Overview

Project Manager – Flow Country Green Finance Initiative, North Highland Initiative

Part-time (0.8 FTE), 28 hours per week, Fixed Term contract for 18 months    

Proposed Start Date: November 2023

Salary: £31,000 to £36,000 per annum for 28 hours per week

The Flow Country Green Finance Initiative (FCGFI) is hiring a Project Manager, who will lead on the development and implementation of the Flow Country Green Finance Initiative. This initiative looks to develop and finance a pipeline of peatland restoration projects within the Flow Country. This is a part-time (0.8 FTE), fixed-term contract for 18 months. The role is intended to continue beyond this subject to funding. The officer will be initially employed by the North Highland Initiative (NHI) on behalf of FCGFI, though this may in future transfer to the Flow Country Partnership.

BACKGROUND

The Flow Country Partnership, through the FCGFI is raising a blend of public and private finance to help restore peat bogs across the Flow Country. The Flow Country Green Finance Initiative aims to develop a replicable model that can, at scale, restore peatlands, while offering socio-economic opportunities. FCGFI is led by a steering group comprising: Highland Council, Highlands & Islands Enterprise (HIE), Focus North Landscape Finance Lab (LFL), NatureScot, RSPB, UHI North Highland’s Environmental Research Institute (ERI), and North Highland Initiative (NHI).

FCGFI is a vehicle through which funds for peat restoration can be raised and which will develop into a central resource in the north of Scotland for advice, management and financing of peat restoration. Ultimately, the FCGFI will help support community development goals, create high quality jobs, support local businesses, and grow green jobs across the area.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Project Manager will provide oversight, strategic direction and team support for key activities of the Flow Country Green Finance Initiative. They will work with the Flow Country Partnership to ensure delivery of the project in line with the action plan and budget. These activities include:

  • Manage day to day running of the Flow Country Partnership SCIO, ensuring processes are in place to meet legal obligations, where necessary liaising with accountants, lawyers and other external providers.
  • Create, run and maintain detailed project plan and documentation including Key milestones, change requests and decision making
  • Liaise and coordinate input from the project partners to the project and ensure smooth delivery of the project
  • Manage contracting of and input from external advisors
  • Establishing Special Purpose Vehicle that will house 3 pilot peatland restoration projects
  • Coordinate discussions with lawyers, finance expertise, and peatland restoration pilots on model for collaboration, and terms for project development, financing, revenue sharing
  • Oversee delivery of peatland restoration project working closely with the Peatland Restoration Office, and landowners, tenants and crofters
  • Support setting up of monitoring and evaluation framework in conjunction with landscape advisors
  • Support work with multi-stakeholder platform and development of community benefit mechanism in conjunction with landscape finance advisors and the Board.
  • Support development of finance opportunities for FCGFI projects with support from landscape finance advisors
  • Lead on writing grant funding applications.
  • Compile and present papers for the Flow Country Partnership board

The role will be based out of NHI’s Wick office or potentially in one of FCGFI partner’s offices in Golspie. Regular site visits will be required during some project phases, but some working from home will be possible at other times. The post holder will also be required to help raise awareness and understanding of the peatland restoration work being undertaken by helping to liaise with the local community and with site visits by interested parties. The role reports to the Flow Country Partnership board.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

  • Significant experience in project and team management,
  • Experience in coordinating the development and implementation of natural resource management related projects
  • Experience in building partnerships and developing multi-stakeholder mechanisms
  • Fundraising experience for projects, drafting concepts and proposals, developing budgets
  • Good understanding of landscape approaches to conservation and their success factors
  • Experience of commercial contracts
  • Understanding of opportunities and challenges of rural sector in The Highlands
  • Experience in working with the private sector an advantage
  • Excellence in written and spoken English

DESIRABLE SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

  • Knowledge of peatland ecosystems, peatland-based science, and peatland restoration techniques
  • Finance, carbon markets experience

This is a part-time (0.8 FTE), fixed-term contract for 18 months. The FCGFI reserves the right to extend or make this role permanent without further advertising dependent on business needs at the end of the contract term.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Please submit a current CV containing the following information:

Employment history
Qualifications
Two references

And supporting statement on 2 sides of A4 describing how you meet the skills, knowledge and experience listed above.

We are open to applications from a range of backgrounds and experience levels. If you are uncertain about whether you meet the job requirements please get in contact to discuss.

Applications must be submitted by the 2nd of October to Info @ NHI Group info@north-highlands.co.uk

For further information on this vacancy contact:
Graham Neville
Email: Graham.Neville@nature.scot

Interview Date: Interviews are likely to be held in mid October

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