1784 - Project Officer - Dynamic Dunescapes HG-16-08643

1
South West
Blandford Forum , Bridgwater , Bristol , Exeter , Truro , Wareham
HEO
Lead Adviser
Fixed Term
up to June 2019 initally and if HLF Phase II bid is successful extended to June 2023
Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share
Administration / Corporate Support, Business Management & Improvement, Environment & Sustainability, Programme and Project Management
£24,120

This role is an exciting opportunity to work as part of a large partnership project to benefit key sand dune sites in England and Wales. The project partnership led by Natural England, has been successful in its ‘Dynamic Dunescapes’ Round 1 application to Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) Heritage Grants funding stream. This post is funded by a Heritage Lottery Fund grant made possible by National Lottery players

The project now needs a Project Officer to work closely with the Development Project Manager to further develop the initiative so that a successful Round 2 HLF application can be submitted in March 2019.

If the Round 2 submission is successful the 4-year delivery phase (commencing in Summer 2019) will deliver a range of conservation and engagement activities focused on nine dune systems across England and Wales.

This role initially covers the last 9 months of the HLF Heritage Grant development phase. If the second round application is successful this post will be continued until the end of the four year delivery phase.

The project:

Dynamic Dunescapes aims to restore the natural processes of our most important sand dunes sites by unlocking the dynamism that is critical to their future. Through our engagement with local communicates and visitors we will explain, demonstrate and create opportunities for them to actively contribute towards the conservation of these iconic sites. We will extend this learning beyond the project to ensure a legacy of improved sand dune management and interpretation across England and Wales.

The key project areas are: Lincolnshire Sand Hills; Studland Dunes, Dorset; North Cornwall Dunes; Braunton Burrows, Devon; Swansea Neath Port Talbot; Carmarthen; Anglesey - Gwynedd; Sefton Coast, Merseyside; and Cumbria. These are some of the most important dune complexes in England and Wales. The project will deliver exciting and innovative capital works and introduce effective sustainable habitat management integrated with large scale public engagement work (including citizen science). Collectively this project will have a big impact both for conservation and local communities and will provide transferable learning across all dune sites.

The project will:

  • Inspire and engage people - Work with communities and specialist groups to engage with up to 600,000 people through a programme of engagement, publicity, volunteering and citizen science
  • Re-energise the dunes – Undertake capital works to enable dunes to become more dynamic, remove invasive native and alien vegetation and reintroduce sustainable management to restore currently degraded habitats.
  • Rejuvenate and create dune slacks and ponds to benefit the sites unique and threatened insects, amphibians, birds and plants

Key tasks/ accountabilities

Working under the direction of the Development Project Manager:

  • Contributing to the development of a high quality Round 2 application, including budget and annexes by March 2019.
  • Providing financial administrative support to the project e.g. collating evidence for claims and budget.
  • Developing the Stage 2 Partnership agreement, with central and local partners.
  • Liaise with the project partners to coordinate their inputs to the project.
  • Supporting the Development Project Manager with general administration of the project, organising meetings, maintaining project plans and the risk register, reporting and supporting the Governance Groups of the project.
  • Providing communications support for the project using social media and traditional communications tools.

Although the post is based at Natural England, the post-holder will deliver work on behalf of the Dynamic Dunescapes Partnership.

The partners are: Natural England, Natural Resources Wales, Plantlife, National Trust, The Wildlife Trusts.

The role holder will work closely with the Dynamic Dunescapes Project manager, also based at Natural England, and the Outreach Development Officer, based at Plantlife.

Closing Date: 19th June 2018 at 23:55 hours

David Appleton - Recruitment manager

david.appleton@naturalengland.org.uk

07771838519

Verity Pitts - Dynamic Dunes Programme Manager

Verity.Pitts@naturalengland.org.uk

07876411703

19/06/2018, 23:55 hours

Expected 2nd July 2018 - In Bristol
Basic Check (BPSS)
Professional competency
Technical and specialist knowledge
• The person appointed will have previous experience of working as part of a successful partnership project.

• Proven track record of finance support on project work and delivering financial reports accurately and to deadlines
• Excellent organisational skills and good attention to detail
• Effective communication skills (written and verbal) and be able to successfully engage with colleagues and project partners
• Excellent IT skills (Excel, Word)
• Knowledge of Heritage Lottery Fund and/or LIFE funding is desirable but not essential
• General knowledge and understanding of nature conservation & land management is desirable but not essential
Professional competency
Work delivery
• Manage and deliver your workload to meet agreed targets and deadlines
• Identify, understand and follow the instructions, policies, procedures and standards relevant to your work and handle data responsibly
• Show strong financial awareness by understanding the project’s financial position, highlighting risks and opportunities
• Review budget performance and maintain accurate forecasts so that your financial submissions and commentaries are complete
• Use systems and reports to ensure they give a true and fair reflection of your financial position and undertake remedial action when required
Professional competency
Personal effectiveness
• Use clear and appropriate language, communication styles and techniques that engage your audience
• Communicate complex or difficult messages clearly and effectively
• Offer strategic solutions to financial implications and share best practice to influence informed decision making
• Understand and use digital (web; social media) channels
• Assess the impact and effectiveness of communication; review achievement of objectives; identify lessons learnt and share feedback
Professional competency
Putting People at the Heart
• Develop an understanding of the objectives and needs of our partners and customers
• Collaborate, influence and build trusting relationships to achieve pragmatic outcomes
Professional competency
Creating Resilient Landscapes
• Demonstrate an understanding of Nature Conservation Delivery
• Understand and have experience of project delivery across multiple sites for focused outcomes
A driving licence is desirable for the role but not essential.
National travel will be required, which may involve some overnight stays. Where feasible, Natural England encourages staff to travel using public transport.
Natural England

This Vacancy is closed to applications.