Adviser (Horticulture & Potatoes)

Job content

Adviser (Horticulture)

Starting salary, circa £34,869 per annum

Stoneleigh, Warwickshire

About you

Are you a good communicator, with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to develop and maintain effective networks? Do you enjoy working on a varied and diverse workload, in a team environment? We are looking for a friendly and confident individual, who is conscientious and good with detail to assist the Horticulture team in representing the interests of the NFU’s grower members.

You will hold a degree (or have equivalent experience) in agriculture, horticulture, politics, science or a related subject. You should possess, or be keen to develop, a detailed understanding of the challenges facing the horticultural industry. Prior experience working within the horticultural industry on a commercial or policy basis would be highly desirable, although training and support will be available to the right candidate. The successful applicant will ideally have insight into the issues in the supply chain in the horticulture sector, and knowledge of the decision making processes in EU and UK government.

About the role

This is a fantastic opportunity for supporting the development of horticultural policy for the benefit of our members.

As Horticulture Adviser, you will be working to influence the supply chain, government decision makers, and wider stakeholders to ensure the best possible regulatory and policy environment for the NFU’s grower membership. You will be expected to engage in consultative processes to identify policy issues that could impact on growers, and contribute to generating and coordinating appropriate policy solutions.

You will have the confidence to act as technical expert in your nominated areas of horticulture policy, and the intelligence to quickly get up to speed on new and emerging issues.

You will raise the profile of the NFU and its work by ensuring opportunities to promote NFU achievements in the horticulture sector are identified and pursued, through the media as well as directly to our membership. Prior experience liaising with journalists is desirable, although media training will be provided. The ability to turn complex topics or legislation into an accessible format, identifying and distilling key messages will be an essential requirement of the role.

The role will involve some travel throughout England and Wales, and possibly abroad, so the ability to work outside of normal working hours as required is essential.

We are also currently piloting an exciting new ‘hybrid working’ scheme that allows a mix of home and office-based working.

Closing date: 8th August 2021

Interview date: 20th August 2021

The NFU is an Equal Opportunities employer and values diversity.