• Jobs at Sustain

For London Food Link (part of Sustain: The alliance for better food and farming)

Job Title: Capital Growth Bees Officer
Name of Organisation: London Food Link, part of Sustain: The alliance for better food and farming
Ref.  CG003
Location: 94 White Lion St, London, N1 9PF
Responsible for: Coordinating a programme of work around beekeeping as part of Capital Growth. 
Working Hours: Part time (2 days per week)
Salary: £30,330 pro rata per annum i.e. £12,132, rising each year, subject to performance.
Contract: This post is a fixed-term contract, running to March 2012. The period of notice is one month in writing on each side. There is a probationary period of three months.
Holiday: 8 days per year (rising to max. 10), plus statutory holidays. Additional holiday days will be given, on dates set by Sustain, over the Christmas / New Year period.
Applications: Please send CV and covering letter by email to: ben@sustainweb.org. Closing date for applications: 12noon, Monday 2nd August, 2010. Interviews will take place on Thursday 5th  August.

About Sustain and London Food Link

Sustain: The alliance for better food and farming advocates food and agriculture policies and practices that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals, improve the working and living environment, enrich society and culture and promote equity. We represent around 100 national public interest organisations working at international, national, regional and local level. Sustain strives to be an equal opportunities employer. Find out more about the work of Sustain at: www.sustainweb.org.

Sustain’s London Food Link project has established a local food network for London, which promotes a sustainable food economy and works to influence policy-making on food issues that affect the health and well-being of Londoners and the environment. Find out more about the work of London Food Link at: http://www.londonfoodlink.org/.

Project summary

With many allotments having over 10-year waiting lists, Capital Growth is addressing Londoners’ need for more food growing space.  As such we aim to create at least 2,012 new growing spaces across the capital by the end of 2012 and, as part of this, we are running a number of themed initiatives, one of which is creating community apiaries. 

The threat to the UK’s bee population has been well documented.  We are proposing an holistic programme which would take practical steps to help deal with this problem, whilst also contributing to urban biodiversity.  This London Bee project will also help provide education on beekeeping and a wider education campaign to counter any negative attitudes that the public might have about bees.

We already have widespread support for Capital Growth, including from the Mayor of London. We believe this project will create a significant improvement in London’s appearance and, more importantly, in the wellbeing of Londoners, and London’s environment. 

Roles and responsibilities

The project officer will lead on the following:

• Plan and coordinate the campaign;
• Write, publish and maintain the campaign webpages;
• Build and maintain good working relationships with bee experts, the Greater London Authority and other key   campaign partner organisations; 
• Publicise opportunities presented by the campaign widely throughout London, the media and networks; 
• Liaise with key partners on appropriate public education around bee keeping 
• Coordinate a competition with partners, including organising judging.
• Produce research on the opportunities for increasing commercial beekeeping in London; 
• Maintain good records and prepare reports for the project funders; 

This officer will assist the Capital Growth team in:

• Working towards the target of 2012 new community food growing spaces in London by the end of 2012. 
• Building and maintaining good working relationships with communities;
• Fundraising and bringing in support from other partners, as appropriate;
• Promoting the London Food Link network.

Person Specification

In your application, please tell us about your relevant experience in the following areas:

Essential

• Understanding of sustainable development, with particular reference to food
• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent organisational skills, including an ability to take the initiative
• Good IT skills
• Entitled to work permanently in the UK (As a small voluntary organisation, Sustain is not able to assist with applications for work permits)

Desirable

• Experience of running a campaign
• Knowledge of bees and bee keeping
• Knowledge of the food sector in London
• Experience of project management, including budgets
• Experience of marketing
• Educated to at least degree level and/or holding equivalent relevant experience
• Experience of organising events or competitions
• Experience of running a large network

This position is funded through the Greater London Authority.