Severn Valley Water Management Scheme Flood Forum - Independent Chair Vacancy

Volunteer Role Opportunity: SVWMS Flood Forum Independent Chair

We are looking for a passionate and dedicated person to fulfil the role of Chair of the SVWMS Flood Forum to support, inform and guide the forum.

• Location: based within the Upper Severn Catchment (Powys/Shropshire).

• Travel expenses may be covered by National Flood Forum where reasonably accrued.

• Time Commitment: 6-monthly meetings (in-person & online), regular communications with NFF via email, Teams and telephone.

Role description

The chair position of the SVWMS Flood Forum will play an important role in independently facilitating discussion between SVWMS Project Partners and the flood forum membership. In this role you would be expected to develop a strong understanding of the aims and methodology of the SVWMS, aiding in providing a platform to members and the SVWMS team to share ideas and cross-reference SVWMS findings to communities on the ground experience.

The SVWMS Flood Forum aims to meet on a 6-monthly basis to receive updates from project partners and align understandings of the aim and remit of SVWMS. As a long-term project, the SVWMS Flood Forum Chair would be expected to support NFF, The Forum and SVWMS in highlighting the need for this Strategy and would be a key voice for promoting SVWMS’s benefits to flood-risk communities across the catchment to key stakeholders.

Desirable attributes

• Strong professional experience working within Flood Risk Management, particularly with a focus and understanding of Natural Flood Management and nature-based solutions.

• An understanding of large infrastructure projects.

• Understanding of the personal challenges of flooding, and a commitment to advocate for flooded communities.

• Confidence in communicating complex concepts to a variety of audiences, finding the balance between technical and basic explanations.

• Ability to form strong partnership working relationships, whilst maintaining independence of voice.

• Confidence in advocating for and with vulnerable communities.

• Engagement with farming communities.

• Confidence engaging with a variety of stakeholders including community, media and political stakeholders.

How to apply:

To find out more and/or apply for this role, please send a short covering letter and CV to sophie.davies@floodforum.org.uk