30th October 2015

Dear applicant,

Job title: Children in Permaculture Project Coordinator

Thank you for your interest in this post. Please find enclosed some background information to help you decide whether to apply for the position, along with a job application form on which to apply.

Applicants will be assessed on their ability to meet the criteria listed in the Person Specification. Please do not send a CV. Use the application form to show how you meet the criteria.

Enclosures:

  • Background information on the project and the Association
  • Job description
  • Person specification
  • Application form
  • Equal opportunities monitoring form

If you want to apply, please note that the closing date for receipt of applications at our office in Leedsis Monday 30th November 2015, 12 midnight. All applications must be received by email saved as either a .doc or .pdf file.

Interviews will be held via Skype on Thursday 10th December 2015. Please note if you are invited for interview you will need to have an internet connection that supports video and an active skype account on this date.

Candidates short-listed for interview will be informed by phone on 3rd December 2015 so please ensure that you provide us with a phone number on which we can reach you on this date. We will not contact unsuccessful candidates.

Please note this is a key post at the Permaculture Association and we would like the successful applicant to start as soon as possible.

If you wish to have an informal discussion about the post, please contact me on 0113 2307461.

Yours faithfully

Andy Goldring

Chief Executive

Background information for the post of Children in Permaculture Project Coordinator

About the project

The Permaculture Association is the lead partner for Children in Permaculture, a 3-year project funded through Erasmus+. Six partners from UK, Romania, Czech Republic, Slovenia, and Italy are working to develop a range of activities and outputs.

Children in Permaculture (CiP) is an innovative project of international cooperation bringing together key educators (from different schools, nurseries, practices and countries) in order to cross-fertilise, share and synthesise ideas, which will strengthen the capacities of all involved.

This international exchange will develop, test, adapt and implement practices in permaculture education with children. It will:

  • develop a permaculture curriculum suitable for children
  • create well designed materials for educators
  • collect and create an open education resource
  • foster a cohesive society through learning with people from other countries and cooperation between formal and informal education settings
  • share best practice and new perspectives on designing kindergartens and schools, and promote better outdoor learning experiences for children.

About the Association

The Permaculture Association is an education and research charity that supports individuals and groups to learn about and use permaculture. Permaculture is an ecological design approach to creating sustainable settlements, with its main activity being the development of non-polluting, wildlife friendly ‘edible landscapes’ rich in locally produced food. We offer a wide range of activities and services that support individuals and groups:

  • The national office, which is based in Leeds, provides expert advice, networking contacts, information and support, via phone and email. Over 5000 enquiries are handled each year.
  • The membership scheme works to inform, support and network between permaculture practitioners and groups in Britain. There are currently 1400 members.
  • Our quarterly newsletter gives updates on courses, projects, news and opportunities.
  • We organise local, national and international events for members and the general public.
  • We support the development of permaculture education and training.
  • The LAND network of demonstration sites has engaged over 40,000 in the last 5 years.
  • We operate a popular permaculture website, which has over 10000 visitors each month.
  • We run the Diploma in Applied Permaculture Design.
  • We work closely with a wide range of organisations and networks.

How we are structured

  • We are managed by a Board of Trustees, who are all members of the Association, that are elected at the AGM.
  • We currently employ 10 part-time staff at our office in Leeds. We are supported by regular volunteers from the Leeds area and a large number of supporters across the UK who help in a multitude of ways.
  • The Chief Executive takes on day-to-day responsibility for the running of the charity.
  • In addition, we have a number of working groups that focus on specific aspects of work.

About this post

The Children in Permaculture ProjectCoordinator will coordinate and manage the project with support from other staff at the Permaculture Association and line management from the CEO. The role involves planning and delivering events within the UK and supporting the development of the online resources directory and annual meetings in Europe. This will be an exciting, challenging and rewarding post.

Responsibilities are outlined in the Job Description.

We are a small team and we really want someone who is conscientious and well organised, able to be flexible, responsive and positive, and prepared to work hard.

Thank you for your interest.

Job description

Job title:Children in Permaculture Project Coordinator

Salary: £22,000 pro-rata

Hours: 4hrs per week* (11% fraction of 37 hour week) to be worked on a flexible basis.

*This is a European funded project with funds provided in euros and therefore subject to changes in the exchange rate between euros and sterling. Large variations in exchange rates beyond our control may affect the working hours of the post. Any changes will be discussed with the postholder.

Duration: This project will be completed by 1st September 2018. A continuation project may be possible if future funding is secured.

Holiday entitlement: 28 days including Bank Holidays pro rata.

Sickness provision: according to statutory requirements.

Job sharing: this post is not suitable for job sharing.

Place of work: This post is suitable for remote working. The postholder must be able to visit the Permaculture Association’s office in Leeds (Hollybush Conservation Centre, Broad Lane, Leeds, LS5 3BP), on a regular basis, more at the beginning during project establishment, and at least quarterly from then on. We are able to provide office space, so applicants can also be based at the Leeds office. Some travel costs can be negotiated.

Responsible to: The Chief Executive and Board of Trustees.

Working with: The Coordinator will be working closely with the Chief Executive, finance coordinator, communications coordinator and other members of the team. They will also work closely with each of the other Erasmus project partners:

  • Paradiso Retrovato
  • Asociata Romania in Tranzitie
  • Asocieta Educatiei Neoumaniste
  • Drustvo za permackulturo Slovenije
  • Zakladni clanek hnuti Brontosaurus Forest pobocny spolek
  • Gatehouse Primary School

Job Purpose:

  • To coordinate the overall Children in Permaculture project on behalf of the Permaculture Association and our Erasmus partners;
  • To coordinate the Permaculture Association's own efforts as part of the project; and
  • To deliver a range of outputs of the project, agreed on a case by case basis.

Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS)

  • Appointment will be subject to a DBS check showing no evidence of risk to children or young people.

Duties:

The following objectives have been agreed with the funder and the successful applicant will be responsible for supporting the Association team and our Erasmus project partners to deliver them. Duties may change as the post progresses, and any changes will be discussed with the post-holder.

  • To oversee the entire Children in Permaculture (CiP) project;
  • To liaise with Erasmus+ administrators, including the production of the three reports required by Erasmus+ to a high standard and within their deadline;
  • To work with and support the sociocratic governance model outline in the project;
  • To use the Mobility Tool+ online to update information as required by Erasmus+.
  • To ensure that all partners are doing the work outlined in the funding application, using the methods outlined therein, and that payments are made in line with the work being done (by the finance officer);
  • To attend General and Funding Circle meetings of the CiP partners, and others as required by teleconference (Skype);
  • To attend a maximum of 1 face-to-face meeting per year (in various EU countries, preferably travelling overland); and
  • To attend quarterly meetings of the Permaculture Association.

Intellectual outputs and multiplier events

It is likely that the coordinator will also be asked to deliver specific additional intellectual outputs and multiplier events that the Association is delivering as part of the project. These would be agreed on a case by case basis, after determining the skills needed to deliver them. Each additional output would be added as an 'addendum contract'. We estimate the total value of these contracts at approximately 20,000 euros over the whole project period.

Outputs include:

  • Research session plans, curricula etc already available for teaching permaculture to children aged 3-12 years. Write up the findings into a publishable research paper;
  • Attend Training as required;
  • Organise training in Gatehouse-of-Fleet, Scotland (6 days – Sep 2017).
  • Write a case study about using permaculture with children;
  • Write a curriculum with associated lesson plans, activities and handouts and other resources;
  • Develop this curriculum into a manual for teaching permaculture to children;
  • Develop a training course to be delivered as CPD for school and kindergarten teachers to learn how to teach permaculture to children (using the manual developed) (in 2018); and
  • Deliver this training course (in 2018).

Communications

  • Contribute news items for Association and other permaculture news channels.
  • Use social media to engage people in ongoing discussions; and
  • Keep relevant pages on the Association website up to date.

Other Responsibilities

  • Assist the Chief Executive to produce annual reviews, reports for funders and other materials as appropriate;
  • Identify opportunities for resourcing this role and continuation projects in the future;
  • Carry out keyholder, alarm and security responsibilities for the office and be responsible for the security of assets, stock, cash box, etc., particularly at events;
  • Attend office meetings, quarterly planning meetings and other meetings as required;
  • Prepare for and attend management and supervision sessions with the Chief Executive;
  • Assist with general duties and represent the Association at events as and when appropriate;
  • Undertake other duties as agreed with the Chief Executive.

General duties:

  • All staff are expected to work within and to promote the aims and objectives of the Association, and present a positive image of the Association to members and the public.
  • All staff are expected to work within the Equal Opportunities framework, and to promote good practice through their work.
  • Team working and a flexible approach are essential.
  • The job will involve some travel and unsocial hours. Overnight stays will be required for events.
  • Training may be provided to enable the post-holder to better deliver the key tasks and to aid personal development.
  • All staff are expected to take responsibility for their own safety, and to ensure that colleagues and visitors are not exposed to danger.
  • All staff are expected to abide by the Association’s policies and ethos at all times

Person Specification

Essential / Desirable
Qualifications /
  • Permaculture Design Course
  • Basic level teaching or Forest Schools Qualification
/
  • Diploma in Applied Permaculture Design

Experience of /
  • Working in schools and with children, on permaculture- related projects
  • Writing curricula and lesson plans
  • Facilitating meetings and group processes with varied participants and stakeholders
  • Using websites / social media and e-bulletins to generate interest
/
  • The complexity of Erasmus+ / EU funding language and systems
  • Working in an international team
  • Managing large funded projects
  • Conducting desk-based research and writing research reports
  • Teaching permaculture
  • Using the sociocratic governance approach

Knowledge and skills /
  • Clear written and spoken English
  • Confident with budgets
  • Confident using IT including teleconference, shared documents and spreadsheets, email, internet
/
  • Knowledgeable about international permaculture networks
  • Fundraising and proposal writing

4. Personal
attributes /
  • Willingness to ask for help
  • Honest and reliable
  • Self-motivated, able to take initiative and meet deadlines
  • Highly organised, with good time management skills and the ability to prioritise well
  • Responds promptly to email and telephone inquiries.
  • Professional, friendly manner
/
  • An interest in environmental and development issues

Please note that the job will be subject to an initial trial period based on a review at 3 and 6 months.

ethics ● principles ● design ● action

BCM Permaculture Association, London WC1N 3XX

T/F: 0845 458 1805 E:

Company no. 05908919 Charity no. 1116699