Dig In Project Assistant

Context

The Trust operates throughout the traditional county of Yorkshire (i.e. all of the Yorkshire and Humber region except North Lincolnshire) from the Humber to the Pennines and from the Dales and Moors to the urban conurbations of the south. It is the second oldest of the 47 Wildlife Trusts which work in partnership together covering the whole of the UK. Our purpose is to lead the way in achieving our vision of a Yorkshire rich in wildlife for everyone through pursuing our mission of creating Living Landscapes and securing Living Seas in Yorkshire. We will do this by being passionate leaders and natural partners whose objectives are to:

·  demonstrate how nature works

·  inspire people and communities to value and take action for wildlife

·  champion wildlife and our work

and to enable this by:

·  growing our resources through inspiring people to value our work

·  knowledge sharing, cooperation, flexibility and effectiveness and

·  ensuring excellent governance.

The Trust seeks to realise this vision through the objectives identified in the Development Plan and Business Plan. Activities that the Trust undertakes to achieve the plans are nature reserve management of 95 reserves covering more than 2,500 hectares scattered across the region, specialist projects in river and wetland management, community development and environmental education activities, publicity and promotion and campaigning and policy work.

The Trust employs 97 staff (equivalent of 73 F/T staff) and, crucially, enjoys the support of 34,000 members. The staff work through four teams: support services; development; and two conservation delivery teams – north & east and south & west. Each team has a director who reports to the Chief Executive who is responsible for the operations of the Trust and, in turn, reports to the Board of Trustees who govern the organisation.

The conservation delivery teams are then divided into regional teams which are led by a Regional Manager who reports to the Director of the delivery team.

The Trust engages more than 700 dedicated volunteers and voluntary trainees in its work. They make a huge contribution by giving time, skills, knowledge, enthusiasm and local ownership to our vision. All employees are expected to encourage, develop and support volunteer involvement wherever possible.

The Dig In Project is an exciting 3 year community green spaces project funded by The National Lottery through Big Lottery Fund. Currently coming towards the end of its second year, the project works with deprived communities in York to develop, reinvigorate and manage 7 community green spaces. The community green spaces will encourage people from deprived communities to engage with these spaces to grow their own food and connect with nature, resulting in healthier, happier and safer communities. The project is working with schools and youth groups, and delivering community activities and events to promote the project and its ideals to ensure high engagement levels by the target groups.

Dig In Project Assistant

Job Description

Outline

Responsible to: Project Officer

Responsible for: Volunteers

Based at: 1 St. Georges Place, York

Brief

The Project Assistant will assist the Project Officer with the delivery of all aspects of the project in order to reach the project outcomes and achieve maximum impact for the project beneficiaries. The Project Assistant will plan and deliver events and activities and assist with, and lead on, the production of promotional materials as well as monitoring and evaluating the project.

Managing 3 existing and establishing 1 new food growing sites

·  Assist with planning and delivering consultation workshops with the local community

·  Plan and deliver clubs, events and activities to engage the local community in establishing and managing the green spaces

·  Plan and deliver a training programme to support the local community to manage the green spaces

·  Assist with recruiting volunteers and work towards the sustainability of each growing site beyond Dig In

Plan, deliver and evaluate a series of activities and clubs

·  Assist with working with 4 established school / youth groups plus 2 new school/youth groups

·  Manage the delivery of sessions to the community growing sites

·  Plan and deliver events programmes for the community growing sites including farm visits for communities and schools/youth groups

Assist to Promote the Project

·  Promote the project through regular press releases and website updates

·  Promote the project through use of social media, online resources

·  Promote the project through other avenues as appropriate

Effectively evaluate, monitor and administer the project

·  Ensure the project milestones and outcomes are monitored regularly

·  Ensure all sessions /activities are evaluated effectively

·  Ensure policies and procedures are followed with regards to completion of risk assessments, obtaining consent and reporting accidents

Other

·  Promote the Trust and partner organisations whenever possible.

·  Abide by all Trust policies.

·  Undertake other duties as requested by your line manager and in line with the post.


Dig In Project Assistant

Person Specification

Criteria / Essential / Desirable
Knowledge and Understanding
Knowledge and understanding of partnership working
Knowledge and understanding of working with deprived communities
Knowledge and understanding of working with children, young people and adults from a wide demographic of communities
Experience of establishing and managing community green spaces
Knowledge and experience of growing food
Experience of project monitoring and evaluation / Y
Y
Y / Y
Y
Y
Skills and Qualifications
Experience of working with volunteers
Experience of consulting with and working with communities (especially deprived communities)
Experience of delivering and managing events and training programmes
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
A working with children and/or young people qualification / Y
Y
Y / Y
Y
Personal Qualities
Able to work independently and as part of a team
A flexible results orientated approach
A friendly, positive and approachable personality / Y
Y
Y

Dig In Project Assistant

Job Specification

Details

Terms and Conditions

Salary: / £19,900 p.a pro rata
Hours: / 21 working hours per week, Monday to Friday. The nature of the post’s duties may from time-to-time require evening and weekend work. Paid overtime is not available, but time off in lieu will be given.
Contract: / This is a fixed term contract which will end on 31 October 2014.
Holidays: / 25 working days per annum pro rata in addition to normal public holidays.
Pensions: / On satisfactory completion of the 6 month probationary period the employee will be eligible to enter the Trust’s group stakeholder pension scheme and the Trust will contribute up to 7% of salary to this scheme.
Employee Assistance Programme: / The Trust provides paid staff with access to an Employee Assistance Programme. This is a confidential service which aims to provide staff with support for a range of issues. Further details are available from the HR and Training Manager.
Childcare Vouchers / The Trust operates a Childcare Voucher Scheme. Details of which are available on request.
Notice Period: / 4 weeks
Place of Work: / The post will be based at the Trust’s headquarters at York
Travel: / Public transport is encouraged although pool vehicles are available. In exceptional circumstances the use of the officer’s own vehicle may be necessary for business use for which a mileage rate of 27.5p per mile will be paid.
Training: / The Trust is fully committed to personal development and training.
Closing date: / 9 am on Monday 11 November 2013
Interview dates: / Some time during the week beginning 18 November 2013