1. Job Purpose

To lead on the development and delivery of Natural Flood Management (NFM) in the Evenlode Catchment. To be the focus point of all information, planning and reporting on a programme of Natural Flood Management (NFM) projects, which form the first trial in the Thames Basin to implement land and channel interventions for multiple benefits, including flood risk, water quality and habitat creation.

This is a new post created through a collaboration between the Evenlode Catchment Partnership (ECP) hosted by Wild Oxfordshire, West Oxfordshire District Council and the Environment Agency.

2. Benefits

This 2 year post (with potential to extend) is a fantastic opportunity for anyone wanting to be a key part of developing, delivering and monitoring the Thames river basin’s first delivery-based NFM trial:  Guidance and support from a Steering Group comprising technical experts from several organisations  Working with an experienced engineering team who can provide on-job support and training  Build your own job (within given targets)  Variety of work, office and site based  9% employer pension contribution  Holiday 25 days plus 3 at Christmas (pro rata of FT)

3. Dimensions

 This is a part time post (up to 30 hours per week)  The post is for 2 years fixed term with potential to extend for a further 3 years, subject to performance  Based at WODC Witney offices, Elmfield, New Yatt Road, Witney OX28 1PB  You will be expected to visit sites and attend meetings, sometimes in remote areas, so a full driving licence and access to a vehicle is essential. Travel expenses will be paid at a rate of 0.45p per mile.

4. Background

A collaboration between the Evenlode Catchment Partnership (hosted by Wild Oxfordshire), West Oxfordshire District Council (WODC) and the Environment Agency (EA) has created an exciting opportunity to recruit a Project Officer to lead on the development and delivery of Natural Flood Management (NFM) in the Evenlode Catchment. The post will be guided and supported by a Steering Group comprising technical experts from several organisations, and you will be working alongside an experienced engineering team in WODC who can provide on-job training in project design.

HP16122016 The Project Officer will be the focus point of all information, planning and reporting on a programme of NFM projects, which form the first trial in the Thames Basin to implement land and channel interventions for multiple benefits, including flood risk, water quality and habitat creation. As Project Officer you will ensure that the projects engage all relevant parties, meet their objectives, deliver benefits to specification within the constraints of time, cost and quality and integrate well into wider local initiatives.

You will be a self-motivator and an excellent communicator, experienced in influencing and working with landowners, environmental groups and organisations. You must be able to demonstrate that you have the skills to deliver environmental outcomes in partnership with others.

Wild Oxfordshire is a local conservation charity. Our vision is for Oxfordshire’s environment to be healthy, sustainable and rich in nature for the benefit and enjoyment of all.

The Evenlode Catchment Partnership, hosted by Wild Oxfordshire, aims to improve water quality and flood management, enhance biodiversity, and build greater community engagement with rivers, at local and at landscape scales.

5. Details

1. Contribute to the development and delivery of a programme of short and long term NFM projects, in line with legislation, stakeholder needs and environmental outcomes.

2. Identify sites suitable for delivering cost effective, technically sound NFM interventions. This will involve a significant amount of time working alongside watercourses.

3. Liaise with landowners to gain access and permission for identified projects.

4. Identify and agree effective delivery mechanisms for projects, including a protocol to deliver appropriate maintenance services beyond the life of each project.

5. Support the ECP fundraising opportunities and funding bid submissions to sustain the range of projects being delivered.

6. Attend the ECP Steering Group meetings to report on the delivery of projects and provide input to the direction and development of future opportunities.

7. Project management – ensure projects are delivered on time and to budget, identifying and resolving delivery issues.

8. Establishing and maintaining productive relationships with internal and external partners in order to best deliver the programmes objectives.

HP16122016 9. Provide effective leadership to health & safety matters by actively promoting health & safety awareness and ensuring the provision of safe working practices that comply with relevant legislation and practice. The projects will preferably utilise local contractors who will require supervision to ensure compliant delivery.

10. Contribute to all aspects of public relations, including presentation to a range of stakeholders. Maintain a communication plan for the programme, providing regular updates on progress and press releases.

11. Develop and maintain appropriate monitoring and evaluation of the projects and provide evidence to inform future NFM projects on the programme.

12. Remain aware of emerging technologies and trends within the field of watercourse management, engineering and land management, to apply imaginative NFM solutions to potentially complex environmental situations.

6. Skills, experience and qualifications

Essential Desirable Skills An excellent communicator, Able to assimilate and experienced in working face-to- summarise complex face with the public, information and ideas from landowners, community groups different disciplines. and organisations, and in facilitating partnership working between these. Able to communicate through a range of media (written and verbal) to different audiences, and demonstrate that you have the skills to deliver environmental outcomes in partnership with others. The ability to make decisions Skills in stakeholder about priorities and undertake engagement appropriate action on a day to day basis to achieve planned outcomes. Able to manage your own time and workload. Management skills to ensure a programme of projects are delivered to time, cost and quality. Knowledge, A good understanding of Experience of evidence based qualifications agriculture and land delivery. With the support of

HP16122016 & experience management, and the the technical Steering Group implications for water you will be able to use data management, so that you can and evidence to develop enable the delivery of some effective engineering solutions NFM interventions through and project designs in agricultural policy mechanisms, partnership with the including the Rural Payment landowner. schemes. Experience in managing a Experience of building programme of projects. partnerships.

A good working knowledge of Understanding of fundraising environmental issues and and making grant bids. legislation in relation to flood and water management. A good understanding of agriculture and land management, and the implications for water management, so that you can enable the delivery of some NFM interventions through agricultural policy mechanisms, including the Rural Payment schemes. You must be a proficient IT user (MS Office software). Personal You will need to be confident, Tactful, diplomatic and positive and flexible to maximise sensitive to the needs of opportunities to work with stakeholders landowners. These opportunities and the direction of funding bids will require you to be adaptable to an evolving programme of projects. You will demonstrate political A drive to find innovative awareness when dealing with multi-benefit solutions which landowners, stakeholders and allow sustainable rural development communities. You will have a strong interest in the environment. Able to work effectively both individually and as a member of a team Highly motivated and

HP16122016 professional, able to demonstrate high standards

Other duties -The post holder will be part of a small team. Particular duties and responsibilities may vary from time to time without changing the main characteristics of the post.

HP16122016