Project Officers (Agri-Environmental)

Inishowen Farm Innovations in partnership with Inishowen Development Partnership have been contracted by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine to operate one of the eight Co-operation Projects that are being established as part of Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan. Due to the unprecedented interest and large volume of farmers accepted into the ACRES scheme we are now expanding our team and are currently recruiting a number of Project Officers to work as part of the project team across all areas of Donegal. Project officers will play a key role in delivering this new results-based agri-environmental scheme where farmers will be rewarded and incentivised to provide positive environmental outcomes throughout the high nature value landscapes of Donegal (see map below). 

ACRES (Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme) is the new national agri-environment climate measure (AECM) that is available to over 46,000 farmers throughout Ireland currently. Using a habitats-based approach, delivered through a mix of results-based and prescriptive actions, ACRES aims to achieve improved biodiversity, climate, air and water quality outcomes. Through a hybrid payment model farmers will be rewarded and incentivised to maintain and enhance the environmental condition of their farms. There are two approaches under the scheme: 

• an ACRES General approach offering a range of measures for individual farmers (both targeted and general); and 

• an ACRES Co-operation approach, available to farmers in eight high-priority geographical areas, who opt to undertake measures, as well as bespoke farm, and landscape actions. 

Farmers participating in the Co-operation approach will have the assistance of a Local Co-operation Project (CP) Team, who will assist with the implementation of the scheme at the local level. Inishowen Farm Innovations in partnership with the Inishowen Development Partnership have been appointed to fulfil the roll of the local CP team for Donegal, referred to as the Donegal Co-operation Project.

The primary role of the Project Officer is to support farmers and farm advisors in Donegal throughout the delivery of the ACRES scheme. The role will involve actively engaging with farmers to ensure that they have a clear understanding of the opportunities available to them through the scheme and to encourage their active participation with a view to achieving better environmental outcomes that are most relevant and beneficial to the environmental targets of the local area. The job is an opportunity for somebody motivated to promote farming practices that maintain and enhance the environmental quality of Donegal’s farming landscape.  

Project officers will be assigned to different local areas within the Donegal CP area which entails an area stretching from southwest Donegal to Inishowen. The role will be largely field based with a hybrid working arrangement between home and the local project office depending on project needs. 

• Main point of contact between farmers and the project team. 

• Continual liaison with the farming community in the respective local area. 

• Undertake results-based habitat scoring of farmland habitats. 

• Screening farm actions proposed by farm advisors (includes non-productive investments and landscape actions). 

• Provide agri-environmental advice and support to participant farmers. 

• Liaise with and provide support to farm advisors. 

• Coordinate and deliver training events to farmers and farm advisors. 

• Creation of Farm Sustainability Plans for participant farmers on commonages. 

• Carrying out mapping of habitats for baseline data if required. 

• Undertake farm visits to monitor farm implementation and success of actions. 

• Organise and partake in community outreach events (e.g. school visits community groups etc) 

• Preparation of reports, training materials, and presentations as required. 

• Liaise with local and regional stakeholders and interested parties on the project.

• Work closely with the wider project team. 

• Any other duties as assigned by the Project Manager.

This role would be ideally suited to someone who wishes to develop a career in the growing agri-environmental sector. The ideal candidate should enjoy working outdoors, have excellent communication and organisational skills, and a keen interest in the environment and agriculture. 

• A degree in agriculture, ecology or related discipline is desirable however other non-degree qualifications may be considered for experienced candidates. 

• A full clean driver’s licence.

• Applicants should have a minimum of two years relevant work experience in the agriculture / ecology / agri-environmental sectors (those with <2 yrs experience may apply but will only be considered for more junior roles on the project which will be filled over the coming year).

• Knowledge of farmland and upland habitats (peatland & grassland) and their indicator species.

• Post-graduate qualification.

• DAFM FAS Approval.

• Knowledge and experience relevant to biodiversity and wildlife legislation in Ireland.

• Understanding of the implications of conservation objectives for Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and the role farmers play regarding these. 

• Knowledge and experience relevant to agriculture policy in Ireland. 

• Experience in the preparation and monitoring of farm plans.

• Knowledge and awareness of agri-environmental schemes such as REPS, GLAS, REAP, Inishowen Uplands EIP, Curlew EIP etc. 

• Experience of providing agri-environmental advice and support to farmers.

• Experience of using ESRI ArcGIS, QGIS, Survey 123 and database management software would be an advantage. 

• An ability to communicate in spoken Irish.

The successful candidate must demonstrate the following skills and characteristics 

• Excellent communication skills. 

• Self-motivated and have a proven ability to work under their own initiative. 

• Have a positive, enthusiastic, pragmatic, solution driven, and flexible approach to work. 

• A willingness to actively participate as part of a wider multidisciplinary team. 

• An ability to manage their own workload, ensuring that work is carried out safely, on schedule, and to a high standard. 

• Willingness to work in remote locations, sometimes lone working and in poor weather conditions.

•  Ability to consider health and safety issues when working in the field and take appropriate action as necessary. 

• Good computer skills, particularly in the use of Microsoft Office software. 

Project Officers will be employed on a full-time fixed term contract basis. The contract period is expected to run until 2027, and may be extended annually there-after, subject to continuing funding and needs of the project. Opportunities for continued professional development and training are envisaged. Start date will be dependent on qualifications and experience. 

Starting salary:  Dependent upon experience

Expenses: Travel and subsistence expenses will be paid on a monthly basis.

 Project Officers will be required to have their own transport. 

Other details: 

Employer pension contribution.

Annual leave: 20 days per annum.

Please find an application pack at www.acresdonegal.ie/careers

Email CV and application form and contact details of two referees by 12th April 2024 to: 

Personnel Manager 

ACRES – Donegal Co-operation Project

E-mail: info@acresdonegal.ie