Engagement and Partnerships Officer in Gwynedd

Engagement and Partnerships Officer  - Job description 

The Talyllyn Railway is seeking an enthusiastic and organised bilingual candidate to develop and deliver a programme of activities, events, volunteer projects and community engagement work, to people of all ages.

The Talyllyn Railway   

The Talyllyn Railway was built in 1865 to transport slate from a quarry above Abergynolwyn to Tywyn. Later a passenger service was begun, and the Railway became an essential part of the community.

In the 1950s it was on the verge of closure but was saved by a few enthusiasts who took on the running of the line. In 1951 it became the World’s First Preserved Railway. The Railway became part of a UNESCO world heritage site in 2021, a component part of the Northwest Wales Slate Landscape.

Today the railway retains its unique charm, attracting around 40,000 visitors a year, and is still operated by around 450 regular volunteers. They are supported by 26 paid staff.

The Project   

The new £5m project will see exciting developments in our engineering facilities, volunteer accommodation, community engagement, increasing diversity, and interpretation of  our heritage during our 5 year project.

We will continue to use the Railway as a way of bringing together different communities in the local area, to provide a number of exciting  activities that will improve wellbeing and develop skills.  It will allow greater community engagement with the Railway’s volunteers and visitors, making the Railway a more inclusive place for everyone.

The Role   

The Engagement and Partnerships Officer post will be crucial to the successful and effective delivery of the activities and events programme for the duration of the funded project. The successful candidate(s) will co-ordinate and to deliver a range of brand new activities and training set out in our Action Plan, as well as supporting and developing new and existing volunteer roles.

The postholder will work closely alongside the Project Manager and the Talyllyn Railway staff and volunteers to ensure the effective and successful implementation of the Activity Plan.

Salary: £25,000 per annum subject to skills & experience.

Hours: 37.5hrs p/w Fixed Term of 3.5 years (extension possible based on project needs)

Location: Hybrid working where appropriate, with on-site activity and office space available on site.

Holiday entitlement: 28 days inclusive of Bank Holidays (pro-rata)

Closing date: Thursday 17th September 5pm

The position will be offered as a full-time role, but we are open to considering applications from individuals interested in job sharing and flexible working hours (pro-rated based on the agreed upon working hours).

Key responsibilities:   

• Act as point of contact for our engagement delivery partners and develop strong relationships with each to encourage greater engagement with the railway
• Develop volunteer role descriptions for the new volunteer roles and help recruit volunteers
• Develop and nurture strong relationships with local community groups and members of the project’s target audiences
• Mentor and support volunteers
• Contribute towards the further development and refining of activities and events
• Develop, coordinate and deliver participatory activities laid out in the Action Plan with each of our target audiences.
• Develop, coordinate and deliver the project’s formal learning programme
• Alongside the project team maintain contact with project partners and stakeholders, nurturing existing relationships and developing connections with potential new partners/stakeholders
• Contribute towards the reporting, evaluation and monitoring approved purposes of the project

Person Specification   

The role would suit a candidate who is able to engage and enthuse people of all ages and walks of life. With great bilingual communication and organisational skills, you will create and expand partnerships and connections, whilst delivering a full programme of activities and events.  Someone with experience of developing and delivering a programme of activities and events, community engagement work, work with young people and volunteers, would be ideal for this role.

ESSENTIAL   

• Ability to work and communicate in both Welsh and English
• Experience of activities / events development and delivery in the heritage sector
• Experience of managing people, particularly volunteers
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including report writing
• Ability to work flexi