Project Officer – Union Canal Unlocked
Location: Based in Re-Union Canal Boats office in Edinburgh
Hours/Rate: 52 days over 9 months @ £150 per day (increased hours may become available due to
further funding being awarded)
Starting date: asap
Closing date: 22nd January 2016
Please apply by cv and covering letter detailing your specific skills for this post to ucupm@reunion.org.uk
The Project:
Union Canal Unlocked is a partnership project between Re-Union Canal Boats, Scottish Waterways
Trust, Scottish Canals and Edinburgh Printmakers. Our project will create an innovative package of
interpretation that will celebrate the natural and cultural heritage of the Union Canal, from the heart
of Edinburgh to Falkirk. We will engage local communities and provide learning, training and
volunteering opportunities for all sectors of the community. We will create an oral history archive;
produce a smartphone app and leaflet as heritage trail guides along the towpath; Install on site
heritage signage; create artistic interventions; produce a community inspired animated film: and
produce a travelling community exhibition. Our aim is to make the canal heritage more accessible to
people who live and work around the canal and visit from further afield.
The Post:
Based in Re-Union Canal Boats office and reporting to the Project Manager, the Project Officer will
be responsible for engaging with the community; recruiting and managing volunteers, and
supported by the local heritage advisor, will lead on the delivery of the oral history element of the
project and be responsible for delivering workshops and events. The project officer will require to
liaise with the other delivery partners and co-ordinate publicity for the project.
Key Responsibilities
 Recruit and Train volunteers to undertake oral history interviews
 Create oral history archive and make accessible to the public
 Organise and run community engagement events designed to generate community interest
in canal heritage
 Work with school children to engage in canal history and heritage
 Contribute to the creation of new interpretive material such as smartphone app, leaflet and
signage.
 Organise creation of travelling community exhibition
 Procure and liaise with external evaluation consultant
 Publicity and promotion of all project activities and outputs, including press releases,
website and social media
 Report progress to steering group and funders
 Make grant funding claims
Knowledge, Experience and Skills
Assessment Area
Required Qualifications
Essential Criteria
Degree or equivalent
Relevant Experience
Demonstrable success in
community engagement and
volunteer management
Desirable Criteria
Experience of working with
people from all backgrounds
Worked in not for profit/
charitable organisation
Specific skill, abilities and
qualities
Ability to engage and motivate
people to support and
participate in our work
Good understanding of natural
and cultural heritage
Excellent written,
presentational and verbal
communication skills
Skilled social media
communicator
Excellent planning, time
management, prioritisation
and organisational skills
Ability to work under pressure
Any additional job related
requirements
IT literate in Microsoft Office
suite
Full UK Driving Licence
PVG checked
Team player, open, and
participative
Knowledge of and enthusiasm
for Scotland’s canals