Manager; Mixed - Farming Connect

To support the strategic delivery of a high-profile Our Farms network via management of the sector officers and on-farm trials in line with Welsh Government and the Farming Connect programme priorities. Line management responsibility of sector officers within the team driving acceleration of adoption of the programme KT.

• Contribute to the leadership of a high performing team by motivating and developing the knowledge transfer officers to ensure alignment of project developments to accelerate the step approach across the FC programme.
• Lead and manage the mixed sector officer ensuring that targets are met to a high standard whilst identifying and rectifying issues in a timely and professional manner.
• Expected to manage budgets for projects and areas of work under which they work on, and to ensure projects are running to budget and to report variances promptly; is likely to have budgetary authority and must ensure compliance with Mentera procurement policy and framework guidelines across their team.
• Lead on the sector specific activity formulation, development and delivery under the Our Farms network requirements of the Farming Connect programme including the recruitment and development of Demonstration farms baseline studies, projects, trials, events and exploitation of other knowledge transfer avenues ensuring there is no duplication, but rather enhanced complementarity, between projects and that they meet the needs of the local community.
• Lead on the arable demonstration farm, ensuring on-farm trials align with other industry activity to maximise collaboration for greater value, including:
  • Plan the development, implementation, and coordination of Our Farms Network projects in conjunction with the appointed industry expert, ensuring there is no duplication, but rather enhanced complementarity, between projects.
  • Develop project proposals (to include evaluation methodology) in conjunction with the KE Hub through on-going discussions and incorporation of literature reviews/project proposals recommendations as required.
  • Outline clear and achievable milestones and objectives of the projects.
  • Coordinate work activities and track milestones and objectives via the Our Farms system in the Delivery Management System and identify and provide solutions to rectify issues in a timely and professional manner.
• Support with the management of Try Out Funds as required.
• Ensure project proposals are developed in conjunction with the KE Hub through ongoing discussions and incorporation of literature reviews/project proposals recommendations are implemented as required.
• Oversee the management of sector projects, ensuring they are monitored against milestones and evaluated appropriately against the evaluation plan.
• Liaise with external collaborators/contractors, farmers, and foresters.
• Identify and rectify issues in a timely and professional manner.
• Ensure that Welsh Government’s strategies and policies are incorporated into the delivery of the programme.
• Monitor and report progress, including leading and preparing information for the dashboards, Welsh Government information requests and industry updates.
• Proactively identify new opportunities for research, on-farm trials, and knowledge transfer.
• Seek opportunities to raise the profile of the work of the technical team and that of Mentera to develop collaborative working partnerships including participation in external stakeholder events; on national (and international where applicable) platforms.
• Ensure team involvement in wider Farming Connect meetings and promotion of their work, ensuring input and work is aligned with the Farming Connect programme priorities.
• Continually develop a thorough knowledge and understanding of the agricultural sectors in Wales, with the ability to identify and analyse the latest information and research work relevant to those sectors and specialisms within them.
• Work closely with:
  • Technical Team Managers and Regional Development Managers, ensuring there is no duplication, but rather enhanced complementarity, between projects and that they meet the needs of the local community.
  • Specialist and KE Manager to ensure alignment and…