Working at the Abbey Centre is a rewarding and creative experience, and whilst the work can, at times, be demanding many past staff and volunteers have described the experience as “life changing”, with rich encounter, deep learning, life-long friendships and new directions being formed. Our staffing model comprises a resident community of staff and volunteers, who are mutually accountable to each other, and share a common life of work and worship, both of which are valued in equal measure. Recognising the pressures this brings, we provide a range of supports including comprehensive training, a spiritual accompaniment scheme, an employee assistance programme and regular space for reflection and feedback.

This is an exciting time for the Iona Community, with a unique opportunity for the new team of Abbey staff and volunteers to re-establish the Centre as a vital place of welcome, encounter and challenge, enriching the lives of many, and bringing hope to the world.

The main purpose of the role of the Deputy Housekeeper is to support the Housekeeper in ensuring the Abbey and Welcome Centre are cleaned and maintained to a high standard, thus playing a key part in allowing all those who live, stay and visit to have a rich experience of welcome and hospitality. The post-holder will deputise as needed to ensure all housekeeping duties are completed in a timely manner, in keeping with the Iona Community’s Vision, Purpose and Values.

The Iona Community seeks a Programme Co-ordinator to work with our guests visiting the newly refurbished Abbey centre, on the beautiful Hebridean island of Iona. This is an opportunity to shape and lead the creative programme which attracts thousands of guests from around the world.

Job Purpose

This post offers an exciting opportunity for a creative, well-organised person who has extensive experience of working with groups and would like to share our life in community. A member of the resident staff group, the post holder will work with colleagues to plan and deliver a yearly programme, in line with the Iona Community’s priorities and values, consisting of a range of events and activities which offer an innovative, inclusive and hospitable experience; fulfilling the needs of guests and visitors to the Abbey Centre.

The programme will include organising and running creative and arts based activities, discussions and workshops expressing the Community’s commitments,

Developing and coordinating a team of programme volunteers and workshop facilitators, the post holder will ensure programme activities are well planned and delivered, and inspire participants to take their learning into the wider world.

Job Context

The Iona Community is an international, ecumenical Christian movement of over 2000 people working for peace and justice, rebuilding of community and the renewal of worship. As a movement, community and charitable organisation we pursue our Purpose through the activity of our members where they live and work and through our centres in Glasgow and on the Hebridean islands of Mull and Iona.

Following a £3.7million capital appeal, and a period of major refurbishment, we are re-opening our newly improved Iona Abbey Centre to guests in early June 2020, alongside our renovated Community Shop and Welcome Centre. An exciting Strategic Plan has been developed, refreshing the Centre as a place of hospitality, spiritual renewal and learning, for people of all ages, backgrounds and cultures, inspiring them to commit to action for justice and peace within their communities and throughout the world.

This post provides a unique opportunity to inspire engagement with heritage through the delivery of an exciting new project in Oban which will offer activity to all ages and stages of life.

The Officer post will co-ordinate the delivery of “An t-Òban - The People and The Place” on a daily basis with overarching responsibility for the implementation of the project activities delivery plan and outcomes.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the

• Co-ordination and creation of the bespoke area using interactive engagement telling the story of the town, community, and natural heritage from the Ice Age to the present day - shoreline, caves, sea, shops, trades and the people who have made Oban their home.
• Co-ordination and deliver of the project plan to meet output requirements- enabling young and old to interact, learn and develop skills through engagement.
• Co-ordination and support to volunteers with the establishment of the quieter “Look Listen and Research” area which will enable the safe preservation of collections; oral recordings; a rolling programme of locally generated/touring exhibitions and access to external online resources

In 2018 the North West Mull Community Woodland Company (NWMCWC) took the Isle of Ulva into community ownership. The objectives of the acquisition are to manage the island to provide sustainable benefits with a focus on repopulation and ensuring community ownership delivers benefits for the wider North West Mull area as well as the island itself.

Since coming into community ownership work has been progressing on several key projects, one of which is the refurbishment and repurposing of the former Laird’s House, Ulva House, as a heritage visitor centre with associated self-catering accommodation. To this end the company are seeking to appoint an ambitious and experienced project manager.

Working with the NWMCWC Board and the Ulva Development Manager the successful candidate will be responsible for leading, overseeing and driving forward this exciting project. A proven track record in procuring and managing capital build projects is essential. Project and budgetary management skills are also important, as is experience of working within a community setting. In addition, experience within the heritage sector would be an advantage.