CONNECTING THREADS

AN AMBITIOUS RIVER CULTURE VISION FOR THE RIVER TWEED

RIVER CULTURE ANIMATEUR (MIDDLE TWEED) (p/t 0.6) – DEVELOPMENT PHASE

Connecting Threads River Culture Animateur Job Description (This document in PDF Format)

We are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic individual with a background in cultural place-making and/or participatory arts to develop this new post.  As this is a new initiative there is an opportunity for the successful applicant to bring their own expertise and interests to shape the role.  The location of the activity is the Middle Tweed from Innerleithen to Kelso as a pilot for what will become a whole river project in the delivery phase.  The project is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF).

Introduction

Connecting Threads is the cultural strand of Destination Tweed, a major project in development that aims to conserve, celebrate and promote the River Tweed.  It supports the role of culture to create positive change and more resilient communities and aims to develop a vibrant contemporary identity by harnessing the distinctive cultural heritage of both sides of the river.  The long-term aim is to create a lasting legacy of a well-integrated partnership of cultural and environmental organisations and businesses to support a flourishing sustainable future for residents and a distinctive visitor experience.  It is a fantastic opportunity to develop an ambitious cultural heritage and creative place-making programme along the source to sea trail that harnesses the distinctive river heritage and cultural landscapes of the Tweed.  Shaped by the river habitat itself, and in partnership with local communities, conservation and environmental organisations, the programme will bring different knowledges and creative practices together in innovative and experiential ways to support a culture of stewardship and collaboration.  The cultural events, art works and activities situated in, on and alongside the river will invite communities and visitors to make deeper connections to the Tweed, strengthen cultural leadership and contribute to a sustainable locally driven economy.

The Southern Uplands Partnership (SUP) is a rural development charity, with 20 years of experience of developing and delivering projects across the South of Scotland. The partnership represents everyone with an interest in the sustainable development of the region.

More details of the Southern Uplands Partnership can be found at www.sup.org.uk

More details of the Destination Tweed project can be found at www.tweedforum.org

For further information about the Destination Tweed project, please see the Connecting Threads Vision document.

Job Description

The focus of the development phase is to engage with local communities, and cultural, heritage, environmental and educational organisations located along the river between Innerleithen and Kelso to help shape a five-year multi-stranded cultural programme from source to sea.  The River Culture Animateur (p/t 0.6) will work alongside and in collaboration with the River Tweed Cultural Curator and will be expected in the development phase to contribute to working up a vision for the second-round bid to the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) and to secure additional match funding from other sources.

The duration of the post will initially be 12 months (October 2020 to September 2021).  If funding is secured in March 2022, the postholder may be appointed for the five-year programme of projects.  This will be determined by appropriate completion of duties during the development phase, the agreement of the partners and a review process.

The post during this development phase will be based at the Southern Uplands Partnership office at Lindean Mill, Galashiels, TD1 3PE.

Reporting

The postholder will report directly to the Partnership Manager of the Southern Uplands Partnership.  Additional support and sector advice will be available from the Creative Director of CABN and the CABN Arts Advocates.  Regular liaison and close collaboration will be required between the River Culture Animateur, the River Tweed Cultural Curator, Destination Tweed project partners and representatives of Tweed Forum, in particular the Destination Tweed Project Management Team.

Responsibilities

The River Culture Animateur in the Development Phase will be responsible for:

• Making connections and developing partnerships with local communities, arts, cultural, heritage and environmental organisations along the river from Innerleithen to Kelso.
• Developing a five-year cultural place-making programme for the Middle Tweed, in collaboration with the River Tweed Cultural Curator and other project partners, local communities and arts and cultural organisations.
• Developing activity principles for the Upper and Lower Tweed.
• Delivering a pilot programme of activities along the river for local people and visitors.
• Assisting with supporting the planned Pathfinder Artist Residency in the Upper Tweed (funding tbc).
• Contributing to the delivery of a series of shared learning and cultural leadership events.
• Contributing to a cultural audit and digital mapping project.
• Contributing to the development of the NLHF Activity Plan, led by the Destination Tweed Project Management Team. The Activity Plan is the key engagement document within the funding proposal, due for submission in November 2021.
• Monitoring, reporting and documentation of development phase activities.
• Management of activities budget and reporting to the Destination Tweed Project Management Team.

Skills and Experience

ESSENTIAL

• A minimum of four years professional experience of working in the cultural, arts or heritage sector.
• Excellent inter-personal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work on own initiative and operate as part of a team.
• Experience of managing budgets.
• Experience of partnership working and collaboration.
• Experience of initiating, organising and delivering public activities and events.
• Excellent administrative and organisational skills.
• Marketing, publicity and social media skills.
• Flexible working approach.
• Current UK Driving Licence and access to vehicle.
• PVG Disclosure Scotland Certificate.

DESIRABLE

• Knowledge of the communities and landscapes of the River Tweed.
• Knowledge of arts, cultural and/or environmental sector in the Scottish Borders.
• Experience of fundraising.
• Experience of NLHF funded projects and activity planning.
• Understanding of creative place-making practices.

Terms and Conditions

• The post is part time 0.6 fte (22.5 hrs/wk). Hours of work will be arranged by agreement and can be flexible.  Weekend or evening working may be required from time to time, for which you will receive time off in lieu (no overtime is payable).
• The annual salary is up to £27k fte (£16,200 pro rata).
• Eligible employees will be auto-enrolled in the NEST Pension Scheme, to which the employer contributes 8% (employee contribution 5%).
• Annual leave entitlement is 36 days fte (pro rata 21.6 days) which includes public holidays but excludes Christmas and New Year public holidays when offices are closed (i.e. four days).
• The post will require travel around the Middle Tweed area but occasionally further afield. A valid UK driving licence and access to a vehicle will be required.  Mileage will be reimbursed (currently £0.45/mile).

Application Process

To apply for the post, please complete the Job Application – River Culture Animateur Application Form (Word) and submit by email to piptabor@sup.org.uk by 5.00 pm on Monday 17th August 2020.

Interviews will be held on Tuesday, 1st September, and Wednesday, 2nd September 2020

Informal enquiries about the post can be made to SUP Partnership Manager, Pip Tabor, at piptabor@sup.org.uk.