Climate Smart Farmer Engagement Officer

Summary

Join Climate-KIC, a leading climate innovation initiative in Europe, as a Project Officer for the Resilient and Climate Neutral Regions Cluster. You will play a key role in supporting the development of the 'Green Horizons Network', empowering farmers in their transition towards climate resilience. This position involves working with farmers, cooperatives, and key partners in Ireland and internationally to implement the Dairy Flagship, a key part of Climate-KIC's strategy to accelerate decarbonization and strengthen resilience. You will facilitate workshops, analyze data, and develop methodologies to support farmers and advisors in adopting sustainable dairy practices. Additionally, you will contribute to knowledge exchange among farmers and agricultural experts across Europe, co-organizing events, webinars, and working groups.

Requirements

• An understanding of food systems and sustainability challenges; especially related to the role of primary producers and as they pertain to the Irish context
• Good knowledge of the European agri-food, bioeconomy, and soil policy context
• Academic background ideally in the field of Agriculture, Climate, Environmental Science, Environmental Policy, Soil Science, or Environmental Engineering
• A recognised qualification and/or demonstrable skills in participatory approaches, farmer engagement and strong experience with the Irish dairy sector
• 3-5 years of demonstrated experience in farmer engagement/ advice
• Fluent in English and have strong written and verbal communication skills
• Good experience with collaborative IT applications (we use Office365 and Microsoft Teams, as well as Miro, Zoom, Mentimeter etc.)
• Excellent at leading effective meetings
• Proven track record in stakeholder engagement

Responsibilities

• Support project management and coordination of the the dairy flagship of the Ireland Land Agri-Food Deep Demonstration, including
• Maintaining and updating the workplan and assure connection to the portfolio of projects within the Ireland Deep Demonstration
• Engagement of farmers, cooperatives & community groups
• Engagement with key partners and service providers both in Ireland and internationally
• Facilitate workshops about on farm sustainability
• Analyze data & develop methodologies to help farmer advisors  work with the sustainable dairy Framework
• Supporting communications internally and externally; including the development of communications materials and delivering on communication strategy
• Facilitating project meetings and maintaining accurate records of decisions etc
• Support Flagship insights and learning
• Support  the knowledge exchange among farmers and agricultural experts in Europe
• Co-organise and facilitate events, webinars, and farm-specific working groups
• Support in the development of (online access) access to tools and methods that enhance productivity and sustainability

Preferred Qualifications

• Curious with a learning mindset
• Accountable, pro-active with a drive for problem-solving and capable to make connections between initiatives
• Resilient to uncertainty in an evolving internal and external landscape, respond dynamically to change
• Completer/finisher
• Bring gravitas that helps build trust