Sustainable Communities Adviser

Loch Lomond & The Trossachs.org; Inverness; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A National Park Authority in Scotland is seeking a Sustainable Communities Adviser to enhance community development and tackle climate change. The role involves leading local initiatives, fostering relationships, and providing support to community organisations. The ideal candidate has a background in community development and policy knowledge. This position offers flexible and remote working options, along with a generous benefits package.

Benefits

Flexible working

Generous pension scheme

Wellbeing services

Qualifications

• Demonstrable working knowledge of the rural community development sector.
• Experience of working with community and/or voluntary organisations.
• Strategic and detail-oriented thinking.

Responsibilities

• Drive delivery of community led action across National Park communities.
• Provide support to community organisations and maintain contact with key representatives.
• Cultivate relationships with various stakeholders to support community actions.

Skills

Community development knowledge

Interpersonal skills

Strategic thinking

Education

Degree in social, environmental or economic subject

Job description

Overview

Join Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority as a Sustainable Communities Adviser. Be part of the team championing bold action for climate, nature, and people in Scotland’s first National Park. The role focuses on supporting National Park communities to flourish in sustainable, climate-resilient places with strong connections to nature, land use, landscape and culture.

You will lead on delivering Local Place Plans and innovative projects that improve places and contribute to tackling the climate and nature crises. You will coordinate monitoring and delivery of outcomes in the National Park Partnership Plan by identifying initiatives that grow community wealth, adapt to climate change and increase community-led action for nature.

Responsibilities

• Lead, Coordinate and Promote Community Led Action: Drive delivery of community led action across National Park communities, including preparation of Local Place Plans and supporting actions and projects aligned with the National Park Partnership Plan’s vision of becoming a carbon negative, nature positive, thriving place.
• Community Capacity Building: Provide support to community organisations, signpost to funding, training and development, maintain contact with key community representatives, and share intelligence of National Park Community Councils and Development Trust activities for internal use and Board briefings.
• Foster Collaborative Relationships: Cultivate relationships with National Park community organisations and a wide range of stakeholders, including landowners, ensuring collaboration with public, private and third sector partners.
• Community Empowerment Act: Support the National Park Authority to meet duties under the Community Empowerment Act and offer policy insights on related areas including Community Wealth Building, Planning and Land Reform as they apply to National Park communities.
• Community Wealth Building: Lead and support delivery of Community Wealth Building within the National Park, including community management or ownership of assets and land, social enterprise and local wealth generation; develop initiatives to promote understanding of the role of communities in delivering the National Park’s objectives.
• Partnership Working: Represent the National Park Authority in external partnerships and funding groups to secure support for community led delivery of actions that support priorities identified in the NPPP.
• Advice and Insights: Support other National Park teams, Board Members and Programmes with project scoping, delivery, monitoring and securing funding sources.
• Other Duties: Undertake any other duties appropriate to the grade as required.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable working knowledge of the rural community development sector
• Experience of working with community and/or voluntary organisations
• Working knowledge of Scottish Government policy on Community Empowerment, Community Wealth Building, Planning and/or Land Reform
• Experience in partnership working and delivering partnership projects, especially with community groups
• Articulate with excellent interpersonal skills and ability to manage sensitive stakeholder relationships
• Strategic and detail-oriented thinking; ability to work independently within a defined work programme
• Ability to prepare convincing strategies, reports, recommendations and business cases
• Degree or equivalent in social, environmental or economic subject area
• Current UK Driving Licence

Ideally (not essential):

• Experience initiating, developing and managing projects, including securing and managing external funding
• Experience of community led action for climate, nature and community wealth building in rural communities
• Understanding of National Park aims and current priorities
• Forward thinking, creative approach and ability to trial new initiatives
• Appreciation of the values and responsibilities of a National Park in Scotland
• Appreciation of sustainable development principles

How to apply

Please complete your application by 29th September 2025 @ 9am. Access the application form on our job portal. Interviews will be virtual and are scheduled for w/c 27th October 2025.

About us and values

Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority offers flexible and remote working, a generous pension scheme and annual leave, with wellbeing services and a focus on wellbeing across the organisation. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds.