Landscape Recovery Project Manager

BACKGROUND

The Lincoln and Witham Farming and Nature Network (LWFNN) is a ground-breaking, Landscape Scale, long-term project aiming to build sustainability and resilience for nature and farming, and improve hydrology across 30 landholdings and 7000 ha of land at the same time as realising social and economic benefits from the nature recovery for the wider community.

The LWFNN was one of the top scoring applications for support from Round 2 of DEFRA’s Landscape Recovery Scheme. Landscape Recovery is the most ambitious of the new, post-Brexit, Environmental Land Management Schemes and is designed to encourage long-term, large-scale projects - and this round is focused on net zero, protected sites and wildlife rich habitats.

The funding is for a 2 year Development Phase during which The Lincoln and Witham Valley Farming and Nature Network will work up detailed plans to:

•        improve and link the many existing protected wildlife sites in the project area with corridors for nature  

•        explore how farming in-between can become more resilient, sustainable, and nature-friendly

•        explore natural flood management and creation of freshwater habitats along the Witham

•        deliver benefits for the communities that live in and visit the area

•        work out a blend of government and private sector finance to pay for the activities

https://defrafarming.blog.gov.uk/2023/11/29/round-two-projects/

Please see Landscape Recovery Handbook for more information on the scheme.

Doddington Farms LLP, home of Wilder Doddington  and the Wilder Connections project is one of the landowners and is leading on this recruitment on behalf of the project.

Project Manager - Job Description

We are seeking a project manager to work as part of an experienced team to deliver the project through the two-year Development Phase of Landscape Recovery, with potential to continue into the Implementation Phase.

The team will consist of:

·        Two of the existing Doddington team acting as project directors

·        This post of Project Manager

·        Farmer Engagement manager to work one-to-one with the landowners

In addition strategic advice will be provided by a broad and deep Stakeholder Group along with a non-executive steering committee of project members. 

The postholder’s key responsibilities are the delivery of the following:

o  Land Management Plan

o  Monitoring & Evaluation Plan

o  Stakeholder Management

o  Site Access Plan

o  Legal Consents and permissions

·        In delivering the various Management Plans, strategy will be determined by the wider Project team and its advisers. The Project Manager will ensure the strategy is translated into appropriate work briefs which will be put out for tender to an agreed selection of consultants experienced in the appropriate field. The Project Manager will manage the procurement process and delivery of each work package.

·        The Project Manager will need to ensure that there are excellent communication channels within the project team and amongst the various consultants delivering specialist advice and reports such that the overall objectives of the project and development of knowledge and experience are shared across all involved.

·        The engagement and understanding of farmer members are crucial aspects of the project. The separate Farmer Engagement manager role will provide specific capacity to communicate both directly with farmer members and through group workshops. It is essential that farmer member ideas and concerns are quickly responded to, and that work generated by specialists are shared in an effective and timely way. The Farmer Engagement Manager role will also develop a detailed knowledge of the project area and resources which will be invaluable to the wider project team as well as the specialist consultants employed.

Key Responsibilities

·        Manage all aspects of the Management Plans listed above and contribute and assist in the management and delivery of all elements of the Project where required

·        Communicate fully and regularly with all members of the Project team

·        Coordinate and integrate resources to ensure effective delivery of work streams

·        Coordinate preparation of briefs and procurement of specialist consultancy work and other external contractors delivering:

o  Baseline condition, modelling and feasibility work

o  Specialist advice on required consents and permissions

o  Commercial, legal and governance advice

o  Scientific support for evaluation frameworks

o  Data interpretation and mapping services

o  Investment and blended finance advice

·        Facilitate strong and effective working relationships between diverse project staff, partners and stakeholders to deliver the outcomes of the project development phase.

·        Present and report to internal and external working groups

·        Provide suitably detailed information and records to support quarterly reporting to the EA

Required Skills, Experience & Qualifications

·        Proven track record and at least 2 years of experience of project planning and management

·        Minimum of 2 years’ experience managing a multidisciplinary team in a similar capacity

·        Strong analytical skills

·        Educated to degree level

·        Excellent attention to detail with proactive practical and commercial approach

·        Good communication and interpersonal skills to develop and manage relationships with stakeholders and partners

·        Takes responsibility for outcomes, proactive and dynamic problem solving

·        Public presentation and reporting skills

·        Proven track record of project delivery

·        Experience of managing multi-disciplined work streams

·        Experience of people and team performance management and supervision.

·        Educated to degree or equivalent

·        Knowledge and understanding of project sector

Working Arrangements

•        Salary: £40,000-£60,000 p.a. depending on experience

•        Various Estate House might be available at a discounted rent

•        Location: Hybrid online / in-person with a minimum of 3 days per week to be spent at the project HQ at Wilder Doddington, Doddington Hall, Lincoln LN6 4RU

•        Contract type: 2-year Fixed Term Contract (FTC) with scope to transition to full-time, permanent post subject to a successful Project Delivery Plan.

Applications

If you would like to apply for this role, please submit your CV and a short cover letter by clicking Apply by midnight Sunday 3rd March 2024.

The cover letter should explain:

1)     why you would like the role

2)     what you would bring to the role.

If you are a potential applicant and have further questions at the role, please contact David Wright [email removed - click apply for more details]