Head of GB Farm Networks - fixed term contract

Job summary

We are currently recruiting for a Head of GB Farms Network to work nationally across Great Britain and lead a small team. This role is offered on a fixed-term contract until December 2027 and requires flexibility to travel, as well as a valid UK driving licence.

This role is funded by the UK Dairy Carbon Network (UK-DCN) and will support with the development and delivery of the project, which will test multiple carbon-saving measures on commercial British dairy farms. The role holder will support the delivery of effective linkages with other members of the consortium and the wider supply chain, as well as AHDB teams, to ensure the successful delivery of the project and value for levy payers.

We are looking for applicants with extensive experience in the dairy industry and programme management within a project environment. Building strong and effective relationships with both internal and external stakeholders will be key to the success of this role. Strong leadership skills are also crucial to manage a field-based team, and the role holder will be required to execute a comprehensive industry engagement plan to achieve successful delivery.

Established in 2008, AHDB is the independent, impartial public body that unlocks success in British agriculture. Funded by a levy from over 100,000 British farmers, growers and processors in the beef, lamb, pork, dairy and cereals sectors, we support and champion farmers and processors, often where no one else can or will.

Job description

• Lead the national programme of activities within the UK-DCN project, ensuring activity meets the defined project aims, objectives and timeline
• Deliver UK-DCN activity within budget and provide accurate and appropriate reporting information to the senior leadership team, project lead partner and funders
• Act as the lead person for the consortium in designated work areas within the UK-DCN, confidently managing, leading and developing all tasks that fit within that contractual remit
• Ensure key operational, business plan and project targets are achieved within the project
• Develop and maintain a strong profile and connection with consortium members, providing industry representation
• Recruit and manage the farm network, ensuring regular liaison with their processors and retailers where required
• Support the development of the AHDB UK-DCN team to develop a comprehensive engagement plan to project participants
• Collaborate with AHDB’s Environment and Dairy Engagement teams to ensure key themes and outcomes of the project are communicated and built into wider strategy plans
• Take the lead on bringing together and managing the Farm Network Groups
• Ensure effective engagement with levy payers and stakeholders
• Deliver proactive feedback mechanisms of levy-payer-facing activity which feed into project evaluation, AHDB priorities and strategy
• Responsible for stakeholder/supply chain engagement on technical issues relevant to the project at a national level

Person specification

• Extensive technical experience of the dairy industry and its stakeholder organisations, and hold a relevant degree or qualification in agriculture or related discipline
• Experience in large-scale programme management with multiple interlinking stakeholders and priorities
• Experienced manager with proven track record of building a strong motivated team to deliver objectives
• Proven track record and extensive experience of delivering effective knowledge exchange activity, including presenting at senior level to industry
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders, to include government agencies and academic organisations
• Extensive experience of managing significant budgets to high levels of governance
• A valid full UK driving licence, with the flexibility to travel to meetings across the UK as and when required

Benefits

We believe in rewarding our people for their hard work, so we have a great mix of benefits and opportunities to give you the recognition you deserve:

• 35 hours per week, Monday–Friday
• 33 days of annual leave plus one privilege day (inclusive of bank holidays)
• Life assurance cover (4x salary)
• A market-leading defined contribution pension scheme with Legal & General
• Enhanced pay of 20 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave, subject to length of service
• A paid day each year to volunteer and make a difference in your community
• Comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
• Excellent training and development opportunities and an agreed development plan
• Recognition awards throughout the year
• Reward Gateway membership – this gives you a huge number of online discounts and savings

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

To apply, simply upload your CV and Cover Letter via our careers portal by clicking the ‘Apply’ button on this page. Our hiring managers will review your application, and we’ll be in touch with the outcome shortly after the closing date.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an initial interview via MS Teams. If successful, a second-stage face-to-face interview will be held at our HQ in Coventry, Warwickshire, following our competency-based framework.

Please note that we reserve the right to close the vacancy early should we receive a significant number of suitable applications.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Recruitment Team
• Email : recruitment@ahdb.org.uk
• Telephone : 02476 935722

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment@ahdb.org.uk

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles of the Civil Service, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact the Head of HR via email: hr@ahdb.org.uk