Project Officer (Farm Officer)

The Service & Team:

Opportunities such as this are rare. We are looking for a project officer to work with farmers and land managers in Cornwall’s nationally protected landscape. 

This role is to support delivery of the Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) programme, which is aligned to the aims of the Cornwall National Landscape AONB Management Plan. 

FiPL is a national DEFRA funded programme for protected landscapes (National Landscapes and National Parks) and is part of the government’s Agricultural Transition Plan. As part of the remaining time under current funding, the challenge is on to show what Cornwall National Landscape (AONB) can do when we have the resources to enable significant environmental changes to our nationally protected landscape. 

The Cornwall National Landscape (AONB) FiPL programme is currently in its fourth year of delivery and the Cornish farming community have risen to the challenge with a high level of interest in the programme and a diverse and innovative portfolio of projects already funded.  Soil health and regenerative agriculture projects have been a consistent theme so far, as well as habitat creation and community engagement.  The role will entail supporting farmers and reporting on delivery, if further funding is provided this could also include working up of farmer-led capital and revenue work proposals with a focus on nature, climate, people and place. 

 

The Role:

To work with farmers and land managers in Cornwall National Landscape to deliver the Farming in Protected Landscapes (Defra funded) programme which is aligned to the aims of the Cornwall National Landscape Management Plan. 

The role will be primarily supporting land managers through the agricultural transition over the next year, including supporting farmers to apply for and deliver funding for capital and revenue work proposals on farms, with a focus on nature, climate, people and place. 

The Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) programme is part of the government’s Agricultural Transition Plan. It is a national DEFRA funded programme for protected landscapes (National Landscapes and National Parks).  The programme is in the final year of delivery with an extension for staff to complete monitoring and evaluation of projects until September 2025.  DEFRA have made additional funding available for FiPL projects throughout 2024 and we are hopeful these opportunities will continue in the coming months.

 

The postholder will be required to monitor capital work projects on farms with a responsibility to ensure compliance with DEFRA conditions through administering grant agreements and undertaking quality assurance alongside the existing Farm Engagement Officer. With a comprehensive monitoring strategy in place the post holder will be required to evaluate the live projects to ensure the money is having an impact.  As well as technical understanding, lateral thinking and flexibility will be required to solve any problems or challenges that arise, as well as to react to opportunities that could increase effectiveness of the project. 

Could you be the dynamic change-maker we are looking for?

Working Pattern:

Flexible working, 37 hours a week (Monday to Friday)

What you’ll need to succeed:

There is real scope for creativity within the FiPL programme and the post holder will need an understanding of a wide range of activities and interventions to support quality projects which will make a real difference to the farmers and communities we’re working with.  The FiPL programme really does have the ability to enable positive change to address the climate and ecological emergencies. The post holder will require creativity, lateral thinking, and flexibility to solve any problems or challenges that arise, as well as to react to opportunities that could increase effectiveness of the project

 

Please read the role profile for the full details of this role attached below in this advert

 

What you’ll get in return:

Cornwall Council’s ambition is to be an employer of choice, a high performing Council and a learning organisation. We commit to providing a reward and benefits package to attract, motivate and reward our employees. We offer a range of flexible working options to our staff. This helps provide our employees with a greater work/life balance. Whilst still ensuring that service needs are met.

Our core employee rewards and benefits include:

·         a competitive salary.

·         a defined benefit pension scheme, based on your career average earnings. This includes the option for extra voluntary contributions

·         a generous annual leave entitlement with the potential to purchase additional leave.

·         A nat