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Closed CLOSING DATE: 03/04/2016

Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust

Graduate Project Officer

Undergraduate Degree, Postgraduate Degree

Closing Date:: 03/04/2016
Skill:: Management business development and logistics
Region:: Caithness and Sutherland
Salary: £19,500 per annum
Length:: 12 months
Ref code: VPFEEFGNOX

Placement summary

Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust (KoSDT) was created in 2011 to ensure that long-term, sustainable benefits would be achieved throughout the community and the Kyle of Sutherland. KoSDT are now looking to recruit a Graduate Project Officer to deliver a 12 month project. The successful candidate will be required to lead on two community led build projects - the Falls of Shin Community Project and the Ardgay Village Redevelopment Project.

Job description

Project Description

The successful candidate will manage two community led build projects - the Falls of Shin Community Project and the Ardgay Village Redevelopment Project.

Falls of Shin Community Project (FoSCP)

Working with a wide range of partner organisations, KoSDT will create a community resource based at the Falls of Shin, replacing the previous visitor centre which was destroyed by fire in May 2013. The project will:

develop the site as an outdoor facilities for communities in the area to improve health and well-being
help to regenerate the local economy by increasing visitor numbers
provide a market place for local producers, encouraging their growth
provide the opportunity to run a comprehensive events programme targeted at residents and visitors
provide interpretation and educational opportunities based on the surrounding natural landscape

The building will be more compact and sustainable than the previous centre and will include a café, small retail outlet, interpretation panels and toilets together with an outdoor space for community events. It is anticipated that the centre will attract 160,000 visitors per year and help regenerate the economy of the area which has been damaged by a number of recent significant business closures. There will be an opportunity for 36 small local traders to have market barrows on site and this will provide increased income for these businesses.

The Falls of Shin site will be actively managed for the benefit of local communities and visitors to the area. A gathering place will be created for people from dispersed communities, allowing them to come together for a range of events and activities. The project aims to generate local jobs, training opportunities and apprenticeships. The income derived from the facility will be used towards the development of other initiatives developed by the Trust and other local community organisations.

Ardgay Village Redevelopment Project

The aim of the project is to deliver transformational regeneration to Ardgay village, re-establishing this site at the heart of the community for local people and encouraging enterprise activity. It is the most important redevelopment opportunity in Ardgay, located on a prominent site at the entrance to the village and to the County of Sutherland. The project will contribute to wider area economic regeneration by complimenting future private and community sector investment.

The project involves the demolition of the vacant derelict Lady Ross Hotel to create a landscaped village centre and four flexible affordable tenure homes and two affordable self-build plots will be built. The refurbishment of the neighbouring “barn” will provide a high quality, accessible, affordable and flexible serviced office space for business ‘start-ups’, entrepreneurs and the Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust.

This is an opportunity to bring forth new economic activity to Ardgay and to create employment opportunities. It will increase the number of visitors and create a new mixed-use site with a space for public engagement.

Specific tasks of the placement will include:

Task/Activity to be achieved	Expected result of task/activity	Date task/activity will be achieved
Induction from KoSDT Team.	Understanding of the role of the Trust and community expectations of the organisation.	End of first week
Familiarisation of the Trust IT systems.	To be able to fully participate in the work of the Trust.	End of first week
Familiarisation of both projects as they stand to date.	Knowledge of the detail of the project management which will be necessary to bring both projects to fruition.	End of week three
Contact partners and successful building company – for each project.	Creation of effective communication channels and develop strong and viable working relationships with key stakeholders.	End of week three
Preparation of pre-construction project programme to coordinate client and design team.	Projects are delivered on time and within specification.	End of week six. Review fortnightly
Prepare then monitor cost plan on fortnightly or monthly basis.	To deliver project within budget.	Cost plan developed and agreed by end of week four. Review fortnightly.
Manage allocated projects, ensuring that project management methodologies and documentation are used consistently.	Projects are delivered on time and within budget.	Ongoing
Client side responsibilities to represent the Directors of KoSDT in dealings with design team and construction team. Chair meetings and issue minutes.	Ensure that the interests of the Trust are never put in jeopardy. For control and feedback for the next project meeting.	Ongoing
Assist, along with the Implementation Manager and operator, with the detail for the fit out of the FoSCP. For Ardgay, work with Architect on detail for fit out.	To ensure that fit out is delivered within budget and meets all applicable legislation.	November 16 – May 17
Enable and monitor progress of the projects in liaison with the contractor and architect.	To ensure the contract is being delivered on time and within budget.	Ongoing
Compilation/management of projects archive including in line with audit requirements.	To ensure projects are delivered as per outcomes in terms of legal obligations to funders.	By end of project.
Deliver progress reports to the Directors and the two stakeholders groups.	To ensure good governance of both projects and for scrutiny.	Ongoing
Work in partnership the Ardgay design team, the FoSCP Implementation Manager and the KoSDT Manager.	To ensure that all senior members of Trust staff and Ardgay architect are consistently updated and included in any decision making – good governance and consistent approach.	Ongoing

If you are eligible, you can apply up to six months before you graduate.

For informal enquiries regarding this position please contact: Helen Houston, Development Manager, tel: 01863 766190, email: [email protected]

This position is part funded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the European Regional Development Fund.

Qualifications

Preferably a degree in Project management, Planning or Construction. Other candidates may be considered provided they have the required skills.

Skills / Experience

Essential Skills

Ability to assume responsibility for project management and completion
Understanding of pre-construction specifications
Knowledge of budget management
Good knowledge of IT skills and MS suite
Excellent communication skills across all mediums
Able to work on own initiative as well as part of a small team
Must have access to own transport
Must be flexible to assist other staff at times of high activity
Previous relevant work experience
Ability to maintain confidentiality

Desirable Skills

Knowledge of the area and the issues faced by remote rural communities
Some knowledge/engagement with the rural regeneration agenda
Presentation and report writing skills

Benefits

Company benefits

Access to a range of learning and development opportunities.
Providing an in-depth knowledge to the workings of the third sector as well as an understanding of the wider regeneration agenda.

Placement benefits

As part of this ScotGrad Graduate Placement Programme, the candidate will benefit from support from a team within Highlands and Islands Enterprise and also access a four day residential course focused on employability and business skills.

Additional information

Location: Bonar Bridge, Sutherland

Preferred start date: 02/05/2016