Elenydd Partnership : Elan Valley

Job Description

1.Job details

Job title / Partnership Development Officer
Employer / Welsh Water Elan Trust
Hours per week / 22.5 which may be worked flexibly
Term / A fixed term contract of 12 months
Salary / Pro rata £20,000 - £28,000 according to experience & qualifications.
A probationary period of 3 months required and subject to satisfactory completion progression to a higher point should be anticipated.
Base / Elan Valley Trust Office, Elan Village
Accountable to / Sponsors through Michael Rolt, Secretary, Elan Valley Trust
Car User / Casual
Does this post involve working with
Children and/or vulnerable people? / No
Membership of professional body
Required / N/A
Key liaisons : / Pontarfynach Rhayader and Llanwrthwl Community Councils; Natural Resources Wales (formerly Countryside Council for Wales), Environment Agency for England and Wales and Forestry Commission Wales); Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water (Visitor Centre Elan Valley); Powys County Council (various departments), National Trust, Consultants, Community Association Rhayader and District (CARAD), Rhayader 2000 and Cambrian Mountains Initiative.

2.Role Summary

2.1The post will co-ordinate the community and Elenydd Partnership efforts to obtain specific grants for projects within the Partnership area with the aim eventually of a submission to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) Landscape Partnership Scheme.

2.2The Sponsors are Welsh Water Elan Trust (lead sponsor), Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water and Community Arts Rhayader and District (CARAD).

2.3The Elenydd Partnership is a group of organisations interested in working together to promote conservation, landscape, appropriate access, attractions and facilities in the three Mid Wales valleys of the Upper Elan, Claerwen and Upper Ystwyth.

3.Main duties and responsibilities

3.1To co-ordinate the community element and the work of the Sponsors and the Partnership.

3.2Develop and manage the Partnership.

3.3To make himself/herself aware of the options for Grant Aid available to accord with the aims of the Sponsors and the Partnership and make applications in respect of any such as may be required by the Sponsors or any of them.

3.4To secure the proper administration and accounting of all grants secured to the appropriate Sponsor.

3.5To develop in collaboration with the Sponsors and Partnership; key messages, volunteer framework, interpretation framework, audience development plan and educational programmes for projects.

3.6To raise awareness of the Partnership through talks, the development of web pages, publicity and the production of illustrative and visual material so as to establish a profile for the Partnership within the locality and further afield.

3.7To organise activities, events and new innovative ways of engaging with communities new and hard to reach audiences.

3.8To develop and produce display and outreach materials.

3.9To work closely with and report to the Secretary, Elan Valley Trust. It is envisaged there will be monthly meetings with representatives of the Sponsors.

3.10To report progress regularly to both the Sponsors and the Partnership and other stakeholders.

3.11To manage risks using formal and informal risk management procedures/techniques.

3.12The postholder will be required to support Sponsors in raising public awareness of the work being undertaken and the role of Sponsors in providing historic evidence to inform decision-making and education and interpretation schemes.

4.Problem Solving

4.1A commitment to the highest standards of customer care and appropriate prioritisation of work.

4.2The postholder will be required to keep up to date with new procedures and practices within his/her area of expertise.

5.Decision making

5.1In accordance with targets and objectives set.

5.2The post holder will be required to take day to day decisions reporting to the Secretary issues outside the holders own knowledge.

6.Communication

6.1The post holder will be expected to communicate effectively in managing contacts and the provision of support to staff of the Sponsors and external liaison.

6.2Excellent communication skills both oral and written are required. Direct communication with property owners, agents, community groups, partners, national agencies and members will be required.

7.Working conditions

7.1The post holder will be expected to provide a car for which he/she will receive a casual users allowance and will be required to familiarise him/herself with the valleys and their residents.

7.2There will also be a requirement that the person appointed will work outside normal office hours in order to meet the needs of the job.

7.3The position may involve personal contact with people with differing views to those of the Sponsors and the Partnership.

8.General

8.1Projects under consideration include relocation of a Dam Builders Hut to Elan Valley Visitor Centre; establishment of links with Birmingham (principal beneficiary of Elan Valley water); and an oral project relating to the history of Rhayader and the Elan Valley producing a Development Plan for improving access and recreation opportunities.

9.Health and Safety

9.1Employees must we aware of the responsibility placed on them under the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) to maintain a healthy and safe working environment for both staff and visitors.

10.Job description

10.1The above Job Description is not intended to be exhaustive, the duties and responsibilities may therefore vary over time according to the changing needs of the service.

Person Specification

Elenydd Partnership : Our past, our future Partnership Development Officer

Criteria / Essential / Desirable / Assessed By
Education/qualifications
A relevant degree or equivalent relevant qualification / Y / A
Knowledge
Experience of managing budgets
Experience of liaising with a broad range of stakeholders
Experience of working with consultants
Experience of working with, enthusing and engaging volunteers / Y
Y
Y
Y / A / I
A / I
A / I
A / I
Skills
Good communication and people skills
Good written communication skills
Proven ability to manage conflicting demands and resolve issues / Y
Y
Y / A / I
A / I
A / I
Impact and attributes
A full driving licence
Access to own car
Political awareness / Y
Y / Y / A / I
A / I

Evidence assessed by key : A = Application form/CV, I = Interview

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Qualifications

It is essential that the candidate has a good level of education and proven experience of community development. Candidates should demonstrate an understanding of rural issues.

Knowledge and skills required

The ideal candidate will be expected to demonstrate the following :-

  • Previous experience of, or a strong desire to work in, the community and/or environmental sector
  • Good computer skills and working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.
  • Excellent interpersonal, presentation and communication skills – both written and verbal.
  • Ability to work to deadlines, prioritise workload and manage time effectively.
  • Ability and willingness to work flexibly as part of a team (there may be a requirement to work outside of traditional office hours occasionally)
  • Have an interest in the outdoors and, preferably, some knowledge of the local area and Upland Farming.

Experience/understanding of

  • Website content development and maintenance
  • Community/partnership working
  • Sourcing, applying for and monitoring funding streams
  • How to communicate with different audiences