UHI North, West and Hebrides is one of ten academic partners and research centres that make up UHI. This unique partnership allows us to deliver further and higher education programmes at our 19 campuses and centres across the North and West Highlands, Skye and the Outer Hebrides. To support our work, we are recruiting for the following role:

To support our work we are recruiting to the following role:

TalEntEd Islands – Curriculum Development & Projects Developer

Reference no.	NWH CDP 02
Salary range	£42,365 per annum, plus Islands Allowance
Duration	Fixed term for 3 years, ending 31st March 2029
Working hours	35 hours per week
Location	Islands based (Hebrides, Orkney or Shetland)
Closing Date	15th May 2026, 12 noon

Work with the Outer Hebrides TalEntEd implementation team as they scope and plan new demand led curriculum in the Allied Health Professions sector. Lead the development and approval of Work Based Learning (WBL) or workplace targeted upskilling curriculum to help retain and attract young persons to the islands. These curriculum developments will be directly linked to Allied Health Professions subject areas in the Outer Hebrides.

UHI is the lead partner for TalEntEd, a partnership programme that also includes Robert Gordon University and Herriott Watt and is responsible for delivering one of the four ‘work packages’ within this programme, ‘Innovative Islands Work-based Learning’ (or ‘TalEntEd WBL’ in shorthand).

TalEntEd WBL is a £2m project that will be delivered over six years (April 2025 to March 2031) with the aim of developing and piloting innovative work-based learning delivery models across further and higher education. The overall outcome will be the development of ‘island-tested’ models of delivery for work-based learning, with a focus on transitioning to net zero and green jobs, and that lead to more people choosing to come to and/or remain in our islands.

To achieve increased university intensity in the islands it is anticipated that the focus of development solutions will be at or lead to Higher Education (HE). Bridging or articulation routes progressing from Further Education (FE) to Higher Education (HE) to boost undergraduate HE recruitment (university intensity) in the existing subject field of Allied Health Professions within the islands will be a dual project focus, depending on industry/business feedback. The successful candidate will need to liaise with UHI colleagues in the Allied Health field to avoid duplication and displacement. In addition, further liaisons with external stakeholders across the business/industry sector in the islands will be needed to identify the Allied Health challenges and where most help is needed.

Part of the Islands Growth Deal, the TalEntEd Islands Programme is a £5.9m programme focussed on developing innovative approaches in education, skills, entre and intrapreneurship and commercialisation across Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles to support the fasttracking of decarbonisation and an increase in sustainable ‘green’ jobs. To facilitate this development, we are seeking an enthusiastic and well-organised individual to lead the development and approval of Work Based Learning (WBL) and/or workplace targeted upskilling curriculum. The successful candidate will be expected to develop new approaches that will be built into long-term provision and aligned to need, while attracting young people to stay and come to the islands, responding to the demographic challenges and outmigration of young people, and therefore contributing to their longer term sustainability.

This is a unique opportunity to lead a regionally significant initiative that aims to assist the business and industry sector transition to net zero by training and empowering young people in their workforce. The post will be based in the Outer Hebrides, Orkney or Shetland.

The post is nominally a full-time post for one individual but may suit two part-time posts with the right complementary skillset.

This post is for an initial fixed term of 36 months (3 years) commencing April 2026 in its development phase. This may extend for a further 24 months (2 years) to progress the implementation and delivery of the upskilling work-based learning modules/units created, but this is not guaranteed.

Responsibilities: The following duties and responsibilities are intended to give a broad indication of the variety of tasks the post holder may be asked to undertake.

Work-based Learning - The development and assessment of skills within and directly related to the workplace, centred around reflection on work practice, not simply acquiring technical skills.
Sustainability – establishing WBL models that can remain sustainable beyond the funding and scope of this TalEntEd project.
Tertiary - In addition to Higher Education (HE) level knowledge and skills development, there is a need to develop lower-level Further Education (FE) level content for articulation into more advanced opportunities at HE.
Evidence-based - viability is reliant on establishing sustainable employer demand and, importantly, their capacity to support pilot delivery.
Meeting developing needs – Emerging WBL solutions will often include a time-lag between the identification of skills requirements and the subsequent employment demand. Identifying future and emerging needs will be important.
Equality – Ensure equality of access and opportunity, including ensuring equity across the island’s geographies

Qualifications, Experience and Skills:

Project/Programme Coordination: Proven experience coordinating projects or programmes, preferably in economic development, innovation, or research environments.
Stakeholder Engagement: Strong interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective relationships across multiple stakeholders, including public, private, and community sectors.
Organisational and Planning Skills: Exceptional organisational abilities with a track record of managing multiple workstreams, scheduling and facilitating meetings, and ensuring timely delivery against objectives.
Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the preparation of agendas, minutes, reports, and business case materials.
Independent Working and Initiative: Ability to work with minimal supervision, take initiative, and proactively address challenges or delays.

If you have any queries about the application process please contact recruitment.nwh@uhi.ac.uk.