Wigtown Festival Company is looking to appoint a Young People’s Engagement Officer to develop and run our year-round
programmes with 15-25-year-olds. This is an exciting opportunity to help shape a fresh way of working with our
target group of 15-to-25-year-olds at Wigtown Book Festival and around the year.
We are seeking a dynamic and imaginative individual who is experienced in enabling young people (YP) to develop
cultural skills and explore their interests in a secure and supportive environment. The ideal candidate will be
passionate about widening cultural access and overcoming barriers to participation.
Working within a small programming team and reporting to the Creative Director, they will be responsible for
initiating, delivering and evaluating projects, and delivering against the aims of the Festival Company’s Young
People’s Engagement Plan. An ability to self-organise and juggle multiple projects in a busy workplace is
essential.
The Young People’s Engagement Post is kindly supported by The Holywood Trust.
Salary and Terms
The position is full-time / 35 hours a week. The salary is in the range of £26,000-£30,000 depending on experience,
with an initial contract for two years.
WFC is a Fair Work and Real Living Wage employer and is open to flexible working from day one.
Key Responsibilities
- Working closely in partnership with a wide range of young people to programme activities (including at Wigtown
Book Festival) and develop new projects according to need.
- Creating new and lasting working
relationships with other YP organisations in the region and beyond.
- Building and nurturing a new young
people’s advisory team.
- Developing and implementing the young people’s engagement plan and evaluation
framework.
- Monitoring, evaluating and reporting on the impact of our activities with
YP.
- Sourcing funding for YP projects and managing funder relationships.
- Overseeing social media
and marketing for our young people’s activities.
- Occasional weekend and evening working (eg during
Wigtown Book Festival) with time off in lieu.
Essential Experience and Attributes
- A proven ability to work with and engage with young people collaboratively and respectfully.
- A proven
ability to build relationships with partner organisations in the cultural and third sectors.
- An
understanding of monitoring and evaluating young people’s activities.
- An understanding and respect for
the principles of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
- An understanding of the essential importance of
safeguarding; PGV certificated.
- Interest in / experience of the cultural sector.
- Excellent
personal, communication and teamwork skills.
Other Desirable Experience and Attributes
- Experience in budget management.
- A knowledge of Dumfries & Galloway.
- A knowledge and passion for literature.
- Familiarity with social media and marketing.