Skills Development Officer

• Salary: circa £34,000 (pro rata) depending on experience
• Location: UK
• Work Pattern: This role is available as either: A remote-first position with regular travel to NFYFC Stoneleigh Park office for key meetings and collaborative work OR A hybrid arrangement working approximately 50% from NFYFCs Stoneleigh Park office (typically Wednesday/Thursday) and 50% from home. For this option, candidates would live within commutable distance of Stoneleigh.
• Travel Requirements: This role involves occasional travel to deliver training sessions across England and Wales, typically 1-2 days month. All travel will be prepared well in advance.
• Contract: Part time - 30 hrs per week (full time considered), with some weekends and evening work. Permanent

Download the Application form

Full Job Description

Join Our Team!

The National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs (NFYFC) is seeking a motivated, confident, and flexible individual to manage and develop its training programme for NFYFC’s members, leaders, volunteers, and county staff. This role supports local Young Farmers’ Clubs (YFCs) in England and Wales, helping them deliver valuable programmes for children and young people in rural communities.

Skills Development Officer

The Skills Development Officer will play a vital role within NFYFC’s staff team, leading the creation and delivery of high-quality training programmes and learning resources tailored to the diverse needs of our membership. This dynamic, multi-disciplinary role requires expertise in training development, along with a hands-on, practical approach to facilitation—empowering YFC members and the workforce to enhance their skills and reach their full potential.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and co-ordinate the NFYFC Trainers’ Forum, including delivering training and supporting forum member’s development
• Develop and manage NFYFC’s training programmes to support volunteers, leaders, and county staff.
• Design and assess training materials, including e-learning tools, to meet identified learning needs.
• Plan and deliver training events, ensuring engaging and effective content.
• Provide advice, guidance, and resources to support NFYFC’s training initiatives.
• Collaborate with colleagues to identify learning outcomes across NFYFC’s programme of work.
• Support NFYFC’s constituent county federations by responding to training requests and developing learning resources.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Experience in training, learning, or education, particularly in working with children and young people.
• Proven ability to design and deliver training (both accredited and non-accredited), including e-learning tools.
• Strong facilitation and charismatic workshop leadership skills.
• Experience in evaluation and report writing.
• Ability to manage routine tasks alongside complex projects.
• Excellent relationship-building skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• A strong role model for YFC values and behaviours, confident in fostering positive behaviour and addressing misconduct with confidence.
• Strong IT skills, including proficiency in MS Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, and e-learning and engagement tools.
• Excellent communication skills, both written (reports, proposals, training materials) and verbal (presentations, committee meetings, facilitation).
• A good general education.
• A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for travel to rural and other locations (business expenses policy applies)
• Willingness to work regular but infrequent weekends and evenings (time off in lieu policy applies).

Desirable Experience

• Experience in partnership and collaborative working.
• Experience of collaborating with volunteers.
• Recognised professional training or youth work qualification(s).
• Knowledge of youth work principles.
• Understanding of and empathy with rurally isolated communities.

Personal Attributes

• Commitment to NFYFC’s mission, values, and community.
• A charismatic trainer and enjoys supporting young people and volunteers.
• Initiative-taking with a proactive and positive approach to work.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to multitask.
• Creative thinker, able to develop new training and learning opportunities.
• Warm, persuasive, and flexible in working relationships.

Work Environment & Safeguarding

This role is available as either: A remote-first position with regular travel to NFYFC Stoneleigh Park office for key meetings and collaborative work.

OR

A hybrid arrangement working approximately 50% from NFYFCs Stoneleigh Park office (typically Wednesday/Thursday) and 50% from home. For this option, candidates would live within commutable distance of Stoneleigh.

This role involves occasional travel to deliver training sessions across England and Wales, typically 1-2 days month. Travel will be prepared well in advance.

The NFYFC is seeking applicants from a wide range of backgrounds and as a youth organisation, NFYFC is committed to safeguarding young people and vulnerable adults. All posts are subject to Safe Recruiting Procedures, and this position requires an enhanced DBS check (with barred lists).

About the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs

The National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs (England & Wales) [NFYFC] is one of the largest rural youth organisations in the UK. The organisation provides opportunities for personal development of its members through training programmes, competitions, skills certificates and overseas travel. This is a democratic membership organisation comprising of approx. 23,000 YFC members of 560+ Young Farmers’ Clubs in England & Wales which are grouped in 46 county federations.

The National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs supports the clubs and county federations achieve the charity objectives through a range of programmes and training underpinned by youth work principles. Programmes of work are designed to offer opportunities for participation, learning, fun and personal development to YFC members aged 10 to 28 years and to those supporting them in their roles across England and Wales.

If you are an experienced training professional with a passion for supporting young people in rural communities, we would love to hear from you!

Instructions to applicants

Closing date for completed applications is 12 noon, Wednesday 12 March 2025.

All applications to be submitted on NFYFC’s application form and must be accompanied by a supporting email/letter.

Completed applications should be sent to Recruitment@nfyfc.org.uk

OR

(marked Private & Confidential) James Eckley, Chief Officer, National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs, YFC Centre, 10^th Street, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire CV8 2LG