NCM Manager

5-month contract (but with the strong likelihood of extending, subject to commercial
outcomes) – starting September 2024, in theory finishing February 2025 – £35,000 per
annum

Homeworking or office-based (or combination, at least 2 days in office in Barnstaple per week)

Start date: ASAP

The Biosphere Foundation CIC in North Devon is seeking a bright and ambitious Manager
to join a growing team as it expands its online ‘green economy’ marketplace – the Natural
Capital Marketplace™

What is the Natural Capital Marketplace?

• The Natural Capital Marketplace is a platform to help environmental trades happen that are
  good for Devon
• The objectives are:
  • (1) Helping make land-use change happen that is good for the planet
  • (2) Helping landowners access new private finance opportunities directly, rather
    than going through costly intermediaries where they also lose control of the land
  • (3) Helping ensure that these new markets deliver for local people, including with
    all proceeds staying in the relevant county
  • (4) Helping ensure that where environmental outcomes are promised, they are
    delivered
• The service is as follows:
  • (1) Up-front education/support for landowners (online calculator, webinars, events)
  • (2) Significant pre-work with sell-side (landowners) and buy-side (developers /
    corporates) to make trades happen
  • (3) Gold standard process to ensure that where environmental outcomes are promised
    they actually get delivered (design/approval of plans, getting incentives right with
    flow of money, responsible for monitoring)
• In relation to Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), we have started working with a large number of landowners to start to get their projects ready to trade. And we have spoken to the majority of developers active in Devon, to get them to agree to try and work with us first (on the basis that this is a process that is better for landowners and for Devon)
• We are also establishing a similar process for nutrient neutrality, and for the existing carbon codes (woodland & peatland)
• This is a Devon-wide process, that was established with the support of Devon County Council

What does the role involve?

• Getting up-to-speed quickly to understand the detail of how the BNG system and metric works
• Working with landowners across Devon, including site visits, to understand the potential to
  take forward privately financed environmental projects on their land. The initial focus is on
  Biodiversity Net Gain, but this will also over time including nutrient neutrality, and the
  existing carbon codes (woodland & peatland).
• Running a programme of educational events (webinars & in-person talks) to
  educate/support landowners.
• Systematically building a large database of landowners, and then a pipeline of landowners
  that we’re working with, and selling our services to these landowners – whether that’s an
  initial survey or the full service to secure a trade.
• Building relationships with larger and smaller developers across Devon, so that they come
  to us first when they need to buy off-site BNG.
• Establishing a process for us to receive notifications when new developments that might
  require BNG start the planning process, so that we can contact those developers.
• Working with the CEO of the commercial arm of the Biosphere to map out the process and our
  offering for nutrient neutrality and the existing carbon codes (woodland & peatland)

What skillset / experience do you need to have?

• A passion for supporting landowners to drive land-use change that is positive for the
  planet
• An understanding of and experience working with the grants available for farming in the UK,
  and the private finance opportunities (BNG, carbon markets, nutrient neutrality)
• Credibility representing the Biosphere with landowners, including presenting at small
  events
• Experience selling services
• Experience systematically responding to and managing a wide database of contacts
• The ability to learn quickly and the flexibility to thrive in a fast-moving space

Remuneration

• 5-month contract – starting September 2024 (but with the strong likelihood to extend,
  subject to commercial outcomes)
• £35,000 per annum
• Homeworking an option for up to 3 days a week. Need to be in office at least 2 days per
  week. Plus will be site visits in North Devon (so need to have car and a driving licence).

How to apply

Send your CV and a covering letter to [email protected]

Closing date: Midnight on Monday 12th August 2024