Farmer Funding Manager

South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils; Abingdon; On-site; GBP 53,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils, hosting the Oxfordshire Local Nature Partnership, are seeking a role to support nature recovery across Oxfordshire.

You will work with farmers to access public funding, develop CSHT pre-app advice, and collaborate with partners including Natural England to deliver LNRS-aligned projects. The role emphasizes partnership working and delivering against targets, with a strong ecological focus.

Qualifications

• Experience providing on-farm advice to farmers.
• Good knowledge of ecological principles and management requirements for priority habitats and species.
• Ability to manage and deliver work to meet targets and deadlines with strong administration skills.
• Able to work with external organisations and partners to achieve goals.

Responsibilities

• Work with OLNP partners and Natural England to secure LNRS-aligned CSHT agreements.
• Develop relationships with county partners to identify CSHT project opportunities.
• Co-design criteria for prioritisation in line with LNRS and nature recovery ambitions.
• Collaborate with Natural England to ensure integrated county-wide delivery.

Skills

On-farm advice

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Ecological principles

Job description

Salary: £52,892 - £58,923
Hours Per Week: 37
Vacancy Type: Fixed Term Contract (FTC)
Location: Abbey House, Abingdon

About The Role

Why join us

Oxfordshire Local Nature Partnership (OLNP) is a leader in local nature recovery. We are known for our impact, equity and innovation and are seen as an exemplar nationally. Come join our team working towards 30% of Oxfordshire being managed for nature, bringing in £1billion to do so, and ensuring everyone is connected to nature.

South and Vale District Councils, which host the OLNP, prioritise wellbeing, with flexible working hours, excellent remuneration, leave and pension contributions.

About the role

Are you looking for a role where you can make a tangible contribution to nature recovery in Oxfordshire? Do you want to work with farmers on a daily basis, helping them access much-needed public funding? Do you love working in partnership, with a diverse range of organisations from public to private to third sector?

Essential criteria for the role

• Experience providing on-farm advice to farmers
• Good knowledge of agricultural practices and agri-environment schemes, such as SFI and capital scheme/grants, and how they contribute to nature recovery and wider environmental benefits
• Ability to manage and deliver your work to meet agreed targets and deadlines using excellent project management and administration skills
• Able to work with and through others to achieve goals, including leveraging support from external organisations, and working closely with delivery and advisory partners
• Good knowledge of ecological principles and management requirements for priority habitats and species

Key responsibilities for the role

• Work closely with OLNP partners and Natural England systems, people and processes to secure as many LNRS-aligned CSHT agreements as possible through delivery of CSHT pre-app advice to land managers to agreed targets.
• Develop strong relationships with partners in the county to help identify opportunities for CSHT projects
• Co-design criteria for prioritisation, in alignment with LNRS and nature recovery ambitions
• Collaborate effectively with Natural England staff in the Thames Solent Team to ensure integrated working across the County.

A full list of the duties this role provides, as well as the benefits we offer, can be found within the job description.

Please note that we do not hold a sponsor licence and are unable to support visa applications. To be considered for this role, you must already have the legal right to work in the UK. If you are unsure about your eligibility, please refer to the UK Government’s guidance before applying.

Thank you for taking the time to read our advert, we look forward to receiving your application.