JOB DESCRIPTION

POST: Food Growing Schools: London– Engagement Officer (3 month contract with possibility for extension)

LOCATION:Old Street, London and Home based

REPORTS TO:Food Growing Schools project manager

SALARY: £25,000 pro rata

HOURS:Part time TBC, 2.0-2.5days per week

Overall purpose: Food Growing Schools London is an exciting project which proposes to engage with all schools in the Greater London area in food growing. We will be working with local networks, educational providers, schools, volunteers and other stakeholders to provide a Pan London network of support for schools. We are looking for individuals who have a proven track record of engaging and inspiring schools, volunteers and communities to embrace food growing or similar activity.

This post is funded by the Big Lottery Fund.

Specific Duties

  • To develop and nurture existing borough networks across London
  • Coordinate and develop activities to engage local networks, stakeholders, businesses, schools and communities in the project
  • Developing relationships with stakeholders including businesses and community members in a specific location who are willing to support the project and their local school
  • Demonstrate the benefits of food growing to schools and the importance of making links with their local community
  • Communicating with and recruiting schools to project
  • Mapping of and networking with food growing providers
  • Provide signposting to supporting providers/services to support schools to the next level of achievement in food growing
  • Provide practical sessions and engagement activities for schools and the local community
  • Training volunteers to:
  • work with schools
  • improve food growing skills
  • Engaging volunteers through communication and events
  • Contribute to Garden Organic publications and communications for schools/communities
  • Contribute to internal communications within Garden Organic and the project team.
  • Complete all monitoring, evaluation and reporting relating to the project to
  • All staff have an individual responsibility to comply with the organisation’s policies and practices on all Health & Safety issues. Staff must report any incidence or ‘near miss’ to the responsible officer".

Person Specification

Experience / Essential / Desirable
Background in community and school engagement / 
Basic Horticultural experience / 
Experience of developing, planning and delivering events, presentations, courses or training / 
Experience of engaging, communicating and working with other agencies to achieve shared goals / 
Understanding of organic growing principles and practices / 
Training and working with volunteers / 
Monitoring and reporting on project work / 
Understanding of safeguarding / 
Skills
Computer literate / 
Excellent communication and presentation skills / 
Team worker / 
Ability to multi-task / 
Higher education qualification to degree or equivalent relevant experience / 
Horticultural qualification or experience should show understanding and experience of growing plants for food / 
Full driving licence / 
Use of social media / 
Personal qualities
Enthusiastic / 
Positive / 
Flexible / 
Knowledge of/support for Garden Organic / 
Self motivated / 
Accommodate the need to travel and stay overnight when required / 