Rural Jobs Round Up: December 2018

In Rural Jobs Round Up, you can find out about some current rural vacancies and jobs related to rural development.

​Scottish Rural Action - Interim CEO

Scottish Rural Action's current CEO will leave the post at the end of February 2019. Scottish Rural Action are seeking to appoint an Interim CEO for a period of six months (initially) in order to cover the CEO responsibilities and fulfil a specific series of tasks. 

The post is available on a full-time or part-time basis depending on the availability of a suitable candidate. The post is also available as a homebased position.

​Visit the Scottish Rural Action website for full details.

Closing date: end of Friday 11 January 2019

The Dornoch Area Community Interest Company (DACIC) - Community Development Manager

• Salary: £29,500 per annum

Have you got what it takes to make a difference to the Dornoch community?

The Dornoch Area Community Interest Company (DACIC) has secured funding from Beatrice Offshore Windfarm Ltd and Dornoch Common Good Fund to employ a Community Development Manager.

This is a two-year, full-time contract to manage the implementation of two new asset-based projects, one of which is a conversion of the Police Station into a business and creative hub and the second Project Curlew a new build multi-purpose venue and curling rink.

The successful candidate will have proven experience in community development and a good track record of securing substantial funding from a range of sources. The voluntary board of DACIC has a clear vision for the future direction of the social enterprise and requires a manager to realise the potential and lead the organisation on its exciting path to deliver sustainable benefits to the community.

Closing date: noon on Thursday 13 December

Interviews will be held on Wednesday 19 December.

Find out more about this post 

Scottish Government - Farm Manager

• Salary: £36328 - £43923
• Location: Edinburgh
• Hours: Around 37.00 per week

Scottish Government’s Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA) Division are currently seeking applications for a Farm Manager based at Gogarbank near Edinburgh. 

SASA provides advice and scientific services to the Agriculture and Rural Economy (ARE) Directorate and the rest of the Scottish Government in relation to crops and the environment.

The Farm Manager has a pivotal role in ensuring that the farm and horticultural services required to support certification, trial and research work at SASA are delivered efficiently and effectively.

The Farm Manager will lead a team responsible for delivering farm and horticulture services at SASA, this includes a small commercial arable operation within the farm rotation, the farm extends to 135 Ha or thereby.

This role requires the successful candidate to have experience of managing an arable farming enterprise, preferably one linked to a research or trials operation, and with experience of leading or supervising a team of farm employees.

Visit the Work for Scotland website for more details.

Closing date: 12 December 2018 at midnight

Scottish Government - Administrative Assistant

• Salary: £18392 - £20732
• Location: Kirkwall
• Hours: Around 37.00 per week

The Scottish Government are currently seeking applications for an Administrative Officer within the Rural Payments and Inspections team based in Kirkwall. This is a permanent and pensionable appointment and new entrants will normally start on the minimum of the pay range.

This role is part of our busy front office team and you can expect to spend a lot of time on the phone or at our front counter helping customers with questions about their applications or claims. When not dealing with customers you will be processing the applications and claims that our customers have submitted to you.

Visit the Work for Scotland website for more information.

Closing date: 11 December 2018 at midnight

Forestry Commission Scotland - various vacancies

Forestry Commission Scotland are recruiting for a number of posts including:

• Programme Manager, Newton Stewart - closing date 9 December
• Learning and Development Manager, all locations across Scotland may be considered - closing date 10 December
• Nursery Operative, Elgin - closing date 16 December

Go to the Civil Service Jobs website for more on these and other posts.

Highlands and Islands Connections Project vacancies

• 1 Community Worker – Argyll & Bute - Full Time (35 hours per week)
• 2 Community Connectors – Argyll & Bute and Western Isles - Full Time (35 hours per week)
• All posts £20,520 pa

This project and all posts are funded through the Aspiring Communities Fund (ACF) with support from European Social Fund and 100% of all staff time will be spent on the ACF Highlands and Islands Connections Project. All posts are Fixed Term to the end of February 2020. 

Support in Mind Scotland (SiMS) has been provided funding to develop two community pilot projects that will engage with people in rural areas to test out place-based approaches to supporting mental health.

This work will be based the results of our previous Well Connected Communities project and on a survey into rural mental health by SiMS and Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) that highlighted the need for people to feel more connected to their communities and to each other – as well as for the need for more local resources to support people with mental health problems.

They are now seeking a Community Worker (for Argyll & Bute) to consult with local people, further develop local partnerships in the community, design new initiatives, and help raise awareness of mental health.

They are also recruiting two Community Connectors (one for Argyll & Bute and one for the Western Isles). The Community Connectors will identify, train and support passionate mental health aware volunteers, reach out to individuals needing support and help instil a positive community attitude towards mental health across the regions.

Applicants will be based in one of the areas listed and be willing to travel and should demonstrate an understanding of mental health issues and of the community in which they are based.  They should also have experience of working with local people, volunteers, facilitating groups and/or providing training.    

For more information, a full job description please email Jim Hume at jhume@supportinmindscotland.org.uk or visit www.ruralwellbeing.org or www.supportinmindscotland.org.uk  

To apply send a CV and a cover letter detailing your interest, skills and experience to Jim Hume on JHume@supportinmindscotland.org.uk. Apply by email only.

The very tight timescale for the project means that the applications should be returned by email before 12 noon on Wednesday 5 December.

Visit the Support in Mind website for more information.

Business Development Officer - Cairndow Family & Early Learning Centre

• Part Time 20 hours per week
• Attractive salary and conditions – flexible hours

This exciting new opportunity has arisen for Business Development Officer working for Cairndow Community Childcare, an organisation with charitable status established to address the lack of childcare provision and family facilities in the rural area.

A new Cairndow Family & Early Learning Centre is under construction at the head of Loch Fyne (PA26 8BJ) and the Business Development Officer role has been created to assist with the promotion, marketing and development of all activities in the new centre to ensure it meets the financial targets which will ensure the sustainability of the centre for years to come. The Centre is due to open in October 2019, when the current childcare facility will relocate from Cairndow Village Hall.

The post is funded for four years starting in January 2019 and would suit some-one with experience of modern marketing techniques, budget and financial management, multi-agency working and who is comfortable with IT. Some home working is envisaged.

Job description available by emailing mail@cairndowchildcare.co.uk 

Application by submitting your CV FAO Virginia Sumsion, Secretary to the Committee, Cairndow Community Childcare at mail@cairndowchildcare.co.uk

Visit the Cairndow Childcare website to find out more.

Closing date: 7 December 

​NHS Highland - Caithness vacancies

​NHS Highland is seeking two GPs, two pharmacists and a primary care mental health nurse in Caithness. These posts will complement an existing team of seven GPs and seven first contact practitioners, including advanced nursing, physiotherapy and pharmacy.

​These jobs are advertised on a WTE basis but applicants interested in part-time or flexible working and portfolio roles are encouraged to apply.

​For more information contact Dr Katharine Jones, Associate Medical Director for North and West Division of NHS Highland by emailing katharine.jones1@nhs.net. 

North Carrick Communities Development Officer

North Carrick is a rural area in South Ayrshire including the town of Maybole and several villages. North Carrick Community Benefit Company Limited (NCCBC) is a community-led organisation set up to manage community benefit funding from renewable energy projects in the area.

The Directors of NCCBC have embarked on an ambitious project to develop Action Plans for all of the communities. They now want to engage the services of a Development Officer to support these communities to progress delivery of their Action Plans by building community capacity and accessing funding. The ultimate goal is to drive economic development and social cohesion, making North Carrick a Better Place to Live, Work and Grow.

This opportunity is offered, initially, as a temporary contract for a period of 12 months.  With potential for the contract term to be extended, subject to progress against objectives and the availability of funding.

Applicants should be self-employed or working within an existing organisation, such as a Consultancy or Development Trust, which can provide additional, appropriate support to the North Carrick Community Benefit Company.

A budget of £30,000 has been allocated to cover all expenses associated with the post, for the initial 12 month period. 

For an Applicants’ Information Pack please contact marion.young@south-ayrshire.gov.uk

Closing date: Friday 7 December