Community Development Officer (Nature Biodiversity & Land Use)
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
The Highlands & Islands Climate Hub is fully funded by the Scottish Government and is one of a network of Climate Action Hubs established across Scotland to offer networking, support and encouragement of community led climate action. The vision for the Hub is to support and empower communities to develop local solutions to make the transition to net zero and climate resilient living through empowerment and capacity building in communities throughout the region.
The Hub has been operating since September 2021 and is a membership organisation supporting communities across Highland and the Northern Isles of Orkney and Shetland. The vision of the overall Hub Programme defined by Scottish Government is A network of climate action hubs providing a vehicle for communities to come together and engage in collective climate action, supporting the just transition to net zero and climate resilient living, and driving wider change.
Main Outcomes of Climate Hubs 2025-26
- Community-level action across Scotland contributes to building Scotland’s climate resilience
- Community- level action across Scotland contributes to reducing Scottish GHG emissions
- Communities are shaping policy that promotes adaptation to and mitigation of climate change
- Community-level climate action is equitable and inclusive
- Hubs bring people and organisations acting on climate change together across Scotland, to strengthen the collective voice and take action towards a shared vision
- Local innovations have the potential to be scaled up or replicated to prove more widespread climate benefits
JOB PURPOSE
The role of Community Development Officer will be to contribute towards the successful delivery of the Highlands & Islands Climate Hub CIC for the Scottish Government. The role will support communities to collaborate and network, and assist community groups in the design, development and delivery of community-led climate action projects. The post will have a particular focus on nature, biodiversity and land use, helping communities explore how these themes connect with climate action. The postholder does not need to be an expert in these areas but must be interested in them and prepared to develop their knowledge through learning, research and partnership working. The role will also provide area oversight for Skye, Lochalsh and Lochaber, taking a proactive approach to connecting people, communities and opportunities across the area.
LOCATION
The role will have area oversight for Skye, Lochalsh and Lochaber, while contributing to work across the wider Highland Local Authority area and the Hub region as required. You may be based anywhere in Highland but must reside within the Highland Council local authority area. Home/remote working with regular travel across Skye, Lochalsh and Lochaber, and occasional travel throughout the wider region, is required.
The Hub holds regular staff meetups which may be at our Inverness or Thurso office, and there would be a further expectation to attend national Hub Gatherings.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
§ Connect with communities and community organisations across Skye, Lochalsh and Lochaber to understand local priorities, opportunities, issues and barriers, and levels of climate crisis awareness
§ Research and prepare guides on examples of best practice for community-led climate action projects, with a particular focus on nature, biodiversity and land use
§ Assist community groups and organisations with the design, development and delivery of climate action projects, including projects connected to nature, biodiversity and land use, and through engagement and data collection help them secure the funding, support and collaboration required to achieve their aims
§ Develop knowledge of nature, biodiversity and land use in a community climate action context, drawing on training, research, good practice and the expertise of partners, and share learning across the Hub and its membership
§ Promotion of any grant programmes operated by the Highlands & Islands Climate Hub. Advising community groups and organisations on the support available through our grant programmes.
§ Follow up and liaise with community groups and communities in receipt of grants and support from the Highlands & Islands Climate Hub to form case studies, resources on best practice and identify potential collaborations and scaling-up of projects
§ Empower, encourage and support communities across the area to contribute to policy at both local and national level on climate change, environmental and social issues. Liaise with key strategic partners and stakeholders locally, regionally and nationally.
§ Help build capacity within communities through the delivery of training, events, peer to peer learning, networking and training events
§ Widen participation by engaging new communities and strengthening existing climate action activity
§ Represent the Highlands & Islands Climate Hub within key networks, including those operating across Skye, Lochalsh and Lochaber, Highland Community Planning Partnerships, and relevant nature, biodiversity, land use and strategic community-based networks
§ Provide area oversight for Skye, Lochalsh and Lochaber by maintaining strong local relationships, coordinating Hub engagement, identifying gaps and opportunities, and ensuring activity and intelligence are recorded and shared with the wider team
§ Contribute towards the Highlands & Islands Climate Hub strategic thematic workstreams, taking a particular role in the development of work relating to nature, biodiversity and land use
§ Provide quality monitoring and evaluation and regular reporting on progress to the Hub’s CRM and Project Management systems
§ Liase with the Hub Comms and Senior Team to ensure consistent brand messaging, alignment of outreach strategies with community initiatives, and provide valuable insights for effective communication with target audiences
§ Any other tasks as required to contribute to delivery of the Hub core functions
ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE
§ Experience of community development, ideally in relation to climate change, environmental action or place-based work
§ An interest in nature, biodiversity and land use and a willingness to build knowledge in these themes. Existing specialist expertise is not required
§ Knowledge of community organisations in Highland and the structures that exist at community level, including Community Planning Partnerships and the nature of work across the community and voluntary sector. Knowledge of Skye, Lochalsh and Lochaber would be an advantage
§ Knowledge of climate change, environmental and social issues and the challenges these pose to communities throughout Highland, together with an interest in the links between climate action, nature and land use
§ A good track record in generating new ideas and innovative approaches to community development and empowerment
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
§ Ability to connect and foster collaborative and empowering working relationships with community groups, public and third sector partners
§ Flexibility and a proactive attitude with the ability to motivate and empower others
§ Good time management and organisational skills
§ Excellent attention to detail and accurate record keeping
§ Demonstrating a commitment to continuous professional learning and development to enhance and maintain a comprehensive skillset
§ Passionate about climate change, climate and social justice and the empowerment and power of communities
§ Able to work under own initiative and as part of a team
QUALIFICATIONS
Demonstratable experience and/or qualification in sustainability and climate change, community development, community planning, social policy, social science or a related field.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
Highlands & Islands Climate Hub is an equal opportunity employer. Please tell us if you have access needs for the recruitment process and we will try to meet your needs.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Regular travel across Skye, Lochalsh and Lochaber, and wider travel within Highland when required, is an essential element of working for the Hub. Further travel to national events and opportunities is required or available less frequently and may lead to occasional overnight stays. All business-related travel and accommodation costs are covered by the employer. Staff are expected to have access to reliable public transport and/or hold a current driving licence and be willing to include business use on their insurance policy.
A PVG check will be carried out and must be passed.
All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references first being obtained. Referees will be contacted following conditional offer of employment at interview stage.