Farm Cluster Facilitator in Cheddar

Salary: £30,000-£32,500 per annum (Band 3)

Contract: Fixed term – 2 Years, with scope for future extension

Working hours: Full time, 37.5 hours per week

Location: Callow Rock, Shipham Gorge, Cheddar BS27 (Opportunity for hybrid working)

About the Employer

Our client is a local independent charity. They are the only organisation uniquely focused on improving the natural environment of Somerset for the benefit of wildlife and people. They protect, and lead the recovery of Somerset’s stunning, diverse, and important natural environment, making the case for nature to the public and politicians.

About the Role

The Farm Cluster Facilitator provides facilitation of the successful Mendip Hills Farm Cluster and works with cluster members to enable nature recovery and continued sustainable farming. A key focus over the next two years is to expand the cluster and develop a plan with members to enable entry into a Landscape Recovery Project that would secure long‑term funding and nature recovery.

As a member of the Land Management Advice Team, the role will also support and deliver the organisation’s work with farmers, the farming community and other land managers to encourage nature and climate‑friendly land management across Somerset.

Key Responsibilities and Tasks

• This role is to further develop the existing farm cluster to create a long‑term sustainable nature recovery network across Mendip and into surrounding landscapes.
• The Farm Cluster Facilitator will maintain and expand the good reputation within Mendip farming communities, the national landscape, and adjoining farm clusters and local authorities.
• It will develop this network to be one that supports long‑term investment that enables farmers and land managers to deliver nature recovery and sustainable farming at scale with healthy resources and financial security.
• The aim is to expand on the existing farm cluster network and, using a phased approach, move land managers into the space to enter ELMS (Defra Environmental Land Management Schemes) Landscape Recovery within the next three years, thereby supporting delivery of long‑term 30 x 30 targets to be met by the creation and delivery of ELMS Landscape Recovery schemes in the target landscape.

Responsibility 1

• Developing the Farm Cluster over the next three to five years and preparation for ELMS Landscape Recovery delivery by expanding the cluster over the next three years, linking blocks of land to encompass areas of both west and east Mendip.
• Developing the Farm Cluster over the next three to enable applications for a future ELMS Landscape Recovery project.
• Participating in work to secure future funding options for the Mendip Hills cluster facilitation to continue until ELMS Landscape Recovery scheme is in place.
• Providing expertise on the restoration of Nature Recovery Networks, agri‑environment scheme outcomes, and nature‑based solutions.
• Building capacity within the group to ensure agri‑environment scheme outcomes are delivered in the long term, including identification of new farmer advocates in target areas.
• Delivering the primary goals of the farm cluster to regenerate soils, ecological connectivity, sustainable land management to support nature and climate, thriving and vibrant local economy facilitating essential services.
• Promoting success of farm clusters through events, press releases and social media.
• Working closely with other key members of staff to ensure integration of the project within the work of the wider organisation.

Responsibility 2

• Undertaking the day‑to‑day running of the Mendip Hills Facilitation Group project: providing coordination of the farm cluster and regular updates to all members as well as acting as the main point of contact for group members, Natural England staff and other stakeholders.
• Continuing to develop and facilitate a programme of collaborative nature recovery and monitoring programmes, building on the existing Dormouse and grassland restoration projects and training programmes already developed.
• Planning and delivering a tailored training programme of workshops and onsite demonstrations that cover a variety of work areas including delivering agri‑environmental scheme outcomes for SSSIs, local wildlife sites and priority habitats, as well as priority species and landscape features.
• Supporting farm cluster members with the data and guidance needed to complete new agri‑environmental scheme applications and access other funding streams available for the restoration of nature recovery networks and the delivery of nature‑based solutions.
• Undertaking and facilitating targeted habitat and species surveying within the farm cluster areas, as required.
• Providing conservation management advice to land owners, including completion of habitat mapping work using GIS, in compliance with the Trust’s processes.
• Facilitating sharing of expertise within the farm clusters as well as identifying other sites and experts to demonstrate best practice.
• Facilitating collaborative planning and cooperative commissioning of capital work within the farm cluster membership.

Responsibility 3

• Managing existing strong developed relationships, which this organisation wants to continue and build on, for both nature recovery targets and for maintaining and expanding a good reputation within Mendip farming communities, the national landscape and adjoining farm clusters and local authorities.
• Administering or supporting additional projects in relation to the landscape of members of the Mendip Hills Farm Cluster and working with internal colleagues to collaborate on delivery in the Mendip Hills area as they arise.
• Using the cluster as a foundation, develop and implement land acquisition and delivery plan aspirations around the organisation's reserves with two well‑connected large blocks of nature‑rich land with networks that link to the north towards Bristol and east towards Radstock and Norton and east towards Wiltshire.
• Providing liaison within the land advice team to support protection and recovery of the Local Wildlife Site (LWS) network in Mendips.
• Through the farm cluster network supporting targeted delivery of the Mendip Hills National Landscape Nature Recovery plan creating/restoring 78 plus hectares of land outside of statutory protected sites.
• Contributing to the delivery elements of the land management advisory services, supporting the consultancy and specifically the farming and nature‑focused proposition for the organisation.
• Attending internal meetings and work groups as required to input work area information, get informed of strategy and goals, and support delivery of Trust‑wide objectives.

Benefits

• 7 % employer pension contribution
• Life assurance
• Flexible and agile working
• Well‑being support – EAP, wellbeing champions
• Diversity networks through a network of affiliated charities
• Paid volunteer days
• Continuous Professional Development opportunities
• 33 days of holiday (25 +)