Learning & Engagement Manager
- Full time
- £33,000
- On site: Livingston (West Lothian)
- Closing 26th July 2024
- Advertised from 18th June 2024
- Real Living Wage. Equivalent of 40 hrs. per week
Role
Almond Valley Heritage Trust is a charity with a mission to promote, celebrate and preserve the extraordinary heritage and environment of West Lothian for future generations. The Trust operate the Almond Valley Heritage Centre; a popular visitor attraction and rare breeds farm based in the historic setting of Livingston Mill, and the museum of the Scottish Shale Oil Industry. The museum is recognised as being of national importance to Scotland, whilst the farm benefits from accreditation from the Rare Breeds Survival Trust for our vital work to conserve and protect rare breeds including Clydesdale horses, Tamworth pigs, North Ronaldsay sheep & Bagot goats.
Almond Valley is a staple attraction for intergenerational family audiences throughout Central Scotland and beyond, welcoming over 130,000 visitors per year. This is an exciting period for the Trust, as we look towards deepening engagement in heritage and conservation through the expansion of our events and learning & engagement programme. We have big ambitions to enrich our visitor experience through the provision of a first class, creative learning & events programme, considering fresh perspectives on our collections and heritage and exploring forward facing narratives that inspire positive action in the area of climate change.
Working cross-sector, in collaboration, we aim to foster a spirit of discovery, to explore and champion our human potential, past, present and future, building a shared understanding of the value of our heritage and inspiring the next generation of history makers.
Role of the Learning & Engagement Manager
This is a new role, reflecting our ambitions to further amplify our work in the area of public and school learning and engagement and presents an opportunity for an ambitious L&E practitioner to play a lead role in shaping our work in this area.
Building upon our success to date, the Learning & Engagement Manager will work with internal and external stakeholders to create and implement a dynamic, highly innovative and imaginative STEAM based events and learning programme aimed at visitors and our growing network of schools who regularly frequent Almond Valley Heritage Centre.
Harnessing our unique collection, rich natural and cultivated environment and illustration of sustainable and non sustainable sources of energy you will be responsible for conceiving and delivering public facing events aimed at a diverse family visitor base. In addition, you will work in collaboration with schools to enrich our school learning programme, responding to national priorities, which aligns with the Curriculum for Excellence and Learning for Sustainability.
Working across the organisation and harnessing the diverse skill set of our workforce and engaging with artists, scientists, storytellers and community and corporate leaders, you will contribute significantly towards our long term strategy and inspire the imaginators and innovators of the future.
The key responsibilities of the Learning & Engagement Manager will include:
- Lead on the design and implementation of an innovative creative events programme for children and families, bringing to life our collections and wider work of the Almond Valley Heritage Centre
- Develop a long term strategy to engage primary schools, engaging directly with schools and Learning for Sustainability leaders to devise a STEAM programme that responds to the Curriculum for Excellence
- Work across the organisation to develop and maintain high quality learning resources
- Engage artists, science communicators, storytellers and craft makers to further enrich our events and learning offer
- Carry out appropriate outreach activity with community groups to build awareness and engagement with Almond Valley Heritage Trust
- Contribute towards the interpretation and displays within the historic mill and farm buildings, and extending the public use of these spaces
- Work with the Almond Valley workforce to ensure a shared vision of success in this area and a common understanding of our learning & engagement programme
- Implement a longitudinal monitoring and evaluation framework to ensure that we are consistently measuring our performance against agreed outcomes
- Manage expense budgets for the learning and engagement programme
- Cultivate and maintain relationships with educators, scientists, community groups, and artists for the purpose of enriching our programme
- Represent Almond Valley Heritage Trust at annual conferences and other professional meetings as required
- Work with the Director on relevant grant applications or other fundraising, and in relevant matters of the Trust’s public profile
- Support the preparation of event plans, media/press briefings and marketing assets
- Perform other related duties as assigned
Essential Skills
- Minimum of 3 years of recent and progressive designing and delivering integrated creative learning and engagement events/experiences within an arts, culture or heritage setting engaging schools and young audiences and families
- Thorough and current knowledge of national education priorities including Learning for Sustainability and an understanding of theories and practices of learning
- Demonstrable experience of working with schools and communities to facilitate learning and engagement and or co created programmes
- Ability to prepare, monitor and manage budgets
- Knowledge of, and contacts in, the arts, cultural and heritage sector and experience of working collaborative to devise imaginative events and learning experiences
- Experience of supporting safeguarding procedures
- Ability to effectively manage multiple projects concurrently and effectively
- An excellent communicator; having a wonderful way with words, pictures and other media, and a broad digital competency
Desired Skills
- Project management experience and familiarity with project/event management systems
- Experience developing Risk Assessments and Methods Statements for events
Personal Qualities
- The ability to connect with, inspire and meaningfully engage with a broad range of people
- A strong commitment to Equality and Diversity
- A genuine passion for learning and discovery
- Self motivated and responsible able to lead by example and work collaboratively as part of a team
- Resourceful, practical and able to problem solve effectively
- A willingness to embrace new ideas and ways of working
The working pattern for this role is flexible though we anticipate that it will largely be Monday to Friday with occasional weekend and or event work to support our growing engagement ambition. The post will be based at Almond Valley Heritage Centre.
Holiday allocation:
- 32 days per annum including bank holidays
Pension:
- Automatically enrol team members into our workplace pension operated by Royal London
Workforce Benefits:
- Free on site car parking
- Staff Pass provides access to the site for free.
- ASVA Card Access, Team members have access to The Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions card which allows free entry to a huge range of visitor attractions throughout Scotland.
- Discount in the tearoom and gift shop
Application notes
Closing Date: Midnight, 26th July 2024
Interviews will be held the week commencing: 29th July 2024
TO APPLY – please email us at jobs@almondvalley.co.uk with a full CV, and a covering letter demonstrating your suitability for the role.
If you have any questions or wish to discuss the role further in advance of submitting an application please email director@almondvalley.co.uk
Please contact us if you let us know of any queries in relation to the application process or any reasonable adjustments that would help with your application or if you wish to receive the job description in other formats.
Equality and Diversity Commitment
Almond Valley is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to offering equal opportunity for all and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment and are working hard to create a space in which people from all walks of life see themselves.
We are committed to increasing the diversity of our team and encourage applications from people currently under-represented groups, targeting in particular people of the Global Majority and d/Deaf or disabled applicants.
Project Manager – Saving the Home of Auld Lang Syne Project
- Full time
- £40,000 – £47,000
- Hybrid: Dumfries & Galloway
- Closing 31st December 2024
Role Summary
The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust (RBET) seeks a highly skilled Project Manager to lead the Saving the Home of Auld Lang Syne project, delivering significant conservation and adaptation works at Ellisland Museum and Farm. The post is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund thanks to players of the National Lottery and South of Scotland Enterprise.
Introduction
The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust (RBET) safeguards the 1788 farm designed and built by the poet Robert Burns on the banks of the Nith near Dumfries. The A listed steading is the best preserved of all the poet’s homes, the only one he built, and the place where he wrote a quarter of his musical output, including the international anthem to friendship, Auld Lang Syne. The farmstead sits in 140 acres comprising woodland and fields which were first enclosed by Burns himself. RBET is a membership Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation with a volunteer board of Trustees formed in 2020, although the site itself has been held in trust since 1928. It is located six miles north of Dumfries off the A76. It is an accredited museum, with seasonal opening, holding events and group visits off-season, depending on capacity. A small team of volunteers maintain the grounds and riverside walks for free public enjoyment all year.
The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust’s charitable purpose is as follows:
To hold the lands and farm of Ellisland, and such other funds and assets as may from time to time be comprised in the Trust Property, in trust for the following purposes:
(a) the advancement of education
(b) the advancement of the arts, heritage and culture
(c) the promotion of the life and works of Robert Burns
(d) to maintain a museum and collections for the benefit of the public
The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust Mission Statement is as follows:
“Ellisland is the place to fall in love with Burns. We will increase awareness of Ellisland as central to the artistic development of Robert Burns in poetry and romantic song. We will enhance understanding of the site as the best place to see the natural world through the poet’s eyes. We will create a world class visitor experience and a vibrant centre for creative learning to ensure the unique collection, buildings and landscape are accessible to a diverse range of modern audiences.”
Saving the Home of Auld Lang Syne
In September 2024, our trust secured the offer of a development stage grant of up to £489,206 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for Saving the Home of Auld Lang Syne. In November 2024 we were awarded up to £313,000 from South of Scotland Enterprise towards the project. We expect to receive Permission to Start by January 2025. The development stage of the project is costed at £945,000 while the full cost after delivery and re-opening is £7.4m, which includes start up activity costs.
Saving the Home of Auld Lang Syne intends to bring the spirit of Burns – love, kindness and equality – into the 21st century and widen access to Ellisland with a vibrant programme of events, activities and artist residencies. We will restore the 1788 cottage, creating an immersive visitor experience, and develop a gallery/museum to display the collection, which is at risk in the deteriorating buildings. Our barn will be sensitively adapted as a Centre for Song, so future generations are inspired by Burns’s “sweet poetic ground.” We will increase visitor numbers and develop new income streams to protect the built heritage, collection and outdoor spaces, including woods, paths and fields created by Burns. This will increase economic prosperity in South Scotland and enhance wellbeing with skills training, jobs and volunteering opportunities.
A full brief can be downloaded below.
This is a senior post within The Scottish Civic Trust reporting to the Director.
Main purpose:
To oversee the day-to-day running of finance function with responsibility for all aspects of management accounting (including all necessary reconciliations), cash management, budgeting and forecasting, and administration of all payroll matters.
The post will provide support to the Director on finance matters ensuring that information and advice is available to support strategic decision making.
The Finance Manager will also be expected to contribute, and sometimes lead on, relationships with tenants within The Tobacco Merchant’s House and premises management.
Management of the Administration Officer is also a key aspect of this role.
Top job! Director of Fundraising
- Full time
- £40,000 – £47,000
- Hybrid: Dumfries & Galloway, DG2 8DW. Hybrid working arrangements are possible, with flexibility for remote working.
- Closing 20th December 2024
The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust (RBET) seeks an experienced and dynamic Director of Fundraising to lead fundraising efforts for the Saving the Home of Auld Lang Syne project, an ambitious conservation and adaptation initiative at Ellisland Museum and Farm. The post is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund thanks to the players of the National Lottery. This exciting role involves launching and directing a major fundraising campaign to secure backing required for the £7.4m project, which will restore and transform the historic site into a vibrant centre for heritage, learning, and artistic inspiration.
Introduction/Background
The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust (RBET) safeguards the 1788 farm designed and built by Robert Burns on the banks of the River Nith near Dumfries. This A-listed site is the best-preserved of all the poet’s homes and the place where he wrote a quarter of his musical output, including Auld Lang Syne.
The farmstead sits on 140 acres of woodland and fields first enclosed by Burns himself. Managed by a volunteer-led SCIO (Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation) since 2020, Ellisland is both a museum and a public space, with seasonal opening hours, events, and group visits. Volunteers maintain the grounds year-round, providing free public access to the riverside paths and walks.
RBET’s mission is:
“Ellisland is the place to fall in love with Burns. We will increase awareness of Ellisland as central to the artistic development of Robert Burns in poetry and romantic song. We will enhance understanding of the site as the best place to see the natural world through the poet’s eyes. We will create a world-class visitor experience and a vibrant centre for creative learning to ensure the unique collection, buildings, and landscape are accessible to a diverse range of modern audiences.”
Saving the Home of Auld Lang Syne
In September 2024, we secured a development stage grant of up to £489,206 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for Saving the Home of Auld Lang Syne. The development stage of the project is costed at £945,000, with an estimated total project cost of £7.4m.
The project will restore the 1788 cottage, create an immersive visitor experience, adapt the barn into a Centre for Song, and develop a new museum gallery to safeguard and display Burns’s collection. It will also include outdoor enhancements, skills training, volunteering, and a robust programme of events and residencies, ensuring the site’s long-term sustainability and community engagement.
The Director of Fundraising will be integral to achieving the funding goals necessary to bring this vision to life.
The Brief
The Director of Fundraising will lead a global fundraising campaign for the Saving the Home of Auld Lang Syne project. This individual will work closely with the Project Director, Technical Project Manager, Trustees, and external consultants to deliver funding targets for the capital project and associated revenue funding needs. The fund-raising campaign will be monitored by Trustees who will also support engagement work and identification of donors. The is a fundraising sub-committee which will monitor progress. The project includes a budget to support our membership recruitment and retention with a CRM system. It is essential that the individual has experience of working with projects supported by the Heritage Fund.
The position can be fulfilled either through a freelance contract or a staff position.
The position will cover the Development Phase of the project, leading up to a Delivery Stage Application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The Trusts reserves the right to continue the contract into the the delivery stage of the project, which is expected to last until 2028. The Trust also reserves the right to end or suspend the contract at the end of the development stage.
Any Freelance contractor will require to have appropriate Professional Indemnity insurance, Employer’s Liability Insurance and Public Liability Insurance. This should be highlighted in the advert.
A full Project Brief is available for download below.
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Trusts and Foundations Coordinator
- Full time
- £29,888 – £32,602
- Hybrid: Edinburgh
- Closing 6th January 2025
Join our team as the Trusts and Foundations Coordinator, where you'll play a key role in helping to deliver National Galleries of Scotland’s ambition to grow funds raised from grant sources. This is a wonderful opportunity to build on your fundraising skills, while working in a highly supportive Development Team passionate about art.
You will have excellent research and organisational skills, strong written and verbal communication, and be proficient in analysing financial information for persuasive grant submissions.
You’ll be responsible for maintaining the list of prospects, monitoring opportunities and recording approaches and outcomes. You’ll also write proposals and steward relationships with Trusts and Foundations through regular communication, report writing, arranging visits and generally ensuring we meet the conditions of any funding received.
This post is part of a pilot strategy to grow NGS income. This post is initially on a 22-month fixed term contract, with the possibility of extension depending on the income levels achieved during the pilot. This offers an excellent opportunity for a results-driven individual to demonstrate their impact and contribute to shaping the success of this initiative.
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