Growing Project Officer

**Growing Project Officer**

**20 hours/week (or 2 x 10 hour posts)**

Salary £10.90/hour

Based in Bridgend County Borough.

12 month funded post with potential for longer term.

Working predominantly in Bridgend and Maesteg areas. Developing the cultivation of edibles for Baobab Bach Community Pantries, partner organisations and members of the community.

The successful applicant should have a working knowledge of the cultivation of edibles, although training can be given, and must have excellent communication skills.

The applicant must be a team player and be able to work successfully with teams of volunteers and partners.

Regular reporting to management and directors will be required.**JOB DESCRIPTION**

**Growing Projects Officer **(20 hours/week or 2 x 10 hours/week)

Initial contract for one year.

**Job Summary**

Baobab Bach CIC (the Company) was formed following a pilot project delivered during the Covid 19 pandemic to ensure that rural communities could access affordable food and support. The company has grown since being constituted in October 2021 and continues to develop its service responsively and dynamically.

During the pandemic, a need for local provision was clearly highlighted, as was a tendency towards a poor diet lacking in fresh fruit and vegetables. Areas of unused land in urban and rural areas, suitable for cultivation, have been identified by local residents and representatives of the statutory and third sectors. You will be required to work with the existing Growing Project Officer, other partners and teams of volunteers to cultivate crops in these areas of land so they can be distributed through the Community Pantries.

You will be based at home but will need to report to the Project Leader at least twice per month, either in person or virtually. Your hours can be worked flexibly but must be recorded on a timesheet, submitted to the Finance and Logistics Officer each month. You will need to be able to travel to the relevant growing project locations as required.

You will be required to demonstrate a working knowledge of growing crops or be prepared to undertake training. You will assist the Project Leader, Finance and Logistics Officer and the Board of Directors to plan and develop growing projects alongside a variety of partners, to provide produce for the Community Pantries and a source of wellbeing activities for members of our communities.

**Core Duties**

Core duties are to ensure that growing project plots grow and harvest edible crops for local communities on a year-round basis and that the volunteer workforce is well-supported. The growing projects should provide an enjoyable and sociable environment for volunteers, adding to their wellbeing.

Collaboration with other organisations and professionals will be an important part of the role.

Your line manager will be the Project Leader. In their absence, your line manager will be the Finance and Logistics Officer.

Overall, you will be responsible to the Board of Directors.

**Duties and Responsibilities**

1. To plan and implement the year-round planting and harvesting of edible crops in available plots of land. (These will be designated upon commencement of the post.) You will be required to travel to different sites within Bridgend County Borough.

2. To ensure that crops are grown as organically as possible with maximum consideration for the environment, also ensuring that crops are suitable for local soil and weather conditions.

3. To train and supervise volunteers working on the plots of land. Supervision may be by telephone, if appropriate, or in person.

4. To produce a basic written plan for each plot of land so that volunteers have clear directions they can follow in your absence.

5. To ensure the health and safety of volunteers and yourself by having clear procedures to include the use and storage of tools, lone working and first aid; keeping up to date with any relevant changes in the law.

6. To work collaboratively with the Volunteer Development Officer in respect of the training, development and support of the volunteer workforce, ensuring that all new volunteers are properly inducted, with particular reference to health and safety.

7. To promote gardening and cultivation as a source of wellbeing and to assist volunteers to develop wellbeing from their involvement with the project.

8. To inform and update the directors with written reports if required.

9. To collaborate proactively with partners in the public, private and third sectors to ensure maximum co-operation and benefit.

10. To keep excellent records and timesheets of your own activities and to keep a photographic record of crops and harvests, pests and growing problems/issues.

11. To ensure that the values of equality and inclusion are upheld throughout the volunteer workforce; you will ensure that volunteers are treated fairly and will ensure there is no bullying or discrimination.

12. To undertake any other relevant duties as agreed wi