Solway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

A Shared Responsibility for a Very Special Place

Solway Coast AONB Staff Unit

AONB Manager

Develop a vision and strategy for AONB Management and promote the Solway Coast AONB designation as unique and distinguishable from adjacent countryside;
Initiate, prepare and keep under review a replacement AONB Management Plan, as required by the CROW Act (in consultation with Allerdale Borough Council, Carlisle City Council and Cumbria County Council, acting though the JAC, as advised by the Officer Steering group);
Prepare an annual Business Plan, keeping under review the role of the AONB Unit, and defining programmes of action;
Manage effectively other staff employed by or on behalf of the AONB Unit, ensuring in particular that AONB staff are developed, supported and trained effectively.
Ensure arrangements are in place to secure practical management of the AONB, securing additional funds to assist with the delivery of an agreed programme of management, maintenance and advice;
Access additional resources to secure implementation of the AONB Management and Action Plans, ensuring effective and timely project identification, planning, and provision of appropriate matched funding, development and implementation, and financial accounting, monitoring and reporting;
Provide planning and development related advice on behalf of the AONB (acting through the JAC or a sub-committee as agreed);
Provide local and national advice and promotion, through liaison with other AONBs and by engaging the local population in aspects of AONB management;
Maintain effective liaison with key agencies and local authorities around the Solway, ensuring they are well informed on the AONB's programmes and consulted before new initiatives are developed and implemented;
Ensure efficient delivery of secretariat functions to the JAC and Officer Group, and run in a timely and effective manner an annual AONB Conference, and such other events as are requested by the JAC, attending the JAC and related events in an advisory capacity.
Support the JAC in fund raising (in consultation with SRI Ltd), to secure the financial stability of the AONB Unit and the funding of agreed actions.
Ensure the effective monitoring of project finances, reporting income and expenditure and securing the raising of invoices and payments, in liaison with Local Authority partners and SRI Ltd. In particular, ensuring AONB Unit Budgets, Contracts, annual project planning, funding and implementation are to a high standard as agreed with the JAC;
Undertake such other duties and responsibilities as may reasonably be required, including evening and weekend work whenever necessary.

AONB Tourism & Education Officer

Under the direction of the AONB Manager, the Solway Coast AONB Development Officer will work with the Solway Coast AONB Unit in the preparation and implementation of the new statutory Solway Coast AONB Management Plan. The post holder will have particular responsibility for policy development in the AONB, for securing funding to ensure implementation of the management plan, and for information and education.

Principal accountabilities:

Assist the AONB Manager in the review of the Solway Coast AONB Management Plan, working with the AONB Projects Officer, and subsequently monitor and oversee its implementation.
Assist the AONB Manager in the production and subsequent updating of an annual AONB Action / Business Plan, working with the AONB Projects Officer.
Develop detailed interpretative and educational plans for sites of interest within the AONB
In undertaking these tasks, maintain close liaison with other agencies and partnerships including English Nature, the Environment Agency, the Solway Firth Partnership, Cumbria Biodiversity Partnership, Cumbria Sea Fisheries Committee, etc.
Assist the AONB Manager in promoting the AONB designation and its uniqueness to visitors, communities within the AONB, schools, community groups and other bodies, by the development of events, programmes and the provision of information (through Solway Coast Heritage Centre, leaflets, and the AONB web site) on time and to budget.
Undertake, as required, surveys within the AONB
Assist on accessing external resources for AONB management;
Assist in liaison with other AONB's and engaging the local population in aspects of AONB management.
As required, support or deputise for, the AONB Manager in attending the JAC or its sub-committees.
Undertake such other duties and responsibilities as may reasonably be required, including evening and weekend work whenever necessary.

AONB Unit Administrator

Under the direction of the AONB Manager, the Solway Coast AONB Administrator will have particular responsibility for developing and operating administrative systems to support the AONB Unit, supporting other AONB staff, and ensuring the effective operation of the Joint Advisory Committee.

Principal accountabilities:

Act as secretary to the Joint Advisory Committee and keep timely and appropriate records of all agreed meetings
In particular organise the Annual General Meeting of the Joint Advisory Committee and other Conferences, events and public meetings as agreed.
Manage all office administrative and financial systems (within the AONB staff unit), preparing timely reports and management accounts, in particular ensuring the AONB Unit operates to standards agreed with SRI Ltd, the Countryside Agency as principle funder, and other partners.
Liaise with partners to develop the AONB Newsletter and other agreed plans and publications, ensuring timely, and high quality outputs, liasing with printers as required.
Assist in the development of funding applications for, and implementation of a portfolio of agreed projects.
Contribute effectively to all aspects of the work of the AONB Unit as directed by the AONB Manager, ensuring close liaison with JAC Member organisations
Undertake such other duties and responsibilities as may reasonably be required, including evening and weekend work whenever necessary.

See appendix 2 for detailed Job descriptions

AONB Projects Officer

Under the direction of the AONB Manager, the Solway Coast AONB Projects Officer will work with the Solway Coast AONB Development Officer in the preparation and implementation of the Solway Coast AONB Management and Action Plans. The post holder will have particular responsibility for identifying, developing and managing practical projects in the AONB. S/he will support development and operation of an AONB Ranger Service, securing additional funds to assist with an agreed programme of management, maintenance and advice.

Principal accountabilities:

Ensure effective and timely project development, implementation and delivery;
Manage (AONB Volunteer Coordinator) the Countryside Management / Ranger Service for the AONB and ensure its effective delivery;
Assist in accessing external resources for AONB management;
Assist the AONB Officer in promoting the AONB designation and its uniqueness;
Work with the Solway Coast AONB Development Officer in the preparation and implementation of the Solway Coast AONB Management and Action Plans;
In undertaking these tasks, maintain close liaison with other agencies and partnerships including English Nature, the Environment Agency, the Solway Firth Partnership, Cumbria Biodiversity Partnership, Cumbria Sea Fisheries Committee, etc.
Assist in liaison with other AONB's and engagement with the local population in aspects of AONB management.
Develop and share in the training of volunteers
Develop and ensure the implementation of Health and Safety Policies
Undertake, as required, surveys within the AONB
Share in the promotion of the importance of the AONB and associated environmental issues to schools, local community groups and other bodies.
Undertake such other duties and responsibilities as may reasonably be required, including evening and weekend work whenever necessary.