiences X 25. Genuine enthusiasm, upbeat and passionate about delivering healthy river X ecosystems by working with nature 26. A self-starter and able to work unsupervised to common goals X 27. A natural leader keen to facilitate the work of a partnership X 28. Willingness to learn and turn hand to whatever is required X 4. Miscellaneous 29. Commitment to equality of opportunity X 30. Full driving licence X 31. Ability to work occasional evenings and weekend if required X

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

Salary: £28,000 - £32,000 dependent on experience and capability

Contract period: The position is full time, five days a week based on a fixed-term contract for two years. This will be extended for at least a further year subject to the Environment Agency successfully completing their business case (which you will contribute to). The appointment will be subject to a six month probationary period during which no holiday can be taken in the first three months unless in exceptional circumstances and by prior arrangement.

Termination of employment: The period of notice to terminate the appointment will be three months by either party (one month during the probationary period).

Driving licence and vehicle: A full driving licence and your own transport are required.

Pension: The South East Rivers Trust operates a contributory pension scheme approved by the Rivers Trust with Friends Provident and will pay 6% of salary subject to a 4% employee contribution.

Hours of work: The basic working week is 40 hours. Some evening or weekend work may occasionally be required for which time off in lieu can be taken. No overtime will be paid.

Annual Leave: Annual leave entitlement is 25 days plus public holidays.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Please email the following to [email protected]: 1. a CV (two pages max.) 2. a covering letter (two pages max.) focussing on why we should employ you, including your relevant experience, how you meet the person specification and what you will bring to the role 3. a portfolio (up to three pages) of work you have previously undertaken on flood risk management, focusing on how you worked with communities and nature to deliver the outcomes on the ground and 4. the names of three 3 people who would provide references for you including previous managers and peers, and describe in a few lines what you expect each will say about you if we contacted them.

The closing date for applications is: Thursday 1st February 2018, 3 pm. Interviews will take place within the Medway catchment (ME16) on 8th and 9th February 2018 (please be available on these dates).