National Manager (FCN Northern Ireland)

Role: National Manager (FCN Northern Ireland)
Location: Home based with travel and flexible working expected
Hours: Full time (35 hrs a week) (flexibility required)
Salary: £40,000 per annum
Contract: Two year fixed-term contract (renewable funding permitting)
Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer / Senior management

FCN is a national charity and voluntary organisation currently operating across Wales and
England working to help improve the health and wellbeing of people in farming and providing
pastoral support to those facing difficulties in the farm business or in the home, which are
causing them stress and anxiety.
Through an exciting new partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support – and in response to
increasing pressure and change in the agricultural sector – FCN is expanding its service
offering into Northern Ireland and Scotland, with a focus on proactive work to support farmers’
health and wellbeing and to address health inequalities.
As part of this new initiative, we are recruiting a National Manager in Northern Ireland.
This is a new role and area for FCN and presents an exciting leadership opportunity to help
FCN to establish itself in this jurisdiction in order to drive and deliver upon the objectives of
the Macmillan project.
You will be part of the FCN senior management team, leading on relationship building,
managing staff, supporting volunteers, events management, training, fundraising and
programme development in Northern Ireland. Central to your role will be delivering upon the
aims of the Macmillan project. This includes:

1. Raising knowledge of cancer and its impact
2. Sharing the Macmillan support offer
3. Building referral pathways to and from Macmillan’s services
4. Gathering ideas in the communities on what would improve support for those in
   farming / rural communities with cancer
5. Feeding insight back to Macmillan, Health and Social Care and other partners on what
   personalised care means for this community
6. Encouraging early intervention
   
   In addition to this you will also support on a range of other activities in support of FCN and
   Macmillan Cancer Support, including helping to encourage people in Northern Ireland to
   volunteer with the charity, with a focus on supporting those affected by cancer.

You will also have line management responsibility for an FCN and Macmillan Programme
Officer, who will support you in your work engaging with the farming community and raising
awareness of the work of FCN and Macmillan Cancer Support.
Now is an exciting time to be joining FCN – we are implementing our five-year strategy, ‘Fit
for a New Farming Future’ (2020-2025), and we are working with a wide range of stakeholders
to create a resilient farming future for the next generation of farmers.
You will be working under your own initiative for much of the time, and will need to have access
to a form of transport to allow you to undertake the duties of the role. Mileage expenses are
re-imbursed.
Principal Tasks:

• Delivering upon the aims and objectives of the Macmillan project and providing regular
  activity reports
• Oversight of volunteers in Northern Ireland to support the work of FCN in delivering
  the Macmillan project and supporting those with cancer in rural areas and farming
  communities
• Line management of one part-time FCN and Macmillan Programme Officer
• Developing partnerships with government, other organisations, corporates and the
  community and voluntary sectors, building upon existing relationships and forging new
  ones to improve the lives of people affected by cancer
• Initiate and nurture relationships with our supporters and partner organisations
• Develop relationships with key stakeholders across Northern Ireland to raise
  awareness of cancer and health inequalities in farming and rural communities
• Lead on outreach activities and fundraising activities of FCN volunteers and other
  stakeholders
  
  Key responsibilities:
  Leadership and Management
• Contribute to the development of a strategy for the Macmillan project in Northern
  Ireland working closely with the CEO and other senior management staff members
• Regularly coordinate with the wider project team and contribute monthly and quarterly
  reports to the Head of Communications and Development, who has UK-wide oversight
  of the Macmillan project
• Identify the needs of farmers, farm families and support the farm community across
  the country; and to identify opportunities for FCN and Macmillan Cancer Support
• Attend events as a representative of both charities and to network and build
  relationships
• Provide leadership, contribute to and help to develop initiatives to support those
  affected by cancer, and deliver training, working alongside the Head of
  Communications and Development
• Work closely with FCN staff and volunteers in Northern Ireland to be proactive,
  innovative and support farmers who seek our help and those affected by cancer
• Line management of a staff member and overseeing volunteering from a strategic point
  of view; including supporting and resourcing volunteering and volunteer management
  needs and priorities
• Represent FCN in statutory meetings as well as with key stakeholders including unions
  and businesses across Northern Ireland
• Lead by example and motivate others
• Identify and lead on PR opportunities in Northern Ireland, working with and in
  agreement with the Head of Communications and Development and Macmillan
  Communications team

Partnerships and Fundraising

• Nurture strong working relationship with Macmillan Cancer Support
• Continue to develop partnerships in Northern Ireland for the benefit of the farm
  community we serve and nurture and develop relationships with supporters and charity
  partners
• Provide funding and budgeting responsibility to ensure appropriate income and
  expenditure in Northern Ireland
• Ensure initiatives within charity partnerships – including staff involvement, awareness
  raising, training and talks and fundraising initiatives – are supported and recognised
• Develop relationships with organisations – private individuals, groups and corporate
  businesses as well as elected representatives i.e. MLA’s and Councillors
• Work in cooperation with the management team to develop new projects and identify
  opportunities
• In cooperation with the FCN management team, generate publicity around supporter
  fundraising and partnership initiatives and develop promotional and fundraising ideas
  and materials
• Ensure project objectives, budgets and deadlines are met through an ongoing process
  of recording and communication in cooperation with the management team and
  provide necessary reports
• Ensure that FCN remains compliant with any fundraising standards and legislation
  Job specification National Manager FCN Northern Ireland:
  
  Essential criteria:
• Strong knowledge and understanding of farming landscape / policy in Northern Ireland.
• Able to demonstrate and provide leadership and line management, and to measure
  and evaluate performance / impact of staff and volunteers
• Based in Northern Ireland and willing to travel when required
• Experience and knowledge of current fundraising standards and legislation essential.
• Ability to plan and manage campaigns effectively against a deadline
• Excellent face-to-face and online communication skills
• Proficient at using MS Office suite programmes including Word, Excel and PowerPoint
  and CRM software.
• Excellent project management skills and can work to deadlines.
• A team player who is motivated and able to work independently for prolonged periods.
• Ability to be home-based and work in a mobile and flexible fashion.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work together with volunteers, staff and
  external organisations.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to think creatively.
• Is used to working effectively in small teams and through remote technologies such as
  Zoom.
  
  Desirable criteria:
• A background in farming or associated businesses – able to discuss farming matters
  knowledgably.
• Experience in writing successful trust fund applications.
• Has worked in the charity sector previously.
• University degree in related subject such as agriculture.

How to apply?

To apply for this role please send a CV and an expression of interest letter highlighting how
you meet the criteria outlined to debbie@fcn.org.uk.

There will be occasions when it is necessary to attend evening or weekend events. In these
cases, compensation will be considered on a case by case basis in the form of time-off in lieu.
FCN is an inclusive employer and welcomes applications from anyone supportive of our
mission, ethos and work helping to create a thriving future for farming in the UK.
Please note: applicants for this position are also asked to fill in a Equal Opportunities
Monitoring Form, which is available to download from FCN’s website:
https://fcn.org.uk/job-volunteer-vacancies/