Crop Health and Protection (CHAP) Ltd is one of four UK Agri-Tech Centres launched under BEIS supported by Innovate UK in 2015. As a unique, independent nexus between UK government, researchers and industry, CHAP builds innovation networks to identify and accelerate the development of cutting-edge solutions to drive transformative change in sustainable crop productivity to deliver unparalleled economic and societal benefits for all.
Overall Job Purpose/Role
This role will be responsible for supporting both the Innovation team and wider organisation in developing, writing, and delivering successful research grants, commercial bids and projects. This will include liaising with CHAP Partners, Members and External Stakeholders to enhance networks and build consortiums and acting as a technical specialist with the team for on farm sustainability, biodiversity net gain, ecosystem services and environmental impact.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
- Report to the Innovation Director/Sector Lead and assist in the overall objectives of CHAP
- Initiate, develop and lead successful applications and bid proposals to maximise use of current CHAP capabilities and secure future income
- Support the successful delivery of CHAP projects
- Act as a scientific/technical point of contact for CHAP
- Create and develop partnership and consortium networks with CHAP partners and wider community
- Raise awareness of CHAP and its capabilities
- Provide relevant documentation and reports internally
- Produce briefing documents and presentations as required for colleagues, Board and wider audience
- Assist with appropriate reporting to the Innovation, Operational, Commercial teams and Monitoring Officer as required
- Participate in company training and skill enhancement programmes as required
- Attend and represent CHAP at event nationally and internationally as required
- Ensure compliance with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
Applicants are required to meet the following criteria:
- A good honours degree in a biology discipline (or equivalent experience)
- A PhD in a biology discipline and/or experience of working within a relevant industry sector. Plant/Crop/Soil/Environmental Science background preferable
- Technical experience and understanding of on farm sustainability, biodiversity net gain, ecosystem services
- Experience of undertaking formal environmental impact assessment
- Experience and understanding of the academic research and development sector and/or commercial technical research sector
- Experience and knowledge of the UK funding landscape
- Experience of grant application/bid writing/business plans and project management
- Ability to liaise with a wide variety of colleagues – technical and non-technical
- Ability to build relationships with a range of organisations
- Excellent interpersonal and presentation skills with ability to engage with stakeholders at any level
- Confident, friendly and articulate manner
- Experience of developing and maintaining networks
- Effectively plan and manage workload
- Able to work to tight deadlines
- Ability to work both as a team member and on own initiative
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office packages
For more information and an informal confidential discussion please e-mail your CV and covering letter TO officemanager@chap-solutions.co.uk