Community Horticultural Project Coordinator

Garden Organic; Ryton-on-Dunsmore; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a passionate Community Horticultural Project Coordinator to lead a vital initiative focused on heritage crops in the Midlands. This role involves managing a National Lottery Heritage Fund project, engaging with community groups, and delivering workshops. Ideal candidates will possess strong project management skills and a genuine interest in sustainable practices and organic horticulture. Join a forward-thinking organization dedicated to community engagement and environmental sustainability, where your contributions will make a significant impact.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in managing community projects within a charity framework.
• Experience with the National Lottery Heritage Fund or similar funding bodies.

Responsibilities

• Lead the National Lottery Heritage Fund project focused on heritage crops.
• Develop and manage relationships with partner organizations.
• Ensure effective communication and reporting on project progress.

Skills

Project Management

Community Engagement

Horticultural Knowledge

Communication Skills

Event Planning

Education

Degree in Horticulture or related field

Job description

This role is to manage the National Lottery Heritage Fund project ’Sowing your seeds – heritage crops for a resilient future’. We are therefore looking for a skilled and motivated individual with a proven track record in managing community projects within a charity framework. You will be equally skilled at public delivery as well as the administrative management of community projects. You will have relevant horticultural knowledge, be skilled at building networks within the community, and be able to design and deliver workshops and presentations, alongside the basic skills of project management.

About the role:

Your role will be to lead a new project to discover and share unknown but thriving heritage crops in the Midlands, along with the stories of the people behind them, and the cultivation and seed saving skills required to safeguard them.

Hours:Full Time (35 hours per week)

Duration:Fixed Term contract for up to 24 months.

Salary: £28,000 to £30,000 per annum

Role subject to DBS Check:No

What we are looking for:

We are looking for someone who is enthusiastic and passionate, with a genuine interest in community projects and sustainable practices, particularly in organic horticulture and seed saving. You will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, crucial for proactively engaging and collaborating with individuals, community groups and other organisations. You will be organised, flexible and efficient, with a solid track record in community projects, including planning, execution, and evaluation. Experience with the National Lottery Heritage Fund or similar funding bodies would be a plus.

Delivery of the project will include:

• Social media, publicity and engagement activities for a Midlands seed search.
• Collaborate with key contacts and community organisations to design and deliver events, such as workshops, interviews and other knowledge gathering and sharing activities.
• Develop, deliver and process the seed search & coordinate assessment trials.
• Development of materials, including seed saving resources & presentations.

You will be reporting to our Head of HSL and your core responsibilities and main duties are as follows:

1. Responsible for the operational management of the National Lottery Heritage Fund project.
2. Develop, nurture and manage relationships with new and existing partner organisations, including close working relationships with committed project partners who will be supporting the project.
3. Develop and deliver the seed search processes for the project.
4. Assist with the development of resources, including seed production guidelines.
5. Manage the effective delivery of activities in line with set targets, objectives and milestones outlined in the project plan.
6. Responsible for budgetary management of the grant funding
7. Develop an effective programme and project collaborations with external organisations, to ensure that our work can reach out to the widest possible audience.
8. Maximise PR associated with the project.
9. Ensure effective communication with line manager, wider HSL team and project partners regarding the progress of the project.
10. Produce operational reports and updates for the project as per the reporting timetable.
11. All other duties as required by the organisation and commensurate with the post.

How to Apply:

All applicants must complete aGarden Organic Application Formalong with a covering letter explaining why you think you would be a great fit for the role. We pay close attention to covering letters so please do send us one.

We will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis and we reserve the right to close the vacancy early depending on response levels.

As part of our commitment to diversity and inclusion applications will be anonymised before being submitted to our recruitment panel.

Find out more and apply via our website: https://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/who-we-are/work-with-us/community-horticultural-project-coordinator