Post: TCV Natural Networks trainee: Natural Networks Trainee

Bursary: £11,900

Location: CSGNT offices in Shotts, Scotland

Duration: 12 MONTHS

Start date: 25th January 2016

Closing date for Applications: 30th October 2015

Thank you for your interest in the TCV Natural Networks Training Programme. Natural Networks is a new project funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. It will develop skills to facilitate the 'green network' of sites considered essential for the effective conservation of biodiversity, creating a UK wide web of expertise in managing and engaging people in ecological networks. The project will develop the skills of 32 trainees and hundreds of communities across the UK to understand, value, protect and increase the biodiversity of their local green places.

Project Background

Using GIS a spatial analysis methodology has been developed to allow resources to be targeted to communities most disadvantaged in terms of access to high quality greenspace. Engagement with some of the identified communities has commenced and work is shaping the requirements and inputs of the communities to projects that will deliver on a number of outcomes aimed at improving the wider community facilities and greenspaces. Natural networks such as the integrated habitat network along with other greenspace development strategies will also influence the proposed solutions and CSGNT will look for funding to realise the ambitions of the community. This post will be heavily involved in engaging with communities at all stages throughout the project. The post builds on previous phases and progress made by a Natural Networks trainee for the year 2015.

Other projects will also require the NNT to engage with local communities throughout the CSGN area where capacity remains delivering the above project

Learning Outcomes

The Trainee will be supported to identify and achieve a range of learning outcomes, including filling skills gaps and opportunity to gain an accredited qualification. During the placement, the trainee will achieve a range of Green Network and Community Development learning outcomes, as follows.

Green Network Learning Outcomes

·  Developing and improving ecological networks: Previous analysis work has used significant data analysis highlighting the opportunities. The data sets included existing green network provision, strategic biodiversity priorities, strategic access priorities, and strategic development opportunities and areas of social need. This analysis was then overlaid with the integrated habitat network dataset. The familiarisation of the datasets by the trainee and the use of the datasets in the ongoing analysis of opportunities and development of local delivery plans will enable the trainee to develop a comprehensive understanding of ecological networks and how they inform policy and conversion into action plans

·  Surveying, managing and improving local greenspace: The trainee will become familiar with the area of consultation prior to engagement with local communities. That will be facilitated by desktop review and site visits, which will then be recoded and condition noted. Consultation with the community in reference to the green network plans and datasets used in the analysis will create the framework for management and improvement of local greenspaces that will increase the knowledge and experience of the trainee

·  Engaging and supporting local communities to understand and protect local green places: The trainee will be working closely with identified local communities to update them on the strategic work done to date while engaging and supporting the community in developing an understanding of their greenspace and how green networks may be enhanced and maintained in the longer term. The trainee will also empower communities to take an active role to protect their greenspace by establishing a working partnership with CSGNT who can assist and advise communities to develop and deliver greenspace improvements in their area

Community Learning and Development Learning Outcomes

·  Enabling others to identify needs, plan and take action to protect and improve local green places: The trainee will be supporting communities and facilitating workshop sessions with the aim of using study data to identify green network gaps and development opportunities in line with local policies and create green network delivery and action plans.

·  Enabling others to develop skills: The trainee will be tasked with producing a final report that will consider the community engagement and consultation process, and suggested feedback for future reference and use. The trainee will gain experience of using the datasets and converting them into local green network delivery plans. This will lead to the production of a guidance sheet for communities and others engaged in the setting of local green network delivery plans detailing how effective that methodology was, along with any recommendations on future use of the model. The trainee will work with a selection of the communities identified in the original opportunities mapping exercise supporting the community to develop increased skills and knowledge of the process and how these various items impact on both their communities and how to harness community engagement to achieve change

·  Working with individuals & communities to achieve change: The trainee will be required to work extensively with the communities and other stakeholders identified in the next phase of the opportunities mapping work. There will be an opportunity for the trainee to gain experience of working alongside partner organisations, consultants and local authorities to progress the strategic opportunities work and through a process of engagement and participatory appraisals and workshops, develop local green network delivery plans and inform local development plans.

The trainee will also:

·  Identify underrepresented groups / communities that do not traditionally engage with the environment in Shotts. Through the use of the GIS data analysis under represented communities will be targeted in this methodology. The trainee will then focus on engaging with these communities to inform and gain feedback on any proposals.

Person specification

Essential / Desirable
Qualifications:
Candidates will need to possess at least a basic knowledge of the environment, conservation and biodiversity. / ·  Educated to secondary level, including qualifications in English and maths
ALL
Experience:
·  A personal interest in natural history
· 
·  Working with individuals and groups from a wide range of backgrounds and abilities
·  / ·  Some experience of natural history identification
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·  Experience of working outdoors (e.g. on a nature conservation project)
Strong leadership skills
Public speaking experience
· 
· 
Skills:
Excellent communication skills
Good numeracy and literacy skills, with NVQ 1 level (or equivalent) to demonstrate these skills
Basic competency in use of IT / Experience of working with volunteers and community groups
Experience delivering environmental education
· 
·  A knowledge of health and safety issues relating to outdoor activities
· 
· 
Personal Qualities:
A motivated individual with a passion, commitment and enthusiasm for protecting and a commitment to conserving our natural environment
Applicants must have the dedication and drive to work on their own initiative with community groups, individuals and volunteers.
Self-confidence, reliability and the ability to work with minimal supervision. Applicants must be able to work on their own initiative or as part of a team / A willingness to learn and share what is learned
· 
· 
· 
·  Organisational skills and excellent time management
Other:
An aptitude for engaging people and an interest in natural heritage are the most important qualities in a potential applicant.
A Standard Disclosure Check will be required
Some evening and / or weekend activities will be required / ·  Clean driving licence and 1 year’s (minimum) driving experience