Principal Policy Advisor Jobs in Home Based

ABOUT US
The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity. We want to see a world where trees and woods thrive for people and nature. The Trust engages and inspires people to make their difference tackling the nature and climate crisis helping protect, restore and create our vital woods and trees.

THE ROLE 
The Croft Woodlands Project is a partnership initiative between Woodland Trust Scotland, Point & Sandwick Trust, Scottish Forestry, Scottish Crofting Federation, the Woodland Croft Partnership, Shetland Amenity Trust, Orkney Woodlands Project and Communities Housing Trust. The aim is to engage crofters in woodland creation and management on their holdings to deliver multiple benefits in terms of biodiversity, agricultural diversification, landscape and environment. This role receives generous support from Point & Sandwick Trust.

The Project Adviser will be responsible for the day-to-day delivery of the Croft Woodland Project in Lewis and Harris, and will engage with crofters, common grazing committees and other land managers to take forward woodland schemes. The focus will be on woodland creation, but the role will also involve the provision of woodland management advice. The Adviser will work closely with colleagues, the principal project partners and an external Project Advisory Group to develop relationships, deliver events, and promote woodlands on crofts. 

This role is a 0.5 part-time post (18.75 hours/ week), working closely with the Croft Woodland Adviser for the Uists and Barra and the other members of the Croft Woodland Project team. 

Initially, a company vehicle will be provided for this role, starting with a hire vehicle for the first 6 months in post. After this initial 6-month period we will review vehicle business use to ensure the post-holder is complying with the eligibility criteria as stated in our Company Vehicle Policy.  If the post-holder complies with those criteria, a longer-term lease vehicle will be sourced and provided.

THE CANDIDATE
With experience of developing and delivering woodland creation and woodland management schemes with a focus on island/croft sites, you’ll have a good understanding of woodland and croft grant schemes and of crofting in Scotland. 

You’ll have experience of advising and working with crofters, communities, land managers and woodland owners and of working with contractors and consultants. Self-motivated and flexible, you’ll be able to plan, organise and manage your own workload and develop ideas that further the work of the project. 

Our Organisational Nature enables us to better understand what it means to be part of the Woodland Trust, empowering us to make an impact, every day. We want you to be able to role model our values; ‘Grow Together’, ‘Focus’, ‘Explore’ and ‘Make it Count’ to ensure each of us plays our part in helping to protect, restore and create our woods and trees.

WHAT TO EXPECT BY JOINING A TEAM AND MAKING A DIFFERENCE
There’s no other organisation like the Woodland Trust. Joining the team you will be making your contribution to tackling the nature and climate crisis. In return, we recognize and value our people. You'll have our full support, training and opportunities for professional development, along with a contributory pension, life assurance, good holiday allowance and the opportunity to work flexibly from home. 

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY & INCLUSION 
At the Woodland Trust, we want to reflect and represent the full richness of diversity in the UK. Fewer of our employees are Black, Asian or minority ethnic; disabled; from lower socio-economic backgrounds or under 25; so we are particularly keen to receive your application if you are from one or more of these groups. We can also discuss anything you may need to achieve your full potential at any stage of the process. We assess your application solely on your demonstrated suitability for the job. Nothing else.

To ensure anonymised recruitment, if you have uploaded your CV, shortlisting panels do not see your CV until shortlisting has been completed. Before submitting your application, please ensure you have completed the supporting information section with details of experiences that clearly evidence as many aspects of the job description as possible.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. If you are interested, we'd encourage you to submit your application as early as possible.