Salary: £ 21,729 per annum pro rata (pensionable)
Closing date: Monday 21st May 2012
Location: Lower House Farm, Ledbury Road, Tupsley, Hereford, HR1 1UT
An exciting new joint project with Herefordshire Nature Trust and Herefordshire Mind that, through the establishment of a social enterprise, aims to conserve the county’s orchard heritage through marketing of orchard produce and products.
Post title: Orchard Origins Project Officer
Responsible to: Orchard Origins Project Manager
Status: Part-time (30 hours/week), fixed term contract till 31st March 2014 – subject to a satisfactory probationary period
Salary: £ 21,729 per annum pro rata (pensionable)
As this post involves significant contact with children, employment will be subject to a successful Enhanced Criminal Records Bureau check. A copy of the Trust’s Criminal Records Checking (Disclosure) Policy and its Recruitment of Ex-Offenders Policy is attached for information. A copy of the Criminal Records Bureau’s Code of Practice is also available, on request.
Main purpose of job: to deliver the Orchard Origins Project.
Orchard Origins is a new joint project between Herefordshire Nature Trust and Herefordshire Mind that, through the establishment of a social enterprise, aims to conserve the county's orchard heritage through marketing food produce and products. It will give opportunities for training, skills building, ecotherapy and employment for Herefordshire Mind clients and help break down the stigma of mental health. The project will also seek to build on existing initiatives in creating greater awareness of our orchard heritage and produce through community events, work with schools on creating greater understanding of orchards and healthy eating and active marketing of local food produce. Finally, Orchard Origins will be an important first step in establishing the social enterprise that will be the legacy of the project and continue its work into the future.
The project has a number of distinct elements:
• Orchard Management and Conservation
• Fruit Harvesting
• Food Production
• Training
• Community Involvement
• Marketing and Sales
• Social Enterprise Business Development
Main duties of the post
The role of the Project Officer will be to deliver specific aspects of the project:
• Develop Orchard Origins products in association with outlets and other producers. Organise the conversion, marketing and sales of those products at Food Festivals, Farmers Markets and other community events and direct to retailers, schools and restaurants.
• Devise and deliver fruit heritage events to schools
• Organise the design and copyright of logos for Orchard Origins and Reserve Preserves.
• Work with and supervise volunteers and clients engaged on the project.
• Deliver agreed outputs and outcomes in the Business Plan. Organise and collate feedback from training sessions, fruit heritage events, Food Festivals, Farmers Markets and other community events.
• Carry out research into products, assess levels of demand and pricing for Orchard Origin products
• Set up and deliver, in association with others, training in food hygiene, food processing and health and safety
• Work with the Support Officer to engage and enthuse Herefordshire Mind clients in participating in the project
• Work with the Project Manager in the establishment of a Business Plan for a follow on social enterprise.
• Ensure that the project maintains a high public profile and that the Local Food Programme, Herefordshire Nature Trust and Herefordshire Mind are acknowledged in all publicity
• Report to the Project Manager and take an active part in Team meetings
Other duties
The post holder will be required to:
• Undertake health and safety duties commensurate with the post and as detailed in the Trust's Health and Safety policy;
• Maintain personal and professional development and participate in appropriate training activities;
• Present a positive image of the Herefordshire Nature Trust, as well as maintaining constructive relationships with volunteers, visitors and other organisations;
• Undertake such other duties, training and/or hours of work as may be reasonably required, and which are consistent with the general level of responsibility of this job.
This project is funded by the Local Food Programme administered by RSWT on behalf of Big Lottery.
Contact details:
Details: send a £1.20p stamped A4 Envelope to Herefordshire Nature Trust, Lower House Farm, Ledbury Road, Tupsley, Hereford HR1 1UT or download application form and supporting documents from http://www.herefordshirewt.org/vacancies.htm Closing date: 21st May, interviews 7th June.