Farming In Protected Landscapes (FIPL) Business Support Officer

Salary: £29,064 – £31,022 pro rata 
Hours per week: 22.2 hours 
Temporary/Fixed term: 12 Months
Interview date: 10 September 2026

Are you a highly organised administrator with strong financial skills and a passion for supporting projects that make a real difference to the countryside? Join the North Wessex Downs National Landscape Team and play a key role in delivering the Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) programme.

FiPL is a nationally significant government-funded initiative that supports farmers and land managers to deliver projects that enhance nature, improve climate resilience, strengthen rural communities and protect some of England’s most treasured landscapes.

As Business Support Officer, you will provide essential administrative and financial support to ensure the smooth and efficient delivery of the programme across the North Wessex Downs National Landscape. Working closely with the FiPL Officers and Director, you will manage grant applications, claims and payments, maintain accurate financial records, prepare reports for Defra, support Local Assessment Panel meetings, and help deliver communications and stakeholder engagement activities.

This is an exciting opportunity to work with a wide range of partners including farmers, environmental organisations, local authorities and community groups. You’ll need excellent organisational skills, attention to detail, financial competence and the confidence to manage competing priorities. Knowledge of farming, rural businesses, environmental management or protected landscapes would be advantageous.

Based at Denford Manor, Hungerford, this fixed-term role offers the chance to contribute directly to the future of one of the UK’s most important protected landscapes while supporting sustainable farming and rural development.

Why us

Wiltshire Council is a friendly, welcoming place to work, with a 'One Council' ethos. Find out more about Our Identity, staff networks, and employee benefits here.

Our hybrid working model means office staff are on site for at least half their hours, community-based staff carry out at least half their admin time in a workplace, and customer‑facing roles work entirely from their service location.

We are committed to creating a workplace where positive relationships thrive and everyone feels engaged, supported and able to do their best. We do not tolerate discrimination, bullying or harassment. Everyone is expected to promote a culture of inclusion, dignity, trust and respect, guided by our vision and Our Identity.

Contact details 

Jemima Sellwood, Farming In protected Landscapes Officer, [email protected]

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Application criteria

Please download and read the role description and person specification carefully before you apply.

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Statement of commitment to equality and inclusion

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Application process

Wiltshire Council does not accept unsolicited CVs or candidate details from recruitment agencies that are not appointed under a current, valid contract or approved supplier arrangement (including through our neutral vendor, Comensura).

Submission of unsolicited CVs or candidate details to the Council, whether directly or to individual employees, will not be considered as an introduction and will not create any obligation on the Council to pay any fees. If a candidate whose details have been submitted speculatively is subsequently appointed through a compliant route, no agency fee will be payable in respect of the unsolicited submission.

Agencies wishing to work with the Council must do so only via our approved procurement processes and neutral vendor arrangements.