The Solway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Team is looking to recruit an experienced Farming Officer to support the delivery of the Farming in Protected Landscapes Programme within the AONB. The role will involve working with farmers and land managers to promote the fund, provide advice and ensure the smooth running of the programme. As the successful candidate, you will be the key contact for this new, Defra funded initiative, providing grants to farmers and landowners for projects that enhance nature, climate, people and place. 

The post is a full time, 37 hour week contract, fixed term until 31 March 2024. The job base is the Solway Coast AONB office in Silloth, 12 miles north of Wigton in North Cumbria, though the postholder will work across various locations in and around the AONB. There is provision for some flexible home working.

As well as being part of the staff team, you will be working with a wide range of people, including farmers, landowners, farming organisations, local businesses and community groups as well as statutory agencies such as Natural England, Historic England and local authorities. The post will involve meeting and talking to farmers and landowners about the programme, listening to farmers and providing advice, assisting with the application procedure and promoting the scheme. It will also involve co-ordinating the work of the Assessment Panel and carrying out the administrative tasks relating to the programme, ensuring timely payments to successful applicants and monitoring and reporting on progress. 

You will have considerable experience of working with farmers and landowners and be able to understand the needs and interests of farmers as well as the opportunities possible through this programme. You will have a good knowledge of nature conservation and land management and be an excellent communicator with a positive attitude.

For an informal chat about this post, please contact Naomi Kay on 016973 33055 and see https://www.solwaycoastaonb.org.uk/farming-in-protected-landscapes  for more information about the Solway Coast AONB and the Programme.

The closing date for applications is 04 August 2021 at 17:00pm.

Link to apply: https://www.allerdale.gov.uk/en/jobs/aonb/farming-officer-solway-coast-aonb/

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