About the organisation
The Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF) is the Royal Chartered body for foresters and arboriculturists in the UK. The Institute regulates standards of entry to the profession, doing so by the provision of services and support to its members; guidance to professionals in other sectors; information to the public; and educational advice and training to students and tree professionals seeking to develop their careers in the forestry and arboriculture industry. The Institute works to foster a greater public awareness and understanding of the tree professions to serve a variety of commercial, recreational, environmental, and scientific interests.
The opportunity
We have an exciting opportunity for someone eager to broaden their skills and develop a well-rounded career in forestry and/or arboriculture. The ideal candidate should be chartered or working towards chartered status and looking to leverage their sector experience to represent the Institute and its members in driving our CPD and policy activities. Shona Smyth MICFor, the current post holder, said of the role: “Through my time at the Institute I have gained a wider insight into the forest and arboriculture sectors through valuable knowledge exchange within the membership, but also our government bodies, affiliate charities and sector partners. Being able to be a voice for the forest and arboriculture sector through policy and partnership work has been empowering and I have gained confidence and valuable skills in public speaking and written communication. Being able to share my experiences with early career professionals and shape and influence their professional development has been particularly rewarding.”
Candidates must possess experience and knowledge in the forestry and/or arboriculture sector to drive our technical policy activities. This includes shaping our key programme of CPD events, responding to government consultations from all four nations, and developing balanced position papers on various policy issues.
Additionally, as a member of the Institute, the successful candidate will act as a role model for potential members or those aspiring to achieve chartered status, promoting the Institute’s membership in a variety of situations.
About you
The ideal candidate will meet the following specification:
Essential criteria
Technical
- Chartered Forester/Arboriculturist/Environmentalist or working towards chartership
- In depth knowledge and understanding of the forestry and/or arboriculture sector
- Excellent administration and organisational skills
- Excellent attention to detail
Experience
- Experience of working in a technical role in the forestry and/or arboriculture sector
Personal qualities
- Effective self-motivation
- Ability to achieve results and deliver performance
- Ability to work independently and on your own initiative, working with, but remotely from, other ICF staff
- Flexible approach to work, to meet the needs of different stakeholders
- Ability to prioritise and manage a varied and pressurised workload
- Ability to maintain a flexible approach displaying balance and tact
Other
- Ability to travel to meetings throughout the UK
- Full UK driving licence
Desirable criteria
- Experience of communicating outputs via social media channels
- Background in policy work and political engagement
Working details
- This role can be carried out on a hybrid basis, based partially out of one of our two offices in Edinburgh and Bristol, or home-based but in a location where it is feasible to travel to one of our offices approximately one day per month
- 35 hours per week
- Salary £36,000 – £38,000
- Generous employment benefits including pension contribution and flexible working
- 25 days’ annual leave plus 10 public holidays
The post will also involve travel to events and meetings throughout the UK as well as to our offices.
If you would like an informal conversation about the role, please contact Jo Fox-Evans, Head of Policy & Partnerships.
To apply for the role, please send your CV and cover letter outlining your suitability for the role to Jo Fox-Evans by 17:00 on Monday 15 September 2024.
