Project Manager - Upper Irthing PRISM Landscape Recovery Project
Forestry Commission
Apply before 11:55 pm on Wednesday 10th 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 initial 2-year development 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 the host organisation would change at the transition point to adapt from a development 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 history of successful 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 innovative 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.
The Project Manager will manage the whole project programme and team. They will be the primary point of contact for all project related matters. They will lead the partnership, co-ordinating work across the entire project area whilst maintaining the involvement and support of a wide range of partners and stakeholders.
In addition, the Project Manager will be Forestry England’s lead on several other Landscape Recovery project partnerships across the district and the primary point of contact for the other partners involved in these projects.
As the Landscape Recovery projects are stand-alone projects, whilst the postholder will receive regular guidance and support from senior managers, they will be expected to, and must be comfortable with, operating with a significant degree of autonomy.
Additionally, the role will:
- Undertake or oversee all reporting of project milestones and finances to ensure the project proceeds on schedule and budget.
- Review and verify the plans produced by other team members (such as Land Management, Monitoring and Evaluation, Access and Financial), providing support throughout the development of those plans, and will lead on the development of other required plans and proposals including Project management and Governance, and Stakeholder Engagement.
- Coordinate use of the project budget to ensure aims are delivered within the agreed budget.
- Manage and support the Finance and Fundraising Officer in the development of the blended finance plan and business model for the 20-year phase of the project.
- Feedback to FE locally and nationally to share lessons learned through the experiences of delivering a Landscape Recovery funded project.
Purpose of Job
The successful candidate will:
- Act as North District’s main contact on Landscape Recovery projects in which Forestry England is a partner, attending partnership meetings and liaising with partners as required.
- Have primary responsibility for the effective running of the PRISM Project and the associated team during the 2-year development phase, ensuring all milestones/deadlines are met. This will include:
- Line management of one Project Delivery Officer and one Finance and Funding Officer.
- Day to day leadership, mentoring and support of the whole project team (expected to be 3 members, including the Manager).
- Compiling, analysing, and communicating data gathered during the PRISM project to facilitate informed decisions by the partners on preferred options for future management of the Landscape Recovery area.
- Lead on the development of three of the key reports to be delivered under the PRISM project plan. This will include plans for (a) future project management (b) Project governance and (c) stakeholder engagement.
- Support other team members in the development of plans covering Land Management, Monitoring and Evaluation, Access and a blended finance and business model. Sign off on completed plans prior to submission.
- This support will be varied, covering eventualities from assisting with surveys and monitoring efforts, discussing proposals and options with landowners, reviewing potential income streams, liaising with local authorities or other statutory bodies and more.
- Oversee the PRISM project budget and ensure financial compliance of activities such as procurement.
- Chair the PRISM project steering group meetings.
- Liaise with the PRISM funder as necessary, to ensure that the projects activities and outputs meet their requirements.
- Ensure PRISM project reports and claims are completed on time and to the necessary standard.
- Organise and participate in stakeholder engagement and publicity efforts.
- Liaise with Forestry England’s national Nature Recovery Team and with district colleagues.
Person specification
Experience, skills & knowledge
Essential
- Experience of managing the development and/or delivery of a complex partnership projects, with a good track record of project, budget, and contract management.
- Experience of working closely with partners and stakeholders to develop and deliver a project (inc. 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 effectively lead a small team, delegating where appropriate, and supporting team members to achieve their best efforts.
- Experience producing habitat management plans and proposals.
- Experience of procurement and contract management.
- HND or degree level qualification (or equivalent) or relevant experience in forestry or land management for farming or nature conservation.
- Competent in IT including core Microsoft Office applications; GIS experience beneficial.
- Formal project management qualification, e.g. Association for Project Management, or Prince.
- A full driving licence
Please clearly demonstrate how the above applies to you throughout your application. Failure to do so will mean that your application is automatically sifted out.
Desirable
- Sound understanding of UK ecology, habitat management and restoration, and species recovery.
- Experience of public sector procurement and contract management.
- Excellent communication skills in a range of media to a variety of audiences.
- Familiarity with relevant legislation related to nature designated sites.
- Experience of grant / funding applications or other fundraising activities.
- Membership of a relevant professional body: e.g. Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management, Institute Chartered Foresters, Chartered Project Professional.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Making Effective Decisions
- Working Together
- Changing and Improving
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
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 Fixed Term Appointment to end March 2026 with the possibility of extension or permanency but no guarantee.
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 dates to be confirmed.
Interview
Interviews will take place at The District Office, Eals Burn, Bellingham NE48 2HP - 15th and 16th July 2024.
At interview you will be asked questions on your experience and the behaviours listed.
- 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 of 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 and fair decisions, in a timely manner. Analyse and research further information to support decisions. Display 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.
- Changing & Improving. Regularly review own and team’s work and take the initiative to suggest ideas to make improvements. Take a positive, open approach to the possibility of change and help others to understand the options and reasons they are necessary. Create an environment that allows colleagues to challenge issues safely.
- 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. Handle challenging conversations with confidence and sensitivity.
- Delivering at pace. Take responsibility for delivering expected outcomes on time and to standard. Regularly check performance against objectives, making suggestions for improvement or taking corrective actions where necessary.
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.
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.
This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.
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.
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.
Security
Nationality requirements
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
