A unique opportunity to live and work on the Island of Arran. As a self-motivated researcher you would work closely with the project steering group consisting of local service leads and supported by North Ayrshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership.

This post is suited to someone with an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in a relevant subject (Alcohol and Drug Studies, Community Education/Development, Social Science – other subjects will also be considered). A research methods module and/or experience of conducting interviews, surveys, participatory research etc. in community setting is required.

It is essential that the candidate is able to demonstrate an ability to take raw data, and analyse it for range of audiences. An ability to condense and present complex information in an understandable, concise way and excellent presentation skills are required.

Research and evaluation skills, knowledge and use of different methods for evaluating projects and services are valuable. Candidates who have experience of conducting interviews, and have knowledge of the health, and or, social care/community/alcohol and drugs will be highly regarded.

Arran Community and Voluntary Service are working closely with North Ayrshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership to deliver this study which is funded by the Scottish Government Challenge Fund facilitated by The Corra Foundation.

The Conservation Volunteers is the UK’s leading practical conservation charity working with people from all sectors of the community in positive action to improve the environment.

Every day, across the UK, TCV is working to achieve our vision of healthier, happier communities for everyone. We believe that too many people are indoors, inactive or isolated and we work together with people, communities and partners to deliver practical actions that have a lasting impact on people’s health, prospects and outdoor places. We’re a UK-wide organisation with a local approach. We draw on all the expertise and experience from TCV and its partners across the UK, but we deliver local solutions to meet local needs.

The Healthy Active Journeys project will test the basic premise that if you can build confidence and knowledge in being outdoors and being active, that forms the basis of changes in behaviour to include more active travel in every day life. The senior project officer will use a range of walking groups, green health programmes and activities to encourage participants to take the first steps to being more outdoors and active. These will include walking groups based at Ayrshire Central Hospital and a weekly Green Gym in Kilwinning. Through these sessions TCV will then seek to educate, build confidence and monitor use of active travel both in getting to the sessions and in the participants day to day lives.

The project is delivered through the Smarter Choices, Smarter Places funding and is offered as a 1 year, fixed term contract.