Job opportunity to help shape future of New Forest commoning

The New Forest Commoners’ Defence Association (CDA) is pleased to support the recruitment of a New Forest Facilitator by the Foundation for Common Land.

This exciting new role offers the opportunity to work at the heart of one of the UK’s most distinctive and internationally important landscapes, helping to strengthen collaboration across the New Forest commons and support the long-term future of commoning.

Working in partnership with the CDA, the Verderers of the New Forest and the New Forest National Park Authority, the successful candidate will coordinate the delivery of an ambitious programme of work, building on previous projects to deepen engagement with Commoners, landowners, local stakeholder groups and agents across the Forest.

The New Forest is recognised as one of Europe’s most important landscapes for nature conservation. Its ancient woodlands, wetlands, mires and open heathlands are protected through multiple national and international designations, including Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Special Protection Area (SPA), Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Ramsar status.

The New Forest’s internationally recognised landscape depends on the continuation of commoning, making this an exciting opportunity to contribute to the future resilience of both the commoning community and the environment it helps sustain.

About the role

The New Forest Facilitator will play a key role in:

• Coordinating project activities with Commoners, landowners and agents across the New Forest commons
• Strengthening collaboration and engagement across the commoning community, building on the foundations of previous initiatives, including the PA2 Study and the Lowland Common Test and Trial
• Supporting the development of best practice governance arrangements in preparation for future schemes
• Producing engaging case studies and sharing learning from the project with partners and wider audiences

The role is ideally suited to someone with experience of project coordination or facilitation within rural, environmental or community settings. Applicants should have excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills and be able to build trusted relationships across diverse land-based communities.

Working with the Foundation for Common Land

The Foundation for Common Land works nationally to support commoning by coordinating knowledge, sharing best practice and representing the interests of Commoners, landowners and partner organisations. It works closely with organisations including Defra, the Rural Payments Agency, Natural England, commoners’ associations and environmental NGOs.

This role offers the opportunity to join a friendly and flexible team while making a meaningful contribution to the future of common land management in the New Forest.

Job details

Contract: Fixed-term for 12 months (with potential for extension, subject to funding)

Hours: 22.5 hours per week (0.6 FTE) with flexible working arrangements

Location: Home-based with opportunities for occasional hot-desking in partner offices. Regular travel throughout the New Forest will be required, with occasional national travel for Foundation for Common Land meetings.

Salary: £32,000–£36,000 pro rata, depending on experience

How to apply

Please send your CV and a covering letter explaining how your skills and experience meet the person specification to laura@foundationforcommonland.org.uk

Application deadline: 11:59pm on Wednesday, 22 July

Interviews: Week commencing Monday, 4 August

For the full job description and further information, visit the Foundation for Common Land website