Overview
Geopark Manager – North West Highlands Geopark
Location: Mix of The Rock Stop, Unapool and home-based
Full Time, 37.5 hours per week, consideration for Part Time possible
Salary: £28,000 – £35,000
North West Highlands Geopark are now looking for a Geopark Manager to join their team.
ACCOUNTABLE TO:
The post holder will be accountable to the Chair of the Board of North West Highlands Geopark Ltd
ACCOUNTABLE FOR:
Volunteers, staff or trainees as may be appointed to projects.
PURPOSE AND DESCRIPTION OF ROLE:
- To provide operational leadership to the North West Highlands Geopark ltd.
- The postholder will have overall operational responsibility for delivering the organisation’s business plan and developing partnerships and projects that will strengthen and grow the Charity’s impact.
- They will manage contractors and volunteers and any staff who are appointed to the team and facilitate the effective working of the Board of the organisation.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES SPECIFIC TO THIS POST:
- Provide advice and assistance to the Trustees/Directors as they update the organisation’s business plan to ensure that strategic and operational plans comply with both OSCR regulations, and the framework established by the UNESCO Global Geoparks program.
- Develop, and support the delivery of, programmes of interpretation, education and responsible tourism, based on the area’s geological and landscape heritage.
- Oversee the day-to-day delivery of operational activities and manage Geopark led projects.
- With support from the Board, recruit and manage such staff, contractors, and volunteers necessary For delivery of the projects and assist in the appointment of operational staff as required.
- Ensure a range of reporting mechanisms across the organisations to manage both individual and organisational performance, ensuring accurate reporting to the Board.
- Develop and maintain a communications strategy and promotional activities including managing social media accounts and press relations.
- Grow and maintain the organisation’s aspirational projects list, prioritisation matrix and project tracker.
- Work with the Treasurer to produce and manage annual designated operational and project budgets and report against them, including the statutory annual financial report.
- Work with the Fundraising director, Treasurer and Fundraising Specialist to set targets and monitor progress.
- With support from the Board, develop and deliver the Stakeholders strategy.
- Participate in Working Groups of the North West Highlands Geopark Ltd board, attend Board meetings and meetings of the NWHG (Trading) Ltd board as required.
- Represent the Geopark and North West Highlands Geopark Ltd to external organisations, including the Co-ordination Committee of the Global and European Geoparks Networks and associated groups such as the UK Committee for UNESCO Global Geoparks, and local regional, national, and international fora and partnerships.
- Occasional planning and delivery of guided walks and other events as required.
AUTHORITIES:
The Geopark Manager is Authorised to undertake activities essential to the delivery of duties described in this document and in the NWHG Ltd Scheme of Delegation and Manual of Financial Authorities. This includes recruitment and management of project staff, consultants and freelancers, spending within agreed budgets and development and delivery of strategy, policies and plans as agreed within Working Groups.
TRAINING:
You will be expected to participate in training as identified by the Board of Trustees in managing your development and your performance. You may also request specific training and North West Highlands Geopark Ltd will endeavour to meet such requests depending on available resources and relevance to job.
PERSON SPECIFICATION, ESSENTIAL
Qualifications:
- Educated to post-graduate level in a relevant subject or with at least 10 years relevant experience in a similar role.
- Current valid driving licence and appropriate insurance (Or means of mobility support).
Experience:
- Multi-partner project management relating to natural and/or cultural heritage.
- Dealing with a broad range of people, but particularly the North West Highland community and their representative organisations.
- Sustainable community development
- NLHF and/or third sector Funding streams
- Project and budget management
- Writing detailed reports
- Making funding applications
- Communications including press relations and social media management.
- IT software packages such GSuite, MS Office, Adobe and GIS
Skills/Knowledge:
- Knowledge of geology and Earth science.
- Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing and to articulate and win support for the aims of Geopark designation and North West Highlands Geopark Ltd from a wide range of organisations from local groups to Government.
- Ability to develop partnerships and co-operation between organisations.
- Ability to undertake work with community groups and local businesses and to represent North West Highlands Geopark Ltd at public and other meetings.
- Awareness of and compliance with Health and Safety issues
Personal Qualities:
- Capable of being a convincing advocate for and representative of the Geopark and North West Highlands Geopark Ltd
- Self-reliance, the ability to work without supervision and to motivate others.
- An organised approach to work and a capability to work under pressure of deadlines.
- Ability to develop ideas and present them persuasively.
- Self-awareness, tact and diplomacy
- Professional and highly motivated
- Demonstrable commitment to making a positive impact and contribution to the relevant field of work and associated communities.
- Willingness to work outside normal office hours and at other locations where required.
PERSON SPECIFICATION, DESIRABLE
Qualifications:
- Degree or equivalent, in an Earth Science subject
- Agile Project Management
- Mountain Leader Award
Experience:
- Managing staff and volunteers
- Geoparks or other heritage-designated landscapes and their management.
- Projects and programmes focused on geological and landscape heritage.
- Reporting to and facilitating a board of trustees or directors
- Communicating science and/or cultural heritage to the public in accessible and interesting ways
Skills/Knowledge:
- Knowledge of at least one of environmental education or responsible tourism in a rural or heritage context
- Knowledge of the needs of the community and environment in the remote rural Scotland.
- Understanding of data protection and privacy issues and other legislation in the e-communication area.
- Ability to speak/understanding of Gaelic.
Personal Qualities:
- A personal commitment and interest in Geoparks, natural and cultural heritage and sustainable community development in the North West Highlands
Closing date for applications: 7th April 2023
Shortlist date: 12th April 2023
Interview date: 19th April 2023
To apply send a c.v. including contact details of two referees and a covering letter that sets out your experience and approach to the role to laura@nwhgeopark.com by 12 midnight on the closing date.
Further information contact: laura@nwhgeopark.com
Discussion and questions are welcome before the closing date.
