Project Officer – Union Canal Unlocked

Location: Based in Re-Union Canal Boats office in Edinburgh

Hours/Rate: 52 days over 9 months @ £150 per day (increased hours may become available due to further funding being awarded)

Starting date: asap

Closing date: 22nd January 2016

Please apply by cv and covering letter detailing your specific skills for this post to

The Project:

Union Canal Unlocked is a partnership project between Re-Union Canal Boats, Scottish Waterways Trust, Scottish Canals and Edinburgh Printmakers. Our project will create an innovative package of interpretation that will celebrate the natural and cultural heritage of the Union Canal, from the heart of Edinburgh to Falkirk. We will engage local communities and provide learning, training and volunteering opportunities for all sectors of the community. We will create an oral history archive; produce a smartphone app and leaflet as heritage trail guides along the towpath; Install on site heritage signage; create artistic interventions; produce a community inspired animated film: and produce a travelling community exhibition.Our aim is to make the canal heritage more accessible to people who live and work around the canal and visit from further afield.

The Post:

Based in Re-Union Canal Boats office and reporting to the Project Manager, the Project Officer will be responsible for engaging with the community; recruiting and managing volunteers, and supported by the local heritage advisor, will lead on the delivery of the oral history element of the project and be responsible for delivering workshops and events. The project officer will require to liaise with the other delivery partners and co-ordinate publicity for the project.

Key Responsibilities

  • Recruit and Train volunteers to undertake oral history interviews
  • Create oral history archive and make accessible to the public
  • Organise and run community engagement events designed to generate community interest in canal heritage
  • Work with school children to engage in canal history and heritage
  • Contribute to the creation of new interpretive material such as smartphone app, leaflet and signage.
  • Organise creation of travelling community exhibition
  • Procure and liaise with external evaluation consultant
  • Publicity and promotion of all project activities and outputs, including press releases, website and social media
  • Report progress to steering group and funders
  • Make grant funding claims

Knowledge, Experience and Skills

Assessment Area / Essential Criteria / Desirable Criteria
Required Qualifications / Degree or equivalent
Relevant Experience / Demonstrable success in community engagement and volunteer management / Experience of working with people from all backgrounds
Worked in not for profit/ charitable organisation
Specific skill, abilities and qualities / Ability to engage and motivate people to support and participate in our work
Good understanding of natural and cultural heritage
Excellent written, presentational and verbal communication skills
Skilled social media communicator
Excellent planning, time management, prioritisation and organisational skills
Ability to work under pressure / Team player, open, and participative
Knowledge of and enthusiasm for Scotland’s canals
Any additional job related requirements / IT literate in Microsoft Office suite
Full UK Driving Licence
PVG checked