The Oxford Real Farming Conference (ORFC) is recruiting a Programme Coordinator. The successful candidate will be responsible for programming the in-person ORFC in January 2023.

What you will be doing

Working with the Events Director, you’ll be:

• Reviewing the session ideas and proposals and liaising with partners and advisors to decide which to take forward to the conference
• Directly liaising with ORFC speakers and chairs to support both in-person and online sessions for the ORFC 2023 programme
• Bringing together the session and speaker details to create the final programme and run of show for print and online deadlines
• Reviewing and revising speaker and chair guidelines
• Being on-hand to respond to speaker and delegate questions via email 

Plus other tasks as necessary to support the ORFC team with the delivery of the conference.

Skills, experience and values

The successful candidate will:

• Be creative, flexible and able to manage multiple relationships with partners, funders and speakers
• Have experience programming and running events and an understanding of the changing nature of such work
• Be able to show a depth of knowledge in agroecology
• Have strong diplomatic and communication skills, both written and verbal
• Be able to work as part of an existing team to solve problems, sometimes at the last minute
• Be familiar with the work of the Real Farming Trust, the Oxford Real Farming Conference and other organisations in the UK food and farming movement
• Be able to work in Oxford for the duration of the conference week (3rd – 7th January)
• Be prepared to work flexibly. The role has periods when it is very busy and periods when it is less so. The successful candidate will need to be prepared to work flexibly to meet the demands of the role. The timing of the conference means that the work is particularly busy before and after Christmas

When and where
Flexible home-working, approx. 2.5 days a week from mid-June 2022 to mid-January 2023. You’ll need your own computer and a good internet connection. Travel to events and for meetings is required throughout the year.

The contract will be for 70 days, and there is flexibility within this to take time off when the work is not busy, and increase your time when it is (i.e., later in the year). The conference takes place in the first week of January, so working between Christmas and New Year is essential.

What you can expect
You’ll gain a wide range of experience at a national and international level in a busy not-for-profit setting, and play an important role in one of the most well-respected and progressive food and farming events in the UK.

Equal opportunities
We are committed to equal opportunity for all staff. Applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, parental status, race, religion or belief, marriage or civil partnerships.

How to apply
Please email your background experience and a letter explaining why you would like to work with us to Francesca Price at [email protected] by midnight on Tuesday, 31st May 2022. Interviews will take place online on Monday, 13th June. We will let all applicants know whether they have been shortlisted for an interview by Monday, 6th June. If you have questions about the role, email Francesca at [email protected].