Economic Development Officer - Community Wealth Building

Vacancy Information

Hourly rate of pay: £20.41 - £22.74

Temporary until the 31st March 2025.
Days and Hours of Work:
Monday - Friday, 09:00-17:00
Days of working, and starting and finishing times are negotiable.
Flexi time is applicable.
To start March 2024.

With over 40 miles of stunning coastline, golden beaches, rolling countryside, historic towns and villages, award-winning attractions, and excellent food & drink, we have the best of Scotland - East Lothian is a great place to place to live, work, and learn!

Community Wealth Building (CWB) is a people-centred approach to local economic development. It redirects wealth back into the local economy, helps to address inequalities and puts control and benefits in the hands of local people. It uses the economic levers available to Anchor Institutions to develop resilient, inclusive local economies, more local spend, fairer employment, a more diverse business base.

In this new role you will have the opportunity to work with a wide range of internal council services, local Anchor Institutions, 3rd sector organisations, and communities to support the development of the CWB agenda in East Lothian. We are looking for an individual with the skills and enthusiasm to develop and maintain supportive relationships between internal and external stakeholders and local communities and who can play a key role within the Council and Community Planning Partnership. Specific duties in this context include:

• Increasing awareness and understanding of CWB within Anchor Institutions, the wider community, including through events and the development of online training.
• Promoting and securing adoption of the CWB Charter.
• Supporting the CWB Working Group in delivery its Action Plan.
• Supporting procurement spend analysis and embedding continuous improvement of the community benefits framework.
• Supporting the delivery of the Local Economy Strategy, including development of local markets and supply chains, and expansion of fair work practices.

This post is for an initial fixed term of 12 months, with renewal subject to the project securing further funding. To arrange an informal discussion about this role please contact economicdevelopment@eastlothian.gov.uk

The East Lothian Economic Development Service is a small supportive team working to deliver a wide range of products and services across tourism, regeneration, business support, sector support, and sustainability and growth. The team is based in Haddington, but works flexibly between home bases and other office locations in East Lothian. East Lothian Council operates a flexible working policy which is particularly suited to those with family or other commitments and this role is suitable for home working, subject to approval. Home and agile workers within the Economic Development service will have access to an office base each week and would be expected to attend on up to 6 days per month or by arrangement.

Interviews are expected to take place during February 2024.

Home Working Consideration
Applications for homeworking or hybrid working will be considered for this post, subject to a trial period and in accordance with East Lothian Council’s Home Working and Worksmart Policies which can be found here. Home or Hybrid working options can be discussed with candidates invited for interview. All applicants must live in the UK and will be expected to attend Council offices from time to time as required.

Job Details

To help facilitate the formulation and delivery of the East Lothian Local Economy Strategy. To initiate, develop, and manage economic development and regeneration based activities / projects to promote inclusive local economic growth. To develop policy in relation to urban and rural economic development, tourism, regeneration, business development, community wealth building, and the digital and green economies.

Please download the Job Outline/Person Specification (available under 'Job Attachments') for the full range of tasks and duties associated with this job. You will need to refer to these in order to complete the application form. You must ensure you meet every 'essential' criteria stated on the Person Specification to be considered for interview.

The East Lothian Way
The ‘East Lothian Way’– values and behaviours we expect our employees to demonstrate in their everyday work. Should you be invited to interview, you may be asked questions based on these behaviours. Please refer to the document via the link to familiarise yourself with them.

Job Requirements

Relevant Qualifications
A relevant degree / equivalent professional qualification and/or able to demonstrate equivalent knowledge, skills and competencies gained through relevant experience in economic development, business management, project management, marketing, economics, or regeneration or a closely related area of work.

Evidence of a commitment to Continual Professional Development.

Driving Licence
A full current driving licence is desirable for this post.

Additional Information

For additional East Lothian Council employment information please click on the following link: www.eastlothian.gov.uk/nonteachinginfo

If you have any difficulties creating an account on MyJobScotland or applying for this post please contact the MyJobScotland support team via this link https://www.myjobscotland.gov.uk/contact-us.

If you require further information about this vacancy, please call 01620 827868, or email us on recruitment@eastlothian.gov.uk

Please note: We do not accept CV's (either electronically or by mail). All our vacancies must be applied for by fully completing the on-line application form. Although there is an ‘import data from my CV’ function on MyJobScotland, this only imports very limited data and should not be relied upon to complete the application form.