Farming Connect
Farming Connect, which is funded by Welsh Government, is a high profile, integrated project which provides support, advice and training to the agricultural sector across the whole of Wales. Its main focus is to support farmers to transition to the Sustainable Farming Scheme and to promote the sector to adapt and remain competitive whilst shifting towards a low carbon economy
Aim of the role
To be the first point of contact for registered businesses and individuals and provide a client manager service to customers within their area enabling a smooth transition between the services available in the Farming Connect programme and the provisions available through the wider RDP and Welsh Government.
Main Responsibilities
- Work closely with the Regional Development Manager in the provision of Farming Connect’s services to farmers and foresters within the specific area, ensuring targets are achieved and the service provided is of the highest standard
- Deliver the customer manager role in the designated area, ensuring that the clients customer journey is continued
- Use the distance travelled assessments to support develop the customer journey for farmers
- Utilise the Personal Development Plan (PDP) as the tool for developing the customer journey
- Support the completion of baselines by all registered businesses
- Contact businesses registered but not engaging with the programme on a regular basis
- Contact farmers as part of the data gathering programme from Lot 4
- Develop a deep understanding and actively promote the Farming Connect Programme as a whole within the specific area
- Act as the first point of call for farmers and foresters in the provision of Farming Connect services, other Welsh Government projects and/or other relevant activities, and signpost to the appropriate service or provision
- Ensure that all enquiries are dealt with on the basis of a clear understanding of the needs of the farmer and forester
- Foster a close relationship with the farmers and foresters to identify their learning and development needs thereby enabling a continuous learning environment where they can progress from one area to the next ensuring greater impact and enhanced learning
- Promote all aspects of the Advisory Services and provide independent guidance on advisors available under each work category
- Assist customers within specific areas to apply for instances of advice under the Advisory Services
- Complete the Advisory Service impact evaluation for each completed instance of advice, identifying any further support required
- Assist customers wishing to apply for training under Lot 2 of the Farming Connect programme (led by Lantra)
- Assist customers within the specific area to apply for the Mentoring programme
- Promote the various funding programmes as part of the Farming Connect programme to the agricultural industry
- Work closely with the Regional Development Manager and Technical Officers to develop a local programme of events which meets the needs of the local farming community
- Encourage and actively drive forward the benefits of benchmarking
- Support the Sector Officers with arranging Demonstration and Focus Site events within the specific area
- Work with the Regional Development Manager to identify appropriate delivery partners and develop an effective relationship with external agencies
- Work closely with the Marketing and Communications team to ensure that events are promoted to the target audience in an effective and timely manner
- Support the recruitment process for centrally organised activities e.g. Agri Academy, mentoring, management exchange and one-to-one surgeries
- Attend meetings, including discussion group meetings, team meetings, events and shows, and facilitate meetings and events as required
- From time to time arrange meetings/events to promote Farming Connect services in the local area
- Where appropriate ensure that event registration and attendance at events are recorded according to the requirements of the CMS; and that these are submitted to the Service Centre in a timely manner
- Ensure that the quality of all activity is of the highest standard and is in accordance with the Delivery Plan’s requirements and proactively encourage the submission of customer feedback
- Ensure provision of an integrated service by working closely with the other Development Officers, Technical team and the Marketing and Communications team
- Keep detailed records of all activities and paperwork in order to facilitate monitoring and achievement of project targets, in compliance with the project’s and Welsh Government’s reporting and monitoring systems
- Attend training as required in order to update sector specific knowledge and to facilitate the provision of support to farmers and foresters
Other
- Ensure standards for quality, customer service, equality and diversity, health and safety and biosecurity are met
- Accept other reasonable duties and responsibilities as required
- Represent Menter a Busnes as required
Skills and Experience
Essential
- Educated to degree level, or equivalent, in agriculture or related subject or demonstrable experience of working in the agriculture industry in Wales
- High level of knowledge of the agricultural and forestry sectors in Wales, with the ability to identify industry requirements, the latest information and research work relevant to those sectors
- Able to assess and clearly understand the needs of farm/forestry businesses, their support and requirements
- Understanding of farm/forestry accounts and business plans
- Excellent knowledge of the area, with well-established networks
- Advanced presentation and interpersonal skills
- Able to be proactive and drive things forward effectively, both independently and as part of a team
- Good administrative skills
- Good facilitation skills
- A true aspiration to develop the agricultural industry in Wales
- Thorough knowledge of the Farming Connect programme
- A self-motivator, accepting responsibility for setting and reviewing priorities for achieving targets, with a clear focus on quality
- Oral and written bilingual (Welsh/English) communication skills
- Excellent IT skills including – Windows; Productivity software (e-mail, word processors, spreadsheets, file storage); Safe usage of computers and the internet (searching and browsing the web, using websites and online applications)
- If working from home for any period, you will be required to already have a suitable internet connection
- Full driving licence and use of a car
- Availability to work during evening as required
Desirable
- Previous experience of organising events
