Head of Engagement, Education and Partnerships

PURPOSE - To lead the Engagement, Education and Partnerships team, creating and delivering engagement, education and partnership working to deliver catchment‑wide environmental improvements. LOCATION - Clitheroe HOURS - Full-time | 37.5 Hours per week SALARY - £40,000 - £50,000 depending on experience CONTRACT - Permanent

Since 2010 the Trust has led the Catchment Based Approach (CaBA) Partnership - Ribble Life. The is Partnership has instigated numerous projects and partnerships delivering real positive change for the environment and people. Over the next 5 years the Trust expects to see an increase our partnership working, particularly working with community groups across the catchment. As such, the Trust is looking to recruit a competent, organised, and enthusiastic person with a passion for engaging people and communities, education relating to catchments and the environment, and Partnerships driving real change . The successful candidate will join a vibrant and talented team of 32, delivering a diverse portfolio of projects improving rivers in the Ribble Catchment. Specifically, the role will be leading the Engagement, Education and Partnerships team to achieve the aims of the Ribble Rivers Trust’s programmes and projects. As such this person should have experience in community engagement, partnership projects and environmental education.

The role requires a confident and clear communicator with experience in engaging and working with individuals, communities, and partners delivering people-based projects and activities to improve the environment. This role will also require someone with a proven track record in practical engagement and education delivery, as well as managing and work through partnership projects. The successful candidate will have knowledge of landscape-scale conservation, Natural Capital, and ecosystem services. It is desirable that the candidate has a good understanding of the Water Framework Directive and Catchment Management. Knowledge of the Catchment Based Approach would also be beneficial.

Programme Development •Shape and develop RRTs Engagement, Education and Partnership programme in line with RRT’s Strategy and Business plan •Lead, and support, in securing diverse grant funding to sustain the team going forward •Day to day management of the People and Learning team. •Responsibility for implementing the Information Management System for the People and Learning team Technical support and delivery •Provide technical support to the Engagement, Education and Partnership team, • and other teams where necessary. •Understand the catchment-based approach to water management and advocate for it internally and externally. •Management of specific Engagement, Education and Partnership team projects and programmes including: •Proposals, Approvals and Agreements •Budgets •Evaluation •Support the wider RRT team in the direct delivery/management of projects •Aiding in the active delivery of project activities •Recruiting, procuring and appointing consultants, contractors and new staff to support the Engagement, Education and Partnership Team •Undertaking site visits, meetings and other activities: •To document project progress •Audits •Report to funders and auditors as required • Organisational •Work closely with the others in the Senior Management team (SMT) to achieve the wider programme of work •Working with the SMT ensuring that evaluation data is captured from the outset of programmes, and undertake where necessary reporting for Engagement, Education and Partnership team programmes •Operational management of the Trust’s responsibilities for Safeguarding •Identifying Engagement, Education and Partnership team operational and programme risks, and implement suitable processes to manage risk •Support the identification of the “need for change” and enact agreed “change management” •Review, develop and implement policies and procedures as required Partnerships and Advocacy •Maintain and develop RRT’s partnerships and partnership programmes with statutory agencies and other stakeholders •Support team members in maintaining and developing their relationships with others •Lead the Trust’s Catchment Based Approach partnership activities •Represent RRT at senior level on various partnership platforms and research forums •Maintain good working relationships with our umbrella body the Rivers Trust and with sister river trusts in the county and the region. •Seek out and work with new partners to enhance development and delivery of RRT’s work programmes General Management/Administration •Produce regular progress reports and contribute to the development of board papers •Liaise with the CEO on the progress of programmes •Actively participate in and, where requested, lead team meetings and other Trust meetings/events as required

PERSON DESCRIPTION

ESSENTIAL •Valid driving licence and own car (insured for business use) •Degree or equivalent related experience in a relevant environmental field •Knowledge of UK woodland ecology and ecosystems •Understanding of woodlands / river interactions and their role in river restoration •Experience in woodland creation design •Experience working with contractors •Proven project delivery experience, including reporting •Basic Geographical Information System (GIS) skills and a willingness to learn more •Ability to manage multiple tasks concurrently •Strong presentation and communication skills •Good interpersonal skills (including face-to-face and over the phone) •Ability to work collaboratively •Reliability and work performance •Ability to set and achieve performance objectives •Excellent organisational / admin skills and attention to detail including: •Good IT skills and file management •Keeping accurate records •Respecting confidentiality and GDPR regulations DESIRABLE •Knowledge of agri-environment schemes, especially woodland creation •Experience of developing and delivering volunteer events •Understanding of catchment processes •Knowledge of the project area •Based in or near the project area