Funding and Community Engagement Specialist

Location: Maybole

Introduction Since 2015 North Carrick Community Benefit Company (NCCBC) has been managing Community Benefit Funds provided by developers who have agreements with NCCBC. These funds support projects within the North Carrick area, which includes the five community council areas of:
Dunure Kirkoswald, Maidens & Turnberry Maybole Minishant Crosshill, Straiton & Kirkmichael At present, NCCBC’s funding comes from:
Scottish Power Renewables, from its Dersalloch Windfarm and Kirk Hill Windfarm Ltd Eligible organisations can apply to NCCBC’s ‘Main Fund’ for grants of up to £40,000 with varying levels of match funding required. NCCBC also operates a ‘Community-led Projects Fund’ with a budget of £10,000 per year in each of the 8 villages and £20,000 per year in Maybole. This is designed to encourage community decision-making and offer smaller grants with no need for match funding.

Impact A recent study by an economist found that: NCCBC has received applications from local groups with a total value of £1.45m. 81% of all applications received were approved, resulting in £912,914 of funding being awarded. This funding, along with investments by NCCBC in direct and strategic projects has leveraged an impressive £7.9 million in match funding, resulting in a return on investment (ROI) of £8.71 per £1.

From 2014 to 2022, North Carrick and Maybole’s economy grew by 51.6%, compared to 16.4% across the wider South Ayrshire area. (Without adjustments for inflation.) The number of jobs in North Carrick has increased by just over 9% since 2015 while the number of jobs across South Ayrshire remained unchanged. Productivity gains in North Carrick since 2015 have outpaced the rest of South Ayrshire.

Tourism accounted for an increasing share of jobs in North Carrick. The share of local jobs in the tourism sector rose to 14.2% by 2022. Tourism in North Carrick now accounts for a similar share of jobs to Scotland’s leading tourism areas including Argyll & Bute (15%). NCCBC cannot claim to be responsible for all of this growth. There have been other important factors including the Maybole Regeneration Project, construction of the Maybole Bypass and large investments at Turnberry Hotel.

But it is clear that something special is happening in this part of Scotland. By joining NCCBC in the newly formed position of Funding and Community Engagement Specialist you will play a lead role in continuing community and economic growth into the future. Role Purpose The Funding and Community Engagement Specialist will play a central role in implementing NCCBC’s communications and community engagement activities, and delivery of funding across North Carrick.

The postholder will ensure that residents, social enterprises, schools, and community groups are well informed about NCCBC as a funder and that eligible organisations are supported in making applications for funding from NCCBC, (and from other funders as appropriate). In addition to advising groups on applications to the Main Fund and supporting communities to make good use of their Community-led Projects funding, the Funding and Community Engagement Specialist will have access to a budget of up to £50,000 each year.

This can be used – with Directors’ approval – to provide small amounts of organisation or project development funding to help groups overcome particular barriers that may be preventing progress with their proposals. This is a varied role requiring flexibility, strong organisational skills, and a proactive approach. Time spent on individual tasks will vary from month to month. The postholder may also be asked to take on additional activities deemed of benefit to the company or wider community, where these are consistent with the nature of the post.

Key Responsibilities Community Engagement:
Develop and maintain a network of contacts in each community. Arrange and facilitate annual village-level meetings, working with local Community Associations or Development Trusts where they exist, to discuss local priorities and projects, and funding. Arrange and facilitate an annual North Carrick Development Conference, working with the new North Carrick Development Trust,…