Plantlife Cymru
PLinC Officer
Job Description
Reports to:
Plantlife Cymru Programme Manager
Salary:
£27,136 pro rata plus £1492 pension contribution
Hours:
Part time (14 hours/week) (Fixed term 30 month contract in the first
instance)
Location:
You can be home-based and there are options for office locations in Bangor
or Cardiff.
Benefits:
 25 days holiday pro rata/pa excluding bank holidays with extra day on
completion of 1, 3, 5 and 7 years service.
 Flexible working
 Up to 4 days additional holiday provided between Christmas and New Year
 Contribution to personal pension scheme (current rate 5.5% of gross Salary)
dependant on employee contribution of 2%
 Eye care voucher scheme
 Sabbatical leave available after 10 years service.
 Death in Service policy cover
OVERALL PURPOSE OF JOB
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To develop Plant Link Cymru (PLinC) to meet the needs of the partners and to
develop more regular and informed communication and co-ordination within the
plant conservation community in Wales.
To commission and manage research on how plants, lower plants and fungi and
their constituent habitats deliver ecosystems services, the use of citizen science
and engage in natural resource management planning
To manage consultants, research students and others undertaking research on
behalf of PLinC.
Undertake the coordination of the PLinC meetings and the constituent Lower Plant
and Vascular Plant Link Cymru meetings
Co-ordinate the delivery of reports and strategies as required
Delivering, with others, responses to consultations and policy on behalf of PLinC
BACKGROUND
Plant Link Cymru has existed for eight years to deliver a more co-ordinated approach to
plant and fungi conservation in Wales. PLinC promotes collaborative working on key issues
of plant and fungi conservation concern such as the effects of pollution, land management
such as grazing in woodlands, the potential for agri-environment to deliver for plant
conservation, the effects of collecting wild plants and fungi (especially foraging), taking
action and future scoping invasive plants and measuring progress against the 16 targets as
set out within the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC).
It is the only network for plant and fungus conservation in Wales and is made up of NRW,
Plantlife, BSBI, British Mycological Society, British Lichen Society, British Bryological
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Society, National Museums Wales, National Botanic
Gardens Wales, British Phycological Society, RSPB, Flora
Locale, Natur Cymru, Chester Zoo, National Parks and
Local LBAPS.
Two specialist sub-groups form an important part of PLinC based on Vascular Plants and
Lower Plants and Fungi that look at particular issues affecting these groups. One piece of
particularly useful work that both sub-groups have undertaken is to produce site registers
and actions for section 42 species under the NERC Act.
PLinC has been beneficial in co-ordinating work in Wales particularly the production of a
Strategy and Action Plan for the Conservation of Lower Plants 2009-2015, in indicating
where the priorities are for project delivery, in taking practical action for the most
threatened of the section 42 species under the NERC Act and for providing collective
evidence on, for example, Glastir and the Wales Woodland Strategy.
MAIN DUTIES:
Undertake the coordination of the Plant Link Cymru (PLinC) meetings and the
constituent Lower Plant and Vascular Plant Link Cymru meetings.
PLinC currently meets once a year in the autumn whilst Lower Plant and Vascular Plant
PLinC meet in the spring. There are occasional ad hoc and task and finish meetings. The
postholder would be expected to maintain a register of attendees, to organise venues,
send out calendar reminders, agendas, papers, attend meetings and to record and
distribute minutes. The postholder may also be asked to attend UK PLinK meetings when
required.
To develop PLinC to meet the needs of the partners and to develop more
regular and informed communication and co-ordination within the plant
conservation community in Wales.
Because of the distance between meetings there is a need to develop a more regular and
informed communication within the partnership and to assess and ensure that PLinC and its
constituent meetings are relevant to all the participants. You will work with the
Programme Manager for Wales to address these opportunities and strengthen the PLinC
network in Wales.
To commission and manage research on how plants, lower plants and their
constituent habitats deliver ecosystems services, the use of citizen science
and engage in natural resource management planning.
As part of the agreement with Wales Government, the postholder will be responsible for
commissioning and undertaking, with assistance for members of the PLinC partnership,
research and knowledge gathering on the contribution of plants, lower plants and their
habitats to ecosystem services and ensuring its delivery to time and budget. Reference will
be made to the Evidence Gaps project of the Wales Biodiversity Partnership and the
postholder will maintain projects posted on the register.
On behalf of PLinC the postholder will engage with the natural resource management
agenda especially in the roll out of the area based management plans. This would involve
scrutinising draft plans, co-ordinating PLinC responses and submission.
The postholder would undertake a role in developing and scrutinising citizen science
projects in Wales as they affect plants and lower plants and integrating them into project
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development. It will be important to tie in this work
with that of the Wales Outreach Officer in developing
new projects where citizen science could increase
engagement and knowledge.
ADMINISTRATION
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Agree, maintain and review a personal work plan and identify opportunities for
personal development.
Manage project budgets in line with Plantlife’s accounts systems, and assist with the
development of applications for grants
Provide regular reports line manager and participate in Wales, Programme and Plantlife
Team meeting and events.
PERSON SPECIFICATION: Skills and experience
This post requires an individual with a strong passion for nature conservation who is
exceptionally well organised and with a strong administrative background. The importance
of working with and supporting a wide range of organisations and individuals in Wales who
are active in plant and lower plant conservation means that you must be an excellent
communicator and networker.
Partnership
working
Organisation
Communication
Project
Management
Wildlife and
Conservation
Management
Essential
Strong understanding and
experience of building and
sustaining successful partnerships.
An understanding of biodiversity
delivery structures in Wales and the
associated networks.
Excellent organisational skills and
ability to work to tight deadlines.
Experience of maintaining records.
Experience of managing small
budgets.
Experience of writing reports.
Ability to communicate with a range
of audiences.
Good IT skills - Knowledge of
working with computers and
computer packages (Word,
Email, Powerpoint etc).
Good writing skills with attention to
detail.
Excellent oral communicator.
Experience of using social media
and websites.
Experience of delivering projects
within budget.
Evidence of a strong commitment to
nature conservation, especially
plant conservation through
membership, voluntary and/or paid
activity over at least three years.
Knowledge of species conservation
legislation at Wales, UK and
International levels
Desirable
Evidence of previous
experience in knowledge and
evidence gathering and
assimilation.
Coordinating different strands
of work.
Fluent in spoken Welsh
Project development through
a partnership approach
A degree or equivalent in a
relevant environmental
science subject.
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Other
Essential
Willingness to work occasionally at
weekends.
Flexibility.
Own transport.
Willingness to travel regularly
throughout Wales and beyond
including nights away from home
Desirable
Experience of working in the
voluntary sector
Competent with new
technology and software.
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Plantlife is the organisation that is speaking up for the nation’s wild plants. We work hard
to protect wild plants on the ground and to build understanding of the vital role they play
in everyone’s lives. Wild plants are essential to life – they clean our air and water, provide
food and shelter for our insects, birds and animals and are critical in the fight against
climate change.
Plantlife carries out practical conservation work across the UK, manages nature reserves,
influences policy and legislation, and runs events and activities that connect people with
their local wild plants and works with others to promote the conservation of wild plants for
the benefit of all.
In Wales, Plantlife Cymru manages two nature reserves, seeks to influence policy and
legislation, works in partnership with a wide range of organisations to carry out practical
conservation on the ground and campaigns for better protection and understanding of the
importance of plants, lower plants and fungi.
Plantlife Cymru
13 St Andrews Crescent
Cardiff
CF10 3DB
Tel: 02920 276193
www.plantlife.org.uk/cymru
Speaking up for the nation’s wild plants
Plantlife International - The Wild Plant Conservation Charity is a charitable company
limited by guarantee.
Registered in England and Wales, Charity Number: 1059559
Registered in Scotland, Charity Number: SC038951
Registered Company Number: 3166339. Registered in England and Wales
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