VACANCY: Climate FORTH Project Officer - Visitor and Business Engagement (Fixed Term)

We are looking for an enthusiastic and organised individual with a passion for partnership working to help deliver Climate FORTH: Furthering Our Resilience Through Heritage.  This is an ambitious project, running from August 2023 – July 2026, by Inner Forth Futures (IFF) – a collaboration of 9 organisations, who have committed to work together with advisory organisations, stakeholders and community groups to achieve a shared vision.

The Climate FORTH project is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery players. Additional funding comes from the UK Government's Shared Prosperity Fund, the Crown Estate, IFF members and the Scottish Government, through Sustrans Scotland's Network Engagement Programme. See the attached document and www.innerforthlandscape.co.uk/climate-forth for more project information.

In this Project Officer role you will support project delivery by leading business and tourism sector engagement activity that supports the delivery of our sustainable tourism objectives.  This will include the following activities;

•    Promotion and facilitating further uptake of a recently launched “Round the Inner Forth” cycle route.
•    Engaging local businesses with a created ‘Tourism Toolkit’ – designed to provide information on the local area, it’s heritage assets and offering resources to promote walking/cycling tourism.
•    Setup & delivery of Tourism and Hospitality Business Upskilling sessions, including familiarisation trips, talks from industry specialists and networking.
•    Facilitating the use of a Visitor Giving Scheme across the landscape – an opportunity for those benefitting and enjoying the local heritage of the Inner Forth to invest and enhance.
•    Overseeing delivery of an Inner Forth Bike Bus service – designed to promote car-free tourism and facilitate transport to lesser-known heritage sites.
•    Setup and delivery of a series of events and ‘visiteering’ opportunities to support sustainable staycations and the economic resilience of local businesses.

The successful candidate will have proven experience of working in the tourism sector. You will be supported by the Climate FORTH Project Manager, Steering Group and Board but you will need to be able to demonstrate the ability to work independently and to demonstrate initiative.

The post will be based at the RSPB Skinflats Reserve near Falkirk, with flexibility to work part of the week from home and occasional weekend/evening work. This is one of 3 Project Officer roles.

You will also be responsible for:
•    Creation of car-free itineraries
•    Overseeing delivery of bike parking facilities and maintenance stations
•    Supporting the Project Manager with elements of grant reporting/claims
•    Contributing to internal & external communications

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:
•    Experience working in the tourism sector or with tourism-focused businesses
•    Knowledge of a range of techniques for promoting heritage or sustainable tourism 
•    Experience of working with project teams, partners and stakeholders
•    Some knowledge of the theory and practice of project management
•    Ability to produce clear written communications including report writing
•    Ability to persuade and influence a wide range of people
•    Excellent problem-solving skills, ability to find creative solutions and to work on own initiative
•    Proven time management and organisational skills and ability to work under pressure
•    Experience in contractor management
•    Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications (especially Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint and Teams)

This is a Fixed-Term Full-Time role until 31st July 2026. The RSPB reserves the right to extend or make this role permanent without further advertising dependent on business needs at the end of the contract term.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from 16th April 2024. For further information please contact:

•    Until 15th March and then from 1st April, James Stead Climate FORTH Project Manager james.stead@rspb.org.uk 07860 592 061
•    18th-22nd March, Zoe Clelland RSPB Area Manager–Central zoe.clelland@rspb.org.uk

As part of this application process you will be asked to complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above.

PLEASE APPLY HERE: Climate FORTH Project Officer – Visitor and Business Engagement (Fixed-Term) | RSPB (vacancy-filler.co.uk)

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.