23 March 2026
Filled
Regional Support Officer
Eastern Counties
The employer
FCN is a national charity and voluntary organisation operating across England and Wales, providing support to farming families facing difficulties in the farm business or in the home, which are causing them stress and anxiety. FCN volunteers understand the unique pressures and challenges involved in farming.
We have been described as a ‘lifeline’ and a ‘trusted friend’ by people we have helped, and support over 6,000 people in agriculture each year with a wide range of issues.
The job
As part-time Regional Support Officer you will be part of a team covering England and Wales, working closely with colleagues and volunteers in the Eastern Counties, with a focus on Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk.
You will be ensuring FCN provides an excellent and sympathetic service to the farmers we support. This will involve facilitating and conducting training, managing the allocation of case work, working with Volunteer Coordinators to support the volunteer recruitment and induction processes and playing a key role in developing awareness of FCN amongst the agricultural and horticultural community.
You will also be assisting with local PR opportunities and developing fundraising and training opportunities, working closely with other colleagues with oversight of these areas.
You will play a vital role in supporting volunteers and help to bolster the reputation of FCN. Using your extensive knowledge of the farming sector, you will be the primary contact for volunteers in the region, providing supervision and acting as a point of contact between volunteers and the national office team.
You will also work with and support local volunteers to connect with farmers, farmworkers, and others who live and work in the farming community and their families at marts, shows and other occasions as appropriate.
Key responsibilities for this role include:
- Case work management allocation, referral and follow up (liaising with Volunteer Coordinators and case work volunteers).
- Oversight/management of cases in the region.
- Facilitate and conduct training for FCN County Groups (supported by Regional Lead).
- Be the link with professional consultants and regional agencies via the Professional Services Network.
- Support and liaise with volunteers, volunteer coordinators, other members of staff and manage volunteer recruitment and induction process and develop best practice.
- Ensure volunteer DBS and safeguarding requirements are fully assured.
- Conduct inductions, annual volunteer support and development appraisals.
- Provide regular reports to the management team.
- Support emergency response on a regional basis e.g. weather events and disease outbreaks.
- Assist in delivery of internal and external training, working alongside Head of Communications and Development and training team, and identifying and developing fundraising opportunities.
- Partake in new proactive initiatives and projects that FCN is developing and implementing.
What you'll need
A passion for farming and the wellbeing of people who work within it.
Extensive knowledge and connections with the farming industry.
Able to provide leadership to volunteers when required.
Full, clean driving licence and access to own vehicle.
Confident, personable, able to promote FCN and adapt to the culture of the charity.
Excellent face-to-face and online communication skills.
Good PR skills and able to develop relationships with the press and develop fundraising opportunities.
Proficient at using MS Office suite programmes including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Excellent project management skills and can work to deadlines.
A team player who is motivated and able to work independently for prolonged periods.
Ability to be home-based and work in a mobile and flexible fashion.
Used to working effectively in small teams and through remote technologies such as Zoom.
A background in farming or associated businesses – able to discuss farming matters knowledgably.
Has worked in the charity sector previously.
Where you'll be based
You will be based from home with travel expected across the Eastern Counties
You may also be requested to support surrounding regions if required in emergency situations or to cover annual leave or absences. There may be occasions when it is necessary to attend evening or weekend events. In these cases, compensation will be considered on a case by case basis in the form of time-off in lieu.
What you'll receive
£30,000 per annum full time equivalent (£15,000 pro rata)
18 month fixed-term-contract (possible renewal, funding permitting)
Working approx. 17.5 hours per week
Find out more
To apply for this role please send a CV and an expression of interest letter highlighting how you meet the criteria outlined to mark@fcn.org.uk.
FCN is an inclusive employer and welcomes applications from anyone supportive of our mission, ethos and work helping to create a thriving future for farming in the UK.