Engagement & Learning Coordinator
The John Rae Society has secured funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund for its Fit for the Future project that will see the Society develop its resilience and plans for Category A Listed Hall of Clestrain as well as undertake a far reaching consultation and engagement programme to inform the future for this much-loved local landmark – birthplace and childhood home of Artic explorer Dr John Rae. Part of the funding is for a Learning and Engagement Coordinator. Please read the job description and details on how to apply below. Deadline for applications is 1pm on August 30 2024. Interviews w/c Sept 2 2024.
Value of contract: £28,000
Type of contract: Freelance, flexible, job-share
Expected duration: 14 months
Start date: As soon as possible
Employer: The John Rae Society
Reports to: Project Manager
About the role
Joining the John Rae Society at an important time as it works towards saving the Hall of Clestrain and celebrating the unique heritage of Arctic explorer John Rae, Orkney and the Hudson’s Bay Company, you will plan, deliver and evaluate a range of activities, audience research and consultation as part of its 14-month National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) resilience project Hall of Clestrain – Fit for the Future.
In this diverse and stimulating role you will work with volunteers, the Project Manager, Steering Group, Board, partners, consultants and contractors to plan and deliver projects that engage people and raise awareness of the unique heritage cared for by the Society. You will help capture vital community and audience input to help shape the future of the Hall as a sustainable operation.
Responsibilities
- Develop and deliver a series of events and activities for young people, families, adults and older people as outlined in the Project Plan and market and promote all activities using the Society’s website, social media and other channels.
- Manage pilot archives research and oral history projects to inform future project and engagement opportunities, liaising with the Trustee lead, academic advisor, Orkney Archives and partners and providing volunteer support.
- Liaise with local schools, colleges and informal learning and skills organisations and partners to develop and promote learning activities and materials, including joint visits to the Hall of Clestrain and Stromness Museum, and to consult on the project’s ongoing development.
- Liaise with schools, further and higher education providers to identify opportunities for young people from diverse backgrounds to undertake volunteering, work experience, student placements and apprenticeships as part of current and future projects.
- Recruit, train and coordinate a team of volunteers to support events, learning, archives research, oral history and the conservation of the Hall to maximise opportunities for engagement, skills development and personal growth and health and wellbeing benefits.
- Initiate and foster partnerships, including with Canada’s First Nations, Métis and Inuit people and organisations, and identify collaborative project opportunities and partnerships.
- Undertake audience research and devise, deliver and report on a programme of member and community consultation to identify needs and issues to inform the vision for the Hall.
- Based on the results of audience research and community consultation, develop an Audience Development Plan to guide future activities and projects.
- Support the rollout of The John Rae Society website and ensure all activities and opportunities are marketed and promoted and recorded using a variety of social and other media.
- Manage budgets as delegated by the Project Manager.
- Work effectively with the Steering Group, Board, Project Manager, other professionals and appointed consultants and volunteers (some of whom the E&LC will appoint).
- To undertake project evaluation as outlined in the project Evaluation Plan and support the preparation of the end of project Evaluation Report.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
- Experience of working in a heritage environment with the local community; a passion for bringing history and heritage to life.
- Experience of engaging with people from a variety of backgrounds, community engagement and partnership or collaborative working.
- Demonstrable experience of planning, promoting and delivering activities for a wide range of audiences.
- Experience of research, oral history, archaeology and other research areas.
- Experience of formative and summative evaluation.
- Working knowledge of budget and programme management, monitoring and reporting.
- Excellent planning skills and a flexible approach, with the ability to prioritise and manage multiple tasks to ensure deadlines are met.
- A team player, with a friendly and diplomatic approach, able to build effective relationships with a wide range of partners, stakeholders and team members at all levels and find appropriate solutions to conflicting priorities.
- Excellent attention to detail, with good logical, analytical and problem-solving skills.
- A concise and effective communicator, with excellent written and verbal communication skills and a confident public speaker.
- Good management skills with the confidence and ability to work independently.
- Competent IT skills, able to use all Microsoft packages and understand website building and social media channels.
- Background and the project
Orkney’s Hall of Clestrain is a Grade A Listed Building on the At Risk Register. Belying its current condition, between the 17th-19th centuries the Hall and its occupants were at the forefront of trade, cross-Atlantic travel and exploration, shaping the development of Orkney, Scotland and Canada, none more so than John Rae – famous Scottish Arctic explorer – who was born and spent his childhood here.
The John Rae Society was established as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) in 2013, Registered Charity Number SCO44463. Its purposes are:
- To advance the education of the public in the life and achievements of John Rae as the discoverer of the final navigable link of the Northwest Passage and one of the greatest arctic explorers
- To advance the arts, heritage, culture and science by promoting the life and achievements of John Rae to foster friendship and understanding between members of the public, the people of Orkney, and those in Canada, particularly, but not exclusively, those areas associated with John Rae, through a broad range of activities
- To conserve, restore, augment and sustainably develop the Hall of Clestrain as a building of historic and architectural significance; as a celebration of the birthplace of John Rae; and as a significant visitor, information and study centre for tourists and local people alike, relating to the Arctic then, now and in the future
- To provide new facilities that respect the character of the listed historic buildings; to support sustainable activities and enable economic growth providing real community benefit, by creating education, training and volunteering opportunities particularly for young people and unemployed people locally; to provide and maintain recreational facilities and public amenities in the restored buildings, available to local community and visiting groups
- To promote engagement with local communities, businesses and academic institutions; to enable the new facility to act as a focal point for collaboration; and to increase awareness and understanding and learning particularly, but not exclusively, relating to the Arctic.
JRS has a dynamic and successful track record. In 2016, following a successful fundraising campaign, the Society purchased the Hall, subsequently installing a temporary visitor centre, employing a part-time Project Officer, holding numerous events and activities and undertaking outreach with schools.
Between 2020-21, JRS worked with a conservation accredited architect and a business consultant to devise a capital development scheme for the Hall. This large-scale development involved preserving the Hall, reconstructing and re-using the East and West pavilions and creating a new build Arctic Centre to the north façade of the Hall.
Despite early funding success, JRS was unable to secure match funding. This position and the significantly changed heritage and funding environment post Covid-19, led JRS to reflect on plans. In 2023, the Society made the decision to progress its purposes through two smaller discrete projects, better able to obtain funding to secure the long-term preservation of this highly significant heritage:
- Project 1: Save the Hall of Clestrain (2024-25/6 – short-term)
An urgent repairs project to make the building wind and watertight and enable it to dry out ahead of any further work.
- Project 2: Capital Project (2025-29/30)
A reduced sized project that will secure the long-term sustainable future of the Hall of Clestrain through a mixed use development combining heritage attraction, engagement, learning, community and commercial activities.
The Society has already secured a substantial Historic Environment Scotland Repair Grant offer towards Project 1 and during 2024-5 will fundraise for the match funds so that work can start in 2025.
In parallel, the Society has secured NLHF funding to undertake this project which aims to secure a viable future for the Hall by building resilience – developing the skills and capacity of its Board, building vital partnerships and stakeholder relationships and undertaking a vibrant programme of consultation, community and audience engagement to raise awareness and help shape the vision and future for the Hall, with consultants appointed to undertake vital work towards preparing for its future development and long-term sustainability.
- The commissioned work and outputs
The person appointed will :
- Support The John Rae Society to deliver this project as outlined in the application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund (available on request)
- Undertake the activities listed within the Project Plan (minor changes to the plan may be made with the agreement with the Steering Group)
- Provide written reports to the monthly Steering Group meetings, attending when discussions are necessary, and liaise with the Project Manager (to be appointed) between those meetings
- Provide all material and data requested for Evaluation reports during and at the end of the contract period.
- Inputs
- The Engagement and Learning Coordinator will have sight of all relevant project plans, budgets and other relevant paperwork
- The Project Manager and Steering Group will be available for discussions
- The John Rae Society has a fixed budget to cover the cost of the activities and materials.
- Contract Management
- The employer will be The John Rae Society
- Start to be as early as possible after appointment
- Payment of the monthly salary will be in arrears, by bank transfer
- All expenses to be backed up with receipts and invoices; mileage to be charged at 45p/mile.
Please send your CV and a covering letter of no more than 2 pages of A4 explaining why you should be our new Engagement and Learning Coordinator, to genna.adkins@johnraesociety.com. If you would like an informal chat before applying, email Genna to arrange a call. Deadline for applications is 1pm, 30 August 2024. Interviews will take place w/c 2 September 2024.