ELM Manager

Never has there been a more important time for trees to tackle some of society’s biggest challenges. Thriving trees, woods and forests can deliver benefits for nature, climate, people and the economy.

The Forestry Commission is the government department responsible for protecting, expanding, and promoting the sustainable management of woodlands whilst increasing their value to society and the environment. You will join a team which supports the design and delivery of grants and incentives related to woodland creation, woodland management and tree health.

By joining the Forestry Commission, you will become part of a team of committed colleagues and be able to build on a wealth of expertise to take this ambitious work forward. You will be able to make your mark by helping the Forestry Commission to revolutionise how we work together to deliver incentives and reach new stakeholders.

We are seeking a well-motivated individual with skills and experience relevant to environmental policy and the delivery of incentives, and who are passionate about sustainable forest management including the threats to our trees from pests and diseases.

The post-holder will work on enhancing and expanding the Environmental Land Management (ELM) incentives offer to maximise the outcomes for forestry and for the environment. The role will initially focus on Countryside Stewardship Woodland Tree Health but has the potential to work on other incentives schemes in the future.

Working in the ELM Incentives team requires significant cross-team working and maintaining close working relationships with core Defra teams and arm’s-length body (ALB) delivery partners working on the development of the forestry elements of schemes, as well as with key stakeholders.

You would be joining a growing and welcoming team supporting Forestry Commission’s proactive engagement in developing incentive schemes. The role is situated within National Grants and Regulations’ ELM Incentives team and reports to the Tree Health Incentives Lead. This role may involve some line management.

Key work areas

Represent FC at cross-Defra meetings on the policy, design and implementation of the relevant grant schemes, representing forestry interests and maximising Forestry Commission input to plans and discussions.

Collaborate with Subject Matter Experts within the Forestry Commission, Defra Policy and ALBs to implement changes and improvements to schemes and associated guidance and supporting materials so that it achieves the desired outcomes.

Develop and deliver communications and training on the proposed grant scheme changes to support delivery e.g. for Area Team colleagues, particularly tree health grant changes.

Provide feedback relating to risks, issues and progress and use professional judgement to escalate issues accordingly.

Work with the Forestry Commission ELM Incentives technical Guidance and Communications team to ensure changes are communicated and implemented effectively.

Occasional travel to meetings will be required.

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)

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

This is a Temporary Appointment until 30 March 2027, with the possibility of extension or permanency but no guarantee.

As part of the application process, you will complete the following online:

• A tailored CV (curriculum vitae) setting out your qualifications, career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years. The CV will be split into 3 parts and request: Job History, Previous Skills/Experience, Qualifications.
• A personal statement – in no more than 750 words showing how you meet the relevant skills and experience as set out in the Person Specification.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Should a large number of applications be received, the initial sift may be conducted using the personal statement.

Interview

Interviewing will take place w/c 28th September at Bristol National Office. This is subject to change.

The interview will assess you on Experience, Strengths and Behaviours, and will include a short presentation. Further information will be available for candidates invited to interview.

Further Information

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Any move to Forestry Commission from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at visit the Childcare Choices website.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

Existing Civil Servants (excluding Forestry Commission employees) and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply, and will only be considered on a loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant.

Existing Forestry Commission, Forestry England and Forest Research employees are eligible to apply for this Fixed Term Appointment and will only be considered if there is written confirmation from their line manager and HR that their current role will be temporarily backfilled or held open before commencing the application process.

This is a full-time role, although part-time hours may be considered. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply; however your preferred working pattern may not be available, and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.

Where a role has been identified as one which falls under the scope of the Public Sector English Language Requirements, within Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016, it is essential that applicants should have the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English

Travel options include: -

Some occasional travel may be required as part of the duties of this post. The FC is willing to consider any proposals put forward by applicants that would allow them to do the job by any method of travel, subject to prior approval. Successful candidates wishing to use their own private vehicle for business travel will need to comply with the FC Travel Policy on CO2 emissions.

Reasonable Adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

Contact Government Recruitment Service via FCERecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

Feedback

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