Job at Bosavern Community Farm, St Just

Posted on: 8th August 2017

Job at Bosavern Community Farm, St Just

Farm Development Coordinator

We wish to appoint an additional member of our team who will guide the development of the next stage of the farm. The post is full time for an initial, two-year, fixed-term contract funded by The Esmée Fairbairn Foundation. There may be further support following the initial two years.

The Organisation

Bosavern Community Farm consists of 33.5 acres of land and farm buildings. Overlooking the sea towards the Isles of Scilly, it is located near St Just in Penwith near Land’s End. An award winning, not-for-profit social enterprise, it is constituted as an Industrial and Provident Society and registered with The Wholesome Food Association. Our vision is to develop a self-financing, community-led, food growing and educational initiative to benefit the communities of St Just and West Penwith. The Farm is worked by a community of employees, members and volunteers with the aim of being economically, environmentally and socially sustainable and providing:

Access for local people to land and its produce
Opportunities for local and wider communities to thrive by coming together to share and acquire rural skills, learn about the land, growing food, agriculture and healthy living
A hub where local food-based businesses and producers can showcase and sell their produce
The potential to develop partnerships and provide space and facilities for events, workshops, education, training, skills exchange, social time and celebration.

Bosavern Community Farm has developed significantly since the start of the project in 2010. We must now build upon our achievements and establish a programme for strategic development, which will secure The Farm as a long-term asset for the local and wider communities.

The Role of the Farm Development Coordinator

The Farm Development Coordinator (FDC) will establish an imaginative programme of development that builds on current achievements and provides a relevant framework to steer the farm through the next, critical stage of growth.

The following key outcomes and indicators have been identified by the Board of Management and The Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, as those to be generated by the Farm Development Coordinator and against which achievements and progress will be measured:

Outcome: The Farm increases its financial sustainability Indicator: Creation of a new Strategic Development Plan (which will include a Marketing Plan) to increase customer base
Outcome: The Farm becomes a vital centre enabling people to gain knowledge about and practical experience of growing food
Indicator: Expanded volunteering programme; increased training partnerships with colleges and universities; wider events programme; increased participation
Outcome: More local food is available for purchase
Indicator: further relevant development of the site and land will lead to increased food production; increased role as a local food hub

The Person

We are seeking a visionary, energetic, and self-motivated person who:

is committed to the ethos of Community Supported Agriculture and of Bosavern Community Farm specifically
has recent, successful managerial experience of working within a CSA (or similar) organization
is able to work independently whilst supporting a positive, inclusive working environment
recognizes the importance of the local community, volunteers and wwoofers and welcomes and supports their roles on the Farm
understands the opportunities and demands of collaborative working within a community-led project
has experience of developing projects and fundraising and of implementing project-specific financial control and systems
has excellent communication and interpersonal skills
has good IT and social media skills
has a clean driving licence
will be willing to undertake additional duties commensurate with the post as may reasonably be requested from time to time
will be an enthusiastic and committed ambassador for Bosavern Community Farm; able to represent the Farm and generate new partnerships

Strategically

The Farm Development Coordinator (FDC) will:

work with the Board and others to develop and implement an integrated Strategic Development Plan
successfully deliver the Outcomes and Indicators enabling the Farm to secure its sustainability, maximize its assets, increase its profile and enhance the potential for investments and/or grants
ensure that relevant systems underpin all development of the Farm, keeping records to monitor business activity and implementing operational and financial plans particularly in relation to the requirements of various grant funders
facilitate the development of positive relationships with new and current partners, principal supporters and stakeholders of Bosavern Community Farm
ensure all activities undertaken comply with Bosavern Community Farm’s requirements for quality management, health and safety, legal stipulations, environmental policies and general duty of care

Actions:

Volunteers: Work with the local community to develop a framework of opportunity to engage a greater number and diversity of volunteers in all activities at the Farm
Education: Build on existing partnerships and create new ones with schools, colleges and other learning establishments/organisations/individuals to develop relevant programmes and opportunities for using the Farm as a recognized and diverse place of learning.
Sales and Marketing: Work with Board retail representative and the Farm’s Retail Manager (if in place) to undertake an audit of current users of our retail outlets and agree a cohesive strategy to maximize opportunities for the Farm and its customers.
Funding: Identify sources of finance and make relationships with those organisations/individuals
Community: Working with the community, develop an imaginative, wide-ranging programme of events and workshops and secure funding necessary to support it
New Income Streams: Research income-generating opportunities employed by similar community farms and make recommendations to the Board

Position in Bosavern Community:

Reports to: The Board

Main relationships: works collaboratively with the Head Grower, and with other members of staff, volunteers and wwoofers at the farm

Terms and Conditions

This post is based at Bosavern Community Farm, St Just TR19 7RD and is for an initial fixed-term 2 year contract with the opportunity for extension.

Salary: £22,500 p.a.
The post is for 37 hours week
Some flexibility may be required in relation to hours worked according to the fluctuating needs of the Farm
The post requires a notice period of 1 month
Holidays: 28 days per year, including bank holidays
References will be taken up before the post is offered

To apply for this post, please send (preferably by email):

your CV including details of two referees and a covering letter setting out why your experience to date makes you the person we are looking for to: jillwildlife@blue-earth.co.uk

Closing date for applications: Friday 11^th August 2017 Anticipated interview date: Tuesday 5^th September 2017

The successful applicant to be in post not later than Monday 9^th October 2017

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