Social Farming Support Officer

The organisation provides a telephone helpline and various programmes of support aimed at developing resilience and positive mental health among farming families across Northern Ireland.

We are seeking to appoint a Social Farming Support Officer to help drive this important area of the charity's work. The successful candidate will have good organisation skills, be a team player and be committed to the mission of Rural Support and to helping to develop the Social Farming sector in Northern Ireland.

Job Purpose:

To enhance the function of the Social Farming Support Service by:

- providing administrative support to the Social Farming Support Service Coordinator for existing and new Social Farming initiatives

- helping to develop and safeguard the Social Farming sector

- promoting Social Farming within Northern Ireland.

Location

Estate Building, Loughry, 76 Dungannon Road, Cookstown, BT80 9AA

Hours

20 hours per week (9.00am – 1.00pm, Monday-Friday)

Contract to 31 March 2020 (renewable subject to funding)

Salary

NJC Point 27: £25,295 p.a. (pro-rata to £15,143 p.a.)

Reporting

Line Manager and Supervisor

Veronica Morris – Chief Executive

Aoibeann Walsh – Social Farming Support Coordinator

Main Job Duties

1. Complete administrative and reporting tasks related to the Support Service’s work areas.

2. Attend and play an active role in the preparation for and coordination of meetings and events.

3. Assist with the promotion and implementation of Social Farming Standards.

4. Contribute to strategic planning and development opportunities for the Support Service and Social Farming.

5. Engage with Social Farmers by email and phone and both Social Farmers and Social Farming participants on farm visits or study trips and at events.

6. Schedule arrangements for training offered by the Support Service and assist experienced Social Farmers with their training needs.

7. Engage with funding and referral organisation staff in relation to existing and new Social Farming initiatives.

8. Contribute to the development of a marketing schedule and design of materials.

Expectations of Role

1. Believe in the model of Social Farming promoted by Rural Support in Northern Ireland.

2. Plan own day-to-day activity with direction from the Service Coordinator on priority areas.

3. Work closely with the Service Coordinator and report to the Chief Executive.

4. Act as a team player within Rural Support.

5. Recognise the importance of confidentiality and safeguarding as this role involves working with individuals at risk.

For an application pack please contact [email protected]. The deadline for completed forms is Monday 15th June at 5pm.