Growing Projects Propagator - Job Description

A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK FOR A GROWING SOCIAL ENTERPRISE IN THE TAMAR VALLEY

Download the application form by clicking the image on the right >

Growing the Valley project - Growing Projects Propagator

3 Year fixed term contract (full time, 37 hour week)

Salary £25,500 per annum, increasing to £26,500

Tamar Grow Local is a Community Interest Company promoting sustainable local

food in the beautiful Tamar Valley, on the Devon/ Cornwall border. The Growing the

Valley Project will be developing a range of new linked community food and composting

projects. Working closely with local communities and project partners, the role will be to

facilitate and support these projects, and promote collaboration.

We are looking for a talented and motivated individual with excellent communication

skills, experience of project delivery and passionate about sustainable local food.

You should have a relevant degree and could have worked in community development

or have a horticultural/ agricultural background, with a willingness to learn.

Please telephone Andy Whiteford on 01752 586650 for an informal discussion or contact us here >

Closing date: Sunday 19th September 2010.

Growing Projects Propagator- Job Description

Tamar Grow Local is a Community Interest Company promoting local sustainable produce in the Tamar Valley and surrounding areas.

Our activities focus on three main areas:

• Community
• Commercial
• Education

Having established two community allotment sites in areas of high demand, with support from University of Plymouth Social Work students, Tamar Grow Local has been exploring a range of other projects, working with other partners, including the National Trust, BTCV, University of Plymouth, Tamar Valley AONB, Maristow Walled Garden CIC, Devon & Cornwall NHS Trusts, Gateway CIC, and Keveral Farm.

The Growing the Valley Project will create a family of new and existing community food growing and composting initiatives. It will build relationships between local communities with these allotments, growers and composting projects. It will also promote collaboration between these projects and develop new markets and outlets.

Interest has been established in the following projects:

• Keveral Farm- Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
• Looe Valley- CSA
• Saltash Market
• Cotehele Estate (National Trust) - various projects
• Metherell - Community Orchard
• Harrowbarrow and Metherell - several CSA and composting projects
• Drakwalls- Community Apiary
• Cox Park- allotments
• Calstock -allotments
• Gunnislake- community gardening
• Tavistock - CSA
• Bere Alston- Community Growing
• Gnatham Farm- CSA
• Maristow Walled Garden- CSA
• St. Budeaux- allotments
• Devonport Guildhall

These projects include proposals such as Allotments, Community Supported Agriculture, and Community Composting schemes. These areas are diverse, and include urban and rural communities, with areas of deprivation and specific issues.

We anticipate that there will be interest in other projects and have already been approached with other proposals.

In parallel, Tamar Grow Local are working with a range of other partners on a proposal for a Growers Land Trust and Producers Co-operative, which could also link with many of these projects in the longer term, and also create further employment opportunities.

To work with local communities, growers landowners, students and volunteers, to establish new sustainable food growing projects and develop existing projects in the Tamar Valley and surrounding areas.

In particular the post holder would facilitate these projects, by working with these parties to develop projects, where appropriate offering other models, giving practical advice on the issues, exploring different arrangements for their delivery, and ensuring that these are established in the most sustainable way for the long-term. An important part of this role will be to work closely with the local communities to ensure the proposals reflect their interests.

The role will also be to promote collaboration between these projects, such as trading between projects, bulk purchasing, sharing skills or sharing equipment and develop new markets and outlets, including at Saltash and Devonport.

3.0 Job role

• 3.1 To liaise with the Tamar Grow Local Board and Directors of Tamar Grow Local to deliver the aims of the Community Interest Company and represent Tamar Grow Local at a variety of forums, as required.
• 3.2 To work with other partners to develop these projects from an early stage in their development.
• 3.3 To work with the University of Plymouth to co-ordinate and supervise the input of Social Work students and other placements on these projects.
• 3.4 To work with other agencies to co-ordinate the involvement of volunteers.
• 3.5 To develop positive relationships with local communities, through engagement and networking, in relation to the establishment of these projects.
• 3.6 To provide advice on agriculture and horticulture and the practical issues of establishment, management and viability.
• 3.7 To provide advice on the different governance, membership and business models for community supported agriculture and allotments, and community composting schemes.
• 3.8 To research, in conjunction with the local authorities and health authorities, specific areas of need or disadvantage that could be addressed through these projects.
• 3.9 To explore and develop potential for revenue streams on projects to ensure they can be sustainable.
• 3.10 To maintain a good working relationship with a range of landowners and growers to negotiate and enable their support for community initiatives through the provision of land and resources.
• 3.11 To supervise University of Plymouth Social Work Students carrying out Community Development Projects and other placements and provide advice and support where required. In particular this will provide the ability to involve a wider section of the community in such projects, including those not normally involved in these schemes, for various reasons, including identifying particular areas of need or benefit.
• 3.12 To be able to update the website with details of projects (following training) as required and distribute updates of progress to relevant parties.
• 3.13 To monitor progress as agreed and report on project activity and progress from time to time, as agreed with the Board or required by funding.
• 3.14 To co-ordinate, prepare and issue newsletters and project updates for partners and the public as required.
• 3.15 To organise, support and attend events as required and agreed with the Board.
• 4.0 Essential person qualities.
• 4.1 Ability to travel around the Tamar Valley and surrounding areas, and willingness to work some unsocial hours such as evenings or weekends, when needed.
• 4.2 Ability to work independently in a self reliant, motivated and proactive manner and show initiative.
• 4.4 A strong interest and awareness of the issues relating to community and agriculture in a range of contexts.
• 4.5 Excellent communication skills, both written and spoken.
• 4.6 Ability to relate to a very wide and diverse range of people.
• 4.7 Good listening, negotiation and advocacy skills.
• 4.8 Willingness to undertake further skills development and training to support this role.
• 5.0 Desirable skills and knowledge.
• 5.1 Qualifications and/ or experience in agriculture or horticulture.
• 5.2 Proven experience in providing support and advice to communities.
• 5.3 Proven experience of delivering projects and awareness of the issues.
• 5.4 Awareness of relevant agencies, third sector/ community networks, legislation and policy frameworks relevant to this work.
• 5.5 Basic IT and database skills. Knowledge of websites is an advantage. Training will be provided where required.
• 6. Outline Terms and Conditions.

Salary Initially £25,500 per annum, increasing to £26,500 in third year.

Hours 37 hours per week (including a flexi-time working system). Attendance may be needed occasionally at meetings or events on evenings or weekends.

Leave 28 days per annum.

Travel expenses Public or sustainable transport should be used where possible. Travel will be reimbursed at rate of 40p/ mile by car, or 10p/ mile by cycle, according to rates agreed in advance of position with Tamar Grow Local. You will need to hold insurance cover for business use of a vehicle and should have access to a vehicle.

Management This post will report to the Tamar Grow Local Board. The successful applicant will be employed under TGL's general conditions and concerning disciplinary and grievance procedures, health & safety. The post will be a three year contract, which may be extended.

Start date As soon as practical following interview, from December 2010.

Location Tamar Valley Centre (Drakewalls) and University of Plymouth.

N.B. No pension scheme applies to this post.