Farm Manager – Phoenix Farm in White City

Role Details

The Farm is primarily a horticultural site that also contains chickens and rabbits, the Farm
Manager will be responsible for the management of the growing on the farm, ensuring a wide
range of plants are grown throughout the year. The Farm Manager will be responsible for the
co-ordination and delivery of the schools, community and volunteering programmes and sessions
on behalf of HCGA ensuring that the project operates to a high standard. The post holder is
responsible for ensuring all activity is planned and undertaken in line with the HCGA Business
Plan.

The post holder will provide support to HCGA in accordance with the highest professional
standards in the following areas: 

Strategic Development

• To co-ordinate activity at Phoenix Farm in White City 
• To work alongside partner organisations
• In consultation with the Director to monitor and evaluate all grants and contracts
• To contribute to the development of the educational programme at the farm, nursery, primary
  and secondary levels 
• To develop the necessary relationships internally and externally to promote and develop
  Phoenix Farm Project as a community resource.
• To work as part of the HCGA management team to ensure smooth and effective service
  delivery.

Service Users and Health & Safety

• To manage school bookings 
• To maintain/develop key relationships. This involves establishing and building links with
  other organisations to promote Phoenix Farm Project 
• Maintaining excellent health and safety standards. This includes, health and safety of all
  visitors to site, child/ vulnerable adult protection issues, emergencies, accidents /
  incidents, risk management, etc.

Administration 

• To provide and ensure a high standard of service administration. Including continuous review of service provision, effective time management and regular liaison
  with other colleagues.
• To adhere and implement policies and procedures of the charity
• To ensure all farm activities are monitored on a daily basis.

Management

• To manage sessional staff who are delivering activities on site
• To ensure a high standard of performance management 
• To promote partnership work with external agencies. Accessing specialist services as
  appropriate, promoting work of HCGA, attending relevant meetings and forums. 
• To ensure effective budget management. Identifying resources needed, ensuring financial
  controls are observed. To be accountable and responsible for the expenditure of services and
  submit petty cash claims on a monthly basis.
• Financial controls: To ensure the safe keeping and responsible use of all equipment,
  resources and monies belonging to the Association.
• Fundraising: To assist HCGA with fundraising and grant application activities as required

The Farm Manager will work individually and collectively to promote a constructive, fair and
sensitive approach to working with others from a variety of cultures and backgrounds. All
employees are expected to carry out their tasks within the terms and intentions of the Equal
Opportunities, Core Values, policies and procedures and relevant legislation.

This job description is a guideline only and is subject to review. A degree of flexibility is
required in this position and the post holder may need to undertake work not specifically
referred to above, such work will be consistent with the post.

The post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

A successful candidate will hold a recognised horticultural qualification. They will have
experience managing a food growing project, working in a community setting and with a diverse
range of people. The candidate should have previously managed sessional activities, ideally
with volunteers and be well organised to take sole responsibility for this site. 

The candidate will have the ability to create new opportunities and encourage organisational
participation with people with a wide range of abilities. This will involve strategic planning
and implementation of projects.

A sound understanding of sustainability and environmental issues is necessary with an ability
to implement these across the farm.

There will be a commitment to the Association’s Equal Opportunities Policy and Statement of
Values and an understanding of how to implement these. 

The candidate must excel in effective communication (written and verbal) with a wide range of
people, including volunteers, colleagues and a variety of professionals and to work as part of
a small team. The candidate will have effective time management and the knowledge to plan and
implement seasonal planting across the site.

The candidate will have the ability to manage a budget, implement and monitor policies and
procedures and demonstrate good IT skills and their application to the Association’s work and a
thorough knowledge of health and safety issues and managing risk, and a commitment to
developing service and organisational standards.

They will hold a current driving licence and a willingness to drive the Association’s vehicle.

Desirable Criteria

The ideal candidate for Farm Manager will have had experience working with people from
low-income households and people who have long-term mental or physical health problems.

Knowledge of caring for small animals, hens and rabbits.

Applications for the position must be submitted on the attached form and will close at 5pm on 14th June. Interviews are scheduled for 19th June. If you don’t hear from us within two weeks of the closing date please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.