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Community Heritage Leader Trainee – Next Step Initiative
Museums & Galleries Edinburgh
Full-time
Edinburgh
Hybrid
£19,796 Bursary (tax-free, with potential increase per MA guidelines)
to
Application closing date:
Sep 10, 2025
About the organisation
- Museums & Galleries Edinburgh is a vibrant, citywide service with multiple venues including the City Art Centre and the Museum of Edinburgh. The service is committed to inclusion, wellbeing, and community participation, making culture more accessible to all.
About the vacancy
- Are you from a Black or Minority Ethnic background and passionate about museums, culture, and community engagement?
This exciting 14-month opportunity with Museums & Galleries Edinburgh offers a unique chance to develop your leadership skills, gain hands-on experience, and shape inclusive cultural experiences across the city.
🌟 What You’ll Gain
- A 14-month paid placement with the City of Edinburgh Council’s museum service
- An SVQ Level 3 in Museums & Galleries Practice https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/74396.html - Practical experience in community engagement, learning delivery, visitor services, and collections care
- Personal development in leadership, communication, and project delivery
- Opportunities to lead and design community engagement sessions and cultural outreach projects
Key Responsibilities
- 🎯 What You’ll Do
As a Trainee, you will:
- Work closely with the Outreach and Access Managers on a wide range of community-based projects
- Help deliver engagement sessions and develop learning materials
- Build relationships with diverse communities across Edinburgh
- Shadow museum staff and progress toward independently leading projects and events
- Gain insight into visitor services, museum operations, and collections work
- Work flexibly across venues, in communities, and occasionally from home
Key Competencies
- 👤 Who We’re Looking For
This role is ideal for someone who:
- Has 2–3 years of work experience (any field)
- Is enthusiastic about museums, learning, and inclusive heritage
- Wants to grow as a cultural leader and gain new skills
- Has strong communication and interpersonal abilities
- Is comfortable working independently and as part of a team
- Is open to learning, feedback, and adapting to diverse audiences
Desired Qualifications
- ✅ You Might Also Have:
- Experience working with youth groups, schools, or equality organisations
- Interest in decolonising museums or improving cultural access
- Experience in community consultation, evaluation, or engagement
- Confidence in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Teams) and a willingness to learn new tools
🌈 We Encourage You to Apply If You:
- Are from a BME background and want to bring a fresh perspective to the heritage sector
- Have lived experience of inequality or barriers to cultural participation
- Don’t have a formal museum background, but have the passion and commitment to learn
No specific qualifications are required.
How to Apply
Complete an application form and send it with a covering letter to ibrahim@nextstepinitiative.org.uk
Need help with your application? We’re here to support you — just get in touch. support@nextstepinitiative.org.uk
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