Job Description.

Horticulture Tutor/Project manager

Reporting to: Grow Director & Prison Service Contact Point.

Location: Woolwich, London

Contract: To be discussed at interview. Possibility of PT moving to FT or job share exists. Also possibility of self-employed for initial 6 months moving to permanent employed.

Hours: 40 hours a week, may include some weekends.

Salary:£28,000

Leave: 25 days a year plus Bank Holidays.

Context.

Grow is part of the Christian charity Restore: Live, whose mission is to support the rehabilitation and resettlement of offenders. We believe that the Christian message holds vital keys to enable people, relationships, society & the environment to be restored to their God-given identity, purpose and potential. The activities and practises of the charity therefore have their foundation & source in our Christian, bible-based beliefs and values.

Grow is a food-growing social enterprise and is the charity’s first venture. Drawing on our founder’s 20 years of experience of working in prisons, Grow aims to help prisoners improve their employability and find work for when they are released. We will provide the opportunity to gain work-experience and qualifications in an environment that is more like a `real job’ than is usual in prisons, due to the fact that it has to generate its own income to survive. At the same time, we will support all aspects of the personal growth & development of our trainees, helping them prepare for the workplace and life in the outside world.

Purpose of role.

The post-holder will be responsible for launching the project ( in partnership with the director) and managing its day to day activities in 1 or 2 adult male prisons in Woolwich, London. This will involve food-growing , and training and supervising prisoners and volunteers. You will also be responsible for the future development of the project in Woolwich and will be a role-model and ambassador for Grow and your Christian faith.

Duties will include:

  • Managing the production of salad and herb crops for sale –
  • Designing and following growing plans as agreed.
  • Growing crops using organic methods, to the quality & quantity required.
  • Having crops harvested, packed & ready for collection at required times.
  • Ensuring the growing site is cared for in accordance with good horticultural practice – soil care, pest & disease control, irrigation & ventilation.
  • Liasing with other Grow staff to identify and supply local customers.
  • Some weekend hours may be needed.
  • Ensuring tools & equipment are used, maintained and stored appropriately & safely.
  • Training and supervising groups of 8 - 10 adult male prisoners in carrying out the above -
  • Passing on knowledge, teaching skills, motivating, leading & supervising a prisoner workforce.
  • Creating a workplace that is as much like the outside world as possible andpreparing prisoners for the outside workforce.
  • Matching tasks with ability, whilst encouraging development & dealing with attitude/behaviour issues.
  • Working within prison rules and procedures and ensuring that the prisoners you are supervising do the same.
  • Inducting prisoners to the project.
  • Teaching and assessing skills to NVQ Level 2 Practical Horticulture Skills & Production Horticulture or above.
  • Keeping records, following procedures as required.
  • Providing individual learning support where needed.
  • Providing internal verification for Grow at other sites.
  • Encouraging the holistic growth & rehabilitation of prisoners –
  • Being a role model .
  • Mentoring, coaching, supporting prisoners in any aspect of their personal growth & development that manifests itself in the workplace.
  • Carrying out all aspects of the role in accordance with Christian values and beliefs.
  • Demonstrating how the Christian faith is outworked in daily life.
  • Speaking to church and other audiences about the work of Grow, if required.
  • Being able to explain their Christian faith to others when appropriate.
  • Providing pastoral supportbased on Christian values & beliefs, when appropriate.
  • Performing their duties and representing Grow to allstakeholders in a way that is consistent with the Christian ethos and values of the project.
  • Taking part in the spiritual life of the Charity – individual and corporate prayer, worship, bible-study, prayerful decision-making.
  • Responsible for maintaining own spiritual life.
  • Day to day management of the project:
  • Assisting in recruiting local volunteers, training & supervising them.
  • Organising Open Days and special events to promote the project and benefit prisoners.
  • Communicating regularly, openly & honestly with Grow directors.
  • Operating within a budget as directed.
  • Keeping records as directed.
  • Contribute to report-writing as required.