Basic Function:

The facilitation of the Agricultural Catchment Programme through:

• Collection of environmental, economic and production data required by the programme team.
• Development and promotion of the programme among farmers and other stakeholders.
• Delivery of an intensive advisory service to participating farmers.
• Maintenance of equipment and facilities in the catchments.
• Dissemination of information generated by the programme.

Background:

The Agricultural Catchments Programme is a national project of excellence based on a stakeholder partnership which generates knowledge to underpin profitable farm production in a clean environment.

The objectives of the Agricultural Catchments Programme are:

• To generate the knowledge to ascertain the efficacy and cost effectiveness of the Nitrates Action Programme (NAP) measures and the derogation in terms of water quality and farm practices.
• To provide a basis for a scientific review of NAP measures with a view to adopting modifications where necessary.
• To achieve a greater understanding of the factors that determines farmer’s understanding and implementation of the NAP.
• To disseminate this knowledge to a wide audience including farmers, advisors, policy makers and other stakeholders.

To achieve these objectives an integrated research, advisory and technical team works with farmers in six catchments in conjunction with Teagasc’s Research and Knowledge Transfer Directorates.  This programme is jointly managed by an Agricultural Catchments specialist and two Senior Research Officers. Close liaison is maintained with farmers and farming organisations at local and national level.  The first four phases of the Programme ran from 2008 to the end of 2023.  Phase 5 of the programme runs from the beginning of 2024 to the end of 2027.  Each funded phase has lasted for four years, and this phase is expected to be renewed in 2028.

The programme provides:

• Planning and technical support for catchment farmers to underpin profitable farming systems. 
• Baseline and monitoring datasets for farm production, nutrient and farm management practices, nutrient transformations and transfers to water and their impact on its quality.  These are used to contribute to the national monitoring requirements of both the Nitrates and Water Framework Directives.
• A transparent scientific and economic assessment of the effectiveness of the European Union (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations, as required by Irelands Nitrates Action Programme.
• An assessment of socio-economic and behavioural factors affecting the implementation of the measures.
• A platform for technology transfer, education and promotion which will use the output from the programme in the formulation of advisory and technology transfer initiatives, including Teagasc’s Better Farming for Water campaign.

This post will service the Timoleague catchment and be based in Teagasc’s Clonakility advisory office.  The dominant farming system in this catchment is Dairying.

• Deliver the programme objectives through teamwork as part of an integrated research and advisory team.  
• Promote and foster the development of the programme in the catchments with farmers and other stakeholders.
• Use a range of effective advisory methodologies to achieve technology transfer and sustainable development of clients’ farms.
• Assist participating farmers in the analysis and planning of their farm business and in implementing the Good Agricultural Practice measures.
• Monitor environmental, production and financial performance for participating farmers and help them develop and implement management plans for their farms.
• He/she must act as an effective conduit to the latest thinking and methods that may give farmers a competitive edge or sustain their viability.
• Maintain monitoring and recording equipment and facilities in good condition.
• Record (using notebooks, data-loggers, computers, etc.) chemical, physical, financial and attitudinal data.
• Collect, process and analyse as appropriate samples of soil, water, manure, plants and other materials as required by the programme protocols.
• Maintain excellent records, input data into spreadsheets etc. and contribute to compilation, analysis and presentation of data/results.
• Develop materials that will facilitate the delivery of the programme.
• Develop and maintain co-operation and good working relations with Teagasc staff and management locally and nationally.  
• Organise and conduct dissemination activities including open days, farm walks, stakeholder meetings, etc.
• Assist in the development and delivery of the programme business plan.
• Assist management and administrative staff in achieving good governance and risk management through co-operation and adherence to administrative procedures and practices.
• Assist Teagasc in meeting the commitments of the Quality Customer Service charter and action plan.
• 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.