Chalk, Cherries and Chairs

Central Chilterns Landscape Partnership Scheme

LANDSCAPE PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

JOB INFORMATION PACK

How to apply

Please complete our application form, together with the equal opportunities monitoring form, which can either be sent electronically to office@chilternsaonb.org or post to The Chilterns Conservation Board, The Lodge, 90 Station Road, Chinnor, Oxfordshire OX39 4HA

Applicants must be willing to undergo screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers

Application deadline: Noon, Monday 19th December 2016

Interviews: Thursday 5th January 2017

For an informal discussion call: Kath Daly 01844 355 524

Photo: Richard Gilin

Landscape Partnership Development Officer Chalk, Cherries and Chairs – Central Chilterns Landscape Partnership

Job title: Development Officer (Landscape and Ecology) Location: Chilterns Conservation Board Office, Chinnor,

Oxfordshire Grade: Grade 2 £23,000 - £27,000 Hours: 37.5 hours per week. Fixed term contract for period of 15

months, full time (part time options considered) Reports to: Landscape Partnership Development Manager Responsible for: Day-to-day supervision of trainee Supervision of consultants Volunteers and contractors

Job purpose: Develop proposals for landscape scale conservation, restoration

and enhancement in the Central Chilterns, to form part of a Stage 2 HLF landscape partnership bid. The post holder will support the Development Manager with preparation of the Stage 2 HLF landscape partnership bid, partnership development and securing match funding.

Key accountabilities: 1. Identify and prioritise candidate areas for practical restoration, enhancement and

creation of wildlife habitat and landscape features.

2. Review and update existing habitat and species data, and connectivity mapping to identify key gaps in ecological networks within a national and local context.

3. Commission external consultants to review and update survey data and mapping

of traditional orchard habitat, wood pasture, veteran trees, hedgerows and hedgerow trees in order to identify candidate areas for restoration and improved management.

4. Review and collate data on other habitats, species and landscape features.

5. Review current and planned restoration initiatives of landscape features and

wildlife habitats at local and regional scales.

6. Engage with landowners, land managers and their representative organisations,

and secure their support for the practical works and their input to Landscape Conservation Action Plan.

7. Identify areas where there is need and opportunity for habitat creation and

opportunity to create new community orchards, woods and other community green space.

8. Identify and select main areas for practical work as part of the LPS

9. Prepare conservation statements for main delivery sites for practical works, and

commission specialist advice and survey (ecology and archaeology) to support this work.

10. Design and cost projects within the ‘Wildlife and Landscape’ theme.

11. Identify match funding opportunities for the ‘Wildlife and Landscape’ theme

12. Prepare Management and Maintenance Plan

13. Secure all necessary permissions and 3rd Party Agreements

14. Work flexibly and responsively, taking on new responsibilities as appropriate to

ensure the CCB’s adaptation to a changing external world.

NB All employees will be expected to comply with CCBs terms and conditions, rules, policies, procedures, codes of conduct, values, quality standards, authorisation processes, risk management policies etc. and relevant external regulations. This job description does not constitute a ‘term and condition of employment’. It is provided only as a guide to assist the employee in the performance of their job. The job description is not intended to be an inflexible or finite list of tasks and may be varied from time to time after consultation / discussion with the post holder. www.chilternsaonb.org

Chalk, Cherries and Chairs - Central Chilterns Landscape Partnership Scheme Development Officer Person Specification

Experience and knowledge Essential

A good working knowledge of habitat management, environmental conservation and understanding of landscape scale approaches.

Experience of partnership working with a wide variety of organisations concerned with the natural environment

Understanding of the historic, cultural and social components of landscape heritage Desirable

Experience of ecological recording / monitoring

Knowledge of the Chilterns AONB.

Successful track record of developing HLF funding proposals

Skills and abilities

Essential

Ability to forge and sustain good working relations with a wide range of partner organisations, land owners and managers, local communities and individuals.

Strong GIS skills

Good and proven negotiating skills

Good communication skills

Ability in and experience of preparing detailed reports, project proposals and project plans

Good computer literacy

Desirable

Ecological survey skills

Education and Qualifications

Essential

A relevant environmental qualification

Personal Qualities

Essential

Flexible attitude to work

Excellent organisational skills, and an ability to be a self-starter

Ability to participate effectively in a small team

An ability to complete tasks on budget and on time.

Other

Essential

Current car driving licence

Ability to access all parts of the Chilterns and participate in a variety of relevant activities.

Summary of Terms and Conditions of Employment 1. The post is based in the Chilterns Conservation Board Office, 90 Station

Road, Chinnor, Oxfordshire, OX39 4HA. 2. The post is offered as a 15 month, fixed term contract 3. Working hours are 37.5 hours per week. In addition, attendance will be

required at occasional evening meetings and at week-ends. No overtime is payable but time off in lieu can be taken.

4. The post holder must be able to visit sites across all parts of the Chilterns. You will be entitled to reclaim travelling or subsistence expenses incurred in the course of your work in accordance with CCB ‘s policy.

5. The basic leave entitlement will be 26 days plus public / bank holidays.

6. The Board is a member of the Buckinghamshire County Council Local

Government Pension Scheme (www.buckscc.gov.uk/pension) This summary is for information only and does not constitute a contractual agreement. www.chilternsaonb.org

SUPPORTING INFORMATION

Chalk Cherries and Chairs Landscape Partnership Scheme

A £2.18m grant to ‘Chalk, Cherries and Chairs’ – the Central Chilterns Landscape

Partnership Scheme has been given initial approval by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF)

through its Landscape Partnership (LP) programme.

Scheme Aims:

1. To restore, enhance and record wildlife habitats, landscape features and cultural

heritage of the Central Chilterns.

2. To create new opportunities for people to investigate and celebrate the cultural and

natural heritage of the Chilterns, inspiring a wider range of people to become

stewards for their local heritage.

3. To strengthen the capacity of local communities to take action for their local

landscapes and natural heritage.

The Stage 1 bid was drawn up by the with the support of over 30 partner organisations, the

project advisory group and the Chilterns Conservation Board (CCB).

If successful the Scheme will run for 5 years, comprising over 20 interrelated projects across

3 themes, with projects being designed and delivered by multiple delivery partners.

Together these projects will address the scheme aims, bringing long-term and sustainable

benefits to the area. The Chilterns Conservation Board will be the lead applicant and

accountable body.

Theme A: WILDLIFE AND LANDSCAPE

Projects within this theme will contribute to ‘more, bigger, better and more joined up’ spaces

for wildlife. Landscape scale conservation activity will increase habitat quality and

connectivity, creating more resilient wildlife populations better able to adapt to a changing

landscape and climate.

We will work with farmers, woodland owners and other land managers, environmental

NGOs, local interest groups, communities and volunteers to improve habitat management;

link and buffer existing wildlife habitat and create wildlife rich corridors and stepping stones.

Habitats of particular interest include species-rich grassland, arable margins, woods,

hedgerows and wetland/ riparian habitats.

Under this theme we will also identify, record and conserve characteristic landscape

elements including ancient woodlands, wood pasture, traditional orchards, hedgerows,

boundary features and historic route-ways. We will focus in particular on landscape features

and heritage at risk, particularly those in urban fringe areas or threatened by housing and

infrastructure development and climate change.

Theme B: PEOPLE AND LANDSCAPE

Projects in this theme will inspire a wider range of people to understand, enjoy and care

about the distinctive landscapes, wildlife and cultural heritage of the area.

We will investigate and celebrate the relationship between people and landscape, looking at

how the area’s natural resources have supported communities and local industries (e.g.

cherry orchards, wood based industries, extractive industries, water based industries) and

how people have helped to shape the landscape.

Projects will promote a stronger sense of place, help people relate to today’s landscape and

break down barriers preventing people from engaging with the countryside.

Theme C: COMMUNITY AND LANDSCAPE

Projects in this theme will empower local communities to look after special places and

landscapes by engaging effectively with the planning system, catalysing local volunteering

and caring for local green space.

Projects will provide mentoring and support for local people to champion and lead

community action to care for, protect and raise awareness of local heritage.

Development of the Stage 2 Bid

HLF have approved a Development Grant which will allow the CCB to employ a

Development Manager and Development Officer to work up the detailed projects, and submit

the Stage 2 bid. A Project Advisory Group will be established to oversee the development of

the Stage 2 bid.

THE CHILTERNS AONB AND CONSERVATION BOARD

1. The Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty was designated in 1965 and covers 833sq.kms, stretching from Goring on Thames in Oxfordshire, across Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire to the outskirts of Hitchin in Hertfordshire. It is an area noted for its beech woods, chalk downs, chalk streams, and brick and flint architecture. The area receives 55 million leisure visits per year, making the Chilterns one of the most popular areas for walking in Europe.

2. The Chilterns Conservation Board was established by Parliamentary Order in 2004. It is one of only two Conservation Boards (the other being for the Cotswolds) set up under the Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act 2000 which enables the establishment of independent statutory bodies to manage AONBs.

3. The Board has two statutory purposes:

to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the AONB and

to increase the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the AONB.

In fulfilling these purposes, the board has a duty to seek to foster the economic and

social well-being of local communities within the AONB.

4. There are 27 members of the Board and a small staff team based in Chinnor in South Oxfordshire.

5. For more information see www.chilternsaonb.org