Basic Function:

We wish to recruit a dynamic and suitably-qualified technologist to facilitate and conduct multi-actor workshops on developing co-creation technical guidelines and policy recommendations, drawing on insights from other relevant WPs as part of the Horizon Europe NUTRITIVE project. Specifically, the appointed candidate will develop a multi-actor workshop protocol, facilitate multi-actor workshops for the Irish farming case study, and assist other partners in ensuring the validated protocol is implemented across different case studies. They will also draft scientific and technical reports on co-creation technical guidelines and policy recommendations for promoting various manure management practices/technologies to reduce pollutants along the manure management chain across five EU case studies (Ireland, Italy, Spain, Germany, Belgium).

This work will include the development of a well-validated multi-actor workshop protocol, drawing on key findings from other tasks (enablers and barriers to on-farm adoption), as well as the implementation of workshops in Ireland and the analysis of qualitative data from the facilitation of co-creation of technical guidelines and policy recommendations applicable to each case study. The successful candidate will also assist partner organisations in conducting multi-actor workshops. The appointed candidate will work as part of a transdisciplinary, European-based team to support the development of European and national agri-environmental policy based on scientific evidence. Moreover, this research will support the work of the Teagasc Climate Centre.

Background:

The Technologist will be a member of the Rural Economy and Development Programme (REDP) within the Agri-food Business and Spatial Analysis (AFBSA) Department at Teagasc. AFBSA is recognised as a leading centre for research in the social and behavioural sciences and spatial analysis. The department plays a key role in the Teagasc Climate Centre, applying advanced social and behavioural science research to understand farm-level climate adaptation and mitigation behaviours. This research supports the development and implementation of tailored, evidence-based policies and knowledge exchange initiatives that encourage behaviour change at the farm level.

Teagasc Ashtown Food Research Centre is home to approximately 235 staff and postgraduate students across seven departments on its 28-acre campus. The campus includes a Conference and Training Centre featuring eight meeting rooms, a tiered lecture theatre, a science laboratory, breakout spaces, and a large canteen.’

Sustainable agricultural development is at the forefront of European policy. Among the different agricultural sectors, livestock plays an essential role in the supply of global food and contributes positively to economic development. However, there are increasing environmental concerns associated with livestock farming, due to its significant contribution to air, soil, and water pollution.

A key area of attention to reduce environmental emissions from livestock farming is the manure management chain. Strategies can be implemented at all steps, from feeding, housing, handling, collection, treatment, storage to application, to optimise farm nutrient cycling and mitigate environmental impacts. Despite major advancements in developing innovative solutions to improve manure management, more research is needed to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of implementing them at the farm level.

This research will implement a mixed-methods approach to explore the motivations and barriers to adopt various manure management practices/technologies at the farm level. Recommendations will be drawn for policy and extension services. Results will feed into the decision-support system developed as part of the Nutritive project.  

More information about the Nutritive project can be found at the following link: https://nutritive.es/.

 Duties & Responsibilities specific to this project:

• To design and validate a protocol for multi-actor workshops on the co-creation of technical guidelines and policy recommendations
• To facilitate multi-actor workshops for the Irish case study
• To support the implementation of multi-actor workshops in other case studies
• To collect and analyse qualitative data from all case studies
• To draft technical guidelines and policy recommendations (policy briefings drawing on insights from multi-actor workshops)
• To draft technical and scientific reports
• To support the task leader in managing the project and organising workshops

Additional Duties & Responsibilities:.

• To assist Teagasc in meeting the commitments of the Quality Customer Service Charter and Action Plan.
• To actively participate in the annual business planning and Performance Management Development System (PMDS) processes.
• Fully co-operate with the provisions made for ensuring the health, safety and welfare of themselves, fellow staff and non-Teagasc staff and co-operate with management in enabling Teagasc to comply with legal obligations. This includes full compliance with the responsibilities outlined in the Safety Statement.
• Any other duties as may be assigned from time to time

* This job specification is intended as a guide to the general range of duties and is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive.  It will be reviewed from time to time with the post holder.

 Note:  The ‘essential’ qualifications, knowledge, skills and behavioural competencies outlined above are ‘must-have’ which will be used in the selection process.

Note:  Alternative location(s) may be considered solely at the discretion of Teagasc management.