Do you have excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships and partnerships with a wide variety of people including volunteers? Do you have experience in fundraising and an excellent track record in the development of new project initiatives in partnership with a range of organisations?

We are inviting potential candidates for our new and exciting role as People Engagement Manager which will develop, manage and be responsible for a portfolio of engagement activities which foster connections with nature and connections with each other. This will include strategic development and on-going funding for our existing programmes of work (Walk in the Park, Wild Strathfillan and Active Travel) as well as a particular focus on supporting our landscape scale nature restoration plans, by working with key partners and stakeholders to manage and deliver our people and skills focused programme of activity.

The role will also include developing and fundraising for strategic new priorities. It will involve working in close collaboration with local communities, Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority and a range of public, private, health, education and voluntary sector organisations.

Candidates are likely to have a background in strategic development, people management, project development and management as well as fundraising. A strong interest or working knowledge of community engagement, health and wellbeing in an outdoor context and a proven track record of delivering projects and working in partnership is also desirable.

This is a 2 year Fixed term contract (with possible extension subject to successful funding)

• Hours: 37 hours per week
• Pension: Employer contributes 7% of salary
• Annual leave: 28 days plus 10 days public holidays
• Reporting to: Trust Director
• Location: Blended home and office-based working with desk space at National Park Authority.
• Start date: The successful candidate would ideally be able to start in October 2024.

Application process:

Please complete our online application form, and Diversity and Monitoring form also available from our website and forward to [email protected]. Please note CV’s alone will not be accepted.

We welcome a conversation about the role with interested candidates. Please email us by the 19th September to [email protected].

• Closing date for applications: Monday 23rd September 2024 at 9am
• Interviews will be held: Week commencing 7th October 2024.

Background

Loch Lomond and the Trossachs Countryside Trust’s purpose is to create connections in the outdoors and with each other. Based in the National Park we are working to address the biodiversity and climate emergencies and enabling more sustainable, healthy and active communities. To achieve this we deliver projects, encourage participation and collaborate with others to create more sustainable, healthy and active communities, places and partnerships. Our flagship projects are Wild Strathfillan- an ambitious nature restoration initiative, Active Travel- supporting National Park Communities and our health walk programme- Walk in the Park.

There are many benefits to connecting with nature. As a charity working across the National Park we are keen to develop and expand opportunities to connect with nature. As part of our Wild Strathfillan landscape-scale nature restoration initiative, In Step with Nature and our Walk in the Park programme of events, we are delivering this. We need to build capacity within the team to fully realise these possibilities. Further information is available in our 2023 - 2030 Strategy.

Key responsibilities and tasks

• Staff & volunteer management
• Communities
• Programme development
• Finance and Fundraising

Person Specification

Skills | Essential

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and able to speak passionately and authoritatively to a variety of audiences.
• Excellent numeracy skills, able to understand, interpret and present project budget information.
• Excellent people management and work planning skills.
• Good negotiation, problem solving and relationship building
• Proven ability to outreach to individuals and groups and build relationships and partnerships
• Excellent project management and organisational skills
• Excellent strategic development skills
• Excellent computer skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships with a wide variety of people.
• Excellent organisational skills, including time and workload management.

Skills | Desirable

• Training in project management systems
• Project evaluation using statistical and/or qualitative data.

Knowledge, Qualifications and Experience | Essential

• Educated to degree level or equivalent with experience in a related field.
• Experience of line managing staff and volunteers.
• Track record in managing the delivery of complex projects involving a wide variety of partners and funders.
• Track record in the development of new project initiatives in partnership with a range of organisations.
• Track record in securing funds for environmental/community
• projects from a range of funders.
• Experience of community engagement.
• Experience of developing funding proposals to augment existing work programmes and implement new ones
• Experience of delivering projects on time, to budget and in line with agreed outputs and outcomes.
• Experience in writing reports for Boards, funders and other key partners.
• Proven experience of evaluating a programme of work.
• Experience of budget and financial management and reporting.
• Experience of working on a range of projects in tandem.
• Experience of stakeholder engagement and partnership working.
• Experience of contract management.
• Experience of working in a remote rural setting.
• Experience in evaluation projects and activities.
• Experience of working with a National Park Authority, local authorities, private and voluntary sector organisations, and local communities.
• Evidence of a high standard of written and spoken English.
• Current full clean drivers’ licence with access to a vehicle.
• Right to work in the UK.

Knowledge, Qualifications and Experience | Desirable

Working knowledge of nature conservation, health and wellbeing in an outside setting and active travel.

Personal Attributes | Essential

• Committed to the purpose, values, and aims of the Countryside Trust.
• Confident, enthusiastic, and able to motivate a team and volunteers.

Personal Attributes | Desirable

• Interest in horticulture/ silviculture/ ecology, wildlife conservation, natural sciences etc
• Interest in healthy walks, the health and wellbeing benefits of nature and being active

Working with the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs Countryside Trust

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