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With support from Bòrd na Gàidhlig, we are delighted to announce an opportunity to join the Hebrides People team as a Gaelic Officer, during a very exciting time for the centre. Read on to learn more about the opportunity and for details on the application process.

Job Title:                Gaelic Officer
Employer:              Hebrides People Visitor Centre
Location:               Northton, Isle of Harris
Contract Type:     Fixed term to 31/03/2028
Hours:                    35 hours per week
Salary:                   £30,000 per annum

About Northton Heritage Trust
Northton Heritage Trust, based in Northton in the Isle of Harris, oversees the Hebrides People Visitor Centre, which has accumulated more than 60 years of genealogical and social research focusing on the Outer Hebrides communities. The Trust is currently entering an important phase, marked by comprehensive redevelopment of the visitor centre and its exhibitions. You are invited to join the team during this transformative period.

To find out more about our work, explore our website www.hebridespeople.com.

Job Purpose
Northton Heritage Trust (NHT) recognises the Gaelic language as central to the future delivery of its services in Harris, with particular emphasis on promoting and celebrating local culture and heritage.

NHT currently offers Gaelic classes in partnership with UHI North, West and Hebrides, for which there is continued demand, with ambition to expand and enhance them.

The Trust is also planning to develop new exhibitions featuring Harris and St Kilda as part of an upcoming major redevelopment of the visitor centre, working in collaboration with academic partners. These exhibitions will initially present materials in Gaelic before translating them into English.

Conversations with other community organisations in Harris have highlighted the absence of a unified strategy to support Gaelic as a living language island wide. NHT recognises the opportunity for partnership working with community landowners and other stakeholders to explore options, conduct consultations, and develop a Gaelic language plan, helping to secure, as much as possible, the future of Gaelic in Harris.

Main Duties and Responsibilities
The key functions of the Gaelic Officer Role at NHT would be:

• Promoting the everyday use of Gaelic in Harris communities by organising and sourcing funding for courses, and creating new opportunities for Gaelic learning and engagement.
• Assessing community needs and consulting with key stakeholders regarding a Gaelic language plan for Harris, with the goal of developing such a plan.
• Working with the NHT Board of Directors to draft a Gaelic Language Policy for the organisation.
• Develop exhibition content – leading on the Gaelic input/design.
• Archiving and cataloguing Gaelic materials held by HNT.
• Collaborating with organisations that provide Gaelic services in Harris to enhance opportunities for using and developing the language, for example by working with schools to distribute Gaelic learning materials.

Person Specification
Candidates must demonstrate a range of skills and attributes. All essential criteria must be fulfilled, while desirable criteria may be developed during employment.

Essential criteria:

• Excellent oral and written fluency in Gaelic and ideally in heritage curation.
• Good understanding of the local community and culture in the Western Isles.
• Educated to degree level or relevant work experience.
• Strong team-working skills, flexibility, and the ability to meet deadlines.
• Outstanding communication skills in both Gaelic and English, with proficiency in information and communication technology/social media.
• Willingness to work from the Hebrides People Visitor Centre in Northton.
• Ability to drive and access to a car.
• Creativity and a passion for promoting Gaelic language and culture.

Desirable criteria:

• Experience developing heritage materials for Gaelic exhibitions.
• Skill in using Gaelic on social media for outreach.
• Ability to secure funding/resources.
• Established or growing professional networks in Gaelic and heritage sectors.

How to Apply
To apply, please submit a letter detailing how you meet the requirements for the position, your relevant experience, and a current CV (with contact details for two referees) to Rebecca Hutton at info@hebridespeople.com.

The closing date for applications is Friday, 31st October 2025 at 12pm.

For a confidential and informal conversation about this opportunity, contact Rebecca by email to arrange a private telephone discussion.