Higher Agricultural Officer

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Higher Agricultural Officer to join the Rural Payments and Inspections Division (Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate) in the Stornoway Area Office.

Within the ARE Directorate, the Rural Payments and Inspections Division (RPID) are accountable for the strategic process that regulates and oversees the payment of Agricultural grants and subsidies and related inspection regimes totalling �700m/annum. In the current programme, this is split between direct aid to farmers and crofters totalling �500m and a further �200m under the banner of the Scottish Rural Development Programme. It is also responsible for other regulatory activity and expert technical advice.

RPID teams of professional agricultural, customer service and administrative staff are based in a network of 17 offices located around rural Scotland. These teams manage the implementation of agricultural, environmental and rural policies, process applications for funding and provide high quality customer service.

As a Higher Agricultural Officer, you will perform a key management role within the RPID Stornoway office, managing, developing and supporting a team of 5 Agricultural Officers.

The Agricultural Officer team undertake a wide variety of duties, many of an outdoor nature, including visits to crofts to carry out inspections. Our inspections may involve working in a livestock environment, verifying land eligibility in diverse landscapes and carrying out site visits in relation to crofting matters such as regulatory applications and capital grants. The team also undertake desk-based processing of claims and applications, and engage directly with customers as the primary point of contact for crofters and the rural community in the area.

This position is primarily a management role, but it also includes the requirement to undertake some inspections as well, and carrying out site visits to diverse types of agricultural establishments, often over extensive and difficult terrain and in all weather conditions. Experience of crossing this type of land and a willingness to undertake these visits are prerequisites for this post.

Job description

� Manage and develop a team of staff involved in agricultural, crofting and related casework, ensuring that we get the best out of our people. This also includes assessing performance and training requirements and taking responsibility for Health and Safety.
� Coordinate and monitor progress of a number of RPID administered schemes for the local area. This will involve organising field inspections, delivering training, and providing guidance and support to staff while quality assuring the work undertaken.
� Support staff in the assessment of applications from crofters under the Crofting Agricultural Grant Scheme, and the completion of reports in relation to croft regulatory matters on behalf of the Crofting Commission.
� Manage and assess applications and claims from land managers under our Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS)
� Inspect cattle and sheep and associated records to confirm traceability, cross compliance and scheme eligibility requirements.
� Process claims under the Single Application Form (SAF), this will include interpreting mapping data and other forms of evidence to check eligibility of claims.

Person specification

1. Proven planning and organisational skills with the ability to balance competing priorities and achieve set targets.
2. Good people management skills with the ability to build and maintain strong relationships with both colleagues and stakeholders
3. Good oral and written communication skills, with an ability to produce clear and concise written material.
4. Be able to demonstrate a practical experience of working in agriculture, crofting, land management or a related rural discipline, and an understanding of crofting practices in Scotland.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of �35,867, Scottish Government contributes �9,684 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Learning and development tailored to your roleAn environment with flexible working optionsA culture encouraging inclusion and diversityA with an average employer contribution of 27%

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