Job opportunities with Irish Seed Savers and Social Farming positions

Irish Seed Savers Association based in Scariff, Co. Clare are looking for a new manager, scroll down to read full details.

Also there is a call for Regional Network Development Workers to promote Social Farming, to read more CLICK HERE

VACANCY: Irish Seed Savers Association are looking for a manager

November 4th 2016

Have you got managerial experience and a passion for horticulture and protecting Ireland’s traditional fruit and vegetable varieties? Then the Irish Seed Savers could have the perfect job for you.

The Irish Seed Savers Association researches, locates and preserves traditional varieties and cultivars of fruit, vegetables, potatoes & grains and makes these heritage varieties available for use in home gardens and farms. Seed Savers is located on an 8 hectare site at Capparoe in Scariff, Co Clare consisting of organic orchards, native woodlands and organic seed gardens.

They are currently looking for a Manager.  Check out the job description and contact details below:

Job title:  Manager

Department /section and location: Capparroe, Scariff, Co Clare

Immediate Superior: Board of Directors

Function of the department and main purpose of the job:  

This is a full-time position, overseeing the visitor centre, shop and café, plus all the different activities of Seed Savers and its staff of 20 (+); its conservation and education strategy, annual public events, talks and public engagements. First and foremost is the financial stability of the charity and the position requires sound financial analysis and good cash-flow practice. The manager works closely with the coordinators of various departments (orchards, seed gardens, seed bank, education, sales & marketing)  and is responsible for the work being done in an efficient and effective manner and for ‘joining the dots’. The motivation of staff, planning, leading, organising and achieving targets are the central roles.

Duties and responsibilities:  

• Human Resources – All HR within the organisation in liaison with the administrator, including staff supervision; arrangement of training and dealing with the day-to-day personnel matters relating to discipline, pay, holidays, hours, etc.; recruitment of new personnel; job descriptions/personnel specifications and regular performance reviews.
• Business Management – Develop annual business and mid-term strategic plans in conjunction with directors and key staff. Ensure implementation of annual business plan in a timely and profitable manner. Increase revenue streams through the commercial development of ISSA as a recognisable and profitable national brand. Develop effective sales and marketing campaigns in conjunction with sales team. Motivate and include all staff to deliver on the monthly targets.
• Fundraising – To manage all fundraising efforts so as to promote ISSA effectively and to achieve targets that allow the organisation to be funded adequately to achieve its objectives. As a registered charity there should be many forms of fundraising both from individuals as members and also from appropriate corporate entities.
• Financial Management– In liaison with book-keeper and administrator: rolling cash flow monthly projections for twelve months ahead; managing grants, such as from Department of Agriculture, Pobal and Leader, providing required reports, returns and reimbursement documentation associated with each; agreeing budgets with coordinators and ensuring they are adhered to; ensuring money allocated for particular projects is ring-fenced and spent accordingly; monitoring all incoming goods and delivery notes, paying invoices, etc, within the agreed budget; maintenance of all tax records and returns; liaise with accountants and organisation of the annual audit of accounts; preparation of financial reports for presentation to the directors.
• Project Development – essential development of infrastructure and internal procedures, training programmes, public events, etc that help Seed Savers further its aims and source funding for projects via grant-writing and fundraising events.
• Administration – Providing reports to directors including staff issues, news from the site, report on gardens, orchards, education marketing and up to date financial cash flow analysis. Implementation of strategic plan and business plan; attendance at directors’ meetings; compilation of statistics, analysis of data, and evaluation of the achievements of Seed Savers; compliance with Health and Safety Regulations; compliance with all employment legalisation; promotion of Seed Savers; liaison with outside bodies and stakeholders including funders, government departments, county councils, and like-minded organisations.
• Day-to-day Management – Management of office and shop/café staff; oversee development of website; scheduling of workshops and group tours; Marketing and Press, events planning and wholesale of seeds and trees.

Instructions to applicants:

A list of manager criteria is available from the Irish Seed Savers at marrianne@irishseedsavers.ie. Applicants should send their CV and covering letter, which should make reference to the criteria, to the Administrator:marrianne@irishseedsavers.ie

Deadline 27th November 2016

Short-listed candidates will be interviewed at the beginning of December 2016

Expected Start Date: Monday 2nd January 2017 (tbc)

The Irish Seed Savers Association is a registered charity. It is part-funded by the Department of Agriculture for its conservation of Irish varieties, with over 1,700 paying supporters nationwide who help to fund our activities in exchange for free seeds, seed potatoes, newsletters, and discounts on workshops and fruit trees.

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