News

Role: Farming for Water Agricultural Community Animator
Fixed Term Contract: Present – December 2027
Salary: €54,397 plus €7,072 pension and €6,000 for expenses and travel.

About the Nore River Catchment Trust
Nore Vision is hosting a Community Animator position for the Farming for Water EIP initiative, and we are currently recruiting a Farming for Water Community Animator.

The Nore River Catchment Trust (NRCT) is dedicated to protecting and preserving the natural waters of the Nore Catchment. Through collaboration with communities, landowners, organisations, and agencies, we employ a community-led approach to safeguard and restore water quality, ensuring a vibrant river ecosystem for all.

Introduction to the Farming for Water EIP Project

The Water European Innovation Partnership Agriculture (EIP-Agri) project, Farming for Water EIP, is a groundbreaking initiative led by LAWPRO, in partnership with Teagasc and Dairy Industry Ireland (DII). This project has a budget of €60 million, co-funded by the European Union, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and the Department of Housing, Local Government, and Heritage.

This national, integrated agri-environment initiative focuses on incentivising farmers to implement targeted measures to improve water quality. By engaging up to 15,000 farmers, the project aims to:

• Protect and restore water quality.
• Enhance biodiversity.
• Promote flood mitigation.
• Improve ecosystem and climate resilience.The project employs nature-based solutions tailored to local challenges, providing valuable insights for future agricultural and water policy development.

Role Context: The Community Catchment Partnership Approach

The Farming for Water EIP project supports community-led organisations to host Agricultural Community Animator positions. These roles, supported by the EIP team, focus on engaging farmers, promoting sustainable practices, and integrating community participation into project outcomes.

Key objectives include:

• Recruiting farmers into the project.
• Enhancing project reach and impact through community collaboration.
• Showcasing best practices.
• Promoting a “caring for water” ethos at both local and national levels.Farming for Water Community AnimatorThe Agricultural Community Animator will work within the NRCT and embed community participation into the project model. This role will focus on water quality improvements, biodiversity enhancement, and climate change mitigation, targeting specific challenges in the catchment area.

  Responsibilities

• Farmer Engagement: Recruit farmers into the Farming for Water EIP based onlocal objectives.
• Community Collaboration: Leverage synergies with community-led initiatives to enhance the project’s impact.
• Showcasing Best Practices: Promote exemplary areas of sustainable practices.
• Public Outreach: Convene public meetings and engage with local farmingcommunities.
• Guidance Development: Contribute to creating guidance documents and training materials.
• Plan Development: Design Rainwater Management Plans and other project- required plans.
• Funding and Support: Apply for grants to implement water quality measures and support farmers through the application process.
• Measure Validation: Ensure implemented measures are effective and compliant.

• Monitoring and Maintenance: Conduct periodic checks on measures and provide maintenance guidance.
• Communication: Promote the project’s philosophy through community networks, local media, and national platforms.
• Collaboration: Work with NRCT, the EIP team, Teagasc ASSAP, and other partners to support the project.
• Compliance: Adhere to all relevant legislation, including GDPR and environmental laws.
• Strategic Objectives: Align efforts with the Nore Vision Five-Year Strategy.Candidate ProfileThe ideal candidate will:

• Possess strong organisational and project management skills.
• Demonstrate excellent communication, social media, and interpersonal abilities.
• Have a proven track record of engaging with farmers and communities on sustainability projects.
• Exhibit a solid understanding of environmental issues, including water quality, biodiversity, and climate change.
• Be proactive, self-motivated, and able to work independently and collaboratively within a team.
• Show familiarity with agriculture, water quality measures, and nature-based solutions.
• Be knowledgeable of health and safety regulations and their practical applications.Education and Experience

• Essential: FETAC/QQI Level 8 qualification (or equivalent) in Environmental Science, Agricultural Science, Environmental Engineering, Sustainable Rural Development, or Community Development, with at least two years of relevant experience.
• Desirable: Experience with farm-based measures and nature-based solutions. Transport Requirements

The candidate must have their own vehicle, a full driving license, and insurance for business use.

Terms of Employment

• The role reports to the Farming for Water EIP Assistant Project Manager andoperates under the direction of the NRCT Board of Trustees.
• Fixed-term contract until December 2027, with a six-month probationary period.Continued funding will be subject to annual reviews.
• The position includes responsibility for securing additional funding to sustain and expand the role.Application ProcessInterested candidates should send a CV and cover letter to Mr. Bob Wemyss, Chairperson, NRCT, via email at chairperson@norevision.ie, no later than December 30, 2024.

• Interview Dates: Week commencing January 7, 2025.
• Inquiries: Direct any questions about the role to maura@norevision.ie.