Farm Cluster Facilitator in Wantage

As a member of the Land Management Advice Team, the role will also be involved in supporting and delivering work with farmers, the farming community and other land managers to encourage nature- and climate-friendly land management across Somerset. 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 support 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 Landscape Recovery within the next three years, thereby supporting the delivery of long‑term 30 × 30 targets through the creation and delivery of ELMS Landscape Recovery schemes in the target landscape.

Responsibility 1: Developing the Farm Cluster

• Expand the cluster over the next three years, linking blocks of land to encompass areas of both west and east Mendip.
• Develop the Farm Cluster to enable applications for a future ELMS Landscape Recovery project.
• Participate in work to secure future funding options for the Mendip Hills cluster facilitation to continue until the ELMS Landscape Recovery scheme is in place.
• Provide expertise on the restoration of Nature Recovery Networks, agri‑environment scheme outcomes, and nature‑based solutions.
• Build 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.
• Deliver the primary goals of the farm cluster: regenerating soils, ecological connectivity, sustainable land management to support nature and climate, thriving and vibrant local economy, and facilitating essential services.
• Promote success of farm clusters through events, press releases and social media.
• Work closely with other key members of staff to ensure integration of the project within the work of Somerset Wildlife Trust.

Responsibility 2: Facilitate ongoing group running, project guidance, and a programme of workshops

• Undertake 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, NE staff and other stakeholders.
• Continue 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.
• Plan and deliver 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.
• Support farm cluster members with the data and guidance needed to complete new agri‑environment scheme applications and access other funding streams available for the restoration of nature recovery networks and the delivery of nature‑based solutions.
• Undertake and facilitate targeted habitat and species surveying within the farm cluster areas, as required.
• Provide conservation management advice to landowners, including completion of habitat mapping work using GIS, in compliance with the Trust’s processes.
• Facilitate sharing of expertise within the farm clusters as well as identifying other sites and experts to demonstrate best practice.
• Facilitate collaborative planning and cooperative commissioning of capital work within the farm cluster membership.

Responsibility 3: Connecting the Mendip Hills farm cluster landscape to wider projects, Somerset Wildlife Trust reserves and land holdings

• Manage existing strong developed relationships, which we want 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.
• Administer or support additional projects in relation to the landscape of members of the Mendip Hills Farm Cluster and work with Somerset Wildlife Trust colleagues to collaborate on delivery in the Mendip Hills area as they arise - e.g. Soil Health Fund and Mendip Dormouse Project phase 3.
• Using the cluster as a foundation, develop and implement SWT land acquisition and delivery plan aspirations around our reserves with two well‑connected large blocks of nature‑rich land with networks that link to the north towards Bristol, east towards Radstock and Norton, and east towards Wiltshire.
• Provide 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 support targeted delivery of the Mendip Hills National Landscape Nature Recovery plan, creating/restoring 78 plus hectares of land outside of statutory protected sites.
• Contribute to the delivery elements of the land management advisory services, supporting the consultancy and specifically the farming and nature‑focused proposition for Somerset Wildlife Trust.
• Attend Somerset Wildlife Trust 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 RSWT/TWT
• Paid volunteer days
• Continuous Professional Development opportunities
• 33 days of holiday (25 + bank holidays) + Christmas shutdown
• Staff social calendar and events