Project Officer - Northamptonshire Nature Fund

Project Officer - Northamptonshire Nature Fund (funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund)

This post is initially offered for a fixed term of 18 months at 0.4 FTE (two days per week equivalent). The position will require working outside of normal business hours and attendance at meetings / events across the County.

Overall purpose of the job

The Northamptonshire Nature Fund Officer will be responsible for the promotion and ongoing development of the newly launched Nature Fund. This fund was developed as part of a Defra funded partnership program with the intention of securing private investment in local nature / environment projects. The infrastructure itself is in place but now there is a need to build relationships with the local business community and with representatives from the risk management agencies in order to build an understanding of their nature / environment aspirations to ensure that their needs can be addressed through this fund and to encourage their contributions to the fund.

Main duties

1. Develop relationships with the local business community through attendance at chamber meetings and at other professional gatherings within the County (70%).
2. The establishment and support of a Business Group under the Nene Valley Catchment Partnership to enable their input into broader catchment and project planning (10%).
3. Maintain contacts database and records of engagement (5%).
4. Supervise volunteers in the delivery of soft engineering elements of projects where appropriate (5%).
5. Support the NRT team in the maintenance of digital assets and broadcasting messages through social media channels and the website (10%).

Knowledge and experience

Essential: Educated to degree level in an appropriate technical or scientific subject, such as communications, business management or project management. At least two years relevant work experience in a relevant position.

• Excellent IT skills including working with MS Office suite.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills (presentation and report writing) appropriate to a wide range of audiences.
• Ability to plan, and deliver work under own initiative, to deadlines and coordinating with others.
• Proven ability to work as part of a small busy team.
• Full driving licence and own vehicle.

Planning and organising

The post requires planning of own workload (multiple activities planned on monthly/quarterly/yearly basis) to own deadlines and to integrate with those of others. The timescales will depend on the nature of tasks and phasing during year, but this may be complex and require flexibility and revision.

The post will require co-ordination of/with external project partners and other NRT officers, planning meetings, workload and regular reporting to supervisor.

Communicating and influencing

Liaising with Key Project Partners, the Nene Valley Catchment Partnership and NRT officers on an as needs basis.

The post holder will maintain relationships with key business partners including, but not limited to, local professional associations and chambers of commerce.

Decision making

Planning and delivery of core tasks will be undertaken at the discretion of the post holder, often in liaison with the other NRT officers. Updating other NRT staff at weekly meetings. The post requires a high degree of remote working and a degree of independence in decision making.

Other responsibilities

• Administer own work, files and records, attend and contribute to team meetings.
• Health & Safety: Observe NRT policies at all times including the Health & Safety Policy, undertake Risk Assessments for sites and activities, COSHH assessments and adherence to Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy and Volunteering Policy.
• Equal opportunities: To work at all times within NRT's Equal Opportunities Policy and to promote equal opportunities.
• Undertake any other duties, as appropriate to the post, as delegated by your line manager.

The post holder must be available to work flexibly, including evening and weekend working, for which time off in lieu will be given.

The post will involve travel — the post holder will need to have access to a vehicle to be able to travel to a range of sites with little or no public transport for which mileage will be reimbursed.

We expect you to carry out your job responsibilities in an environmentally aware manner, ensuring as little damage to the environment as possible. Our aim is to ensure all resources are utilised effectively and efficiently. You will be expected to apply 'sound value for money' principles in undertaking purchasing or supply of goods and services.