Job Description

We are WSP - Join us and make your career future ready!
In today\xe2\x80\x99s world it\xe2\x80\x99s important to work for a company that has clear purpose, giving back to communities and supporting what is truly important in the world. When considering a career move it\xe2\x80\x99s vital to work for a business that is aligned to your values and goals, a place where you can belong. See what WSP stands for in 2023 and beyond\xe2\x80\xa6 To find out more about our business click on the following link and discover what awaits you at WSP: www.wsp.com Due to recent exciting project wins, WSP\xe2\x80\x99s Land team in Ireland is seeking an Agricultural Liaison Officer to join our Belfast based team.
Your new role, what\'s involved?

• Provide expertise and support on agricultural and land management to facilitate access, way leaving and possession of land
• Secure land rights for high profile, strategic infrastructure projects across the UK and Ireland
• Utilising statutory powers and other available mechanisms to acquire land (Vesting Order, CPO) on behalf of WSP clients within the electricity sector, but also highway, rail, water, telecoms, gas and renewable energy sectors
• Negotiate commercial terms, option agreements and other land related agreements
• Work closely with the Land team and collaborate with engineering, environmental, and planning teams
• Organise and attend site visit meetings with landowners, their agents, legal teams and other stakeholders and provide meeting records for upload to a landowner and stakeholder communications database
• Regular communication with landowners and their agents to manage and build positive working relationships for the successful delivery of projects
• Liaise with landowners, land agents, legal representatives, planning authorities, key stakeholders, contractors and clients
• Report progress to clients regularly ensuring client satisfaction and expectations are met
• Prepare and check consenting documentation
• Advise clients on compliance with statutory and industry best practice
• Support the sharing of knowledge and lessons across regions and projects
• Lead on quality assurance of deliverables and drive and promote innovation within team to improve working practices
• Lead on and contribute to business development and client relationship management

YOUR TEAM This is an exciting opportunity based in our Belfast office to become part of our multi-disciplinary service line within the WSP Land Team in the delivery of land referencing, land acquisition, land access, formal consents, statutory orders and compensation agreements and landowner management. We are the largest Land Referencing business in the UK and Ireland, delivering high profile projects such as the A5WTC, North South Interconnector, A9 Dualling and HS2 Our clients develop major highway, rail, energy and renewable infrastructure and projects all of which impact privately owned land. You will work as part of a team of Land Consultants assisting in the liaison with landowners that may be affected by development, obtaining the appropriate consent, gaining access and where necessary compensating them for the impact caused by the scheme.
We\'d love to hear from you if you have:

• Expertise in rural environment, property, communities and agricultural working practices
• Experience working with multi-disciplinary teams across a range of sectors and locations across the UK and Ireland
• Experience of negotiating commercial terms with landowners and knowledge of the legal process for the acquisition of wayleaves and easement
• Demonstrable experience of reducing land risk for clients and advising them on land related matters throughout all stages of a project lifecycles.
• Proven track record of the development of Orders and/or acquisition of consents and interests in land, and knowledge of relevant legislation
• Ability to communicate effectively with strong influencing and negotiating skills
• Motivated and able to work in a team and on own initiative, being able to work under pressure and deliver high quality outputs
• Strong landowner and public engagement skills
• Good business and IT skills
• Excellent adherence to quality assurance and good document management skills
• A degree or equivalent experience in Agriculture, Land and Estate Management or similar
• Chartership or membership or a Professional body would be advantageous.
• A full UK/ROI driving licence is required.

What\'s in it for you?

• Work-life balance?

WSP recognises that work is only one part of your life and making time for other things is important \xe2\x80\x93 whether that\xe2\x80\x99s for your families, friends, or yourself. Our hybrid working policy allows the flexibility to work from the comfort of your own home as well as collaborating in our contemporary offices across the UK.

• Inclusivity & Diversity?

We want our people to achieve rewarding careers, bringing their whole selves to work. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing diversity to create a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP. Our employee resource groups VIBE (LGBTQ+ employees), CREED (Championing Racial Equality and Ethnic Diversity) and our Gender Balance Group, in tandem with WSP\xe2\x80\x99s Neurodiverse Community Group, WSP Connect Group (visible and non-visible disabilities) help us promote the right environment for you to reach your full potential.

• Health & Wellbeing?

We are committed to supporting our people, giving you the tools to make improvements to your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme. Med24 gives you and your family unrestricted telephone access to an NHS doctor where you can call day or night or have a face-to-face video consultation.

• Flex your time?

For improved work life balance, WSP offers the \xe2\x80\x9cWSP Hour\xe2\x80\x9d which enables you to take one hour per day to do as you wish and make up the time earlier or later that day. We also offer part time and flexible working arrangements plus the option to flex your bank holiday entitlement to suit you.

• Your development?

We appreciate that development and training is important to you and that\xe2\x80\x99s why we have a supportive environment that invests in your development, whether that\xe2\x80\x99s chartership, training or mentoring.
Apply now and be the future of WSP!
#WeAreWSP Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria, please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application. Please note WSP reserves the right to close the vacancy before the advertised closing date.
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Job Reference: WSP10413