Community Officer
Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere
The Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere (GSAB) was designated in July 2012 as Scotland’s first UNESCO Biosphere and is now one of seven in the UK. Covering 9,800 km² across Dumfries and Galloway, South Ayrshire, and East Ayrshire, the Biosphere encompasses rich natural heritage, diverse habitats, and vibrant rural communities.
It’s governed by the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere Partnership SCIO (SC044137), with Trustees drawn from local representatives in the public sector, environmental NGOs, community organisations, land managers and local businesses.
Our vision is to demonstrate “a passion for living in a way that benefits people and nature” and our mission is to promote a balanced relationship between people and the environment by leading collaborative, place-based work across conservation, climate action, sustainable enterprise, and learning.
With a population of over 100,000 people living in mainly small rural villages and a rural economy largely based on over 3,500 micro businesses the interdependency between thriving communities and sustainable businesses is very apparent. Over the last 14 years the team have focused on delivering tangible change through a diverse portfolio of projects and initiatives which have ranged from Sense of Place to community led tourism, from sustainable business accreditation to carbon literacy training and development of a diverse portfolio of formal and informal educational resources.
One of our flagship initiatives is the Dumfries and Galloway Climate Hub which we have hosted on behalf of Scottish Government since 2023. Supporting 40+ grassroots groups in delivering community-based climate adaptation projects have ranged from supporting Men’s Sheds and Repair Cafes, walking/cycling groups, e-bike hire and bike repair workshops, creative hubs, book clubs, pop-up shops and pre-loved fashion shows to litter picking, beach cleans and everything in between.
As part of a global network of over 750 UNESCO Biospheres we strive to provide opportunities for learning with other UNESCO Biospheres. This has included online international learning exchanges with schools in Sweden, USA and South Africa as well as hosting best practice visits with Biosphere representatives from Finland, Iceland and Norway, and taking businesses from GSAB to meet with their counterparts in the Rhone Biosphere, Germany. We also have close links with academia and have co-hosted a number of research projects over the years.
Running alongside Community and Business, we have a Nature Recovery team focussed on delivery of a portfolio of key strategic projects including restoration and habitat enhancement opportunities on the river Nith, the Borderlands On-farm Plans Integrated with Nature (OPIN) project and Ayrshire Tree Planting programme. Whilst they primarily work in partnership with land managers, fisheries groups, eNGO’s and government agencies, community engagement is also integral to the successful development and delivery of much of their work, leading to close collaborations between the two teams.
The Role
We’re look for an energetic outgoing person who is committed to the sustainability ethos of UNESCO Biospheres and will work with local communities from across the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere helping them grow into strong and resilient places where people will want to live and work.
Working with the Lead Officer for Communities and Education you’ll be supporting the development and delivery of programmes and projects related to rural development, community based tourism, climate change, health and well-being through meaningful and engaging initiatives that will make life better for the people, the environment and the economy of our UNESCO Biosphere.
With your focus split equally between our core Biosphere activity and the Dumfries & Galloway Climate Hub, you’ll have a key role to play in the delivery of the D&G Climate Hub action plan by supporting communities on their journey to becoming ‘climate ready’.
As the Communities Officer from time to time you’ll also support other members of the Biosphere team in their work with land managers and local businesses as appropriate and in return will be able to call on them for their specialist input to your initiatives when required.
About Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere
Covering almost 9,800 km² of southwest Scotland's land and sea, the Galloway & Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere follows the rivers that flow out of the Galloway Hills: through forests and farmland, historic villages and towns, all the way to a ruggedly scenic coast.
The UNESCO Biosphere includes iconic wildlife and natural habitats which are recognised as being of international importance. It encompasses communities with distinct cultural identities, as well as historic landmarks and heritage sites that need to be protected for the generations to come.
The Galloway & Southern Ayrshire Biosphere Partnership is a non-profit organisation (registered Scottish charity SC044137) working across the UNESCO region, creating and facilitating projects that support conservation, education, climate resilience, and a sustainable local economy. We collaborate with multi-sector partners in initiatives that benefit people and nature alike.
Covering almost 9,800 km² of southwest Scotland's land and sea, the Galloway & Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere follows the rivers that flow out of the Galloway Hills: through forests and farmland, historic villages and towns, all the way to a ruggedly scenic coast. The UNESCO Biosphere includes iconic wildlife and natural habitats which are recognised as being of international importance. It encompasses communities with distinct cultural identities, as well as historic landmarks and heritage sites that need to be protected for the generations to come. The Galloway & Southern Ayrshire Biosphere Partnership is a non-profit organisation (registered Scottish charity SC044137) working across the UNESCO region, creating and facilitating projects that support conservation, education, climate resilience, and a sustainable local economy. We collaborate with multi-sector partners in initiatives that benefit people and nature alike.
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