Project Manager - Nature-Based Solutions

Alongside one-to-one farm advice, FWAG East works with farmers, water companies, government agencies and other partners to deliver catchment and landscape-scale environmental projects, including farmer clusters, water-quality initiatives, habitat creation and nature recovery projects. Our approach is collaborative and farmer-focused, developing solutions that deliver measurable environmental benefits while recognising the commercial realities of farming.

Key Responsibilities

As a Project Manager – Nature-based Solutions, you will lead projects from initial feasibility and design through funding, procurement and delivery, to monitoring and evaluation.

You will:

• Develop an existing pipeline of NbS projects into fully designed, costed, funded and delivery-ready schemes.
• Identify and develop new project opportunities across the 11 A-WINEP priority catchments.
• Work directly with farmers and landowners to identify practical NbS interventions appropriate to their land and businesses.
• Undertake feasibility assessments and site walkovers, drawing on mapping, modelling, satellite data and technical reports.
• Provide practical advice on Nature-based Solutions, Natural Flood Management and water stewardship.
• Prepare project designs, implementation plans, budgets and funding applications.
• Identify and secure match funding and complementary funding opportunities.
• Manage the procurement and coordination of contractors delivering capital works.
• Oversee project implementation, ensuring projects are delivered effectively, safely and within budget.
• Coordinate monitoring and evaluation to assess project and site performance following implementation.
• Maintain strong working relationships with Anglian Water and other project partners and provide clear, timely progress reporting.
• Participate in Anglian Water's NbS technical working group, sharing successes, barriers, opportunities and lessons from delivery.
• Build relationships with existing catchment partnerships and other initiatives with complementary objectives.
• Support and develop colleagues by sharing technical knowledge and practical experience.
• Use GIS and modelling tools including Land App, QGIS and, where appropriate, SCALGO.
• The roles may include line-management responsibilities.

Person Specification

We are looking for practical, collaborative people who can combine technical understanding with excellent project and relationship management. You will be comfortable working in the field with farmers and landowners, around a table with project partners, and with funders to develop robust business cases and secure investment.

Role Requirements:

Essential:

• Degree in environmental science, ecology, hydrology, agriculture or a related field.
• Proven experience of delivery of NbS capital works from design to implementation.
• Strong understanding of Nature-based Solutions and their interaction with farming and land management.
• A good understanding of agriculture and the commercial and environmental challenges facing farm businesses.
• Proficiency in relevant software and tools for data analysis and reporting (e.g. Landapp, QGIS, etc).
• Experience or understanding of permissions and consents associated with Natural Flood Management and related works.
• Experience and demonstration of line management and personable skills.
• Effective communication skills, with the ability to convey technical information to diverse audiences.
• A genuine interest in sustainable agriculture, water management and environmental recovery.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel regularly to farms and project sites.

Beneficial:

• Masters degree in hydrology or a related field.
• An understanding of Natural Capital markets including BNG and Nutrient Neutrality.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex data and identify practical solutions.
• Background in and familiarity with using monitoring equipment to aid feasibility and ongoing monitoring.
• Experience of organising and hosting farm walks and knowledge sharing events.
• Experience of SCALGO or similar hydrological modelling software

Salary & Benefits

• £40,000 per annum. This salary is fixed within the project funding.
• Competitive annual leave and organisational benefits.

Hybrid Working Policy & Travel

Norfolk FWAG and FWAG East both operate a hybrid working policy.

• Norfolk FWAG offices are situated on the Royal Norfolk Showground, NR5 0TT
• The FWAG East office is situated on the Cokenach Estate, Barkway, Herts SG8 8DL
• The role requires regular travel to farms, project sites and meetings across Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.
• Both organisations also hold occasional events outside normal working hours, particularly evening farmer meetings and events. Attendance may occasionally be required depending upon the nature of the event.

How to Apply

Please send your CV and covering letter outlining your suitability for the role to Jordan at jordan@norfolkfwag.co.uk by Friday 9th October.

In your covering letter, we would particularly like to hear about your experience of:

• developing and delivering Nature-based Solutions or comparable environmental projects;
• working successfully with farmers and landowners; and
• taking projects from concept and feasibility through to funding and practical delivery.

We look forward to hearing how your skills and experience could help us deliver practical solutions for water, farming and nature across the East of England.

NO AGENCIES