Environmental Contracted Services (ECS) Contract Manager - ( Ref : 6912 )

Join Natural England in shaping a future where nature and people thrive. As an Environmental Contracted Services (ECS) Contract Manager, you will play a vital part in supporting lasting benefits for the environment and society.

Natural England is the Government’s adviser for the natural environment and the Nature regulator with a wide range of statutory duties and powers. We provide the evidence, expertise and advice to recover Nature and shape better places for people to live.

The ECS Team sits within the Greener Farming and Fisheries Operational Delivery Directorate and is responsible for running the operation of the Environmental Training, Advice and Facilitation Framework (ETAFF). You will be involved in procuring and managing farm and land management advice, training and support to farmers, managers and landowners through the ETAF Framework.

Key tasks and principal accountabilities:

• Managing the commissioning, delivery and quality control of advice and training to farmers and land managers using Environmental Training Advice and Facilitation Framework (ETAFF).
• Liaising regularly with Suppliers, the CSF/FCS teams, the Contracts team, local delivery teams, and Defra procurement team.
• Preparing call-off contracts, keeping and collating various data relating to the procurement of the contracts through evaluation and contract award.
• Leading on planning, organising, and measuring delivery of contracted delivery in the relevant Lot to meet agreed targets and deadlines.
• Ensuring Quality Assurance of delivery activity, including Point of Delivery visits, and for signing-off contract outputs.

Knowledge, skills and experience:

• Experience of running contracts, as well as management of contractors/suppliers.
• Knowledge of budget and project management.
• Good communication skills are essential, as contract managers will regularly liaise with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Records of contracts need to be kept relevant and up to date, so good record keeping is essential.
• A basic knowledge of agriculture and farming practices, as well as agri-environment schemes is useful, but not essential.

Benefits:

• Flexible working arrangements.
• Excellent opportunities for career progression, training, and development.
• Generous leave allowance of 25 days per year.
• Access to the Civil Service Pension scheme with a 28.97% employer contribution.
• Range of benefits such as shopping discounts and a cycle-to-work scheme.