Grassroots Heritage in Scotland
Project Officer
Job Description and Further Information
About SCHA:
The Scottish Community Heritage Alliance (SCHA) supports both individuals and organisations involved in community heritage throughout Scotland. SCHA strives to represent these grassroots voices at a national level, while providing advocacy, networking, support and research opportunities. We are looking for people who are passionate about Community Heritage to join us and make their voice heard. SCHA currently has an application with OSCR to convert to a charity.
The Grassroots Heritage in Scotland project:
From our earlier work it is clear that many groups and museums often feel that national organisations are not responding directly to grassroots concerns. There was support for the formation of a network to represent these views, to provide support and networking and to conduct research relating to community heritage, leading to SCHA.
We are now seeking an enthusiastic and self-motivated project officer to:
· identify contact details of heritage organisations and projects, building on contacts and links compiled by SCHA Board members and a student placement in early 2024
· organise a series of 12 regional roadshows where grassroots organisations, museums, community trusts working on heritage projects and individual projects will be invited to come together to promote their group and to discuss issues common to all. This format was recently trialled at the very successful Highland Heritage Day in March 2023 funded by HES. The project officer will attend all sessions. Two of the sessions will be hybrid.
· Design publicity material and publicise widely, including on the SCHA website and social media.
· Organise and facilitate six online meetings where people can meet to discuss issues and further network
· Organise three online training sessions based on feedback which has emerged from the roadshows.
· Work with an independent evaluator to provide details to evaluate the project.
The roadshows and subsequent discussions will allow SCHA to prioritise needed actions, and identify areas of research needed.
The Grassroots Heritage in Scotland Project Officer Post
SCHA is looking for a part time (4 days a week) project officer to deliver the project. The candidate will have excellent organisational skills, and will be required to do a substantial amount of administration and monitoring. The successful candidate will be home-based, and a laptop and phone will be provided. There will also be substantial travel to support delivery of the roadshows.
Please provide a full CV and cover letter detailing how you meet the essential and if any desirable characteristics. This should be sent by e-mail to scha.alliance@gmail.com by 5pm on 3May 2024. Please also send contact details of two referees, and whether they may be contacted before an interview. Interviews will be held via Zoom during early May.
Grassroots Heritage in Scotland has been funded by: National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic Environment Scotland.
Grassroots Heritage in Scotland Job Description
Post: Project Officer
Duration: April/May 2024 – September 2025, 28 hours per week (.8 FTE). This will include some evening and weekend work.
Salary: £38,400 for 18 months. This will be paid monthly as self-employed contract, until SCHA has converted to a SCIO, at which time it will be possible for the successful candidate to be paid as PAYE if desired.
Line Manager: Nominated Director of SCHA
Purpose of Post:
The post holder will deliver the day to day running of the Grassroots Heritage in Scotland project and in particular organising 12 roadshows within Scotland, six network meetings and three training sessions.
Duties of Post:
Organise 12 roadshow events in Scotland
Identify heritage groups and individuals throughout Scotland. This will require substantial networking and enquiries to a variety of groups and individuals.
Publicise the roadshows and other information of interest to SCHA members via regular social media posts.
Design publicity material with all roadshows listed, and distribute via appropriate digital means and post where needed. Design the feedback form based on questions noted in funding applications and any other input from Evaluator.
Deliver 12 roadshow events, aided by local contacts identified during initial research. Two will be hybrid.
Ensure each roadshow has as many feedback forms completed as possible. Create quantitative and qualitative summaries for Evaluator. Identify for each roadshow number of attendees and organisations represented. Design the feedback form based on questions noted in funding applications and any other input from the independent valuator. Aid the evaluator as needed.
After each roadshow, email attendees with summary of outcomes and updated resources information.
Regular updates on SCHA website, including project progress summaries, common issues identified etc.
Host six online meetings to discuss themes and issues emerging from the roadshows and also the SCHA website.
Organise and run three online training sessions on topics emerging from the roadshows.
Ensure with SCHA Board compliance with funders’ regulations and reporting requirements.
Identify any actions to take away from the roadshows, and progress as possible.
Recruit members for SCHA at roadshows, and ensure the membership information is up-to-date.
Help with the final report to funders.
Any other necessary duties commensurate with the purpose of the role.
Grassroots Heritage in Scotland Person Specification
Essential Characteristics | Desirable Characteristics |
Previous Experience of organising large events | · Experience of organising heritage events · Experience of organising hybrid events |
Knowledge of the Scottish Heritage sector, including organisations and museums | · Detailed and wide range of contacts in Scottish Heritage · Knowledge of heritage projects undertaken by Community Trusts · Clear plan on how to identify people involved in heritage |
Good IT skills, ie emails, website searching, use of wordprocessing and spreadsheets | · Experience of using desk top publishing, photo software. · Experience in compiling a directory of contacts, with knowledge of GDPR issues. |
Good desk-based research skills | · Experience of undertaking desk-based research to identify groups involved in a discipline/topic. |
Proficient use of social media, particularly facebook and instagram | · Previous experience of designing and rolling out a publicity programme for a heritage or other project |
Good website skills | · Knowledge of wix.com sites · Ability to integrate an interactive map on the website |
Ability to work on one’s own, with good time management. Self-motivated and Enthusiastic | · Experience of working on one’s own for a voluntary Board |
| · Previous experience in project reporting |
| · Full driving license |
| · Gaelic language skills and awareness of minority-language communities. Although Gaelic language is not a prerequisite it is a desirable skill in support of our commitment to the language and culture |
