Farming and Land Management Project Assistant

Title: Farming and land management advisor
Employer: Norfolk Rivers Trust
Purpose: Delivering soil and water advice and implementing on farm
interventions
Responsible to: Farming and land management team leader
Location: Office at Bayfield near Holt. Visits across Norfolk, Cam and Ely
Ouse (CamEO) catchment and potentially further afield.
Job term: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week
Annual Leave Entitlement: 25 days plus 8 days bank holidays pro rata.
Salary details: £26,819 to £33,500 pro rata (9% Employer Pension Contribution)

Norfolk Rivers Trust’s ambition is to deliver catchment-scale change to our water environment,
protecting our watercourses from pollution, improving habitat and ecological functioning of
streams and rivers and enhancing resilience to climate change.

It’s an exciting time for the Trust, having grown to a team of 30 since it began in 2011, and
we are delivering major projects such as river re-meandering and flood plain connections,
farming and land management advice, new constructed wetlands, species re-introductions and
community engagement.

Job Description:

We are seeking an enthusiastic, organised and proactive farm and land management advisor to
play an important role in delivering ‘Water Sensitive Farming’ (WSF) projects – an ambitious
water stewardship initiative which will benefit the catchments of Norfolk and the Cam and Ely
Ouse. The principal aims of this initiative are to improve water quality and quantity, through
improvements in soil health and targeted interventions to reduce the impacts of diffuse water
pollution from agriculture at a river catchment-scale.

The advisor will develop and take ownership of farmer relationships across multiple catchments,
providing a programme of targeted farm advice and dialog to identify opportunities and support
innovative practices to benefit the water environment and improve farmland biodiversity. In
addition, the applicant will oversee the design and implementation of bespoke mitigation
measures such as farm wetlands and silt traps; and where suitable, highlight appropriate
agri-environment schemes.

The advisor will work closely with the WSF team and partners to organise knowledge exchange
events and to showcase work being undertaken. Communications and relationships will be made
through the Broadland Rivers, Cam and Ely Ouse and Norfolk catchment partnerships, and the
successful candidate will work closely with, and be supported by, a range of catchment partners
to plan events, address issues and discuss potential solutions. These include organisations
that represent farmers such as farming businesses and the agricultural supply chain, along with
various project funders.

The main projects include partnerships with the WWF and their corporate partners at Carlsberg
and the John Lewis Partnership, the National Trust Riverlands upper Bure project, the Rivers
Trust Woodlands for Water project and the Courtauld 2030 initiative.

Principal Responsibilities:

To deliver soil and water advice and implement on farm interventions

• Delivering one-to-one farm advice and completing Water Sensitive Farming reports
• Maintaining project databases and lead on reporting to project partners
• Identifying, designing and managing the delivery of mitigation measures
• Supporting the production of communications material to further promote and develop the
  Water Sensitive Farming initiative
• Organising events and other farmer engagement tools aimed at improving awareness and
  sharing knowledge
• Engaging and contributing to catchment meetings and liaising with partners
• Work effectively with partners and stakeholders, represent the Trust through catchment
  partnerships and seek opportunities to develop existing and additional mutually beneficial
  relationships
• The above list should not be regarded as exhaustive, from time-to-time staff may be
  required to carry out other such duties as determined by the Trust

Person Specification:

Education: 

• Minimum HND/BSc in Ecology, Environmental Sciences, Geography, Land Management related
  subjects or equivalent relevant experience.

Experience and knowledge:

Essential:

• Clear commitment to vision and values of Norfolk Rivers Trust.
• Exceptional listening and communication skills, with a proven ability to influence a range
  of stakeholders.
• Sound knowledge of UK agriculture and local farming practices.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with partners and stakeholders.
• Good organisational and reporting skills.
• Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary organisation.
• Awareness of the need for confidentiality and sensitivity.
• Good IT skills, proficient using a range of standard programs and applications.
• Full UK driving licence with own car covered by business insurance is essential.

Desirable:

• Familiar with catchment-scale processes, and how these interact.
• Previous experience of providing soil, water or conservation advice.
• Knowledge of current agri-environment schemes.
• Experience of managing and working with contractors to implement construction, mitigation
  or equivalent project outcomes.
• Experience of engaging with key stakeholders and working collaboratively with partner
  organisations
• Experience in the use of GIS mapping (preferably ArcGIS)

Applications:

To apply, please send your completed 1) Job Application Form, 2) Equal Opportunities Monitoring
Information Form and 3) a covering letter/email to [email protected] by 9am on 5th
August 2024.

If you have any questions regarding this role, please contact: Sam Hurst on 01263 711299