Element EC28.1 | Element EC28.2
About this unit
This unit focuses on enabling maintained or improved conservation of land and sea areas through carefully planned and implemented negotiation. The word ‘improvement’ can include the retention of existing good practice in the face of proposed changes. Negotiation will be undertaken with a wide variety of different interest groups. This unit emphasises working in partnership with others to achieve solutions and improvements.
The term ‘land and/or sea area’ is used throughout the unit and is open to broad interpretation in recognition of the variety of different contexts in which this type of negotiation activity is carried out. The term can be applied to terrestrial, water or mixed environments in both urban and rural contexts, including offshore areas to the edge of territorial waters.
You will carry out activities within legal frameworks and via instructions from your line manager. However, there would normally be a considerable degree of personal autonomy and responsibility associated with your actions.
Preparatory research will be vital in ensuring that you have taken into account all relevant environmental factors and human interests and opinions. You must also establish and understand the short-term and long-term results of the different proposals you are considering. This research must be completed in order to draw up and prioritise the recommendations that will be used as the basis of negotiations.
You must be able to present recommendations to a range of audiences, negotiate how they will be taken forward and keep a record of the content and results of these negotiations and agreements. You must also operate a monitoring system to ensure that agreements are complied with and successfully concluded.
This unit is for conservation workers who are involved in negotiations concerning the use of land and/or sea areas. For example, this may entail negotiations with landowners over access rights of way, fisherman over joint use of sea areas or with statutory bodies over proposed changes in regulation of the use of land and/or sea areas.
» Element EC28.1 Identify issues and develop recommendations for managing changes to the use of land and/or sea areas.
» Element EC28.2 Negotiate to agree change to the use of land and/or sea areas.
Element EC28.1 Identify issues and develop recommendations for managing changes to the use of land and/or sea areas.
What you must be able to do:
- identify any problems with current and proposed land use
- accurately identify the key interest groups and individuals associated with current and proposed land-use issues
- identify potential solutions to problems and evaluate them for their effectiveness
- develop recommendations for action to improve land use, in accordance with relevant strategy, policy, legal requirements and codes of practice
This standard covers:
A. problems:
- threats to biodiversity
- inappropriate use of land and coast
- poor maintenance of site
- access issues
B. key interest groups and individuals:
- landowners and occupiers
- land managers
- local authorities
- community and user groups
- general public
- statutory and other agencies
- environmental specialists
What you must know and understand:
- the range of problems and difficulties with land use; how to judge the need for action
- how to identify groups and individuals who may potentially be involved in a range of different circumstances
- technical and other potential solutions to problems, and reasons for choice
- means of evaluating the effectiveness of alternative potential solutions
- The implication of not adhering to relevant strategy, policy, legal requirements and codes of practice;
- reasons for choosing recommended courses of action
Element EC28.2 Negotiate to agree change to the use of land and/or sea areas.
What you must be able to do:
- actively encourage the involvement of relevant key interest groups and individuals in negotiations
- explain opportunities for the improvement of land use to the relevant key interest groups and individuals, and seek their views on these opportunities
- conduct negotiations with relevant key interest groups and individuals, seeking an outcome in accordance with the interests of all parties involved, and with relevant organisational and legal requirements
- conclude negotiations in accordance with relevant organisational and legal requirements
- record the outcomes of negotiations fully and accurately, and arrange the appropriate action with the relevant key interest groups and individuals
- monitor the implementation of improvements, and other actions arising from negotiations, for compliance with agreements
This standard covers:
A. key interest groups and individuals:
- landowners and occupiers
- land managers
- local authorities
- community and user groups
- general public
- statutory and other agencies
- environmental specialists
What you must know and understand:
- why certain interest groups and individuals should be identified as those with whom negotiations should take place
- why encouraging involvement in negotiations is important
- how to identify the interests of key groups and individuals, and the roles they may play in negotiations
- relevant aspects of strategy, policy, legal requirements and codes of practice for circumstances of the negotiation
- ways in which the interests of other parties change as negotiation proceeds
- means of concluding negotiations in different circumstances
- effects of arranging different types of action in accordance with the outcomes of the negotiation
- the importance of monitoring the implementation of agreed action
