North East Farm Business Support Service
delivered by
Northumberland National Park Authority (NNPA) on behalf of
the North East Combined Authority (NECA)
Job Description
Post: Farming and Rural Enterprise Officer – North East Farm Business Support Service
Directorate: Park Management
Responsible to: North East Farm Business Support Service Manager
Responsible for: No direct reports
Grade: Band 5 (£34,434 - £38,220 per annum)
Term: Full time and part time opportunities available. Fixed Term Contract through to 31st March 2029.
Workbase: Based from our offices in Rothbury or Hexham including travel throughout the North East region. Hybrid work from home options also available.
If you'd like to apply, please complete our application form here Application Form – Fill in form
Job Purpose
To support the North East farming community and work as part of the team to successfully deliver the Farm Business Support Service workstream of the North East Rural Growth Programme.
Provide business advice, support and signposting to farm businesses throughout Northumberland, County Durham and rural Gateshead.
Key Result Areas
Strategy Development and Implementation
- Work with the North East Farm Business Support Service team to support and advise farm businesses throughout the North East.
- Work closely with Business Northumberland, Business Durham and Business Gateshead to ensure business referrals are acted upon in a timely manner.
- Ensure delivery of project key performance indicators and maintain accurate records for project reporting.
- Keep up to date on farming and forestry policy and available grants to ensure advice provided is relevant and accurate.
- Provide detailed technical advice and deliver training to farmers, landowners and land managers.
Project Development and Implementation
- Work with the North East Farm Business Support team to identify and develop opportunities for farm businesses.
- Develop and manage a pipeline of farmers to take part in the programme.
- Promotion of the programme throughout Northumberland, County Durham and Gateshead.
- Support farmers with application forms and associated requirements i.e. consents and quotations.
- Support project and programme level evaluation, including reporting to funding bodies.
- Responsible for reaching agreed targets set within the programme.
- Ensure that work and service provision is carried out in a manner which safeguards the health and safety of the workforce and the general public observing and applying H & S Policy and Practices. Report to the designated H & S representative accidents and dangerous occurrences.
Partnership and Liaison
- Work with partner organisations and other rural business advisors, attending meetings and contributing expertise to help interpret farming and related rural issues to a wider audience.
- As part of a team, support a culture which fosters innovation, creativity, open communication and collaboration throughout the programme.
Other Duties
- Proactively support the promotion of equality and inclusion in all areas of work.
- Ensure that work and service provision is carried out in a manner which safeguards the health and safety of the workforce and the general public observing and applying Health & Safety Policy and Practices.
- Comply with General Protection Data Regulation (GDPR) and implement Memorandum of Understanding with key partners, as appropriate.
- Undertake any other duties consistent with the post as may be directed by the North East Farm Business Support Service Manager.
Person Specification
Essential Requirements
Knowledge
- In depth knowledge and experience of working with farm businesses and delivering business support.
- Educated to degree level in a land-based or agri-business discipline or equivalent level of experience.
- Strong understanding of farm businesses, including current opportunities and challenges within the sector.
- Knowledge of current agricultural, environmental and forestry policy and issues facing rural communities, particularly farm businesses.
- Knowledge of farming systems in the North East, experience in arable and mixed farming is desirable.
- Knowledge and experience of woodland creation and management is desirable.
Experience
- Experience of project based working and accurate record keeping.
- Experience and in-depth knowledge of farming and land management systems.
- Experience in preparing business plans, cash flows and grant applications.
- Understanding of current environmental policy and available grants.
- Experience of working effectively with farmers, landowners and other statutory agencies.
Skills
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage, discuss and negotiate effectively with a range of stakeholders.
- Strong influencing skills, with the ability to build productive working relationships and support successful project delivery.
- Confident in the use of information technology systems, including the use of Microsoft Office 365, MS Teams and GIS applications.
Personal Qualities
- Ability to travel across the North East to fulfil the requirements of the post.
- Strong written communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly and concisely.
- Self-motivated and proactive, with the ability to work both independently and as part of a team to manage a varied workload effectively.
- Organised with strong time management skills.
- Enthusiastic about supporting sustainable farm businesses.