Farm Carbon & Soils Advisor

About the Farm Carbon Toolkit

The Farm Carbon Toolkit (FCT) is a leading, independent farmer-led UK enterprise. We support
farmers and growers to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and increase their carbon
sequestration. For over 10 years, we have furthered the understanding of greenhouse gas
emissions in agriculture, providing tools for measurement and delivering projects that inspire
real action on the ground. 

Overview of this Role

You will be working on a range of farmer advisory projects in the north of England and
Scotland, supporting them to reduce business carbon emissions and increase carbon
sequestration.

This is an exciting opportunity to support farmers to respond positively to the climate
emergency. We expect you to be highly motivated and knowledgeable about the practical
application of how farmers can reduce their carbon footprint and improve their soil health and
performance. 

We expect applicants to have an experience of farming that enables them to interact with and
support farmers, quickly building trust and rapport. To support you, we provide specialist
training on-farm carbon footprinting, together with ongoing support as required in each
project.

About the team and work environment

We believe in being respectful, professional, empathetic, positive, collaborative and curious.
These values help build our common culture, shape our purpose and guide us in our actions and
decisions.

We are inspired by farmers who are showcasing and helping to support a thriving low-carbon
farming future that produces healthy, nutritious food for all. In all of our work, we are
committed to working with all farmers to support them towards this vision. 

We are a small, remote-working organisation and recognise the challenges as well as the
flexibility that this can bring. We come together as a full team, in-person, at least four
times per year to reflect and discuss our work and plan for the future. 

We enjoy working together, collaborating, and learning from each other. We are a dynamic,
flexible and supportive team of people who care about each other’s well being and the world
around us.

We are an inclusive organisation. committed to building a team of capable and thriving people
from all walks of life. As such, we encourage applications from anyone who feels they have the
relevant experience and skills.

Role Profile

Job purpose: To support farmers with advice on improving soil health including carbon footprinting.

Location: Home-based with regular travel throughout the north of England, Scotland and occasionally
further afield.

Qualifications: Educated to degree level, in a relevant subject or equivalent experience. 

Contract: This is a permanent position. The notice period is two months. There is a probationary period
of three months*. 

Hours of work: Full time – 37.5 hours / wk (part-time requests will be considered, please stipulate this
request in your covering letter).

Employee benefits

• 25 days per year + statutory holidays (pro rata).
• Pension – we contribute 5% on top of your salary
• Generous budget for training and development
• Free eye tests
• Electric car salary sacrifice scheme available
• Flexible working arrangements

Travel:  Public transport expenses are covered and mileage is paid at the HMRC-approved rate. A £4,000
annual car allowance is available to staff that travel over 4,000 miles per year.

Equal Opportunities: FCT is committed to promoting equality and diversity, providing an inclusive and cooperative
environment in which all individuals working for and on behalf of the organisation feel
respected and able to give their best. Commitment to our Diversity and Equalities Policy is
expected and we welcome and encourage applications from anyone interested in this role who
feels they have the relevant experience and skills.

Start date: As soon as possible

Key Responsibilities

• The role involves the delivery of support to farmers in line with the current portfolio of
  work FCT is engaged with. This will include the production of farm carbon reports for farmers,
  researching issues related to carbon management on farms and organising events for farmers.
• Soil sampling: visiting farms, taking soil samples, and conducting basic tests and analysis
  is an important activity across all projects within this role.
• Contribute to the day-to-day running of FCT. This will include dealing with farmer queries,
  writing for the website and other media and engaging with ongoing projects.

Knowledge, experience and capabilities

(E = Essential, D = Desirable)

Capabilities and desirable experience:

• A sound knowledge of the practices, principles, barriers and opportunities for farmers as
  they adopt different sustainable farming methods (E);
• Experience working with farmers in an advisory setting (D);
• Experience in research processes and procedures (D);
• Understanding of soil management and climate change (D);
• Knowledge of sustainable soil management – including soil surveying, risk assessment for
  erosion, compaction etc (D);
• Proficient with common IT software used in business, such as Google Workspace and Microsoft
  Office (E); 

Personal qualities and values:

• A good team player with the initiative, motivation and drive to work on their own;
• Commitment to our purpose, culture and values, which include acting professionally, being
  respectful and inclusive, positive, collaborative and curious;
• Motivated and solutions orientated; driven by results and accepting of responsibility for
  own actions;
• Builds strong and trusting working relationships; 
• Well-organised with excellent communication skills – verbal and written;
• Self-reflective, with a commitment to continual learning and development.

How to apply

Submit your CV with a cover letter of no more than 2 pages of A4, outlining your relevant
skills and experience for the role, to Rachel Hucker at [email protected]. 

Ensure that the file names of the documents you attach contain your name i.e. “Your full name –
CV”. Please do not include any photos.

Applications close on Sunday 9th June 2024 at midnight. 

Interviews for shortlisted applicants will be conducted on Thursday 20th June. 

Thank you for your interest in the Farm Carbon Toolkit and our job opportunities.