Every day TCV works across the UK to create healthier and happier communities for everyone - communities where our activities have a lasting impact on people's health, prospects and outdoor places.
The Conservation Volunteers are seeking a Senior Project Officer to deliver a programme of Green Gym and community food growing projects, based in Belfast. The post is 35 hours per week for a period of 12 months (this may be extended subject to funding).
The post is based at TCV’s Ravenhill Road office in South Belfast with projects being delivered throughout the city and across the South Eastern Health Trust area. Project sites include community gardens and allotments, shared greenspaces, schools and community hubs. The Senior Project Officer will be part of a busy team with access to shared resources, tools and vehicles.
The main activities of the post include, but are not limited to -
- Delivering TCV’s Green Gym project to connect local people to green spaces for health and social well-being benefits through a model of community development. On-site and online leading of horticultural and community projects such as food growing and community garden creation.
- Leading practical environmental projects with volunteers having responsibility for Health and Safety, Safeguarding, quality standards and volunteer welfare.
- Recruiting community volunteers to TCV’s Training for Employment ESF programme to provide quality work experience to help increase work skills and employability.
- Promoting the benefits of the Green Gym to new audiences through social media, online workshops, attending events and networking.
- Sourcing income through the delivery of horticulture/environmental projects.
In a typical week the Senior Project Officer will spend 4 days running practical environmental projects and working with volunteers. The rest of the time will be spent on site visits and administration activities relating to the various projects.
More information on TCV’s Green Gym project can be found here: https://www.tcv.org.uk/greengym/
Candidates should have experience of delivering horticulture projects in a community setting. This can be through paid employment or voluntary work.
Applicants should also have sound experience and knowledge of food growing and be able to articulate their learnings to educate and upskill community volunteers. Good record keeping skills are essential and experience of evaluating projects is desirable.
Experience of supporting or leading volunteers would be an advantage.
Understanding of community development models and the charity/NGO sector is important.
There is no specific qualification required, but a qualification in horticulture or environment such as NVQ, HND or BTEC is helpful. Experience of volunteering in this sector will be highly regarded.
TCV will provide access to a shared fleet of vehicles for the purpose of transporting volunteers and materials. One vehicle will be allocated to the Senior Project Officer who will assume responsibility for ensuring it is maintained to a high standard. Therefore, a full driving licence is required
This post is funded by a range of funders, including:
• Public Health Agency
• European Social Fund
A bit more about us:
We recognise that each community and the people living there have different needs. Whether improving wellbeing, conserving a well-loved outdoor space or bringing people together to promote social cohesion and combat loneliness, TCV works together with communities to deliver practical solutions to the real life challenges they face.
For over 60 years we have adapted our work with volunteers to reflect the changing needs of communities in the UK and, by giving people a sense of purpose and belonging, we have empowered them to take control of their lives and outdoor spaces for the benefit of all.
Whilst our activities vary, our inclusive approach has remained consistent; bringing people and places together to create happy, healthy and connected communities for everyone.
The Conservation Volunteers - The Community Volunteering Charity
Join in, feel good
A full, clean or near clean UK driving licence is required for this post, which has been held for a minimum of one year.
Closing date for completed applications is 5.00pm 30/10/2020
Criminal Record Check:
This post is subject to a PVG Licence
As this post requires a Criminal Record Check, please view TCV's Ex-Offender Policy.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age. Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults and Children - Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and all employees are required to act in such a way that at all times safeguards the health and wellbeing of children and vulnerable adults. Familiarisation with, and adherence to, the organisational Safeguarding policies and procedures is an essential requirement of all employees, as is participation in related mandatory training.
Please note:
Unfortunately, due to the necessity to keep our costs down we are not able to respond to everyone who applies to our vacancies. Interviews will be held on TBC at our Belfast office. Therefore, if you do not hear from us by this date, please assume that you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.
You can download an application form and a fair employment monitoring form in Adobe Acrobat format or Word format and you can download a full job description for this post here.
Alternatively you can request an application pack via email
Completed applications forms must be returned to Recruitment by email by 30/10/2020.
