The Landworkers’ Alliance (LWA) are recruiting for a Traineeship Network Coordinator to develop a Landworkers’ Alliance Traineeship Network.
The LWA are seeking a motivated, self-organised candidate who is passionate about developing agroecological education on farms.
Hours: 1 day (8 hours) per week. Duration: Two year contract (November 2019 – November 2021) with aim to extend. Location:.Working remotely with the capacity for regular travel for work and meetings in South West England, South West Wales and occasionally around the UK. Remuneration: £27,040 per annum, pro rata.* Annual salary for 1 day (8 hours) per week, £5,408. *the LWA has a pay parity policy and flat payment structure, with all workers paid at the same rate.
Role overview and job description:
The Landworkers’ Alliance (LWA) are seeking to recruit a Traineeship Network Coordinator to develop a Landworkers’ Alliance Traineeship Network.
The two main outcomes of the project are (1) to develop an LWA Traineeship model, programme and curriculum (2) develop and support a network of farmers delivering on farm seasonal traineeship programs. The pilot project will initially be based in the horticulture sector, with a view to developing this model in various agriculture sectors going forward.
This is a one day per week role funded for two years (November 2019 – November 2021) through the ‘Agroecology Traineeship Network’ grant awarded to the Landworkers’ Alliance by The LUSH Permaculture and Agroecology Fund.
Initially this role is for 2 years, with 1 day (8 hours) per week, although our aim is to make this role a long term position. The Traineeship Network Coordinator can manage the hours as they deem most appropriate to deliver the outcomes required, and will occasionally be required to work on weekends when training days are being delivered.
The overall objectives of this role are to establish the foundations of a nationwide ‘Landworkers’ Alliance Traineeship Network’ as part of our Agroecology Training and Exchange Programme.
Specific responsibilities and outputs of this role will be:
● Develop an LWA Traineeship network. This will include working with farmers and growers already offering informal and formal traineeships and those who want to start offering traineeships. Developing this network will be building on an already existing informal network that has organised several meetings and training days over the past year.
● Produce a handbook on how to set up and run a traineeship.
● Produce an LWA ‘Traineeship Programme’ guidelines and curriculum.
● Carrying out research and create a database of existing formal and informal traineeship programmes.
● Consult and work with farmers to establish what support is needed to develop and deliver on farm traineeship programs.
● Working with trainers who will deliver the content, organise a ‘Training the Trainers’ programme for farmers delivering or wanting to deliver on farm seasonal traineeships. This programme will consist of 6 training days per year on various topics over the winter in Year 1 and Year 2 of the project.
● Working with trainers who will deliver the content, develop and organise ‘Traineeship Study Program’ for trainees between April and October in year 1 and year 2 of the programme. This programme will run one day a month between April and October and consist of 6 focused teaching days per year on specific topics.
● Run 6 webinars or meetings with trainers in different regions outside of the South West Wales and South West England wanting to develop a traineeship programme.
● By the end of the programme have 50 farmers in the network developing and delivering Traineeship programs in various agricultural sectors.
● Working with the LWA coordinating group and staff of the LWA to develop and deliver the wider aims of the LWA Agroecology Training and Exchange Network.
● Working with the LWA coordinating group and staff to monitor and evaluate the project and to secure longer term funding for the project and the Agroecology Training and Exchange Network
Person Specification
This is a complex role which requires a wide range of skills and experiences. The appropriate candidate will have the following skills and experiences:
Essential
● Experience collaborating with organisations working on food, farming and new entrants to agriculture in the UK.
● Experience working with farmers and grassroots organising.
● An understanding of agroecology and farmer-to-farmer pedagogy.
● Experience of training and education in agroecological farming.
● Experience and evidence of researching, writing and publishing reports.
● Experience in coordinating and facilitating both remote working groups, meetings, trainings and gatherings of over 50 people.
● Ability to communicate the LWA’s vision and positions on agroecology and training to a range of audiences including farmers, the media, policy makers and other organisations.
● The ability to work in a diverse team, develop work plans, monitor progress, self-manage and work autonomously where necessary and report on work done to the coordinating group.
● Experience of using multiple communication tools, and social media platforms.
● Managing large project budgets and writing reports for funders.
● Ability to travel for meetings and events.
Desirable
● An understanding of the history, objectives, members and vision of the LWA
● A passion for, and direct experience of, small-scale, ecological agriculture
● On farm experience of offering or undertaking training in agroecological farming.
APPLICATION PROCESS
How to apply: Please send your CV (two – three pages maximum) and a one page cover letter outlining how you meet the person specification and what you think you can bring to this role. Please send your application to: info@landworkersalliance.org.uk
Deadline for application: The deadline for applications is Monday 21st October 5pm.
Please note we are not able to accept applications after the deadline.
Shortlisting dates: We will be shortlisting for interview by Friday 25th October.
Interview dates: Interviews will be held on Thursday 31st October in Bristol
Start date: Monday 11th November. However start date can be negotiated if necessary.
The Landworkers’ Alliance – A grassroots union for farmers, growers, foresters and land-based workers
Website: www.landworkersalliance.org.uk
Email: info@landworkersalliance.org.uk
