Farm Advisor (Nature Based Solutions)

This position is part of a cross-border project called Protecting Shared Waters, funded by the Peace Plus programme, which is managed by the Special EU Programme Body (SEUPB). This project aims to develop innovative and transferable solutions to the challenges of degraded water quality and pressures on water quantity in our freshwater environment, focusing on the use of nature-based solutions and community engagement and empowerment.

The Protecting Shared Waters Project is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB)

About Us

The Rivers Trust is a leading environmental charity and the umbrella body of The Rivers Trust movement, comprising over 60 independent local charities. Our vision is for wild, healthy, natural rivers, valued by all. We are at a critical point in our history as we expand to deliver projects to protect and replenish this critical part of the natural environment, and our research and expertise is now needed more urgently than ever as water supply and quality move up the public agenda.

The Role

Engage with landowners in the Strule River catchment (County Tyrone) to identify opportunities for, and oversee the installation of, nature-based solutions to protect and improve water quality and deliver knowledge transfer events to raise awareness amongst the farming and wider community.

Reports to: GIS Manager
Contract: The role is fixed term to June 2028, with possible extension subject to future funding being secured.
Salary: £29,000 – £32,000
Location: This is a full-time, home-based role, though the job holder will be required to travel across the project catchments (River Strule and its sister-catchment in this project – River Fane, Counties Armagh/Monaghan) as well as wider across the island of Ireland and occasionally Great Britain.

Role summary

The island of Ireland is the fastest-growing area of the rivers trust movement, and as part of what will be an ongoing major team expansion across the island of Ireland, we are looking a motivated and experienced Farm Advisors with a passion for nature- and water-friendly farming.

The primary purpose of this position is to liaise with landowners in the Strule River catchment (County Tyrone) to identify opportunities for, and oversee the installation of, nature-based solutions to protect and improve water quality and deliver knowledge transfer events to raise awareness amongst the farming and wider community.

This is part of a cross-border project called Protecting Shared Waters, funded by the Peace Plus programme, which is managed by the Special EU Programme Body (SEUPB). This project aims to develop innovative and transferable solutions to the challenges of degraded water quality and pressures on water quantity in our freshwater environment, focusing on the use of nature-based solutions and community engagement and empowerment.

The role will also support the work of the Strule Tributaries and Rivers Trust (START), working at a catchment-scale to deliver actions to protect water quality and biodiversity.

This exciting role involves close collaboration with a wider network of stakeholders including landowners, water companies, government, research institutions and the NGO sector across Northern Ireland, Ireland, and Great Britain.

You will be supported by The Rivers Trust’s All-Ireland multidisciplinary team based across Northern Ireland and Ireland, as well as work closely with another Farm Advisor on this project.

Whilst environmental and freshwater knowledge and experience are desirable, we are looking for someone who has a sound understanding of farming practices and the application of nature-based solutions to reduce nutrient and sediment impact on water quality.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a friendly team working within a thriving movement, and to make a meaningful personal contribution to environmental protection and improvement.

The main duties and responsibilities are:

Co-Design & implementation of on-farm NbS Projects

• Undertake non-regulatory farm advice visits and identify runoff sources, pathways, and receptors.
• Collaborate with landowners and farmers to identify opportunities to install nature-based solutions (NbS), improve infrastructure and change land management practices, underpinned by a need to reduce diffuse and point source agricultural pollution to surface water.
• Prepare a series of Farm Plans identifying farm-scale NbS and changes in land management practices and communicate these to landowners/farmers.
• Negotiate with landowner and farmers to allow the installation of NbS and to change land management practices to affect improvements in water quality and quantity.
• Work with and oversee the work of appointed contractors to install the selected NbS features and changed land management practices.
• Consult with partner organisations and Government Agencies to inform farm improvements.
• Provide practical advice on NbS and water management on farms and follow this up with multiple visits to increase the likelihood of behavioural change and environmental improvement.

Education, Demonstration & Awareness

• Organise and deliver education, awareness and knowledge transfer events on demonstration farms across the Strule catchment, and one farm in the Fane catchment, to highlight NbS in agricultural settings, focusing on reducing nutrient and sediment pollution and promoting sustainable water use.
• Organise and deliver knowledge transfer events between communities in the Strule and Fane catchments, focusing on environment and community cohesion.

Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting

• Participate in monitoring of the effectiveness of the NbS, led by other project partners.
• Support the development and use of scorecards to monitor the effectiveness of NbS interventions.
• Contribute to project evaluation, including reviewing outcomes and reporting on deliverables and impacts.

Team Support & Organisational Responsibilities

• Provide support to colleagues, including covering absences and sharing specialist knowledge.
• Adhere to all Rivers Trust policies, including those related to Health & Safety, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI), IT, and GDPR.
• Foster a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative working culture communities.

Knowledge, skills, experience, and personal qualities:

Essential

• Knowledge of nature-based solutions (NbS) and their applied use to provide water-related ecosystem services, such as water quality and quantity protection, wastewater treatment, flood, drought and climate adaption and mitigation, particularly in the agricultural setting.
• Knowledge of water management principles and practices, including hydrology, water quality, and sustainable usage.
• Knowledge of agricultural systems, the agricultural calendar and farm infrastructure.
• Knowledge of environmental legislation relating to the farmed environment and agricultural land management.
• Knowledge of Northern Irish and Irish environmental policies, regulations, and permitting processes relevant to NbS.
• Knowledge of how GIS can be used to record and interrogate geospatial data.
• Experience in planning, executing, and managing projects, particularly those involving multiple stakeholders, on time and on budget.
• Experience with ecological fieldwork, monitoring, and data collection.
• Experience of building, developing and maintaining significant internal and external relationships with a wide range of stakeholders (e.g. landowners, environmental NGO’s, consultants, contractors, water companies, academic and research institutions, and local and national government bodies.)
• Experience in providing clear, concise written material in a variety of formats for a variety of audiences.
• Ability to clearly articulate project goals, plans, and benefits to a diverse audience.
• Strong leadership skills to inspire and mobilise teams and community members.
• Creative problem-solving abilities to navigate the complexities and challenges of implementing NbS.
• The ability to build, develop and maintain significant internal and external relationships with a wide range of stakeholders (e.g. landowners, environmental NGO’s, consultants, contractors, water companies, academic and research institutions, and local and national government bodies.)
• Demonstrated ability to tailor content and deliver to different audiences, including farmers, residents, and special interest groups.
• Must be able to work with minimal supervision.
• Proven ability to collaborate on cross-functional teams while working remotely.
• Experience in using and applying Risk Assessments and Lone-working procedures.
• Must be willing to work occasional evenings, weekends, and overnight stays when necessary (e.g. to attend events and conferences or visit key stakeholders on-site).
• Must have a full driving licence and use of own vehicle, insured for business use.
• Must be proficient in using computers (Microsoft Office – we also communicate by Slack but familiarity with this isn’t a requirement.

Desirable

• Experience of agricultural systems, the agricultural calendar and farm infrastructure.
• Experience in designing and/or implementing nature-based solutions (NbS) projects providing water-related ecosystem services.
• Experience of biodiversity recording and reporting.
• Experience of how GIS can be used to record and interrogate geospatial data.
• Experience of working on river and catchment related projects including the project design element.
• An understanding of river catchment-scale processes and how they interact – including hydrological processes and modelling.
• Working within the NGO sector.
• Membership to a relevant professional body/institution

Qualifications/ Education

• Relevant higher-level qualification (Degree/HND)

OR

• 3 years’ (minimum) experience in a land management/agricultural advisory role.

Due to the nature of this role, it is essential that you have access to secure and private accommodation suitable for working at home, and a reliable broadband connection.

Benefits

• Up to 9% employer pension contribution
• 25 days annual leave (rising with service) plus statutory public holidays
• Flexible working hours and hybrid working
• Access to training and professional development
• Supportive and inclusive working culture

For all application role enquiries please contact [email protected] (please do not use this email address to apply).

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and are particularly keen to improve the diversity of our Trust. As part of our commitment to positive action under the Equality Act 2010/ Employment Equality Acts 1998 to 2015, we strongly encourage applications from people from ethnically diverse and economically disadvantaged backgrounds.