RNCI Project Manager

Covering Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and Moray Council Areas

The Royal Northern Countryside Initiative (RNCI) is an educational charity, established in 1997,

whose aim is to help children and their teachers in the North-East of Scotland develop a greater

understanding of farming and the working countryside through the provision of countryside visits

and educational resource material.

Post Title: Project Manager

Hours: Flexible, depending on school schedules, up to 30 hours/ week (negotiable). Will include occasional evening work

The role is term-time only

Contract to begin August 2026

Salary: £23,400 pro rata

Reports to: The Royal Northern Countryside Initiative Chairperson & Directors

Location: Home Based, but with travel throughout the RNCI region of Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen City and Moryshire.

Interviews: Shall be held on Wednesday 1st July 2026 (flexible)

Purpose: We seek an enthusiastic and flexible individual with a passion for the countryside to support, lead and develop high-quality opportunities for nursery, primary and secondary pupils to participate in curriculum-linked educational projects and visits to enable them to learn about food, farming and the countryside. Working alongside our existing team of four education assistants. It is envisaged that the successful candidate will be either from a rural or educational background with a strong interest in the countryside and will have extensive recent work experience of facilitating children’s learning outdoors, both in the natural and farmed environment. The successful candidate will lead RNCI forward in its aim of helping children and their teachers in the North-East of Scotland develop a greater understanding of farming and the working countryside.

Chairwoman: Ms Emma Ruxton

The Royal Northern Countryside Initiative is a Company Limited by Guarantee in Scotland. Reg. No. 234500

Registered as a Charity by the Inland Revenue. No. SCO33448

Principal Accountabilities/Key Tasks

• Facilitate school visits to farms

• Facilitate farmer/speaker visits to schools

• Facilitate Countryside Classroom on Wheels (CCOW) visits to schools

• Coordinate large events and projects

• Take responsibility for the day-to-day running of the on-the-ground activities for the initiative

• Introduce children to their natural heritage and Scottish farming, enhancing their learning about these areas

• Risk assess farms prior to children’s visits and support farmers and teachers with all aspects of the visits, including health and safety

• Work with teaching staff to ensure that the required learning outcomes are achieved

• Work with the committee to recruit and manage volunteers, including speakers and farm visit hosts

• Coordinate training of all involved with the project

• Promote RNCI through the website, newsletters and social media, alongside the existing staff

• Produce a monthly report against agreed targets for the RNCI committee and the RHET

Education Manager

• Work with the committee in the development and delivery of a business plan to expand the initiative

• Assist the committee to fundraise for the work of RNCI through funding applications, working with benefactors and the fundraising sub-group.

• Facilitate CPD for teachers and volunteers

• Work and foster partnerships with other organisations that have an interest in the venues as required

• Any other reasonable task requested by the committee

Person Specification

Education, training and qualifications

• Have a good standard of education including English and Maths at Higher Level or equivalent.

• Be willing to undertake any training which may be required for the position Skills and knowledge

• Have a good knowledge of farming, the rural environment and our natural heritage

• Have a good knowledge of how to manage resources towards an agreed set of outcomes

• Have excellent organisational skills and to pay attention to detail

• Have a good knowledge of the Curriculum for Excellence

• Have an understanding of health and safety issues

• Good understanding of Microsoft Word & ExcelExperience

• Have experience in keeping financial accounts and general business administration

• Have experience of working with children

• Have experience of working with a committee

• Have experience of working with volunteers

• Have experience of fundraising

• Have experience of Social Media

Personal attributes

• Be a self-starter and enjoy a challenge

• Have the ability to prioritise tasks, meet deadlines and work on own initiative

• Be self-motivated and flexible

• Be confident and outgoing with an ability to relate to people of all ages

• Be a clear communicator both face-to-face and on the telephone

• Have excellent IT skills

• Have the ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders

Other special requirements

• Have a full and valid driving licence

• Confident driving a trailer or willing to learn

• Be able to work flexible hours

• Have access to livestock

• Access to an area for storage

Benefits Include

• Company 4x4 vehicle for business use

• Mobile Phone

• Home office set-up equipment

• Pension

The contract is subject to a 3-month trial period. This is a permanent contract subject to the continued successful funding of RNCI by a variety of funders and benefactors. Please see the RNCI website for details of current funders: www.rnci.co.uk

Successful individuals will be required to undertake a PVG Disclosure Scotland check.

The closing date for CV with a covering application letter is 12 noon on Tuesday 16th June 2026

by email to: Emma Ruxton Chairwoman info@rnci.co.uk.

It is anticipated that interviews will be held on Wednesday 1st July 2026, at SRUC Craibstone.