Jobs in Highland

At the Cairngorms National Park Authority we have an ambitious programme of delivering transformational change as we tackle the climate emergency and nature crisis and strive to be the best small public sector organisation in Scotland. We know we can only do this if we are fully inclusive and representative of all our visitors, staff and communities. We have a strong foundation in equality and inclusion coupled with a proud history of developing a Park for All but we also know we can do better and aspire to lead the way locally and nationally in our sector.

We are inviting applications for members to join our Equality Advisory Panel to support us in our journey to create a fully inclusive Park Authority. We want members who have background knowledge and experience in equality and diversity and who can give us evidence based advice on best practice so we can truly deliver the best for our visitors, communities and staff across all protected characteristics.

Who are you?

You have a passion for equality and diversity and a desire to influence organisational strategy. You will have experience of delivering equality approaches for protected and disadvantaged groups either in your work or voluntary roles. You’ll know how to signpost to best equality practice and challenge us to improve. You may be looking for some experience working with National Parks or public sector organisations at a strategic level.

Our panel is currently under represented by Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities, young people (18 – 24), and LGBTQ+ communities and we would encourage applications from candidates with professional or personal knowledge, skills and experience in these areas. We are also interested in having members who have knowledge of or work with immigrant communities.

Why join the panel?

This is a volunteer role is not remunerated, but existing members have stated the following with regards to why they joined the panel, and what they get out of it:-

• Having grown up abroad and moved to Scotland five years ago, I have come to appreciate how accessible nature feels here and the strong sense of wellbeing and freedom that outdoor spaces can provide. As a solo female traveller and someone working in the nature conservation sector, I joined the EAP to help ensure the National Park remains welcoming, inclusive and safe for everyone, including those from underrepresented communities. Being part of the panel has allowed me to contribute different perspectives while also broadening my own understanding of inclusion and accessibility in Scotland's landscapes.
• I joined the panel as I am a regular visitor to the Cairngorms National Park. I have noticed some of the barriers that face disabled people and people on low incomes - from accessing and getting the benefits (physical, mental health, wellbeing) from the National Park and seen this as an opportunity to use my skills. expertise and knowledge to influence the development of our park with the aim of making it more accessible and affordable for all.
• I value contributing to decisions that shape how people access and experience nature. I benefit immensely from the knowledge of our dedicated EAP members and from being part of a like minded group. I am gaining an understanding CNPA’s organisational priorities and hearing from staff, plus helping to further meaningful change.
• I’ve lived in and worked in the Cairngorms National Park area for over 25 years and keen to support efforts to make the Park work for all.
• I originally applied to join the EAP through my passion for promoting fair access to our countryside and wild places for everyone. This was combined with my love of outdoor learning and experiencing the barriers that often exist for young people accessing nature. I thought long and hard about applying to the EAP. It represents a fantastic opportunity to understand the workings of this very special place, and an opportunity to broaden my own perspectives and worldview. During my time on the EAP I have learned so much from my fellow panel members and from the many presenters at our monthly meetings. I hope I have balanced being an analytical, critical friend, as well as showing effective allyship for under-represented groups within the Park environments.
• I joined the Panel to share both my professional and personal perspectives, contribute to the Authority’s direction of travel, and learn from others who are equally passionate about inclusion. The Cairngorms is a special place, and I feel deeply grateful to play a part in helping shape its future, as it has helped shape mine.
• I have enjoyed being on the panel. I have gained confidence in getting my point across and my critical thinking skills have improved. My eyes have been opened to the views and needs of other groups too, eg access difficulties of those in poverty

Commitment

We want people to give advice and guidance through a virtual forum which meets nine times a year as well as providing support outside of scheduled meeting. The overall commitment is no more than 2 hours a month.

This is a voluntary role however all reasonable expenses incurred will be covered.

If you this sounds like you and you want to know more please contact us at equalities@cairngorms.co.uk

LEAP Sports is looking for a passionate and motivated Project Officer – Highlands & Moray to lead our OUT and About in the Highlands project.

The project aims to improve the mental wellbeing of LGBTIQ+ people across the Highlands and Moray through sport, physical activity and the outdoors. You’ll work directly with local LGBTIQ+ communities, develop opportunities for people to get active, build partnerships with local organisations and support sports clubs and groups to become more inclusive.

We’re looking for someone with experience of community engagement and partnership working, a strong understanding of equality and LGBTIQ+ inclusion, and a belief in the positive role sport and physical activity can play in health and wellbeing.

The role is 18 hours per week and home-based within the Highlands or Moray, with regular travel across the area. Some evening and weekend work will be required.

About Aberlour Sycamore Children’s Houses…

Aberlour Sycamore Services’ vision is to provide warm, loving homes for children where everyone learns, laughs, grows into their future and is treasured always. Sycamore services are widely recognised in Scotland for providing a range of quality therapeutic residential houses for some of the most vulnerable children and young people in the country. The Service is a national resource and as such receives referrals from throughout Scotland.

What we are looking for....

We are looking for people to join our relief pool who are passionate about supporting children and young people. The children and young people who live in our houses have experienced significant trauma in their young lives and our aim is to create loving, nurturing family homes where they feel safe and cared for.

Our relief workers play a crucial role in supporting our teams. This work is offered on a casual, hourly paid basis to provide cover during staff absence and/or particularly busy periods.

Members of our relief pool have a varied range of backgrounds and often work in different areas of the workforce. Although experience in child-care is ideal, we would also like to hear from people who may have skills from their work experience in different sectors which would be transferrable and provide a good basis from which to learn and develop their skills, utilising the range of training we provide.

At Aberlour we want to make sure every child and young person has the love, support and opportunity they need to reach their potential. If you share the same vision, we want you to join our team. To have a look at our values to understand more about what we are looking for from our employees click here.

What we offer...

As well as a supportive team and excellent training opportunities, we want all our employees to feel valued and rewarded for the vital work they do. Find out more about our Employee Benefits and our commitment to Equality and Diversity here.

We also follow Data Protection Guidelines - Here is our privacy policy.

Based in Fort William

Aberlour Sycamore Services- Fort William, is a residential care home for children and young people between the ages of 12 years and 18 years old, helping them to live and grow in a community setting. We work using a Dyadic Developmental Practice model which means that we ensure that the child and their behaviour is understood and the child feels as safe as possible at home, in school and in social activities.

‘Staff have a warm and friendly approach with the young people and there are plenty of organised activities for the young people to take part in’-Child Care professional working with Sycamore Fort William.

What we are looking for....

You will contribute to the leadership, management and development of services for children, young people and families in line with planned objectives and assist with service review and evaluation. You will play an important role in the overall management function of the service.

There will be an expectation that you work part of your hours on a shift rota, that will be Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm with the exception of one back shift per week (2pm to 10pm) and one day of a weekend monthly and be part of the on call rota including every 5th weekend.

You will have relevant experience of working with children and young people with a in a residential or community setting and understand the impact of trauma on social inclusion. You are required to meet the qualifications requirement for this post which is at SCQF Level 8 (eg. HNC, SVQ Level 4). This post requires you to register with the Scottish Social Services Council as a Residential Child Care Worker with Supervisory Responsibilities.

At Aberlour we want to make sure every child and young person has the love, support and opportunity they need to reach their potential. If you share the same vision, we want you to join our team. To have a look at our values to understand more about what we are looking for from our employees click here.

What we offer...

As well as a supportive team and excellent training opportunities, we want all our employees to feel valued and rewarded for the vital work they do. When you work with us, we'll recognise your efforts with generous annual leave, an excellent employer pension scheme and a range of deals and discounts across various retailers. Find out more about our Employee Benefits here and our commitment to Equality and Diversity here.

Please also read our recruitment privacy notice - Aberlour | Privacy notice

Come and join a dynamic, growing organisation that recognises that YOU are the difference that makes a positive impact every day on the lives of children, young people and their families.

We are seeking a strategic and forward-thinking Family Links Lead to take a lead role in supporting children and families across Lochaber, strengthening partnerships with local services, coordinating effective support, and driving improved outcomes for families and communities.

Applicants must live within reasonable commuting distance of Lochaber and hold a full, clean driving licence with access to a car for work purposes.

Qualifications: Educated to relevant degree level or equivalent and/or relevant professional experience

Place of work: Hybrid – mixture of working from home (equipment provided) and associated schools, with an expectation of frequent travel within Lochaber and, occasionally, to Inverness and across Highland to fulfil aspects of the role – travel allowance provided

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exclusions and Exceptions) (Scotland) Order 2013 and the Amendment Order 2023.

The successful applicant will be required to become a member of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme & register with the SSSC.

Come and join a dynamic, growing organisation that recognises that YOU are the difference that makes a positive impact every day on the lives of children, young people and their families.

We are seeking a compassionate and motivated Family Links Worker to support children and families across Lochaber, working in partnership with local services to improve outcomes.

Applicants must live within reasonable commuting distance of Lochaber and hold a full, clean driving licence with access to a car for work purposes.

Place of work: Hybrid – mixture of working from home (equipment provided) and associated schools, with an expectation of frequent travel within Lochaber and, occasionally, to Inverness and across Highland to fulfil aspects of the role – travel allowance provided.

Qualifications: relevant qualifications and or experience of working alongside families in a supportive role.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exclusions and Exceptions) (Scotland) Order 2013 and the Amendment Order 2023.

The successful applicant will be required to become a member of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme & register with the SSSC.

Do you want to be part of something lifechanging?

At Columba 1400, we enable young people, especially those from tough realities, and the key adults in their lives to lead lives of purpose, meaning and contribution. We believe everyone already holds greatness within them, and your role would be to help them discover it.

If you are someone who comes alive when bringing groups together, facilitating meaningful conversations and creating warm, brave spaces where young people and adults feel seen, listened to, valued, and able to explore who they are and who they might yet become, then you may be exactly who we are looking for.

Making a difference in and from Skye

Our Senior Facilitator is based at our purpose-built Community and International Leadership Centre in Staffin on the Isle of Skye, where you will be part of the hands-on delivery of residential leadership experiences with young people and adults.

You will help young people and key adults step back from everyday pressures, reflect on who they are, what matters to them, and the contribution they want to make in their lives, schools, families and communities.

Our Community and International Leadership Centre is also a community asset: a place where local people, partners and visitors come together through learning, connection, belonging and leadership.

What makes this role special?

You will contribute to changing lives, schools and communities by facilitating transformational, values-based leadership experiences for young people and the key adults in their lives, including preparation, residential delivery and follow-up.

Your ideas, insight and creativity will help us continually enhance the Columban experience - from the way people are welcomed and supported, to how we listen, learn and strengthen our approach.

You will be part of a warm and supportive team, united by purpose and committed to each other’s growth. You will also play an important part in helping participants, partners and colleagues feel safe, welcomed and able to take part fully.

About you

You will be a highly experienced facilitator who brings energy, presence and curiosity into every session. You communicate with warmth and clarity and enjoy building positive relationships with partners so each experience is well prepared and meaningful.

Notes:A full driving licence and own car are essential. This role requires PVG scheme membership and a commitment to safeguarding young people and adults.

Join our Board. Shape brighter childhoods. 

Care and Learning Alliance (CALA) - Highland's largest independent childcare provider - is growing - and we're looking for new Trustees to help shape what comes next.

As one of Scotland's leading third sector providers, we support children, families and the childcare workforce across Highland, Moray and beyond - championing rural and island communities and making the case for childcare as essential infrastructure - while our wide range of family support and play services provide inclusive opportunities for children and families to learn and play together.

As a Trustee, you'll help set our direction, strengthen our governance and champion better outcomes for children and families.

You don't need previous board experience - we provide full induction, training and support. What matters is curiosity, sound judgement and a commitment to our values.

We'd especially love to hear from people with experience in:

• Finance or accountancy
• HR and people management
• AI, data governance or cyber security
• Estates or facilities management

The commitment: a voluntary role, four Board meetings a year plus strategy days, with a three-year term.

Ewen’s Room is a grassroots charity based in Lochaber and the Western Isles. We believe that preventing suicide starts early, by giving people the practical skills to look after their own mental health and providing kind, non-judgmental support before things get too much.

Central to our approach is our education provision, designed to build personal resilience and active peer support from an early age. In primary schools, our WellBeing Heroes programme uses a play-based approach, therapeutic stories and practical tool to help young children understand their own mental fitness, backed by resources for parents and teachers. In secondary schools, our WellBeing Champions programme equips teenagers with the knowledge to safeguard their wellbeing and lead supervised, weekly peer-support drop-in sessions. From early years through to youth clubs, we normalise mental health conversations across all age groups.

Beyond the classroom, our dedicated team provides a warm, accessible lifeline for adults across Lochaber. We offer safe spaces to connect through our community "Open Doors" drop-in sessions, alongside confidential, professional one-to one and smallgroup therapy designed to guide individuals through times of emotional distress.

We are growing to meet a rising mental health crisis in our area. Our goal is to make our support safe, high-quality, and accessible in every corner of Lochaber, while launching our own small businesses to fund our work independently.

Ewen’s Room is a grassroots charity based in Lochaber and the Western Isles. We believe that preventing suicide starts early, by giving people the practical skills to look after their own mental health and providing kind, non-judgmental support before things get too much.

Central to our approach is our education provision, designed to build personal resilience and active peer support from an early age. In primary schools, our WellBeing Heroes programme uses a play-based approach, therapeutic stories and practical tool to help young children understand their own mental fitness, backed by resources for parents and teachers. In secondary schools, our WellBeing Champions programme equips teenagers with the knowledge to safeguard their wellbeing and lead supervised, weekly peer-support drop-in sessions. From early years through to youth clubs, we normalise mental health conversations across all age groups.

Beyond the classroom, our dedicated team provides a warm, accessible lifeline for adults across Lochaber. We offer safe spaces to connect through our community "Open Doors" drop-in sessions, alongside confidential, professional one-to one and smallgroup therapy designed to guide individuals through times of emotional distress.

We are growing to meet a rising mental health crisis in our area. Our goal is to make our support safe, high-quality, and accessible in every corner of Lochaber, while launching our own small businesses to fund our work independently.

Role Purpose

The Income & Enterprise Manager is a strategic and entrepreneurial business development role within Ewen’s Room. Reporting directly to the Chief Officer, you will drive the charity’s financial sustainability and diversification as we expand across Lochaber and the Western Highlands.

You will combine sharp bid-writing skills with a proactive, self-starting approach, leading on grant applications, building strong funder relationships, designing a high impact corporate giving strategy, and energising local community fundraising events (such as Ewen's Run). Crucially, you will spearhead our social enterprise ambitions: identifying commercial opportunities to monetise our existing skills and service portfolio, writing robust business plans, and securing start-up funding to build long term earned income streams.

Ewen’s Room is a grassroots charity based in Lochaber and the Western Isles. We believe that preventing suicide starts early, by giving people the practical skills to look after their own mental health and providing kind, non-judgmental support before things get too much.

Central to our approach is our education provision, designed to build personal resilience and active peer support from an early age. In primary schools, our WellBeing Heroes programme uses a play-based approach, therapeutic stories and practical tool to help young children understand their own mental fitness, backed by resources for

parents and teachers. In secondary schools, our WellBeing Champions programme equips teenagers with the knowledge to safeguard their wellbeing and lead supervised, weekly peer-support drop-in sessions. From early years through to youth clubs, we normalise mental health conversations across all age groups.

Beyond the classroom, our dedicated team provides a warm, accessible lifeline for adults across Lochaber. We offer safe spaces to connect through our community "Open Doors" drop-in sessions, alongside confidential, professional one-to one and smallgroup therapy designed to guide individuals through times of emotional distress.

We are growing to meet a rising mental health crisis in our area. Our goal is to make our support safe, high-quality, and accessible in every corner of Lochaber, while launching our own small businesses to fund our work independently.

Role Purpose

The Locality Education Practitioner is the face of Ewen’s Room in local schools, responsible for the direct delivery, growth, and embedding of our Wellbeing Education Pathway. This role bridges education and early intervention, ensuring mental health support is a normal, high-quality feature of growing up in Lochaber. Operating within a specific locality cluster, you will work closely with school leadership, teachers, and Support Assistants to deliver tailored wellbeing modules across both primary and secondary age groups, helping young people build practical resilience and self management skills.

Do you enjoy working with people?

Do you have excellent communication and presentation skills, and experience working with young people?

We are looking for a Project Officer to join Fast Forward’s existing Scottish Gambling Education Hub. This role will have a focus on working in the community with young people, practitioners and families living and working in the Highlands and Islands.

We are looking for an enthusiastic practitioner with excellent communication skills and robust track record of working in the community with young people, practitioners and families.

The Hub was Scotland’s first gambling education and prevention programme focusing on protecting young people from gambling harms. Its work includes delivering training to practitioners, staff, schools and youth groups, developing resources, as well as partnership building with national organisations.

Organisation Profile

Fast Forward is Scotland’s national youth work agency, it is a force for change supporting children and young people to make informed decisions about risk taking behaviours. We take a harm reduction approach to reduce the negative impacts of these behaviours on their lives and those of their families and wider community.

The team’s work is dynamic, challenging and rewarding in developing innovative programmes to address risk-taking behaviours that often goes unrecognised. You will find creative ways to engage with partners, adapting and creating resources to enable them to better deliver meaningful harm reduction and prevention education around harmful gambling and gambling harm.

Our work is underpinned by the following values:

Integrity- Our work is dynamic and informed by expertise, lived experience and relevant research

Forward Thinking - We are brave and bold. We are creative in our approach to identifying and responding to risk taking behaviour.

Inclusive - We take a person-centred approach. We are non-judgemental and respectful.

Collaborative- We coproduce, partner and learn with young people and experts from across the field.

Join Aberlour – Make a Real Difference in Children’s Lives

Are you a dedicated and compassionate leader looking for a role where you can truly make an impact? Aberlour Children’s Charity is seeking a House Manager to lead our Fort William residential service, providing support to vulnerable young people in a nurturing, safe, and inspiring environment.

Our Fort William service, one of our Sycamore services, offers residential care and support for children and young people. With the stunning backdrop of Ben Nevis and access to an active outdoor lifestyle, this is a unique opportunity to grow professionally while enjoying a fantastic quality of life in the Scottish Highlands.

Why Join Aberlour?

• Be part of Scotland’s largest solely Scottish children’s charity, recently recognised as a Top 100 Employer by The Sunday Times.
• Lead a highly motivated and supportive team, making a real difference in children’s lives every day.
• Enjoy a healthy work-life balance in a spectacular location with a strong sense of community.
• Enjoy up to 40 days annual leave, an enhanced pension scheme, life assurance, family-friendly policies and if needed, relocation support.

The Role

As House Manager, you will:

• Provide leadership and direction to staff, ensuring the highest standard of care for young people.
• Promote a nurturing and supportive environment where children feel safe and empowered.
• Oversee the day-to-day management of the house, ensuring compliance with national standards.
• Support staff development, fostering a culture of teamwork and professional growth.
• Build strong partnerships with local agencies, families, and community groups.

About You

We are looking for someone with:

• A relevant professional qualification at SCQF level 9 or above and a management qualification at SCQF level 8 or above (or willingness to work towards)
• Experience in residential childcare and team leadership
• A passion for supporting vulnerable children and families
• Strong communication and organisational skills
• A commitment to Aberlour’s values of respect, integrity, innovation, and challenge.

Life in Fort William

Fort William is a vibrant town with a strong community spirit, excellent local amenities, and an outdoor lifestyle like no other. Whether you enjoy hiking, cycling, or simply immersing yourself in the beauty of the Highlands, this is an incredible place to live and work.