Senior Projects Officer (Training and Volunteering) s1

Dearne Valley Living Landscape Manager

Context

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust operates throughout the traditional county of Yorkshire (i.e. all of the Yorkshire and Humber region except North Lincolnshire) from the Humber to the Pennines and from the Dales and Moors to the urban conurbations of the south. It is the second oldest of the 47 Wildlife Trusts which work in partnership together covering the whole of the UK. Our purpose is to lead the way in achieving our vision of a Yorkshire rich in wildlife for everyone through pursuing our mission of creating Living Landscapes and securing Living Seas in Yorkshire. We will do this by being passionate leaders and natural partners whose objectives are to:  demonstrate how nature works  inspire people and communities to value and take action for wildlife  champion wildlife and our work and to enable this by:  growing our resources through inspiring people to value our work  knowledge sharing, cooperation, flexibility and effectiveness and  ensuring excellent governance.

The Trust seeks to realise this vision through the objectives identified in the Development Plan and Business Plan. Activities that the Trust undertakes to achieve the plans are nature reserve management of 95 reserves covering more than 2,500 hectares scattered across the region, specialist projects in river and wetland management, community development and environmental education activities, publicity and promotion and campaigning and policy work.

The Trust employs 98 staff (equivalent of 78 F/T staff) and, crucially, enjoys the support of 38,000 members. The staff work through four teams: support services; development; and two conservation delivery teams – north & east and south & west. Each team has a director who reports to the Chief Executive who is responsible for the operations of the Trust and, in turn, reports to the Board of Trustees who govern the organisation.

The conservation delivery teams are then divided into regional teams which are led by a Regional Manager who reports to the Director of the delivery team. The Trust engages more than 700 dedicated volunteers and voluntary trainees in its work. They make a huge contribution by giving time, skills, knowledge, enthusiasm and local ownership to our vision. All employees are expected to encourage, develop and support volunteer involvement wherever possible.

Established in 2005, the Dearne Valley Green Heart Partnership (DVGH) was set up to improve the Dearne Valley for wildlife and people, and is a partnership between the RSPB, Environment Agency, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, Natural England, the Forestry Commission, the Garganey Trust and the local authorities of Barnsley and Rotherham. The Dearne Valley was once the proud heart of the extensive South Yorkshire coalfield, which underpinned the thriving economy of the area but left a legacy of polluted rivers and contaminated land. Following a major landscape-scale habitat restoration scheme by the partnership and the efforts of many others, the Dearne Valley is being restored to its natural former glory. The River Dearne, for example, is greatly improved and wildlife now flourishes around its washlands. As a result, the valley now has a growing reputation as a destination for leisure activities including walking, cycling and fishing. For the last three years, NIA status and funding has helped the DVGH partnership to further restore and enhance the natural environment of the Dearne Valley, as well as aid its social and economic regeneration. Many successful projects were completed through the NIA programme and with Defra funding for the project coming to and end in March 2015 Dearne Valley Eco-vision have committed to supporting the continuation of the NIA through funding a manager to continue the momentum and build on the successes of the NIA programme. The Living Landscape Manager will be employed by Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, working to deliver our Living Landscapes vision for the Dearne through the continuation of the Nature Improvement Area work. The role will sit within our Humberhead Levels and Coalfields Regional team. Dearne Valley Living Landscape Manager

Job Description

Outline

Responsible to: Regional Manager – Humberhead Levels & Coalfields

Other Key Working Relationships: Dearne Valley Green Heart partnership, Eco-vision.

Responsible for: Volunteers, trainees and contractors

Based at: Sedum House, Potteric Carr, Doncaster with the potential of part time working from an Eco-vision office base within the Dearne Valley

To build on the success of the Dearne Valley Green Heart NIA Programme. This will be done by maintaining partnership and stakeholder relationships and through project development and restricted funding generation to enable the role and the Dearne Valley NIA programme to become sustainable in the long term.

Duties

Lead the continuation of Dearne Valley Green Heart NIA programme

 In liaison with the Chair of the NIA Steering Group, arrange steering group meetings and provide input into the agenda.

 Attend DVGH NIA Partnership meetings and other meetings as appropriate.

 Provide additional support to partners and projects where requested or where recommended by the steering group.

 Communicate effectively with all partners.

 Encourage and engage new partners as necessary/appropriate.

 Work in Partnership with the Dearne Valley Ecovision to ensure that the principles of the NIA are integrated into regional regeneration strategy and policies.

 Work in partnership with the Dearne Valley Ecovision to identify opportunities with funding bodies, investors and developers to maximise the benefits for local people through investment in Nature. Develop Living Landscapes projects and programmes

 Develop the next phase of the Dearne Valley Green Heart Business Plan, working in line with YWT’s Living Landscape aspirations and through consultation with partners.

 Using project management techniques, develop new programmes of work and new projects that come out of the DVGH Business Plan.

 Working with the Regional Manager submit funding bids to deliver new projects and programmes as well as facilitating the development and /or continuation of current projects.

 Facilitate and encourage practical, scientific, recording and community involvement projects that deliver Living Landscapes objectives.

 Develop a clear delivery plan for the Dearne Valley for the 2015-16 financial year.

Promote the Dearne Valley NIA at a regional and national level

 Provide a single point of contact for requests for information about the NIA.

 Represent and promote the NIA at local, regional or national meetings, conferences and seminars as appropriate.

 Gain wider recognition and support for the work of the Dearne Valley Green Heart Partnership and NIA.

Project Management

 Report on progress to the Dearne Valley Eco-vision Special Board quarterly.

 Ensure funders are properly acknowledged and their administrative requirements are fully met.

 Ensure effective project management of externally funded programmes of work.

 Liaise as appropriate with statutory and other partners to obtain consents for Reserve management and Living Landscape programmes.

 Ensure competent electronic filing and administration of all correspondence. Other

 Promote the Trust, the NIA, DVGH partnership, Eco-vision and partner organisations whenever possible.

 Attend all necessary staff, departmental and supervisory meetings.

 Support effective communications with Trust members, volunteers and members of the public and ensure that all projects effectively promote and encourage membership recruitment.

 Abide by all Trust policies.

 Undertake other duties as requested by your line manager and in line with the post. Dearne Valley Living Landscape Manager

Person Specification

Experience  Experience of developing and managing complex, multi-objective E programmes with significant financial responsibility  Experience of working within a conservation charity or other D voluntary sector role  Experience of working with partners from a wide range of E organisations  Experience of restricted fundraising and proven track record of E securing substantial externally funded programmes

Knowledge and Understanding  Understanding of the political framework relating to landscape scale D conservation and funding  A general understanding of marketing and fundraising E  An understanding of landscape scale conservation E  An understanding of legislation and policy relevant to the role E  An understanding of the Defra/NIA Monitoring and Evaluation E Framework

Skills and Qualifications  An ability to lead, understand, guide and inspire partnerships and a E wide range of partners  An ability to communicate complicated concepts, foster support and E influence outcomes through excellent written and verbal communication skills and a high degree of emotional intelligence  An ability to develop strategic and operational plans, delegate tasks, E prioritise work, identify and manage risk and manage own workload and time  IT literate – particularly MS Word, Excel, countryside management E software, GIS.  Educated to degree level or equivalent E Personal Qualities  Affinity with the DVGH partnership and Trust’s vision, values and E organisational culture  Ability to cope well under pressure E  High standards of professional and personal integrity E  A strong interest in environmental issues and nature conservation E Dearne Valley Living Landscapes Manager

Terms and Conditions

Salary: £27,000 p.a.

Hours: 35 working hours per week, Monday to Friday. The nature of the post’s duties may from time-to-time require evening and weekend work. Paid overtime is not available, but time off in lieu will be given.

Holidays: 25 working days per annum in addition to normal public holidays.

Pensions: You will be eligible to be enrolled into the Trust’s Group Flexible Retirement plan. The Trust will comply with its statutory obligations on auto-enrolment at the appropriate time and employee contributions will be increased in line with any statutory changes and deducted from your wages. Further details can be obtained from finance.

Childcare The Trust operates a Childcare Voucher Scheme. Details of which are Vouchers: available on request.

Employee The Trust provides paid staff with access to an Employee Assistance Assistance Programme. This is a confidential service which aims to provide staff with Programme: support for a range of issues. Further details are available from the HR and Training Manager.

Notice Period: Generally 4 weeks.

Place of Work: The post will be based at Potteric Carr Nature Reserve in Doncaster, but may also be able to work from an Eco-vision office location within the Dearne Valley.

Travel: Public transport is encouraged although pool vehicles are available. In exceptional circumstances the use of the officer’s own vehicle may be necessary for business use for which a mileage rate of 27.5p per mile will be paid.

Training: The Trust is fully committed to personal development and training.

Closing deadline: Noon on Monday 30 March 2015.

Interview dates: Tuesday 7 April 2015.