Employability and Engagement Officer

Job reference:

260716

Salary:

Band 5 (£34,544 - £43,039)

Job closing date:

11/10/2026

Job Type:

Administrative Services

Location:

Base Negotiable within NHS Highland

Employment type:

Permanent

Hours Per Week:

21.3

Job posted date:

24/09/2026

Employer (NHS Board):

NHS Highland

Department:

People and Culture

Job Advert

Help inspire the next generation of NHS staff and make a difference in communities across Highland and Argyll & Bute.

NHS Highland is seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Employability & Engagement Officer to join our Employability Team.

This is a new role and an exciting opportunity to play a key role in inspiring the next generation and supporting people from all backgrounds to access careers within NHS Highland.

Working across Highland and Argyll & Bute, you will help deliver a range of employability and workforce attraction initiatives, including secondary school engagement events, career promotion activities, work experience opportunities, employability programmes and partnership projects. The role will involve regular travel across the NHS Highland area to support events, develop partnerships and engage directly with schools, communities and stakeholders.

What you'll do

• Plan and deliver career inspiration and engagement events for young people.
• Support the development of work experience opportunities.
• Deliver employability programmes that support people into NHS careers.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external partners.
• Promote NHS careers and pathways through a range of engagement activities.
• Support workforce attraction and recruitment initiatives aligned to workforce priorities.
• Contribute to projects that support NHS Highland's Anchor Institution and population health ambitions.What we're looking for

We are looking for someone who is:

• Passionate about helping people achieve their career aspirations.
• An excellent communicator with strong presentation and engagement skills.
• Experienced in partnership working and stakeholder engagement.
• Organised, self-motivated and able to manage multiple projects.
• Confident working with young people, communities and partner organisations.
• Committed to reducing inequalities and widening access to opportunity.Experience in employability, education, workforce development, community engagement, project management or partnership working would be advantageous.

Why join us?

The Employability Team is a relatively new and ambitious service that is making a contribution to NHS Highland's workforce and population health priorities. This role provides an opportunity to help shape and grow innovative programmes that support future workforce sustainability and create positive opportunities for local communities.

We offer flexible working arrangements and welcome applications from candidates across the NHS Highland area.

Interviews are planned for the end of October / beginning of November.

Informal enquiries: Megan Glass, Employability Lead, NHS Highland; email: megan.glass@nhs.scot

This role does not meet the eligibility criteria for a Skilled Worker visa or a Health and Care Worker visa. NHS Highland is unable to provide candidates with a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).

NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES

• Please note that this vacancy may close before the advertised closing date if a high number of applications are received. Early application is therefore advised.
• Please ensure the address on your application form reflects your current place of residence for your present workplace and can be verified through your identification documents.
• Applications are welcome from Gaelic speakers. / Tha fàilte air tagraidhean bho luchd‑labhairt na Gàidhlig.
• You should apply for this post by completing the application process on Jobtrain.
• DO NOT upload a CV as this will not be used for short listing purposes
• Posts close at midnight on the indicated date
• For help to complete an application on Job Train please follow this link: https://www.careers.nhs.scot/how-to-apply/application-process/
• To view our accessibility statement, please follow this link: https://www.eess.nhs.scot/jobtrain-accessibility-statement/
• Please note that our correspondence method is by e-mail, therefore please ensure you enter your email address accurately
• Please check your e-mail regularly (including junk folders) and also your Jobtrain account for updates
• Please contact Jobtrain Candidate Support Hub - https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home for advice and support with any system issues
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• Once you have submitted your application form you will be unable to make any amendments
• Some of our vacancies are for internal candidates only. If you are a member of staff, please ensure you update your Jobtrain profile to reflect that you are employed by NHS HighlandNHS Highland is geographically the largest of the 14 regional boards of NHS Scotland, covering an area of 12,500 square miles, across Highland and Argyll & Bute.

We employ over 10,700 people, making us one of the biggest employers in the area. As an organisation, we make a very significant contribution to the local economy.

Our staff are also important members of our communities. Our greatest asset is our workforce, and the way we go about our work comes from the values and behaviours we demonstrate on a daily basis. As a board we strive to ensure the environment is conducive to nurturing a positive culture, supported and delivered through our NHS and social care values.

• Care and compassion
• Dignity and respect
• Openness, honesty and responsibility
• Quality and teamwork