Sustainable Agriculture Officer

Title:Sustainable Agriculture Officer

Employer: Norfolk Rivers Trust

Purpose: The aim of this role is to help business to develop solutions to meet the target of sourcing fresh food from areas with sustainable water management. The Courtauld 2030 initiative will work collaboratively with other initiatives that are on-going in Norfolk and Cam & Ely Ouse catchments and act as a catalyst for system changes to support growers and producers move to more regenerative farming practices. The role will be a key resource to share knowledge and engage with the whole supply chain from the growers and producers all the way to the retailers and customers.

Reports to: Farming and Land Management Team Leader. Responsible for: Assistant project officers where applicable.

Location: Office at Bayfield near Holt with travel across North Norfolk

Job term: Full-time, 37.5 per week

Annual Leave Entitlement: 25 days plus 8 days bank holidays pro rata

Salary details: £25,787 to £32,742 (9% Employer Pension Contribution)

The East of England is one of the largest producers of root vegetables, fresh produce and pork yet receives the lowest annual rainfall in the UK. The impact of increasingly unpredictable weather patterns, with wetter winters and dryer summers, are causing significant challenges for sustainable food production. Heavy rainfall over short periods of time during winter often leads to high soil loss, water pollution and reduced aquifer recharge. Reduced storage of water in the aquifers together with dryer warmer summers can lead to greater water scarcity which again is a significant challenge for sustainable food production. Norfolk Rivers Trust’s Water Sensitive Farming work will engage with retailers already signed up through Courtauld and other partnerships, including The Coca-Cola Foundation and WWF which includes Tesco, The John Lewis Partnership, Aviva, Botanica by AirWick and Finish allowing for match funding to support project implementation.

Job Description

Principal Responsibilities

• Engage and collaborate with key supply chains to improve water use efficiency and sustainable production.
• Identify and develop bespoke solutions to tackle water risks to agri-food businesses.
• Provide targeted farm advice across key sectors to deliver practical on-farm measures that protect soils, improve water retention and infiltration.
• Communicate wider biodiversity and improve the resilience to the water environment by implementing Nature-based solutions.
• Lead the water stewardship board with external stakeholders to develop policy, showcase private sector engagement and improve wider water security.
• Development of tools to improve understanding of water risks and solutions – amongst growers, producer orgs and retailers.
• Leverage in additional funding from WRAP signatories and other businesses or funds.

Education

Minimum HND/FdSc/BSc or other relevant experience.

Experience and Knowledge

• Experience of working with agri-businesses and or food/drink supply chains.
• Understanding of hydrology and risks to water resources in the East of England.
• Knowledge of agri-business, production methods and industry drivers.
• Experience of industry accreditation and/or stewardship schemes is desirable.
• Experience of using GIS is desirable.

Personal Skills and Qualities

• Clear commitment to vision and values of Norfolk Rivers Trust
• Excellent communication skills
• Good organisational and reporting skills
• Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary organisation.
• IT skills/maintaining a filing system.
• Exceptional listening and communication skills, with a proven ability to influence multiple stakeholders.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with partners and stakeholders.
• Project Management skills and development
• Awareness of the need for confidentiality and sensitivity
• Full UK driving licence with own car covered by business insurance is essential.

Applications

To apply, please send your completed job application form, completed equal opportunities monitoring information form and a covering email to jobs@norfolkriverstrust.org by 0900hrs on Monday 18th March 2024.

PLEASE NOTE: CVs WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AS AN APPLICATION

If you have any questions regarding this role, please contact: Sam Hurst 07944443652

Website: www.norfolkriverstrust.org