Fundraising & Finance Officer (0.8 Full Time Equivialent)- Upper Irthing PRISM Landscape Recovery Project
Forestry Commission
Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 14th July 2024
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About the job
Job summary
Forestry England is a governmental department that looks after the nation’s forests with the aim that everyone in England should feel connected to them. For over 100 years, we have been growing, shaping and caring for over 1,500 of our nation’s forests for the benefit and enjoyment of all, for this generation and the next. As part of our national Growing the Future strategy and Biodiversity Plan we are looking to restore fully-functioning ecosystems and landscapes.
North England Forest District has a complement of 132 staff who care for 61,000 hectares of forest and 25,000 hectares of open land. Annual timber production is 550,000 m3 and there is a planting programme of more than 3 million trees a year.
Kielder Forest is a hub of nature recovery, home to breeding populations of hen harrier, osprey, pine marten and red squirrel, all monitored and supported in their recovery as part of a diverse, multi-purpose forest. Projects such as the restoration of the Border Mires, native woodland restoration at Kielder Wildwood, reintroduction of the water vole and others are helping to make this landscape, in conjunction with our partners, a leading location for wildlife to thrive.
The post will be embedded within the Kielder forest team for management purposes but will have a strong partnership.
Job description
Upper Irthing PRISM Project
As part of a partnership of landowners, Forestry England have secured development funding through DEFRA’s Landscape Recovery scheme to develop a new landscape scale project, creating a new model for integrated land management in the Upper Irthing Catchment. Over 2 years (to end March 2026) the Upper Irthing PRISM Project will undertake the necessary survey, data collection, partner liaison and stakeholder engagement required to put forward a long term (20 year minimum) proposal for the management of 9,500 ha of land spanning the Northumberland/Cumbria border. Encompassing the south-west corner of Kielder Forest, as well as several thousand hectares of neighbouring privately owned and managed land, the project will look at a holistic, catchment wide approach to the management of natural habitats, species and resources as well as the rural economy and enterprise to provide a plan that works for nature, landowners and local communities.
PRISM is an acronym for Peatlands, Rivers, Invasives, Species Recovery and Meadows, which gives some idea of just how wide ranging the project will be. This breadth has been guided by the key criteria of this round of Landscape Recovery funding:
- Net Zero (Peatland restoration and woodland creation).
- Protected Sites (designated habitats such as SSSI’s, NNR’s and SAC’s – the project area has more than 20 designated parcels of land).
- Wildlife rich habitats (riparian corridors, species rich grasslands, transitional habitats; Invasive species control and species recovery within these areas).
- Food/timber production (working with project partners to better understand how working land can support both thriving habitats and species, and commercial enterprise).
At this stage, the project has received 2 years funding for a development phase. If the developed plans are accepted, there is the possibility for extended involvement with the project beyond the 2-year period (April 2024 – March 2026), but this cannot be guaranteed at this time. If a further funding period is approved, it is likely that the Project Team (and possibly the host organisation) would change at the transition point to adapt from a development model to a delivery model. The best systems for future delivery, and the required changes, will be considered and developed during the initial two years.
About this role
Forestry England have a successful heritage of nature recovery and habitat restoration in Kielder Forest, supported by our National leads, local partnerships, long-term monitoring, and academic research. This project will build on this established heritage in a new, targeted, partnership approach through the Landscape Recovery funding scheme. This new approach to landscape scale land management allows partnerships to work cross boundary and overcome barriers associated with fragmented land ownership. It also supports private landowners and managers to facilitate positive environmental improvements on their land, while allowing for food, fuel and fibre production activities to continue.
One of the key differences between this and previous projects is the mechanism of funding, with Landscape Recovery projects being required to develop a “blended finance” approach for the implementation stage of the project.
The Finance and Fundraising Officer’s (FFO) primary role will be to develop a blended finance plan and business model, which is one of six key deliverables required from the development phase. To be clear, the initial 2-year development period is already fully funded, so the plans produced will relate to the implementation period. As the Landscape Recovery scheme is still at a pilot phase, the creation of that plan is intentionally very open to interpretation, and innovation and originality is encouraged. The Finance Officer will be encouraged to seek out opportunities for funding from a wide range of sources. Some public funds are expected to be made available but will be conditional on the projects ability to attract additional funding from other sources, particularly private and / or green finance sources.
The Finance Officer will work with and be supported by the Project Manager in the creation of these plans and will work with the project team members to understand the budgetary requirements and scheduling of the developing plans, so that income sources can be strategically programmed to facilitate those aspirations. As part of the finance plan and business model, the Finance Officer will work with project partners throughout the process to ensure that the conditions and requirements of the funding sources are acceptable to landowners, and to develop legal agreements which will underpin the future receipt of funds.
We welcome applications from those with experience of fundraising, and coordinating various income streams, from a wide range of backgrounds. Experience of projects related to nature conservation farming is an advantage but not essential. Familiarity with grant applications, schemes such as Peatland Code or Woodland Carbon Code, private investment support, rural enterprise diversification and others will all be relevant and useful experience.
Purpose of Job
The successful candidate will:
- Have primary responsibility for the development of a blended finance plan a business model during the 2-year development phase.
- Work closely with the Project Manager, project partners and legal advice to develop legal agreements which will facilitate future receipt of funds.
- Support other team members in the development of other aspects of the project plan as required.
- Contribute to project reporting, especially in keeping partners apprised of funding options, and the associated opportunities, implications and requirements of different funding options.
- Participate in stakeholder engagement and publicity efforts, with especial focus on potential for community fundraiser or other income streams.
Person specification
Experience, skills and knowledge
Essential
- Experience of working to investigate and evaluate novel land and nature-based funding streams and/or business models.
- Experience working successfully within the development and/or delivery of complex partnership projects to set up new business models to deliver longer term objectives.
- Experience of working closely with partners and stakeholders to develop and deliver a novel project (for example, other landowners and managers, and/or community groups).
- Familiarity with the land management sectors of farming, nature conservation and forestry and woodland management.
- Strong organisational skills, including the ability to manage multiple work streams simultaneously.
- Ability to work effectively within a small team, supporting team members to achieve their best efforts whilst delivering your own key work areas.
- Competent in IT including core Microsoft Office applications.
Desirable
- Excellent communication skills in a range of media to a variety of audiences. Able to adapt communication styles to present complex messages in a way that maximises accessibility to understanding.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Making Effective Decisions
- Working Together
- Communicating and Influencing
- Managing a Quality Service
Benefits
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This is a Temporary Appointment for until the end of March 2026 with the possibility of extension or permanency but no guarantee. This role is part-time over four days per week.
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a name-blind CV and Personal Statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed below and on the application form.
We will use your CV and Personal Statement to assess whether you have the experience we are looking for, so include examples to show us how your past work is similar to the advertised role. Your CV needs to list your full job history and include a short description of what each job involved. Please provide reasons for any gaps in employment over the last two years.
Your Personal Statement (no longer than 500 words) is an opportunity for you to outline your personal skills, qualities and experience and explain how these make you suited to the advertised role.
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using your CV. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.
Interview
Interviews will take place at The District Office, Eals Burn, Bellingham NE48 2HP.
At interview, you will be asked questions on your experience and the behaviours listed in the advert.
- Seeing the Big Picture. Understand the strategic drivers of your work area. Align activities to contribute to wider organisational priorities. Remain alert to emerging issues and trends which might impact your work area. Seek out and share experiences to develop knowledge for the team’s business area. Understand how the strategies and activities of the team create value and meet the diverse needs of all stakeholders.
- Making effective decisions. Take responsibility for making effective decisions, in a timely manner. Analyse and use a range of relevant and credible information from tested sources to support decisions. Present strong recommendations outlining the consideration of options, costs, risks and needs of end users. Invite challenge and involve others in decision making.
- Working together. Form effective and professional partnerships and relationships, investing time to generate a common focus and understanding with team and stakeholders. Identify opportunities to share knowledge, information and learning. Create a working environment that does not tolerate bullying, harassment and discrimination.
- Communicating & influencing. Communicate in a straightforward, honest and engaging manner. Interact with others in an enthusiastic way, expressing ideas clearly and with respect. Listen to and value different ideas, views and ways of working. Adapt your communication style to explain complex issues in a way that is easy to understand.
- Managing a quality service. Work with stakeholders to set priorities, objectives and timescales. Successfully deliver high quality outcomes that meet the customers’ needs and gives value for money.
Further Information
A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.
Any move to Forestry Commission from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.
However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
The duties of this post require the applicant to have a full current driving licence that enables them to drive in the UK. However, the Forestry Commission is willing to consider any proposals put forward by applicants that would allow them to do the job by any other means.
Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply, but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.
Reasonable Adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
Contact Government Recruitment Service via fcerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section in the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
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Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Tom Dearnley
- Email : tom.dearnley@forestryengland.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : fcerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
