Kieran Sinclair
Community Development Officer
Stromness,Orkney Islands
Summary
Dynamic professional with experience in community development and project management, committed to social inclusion and sustainable initiatives. Proven ability to engage diverse stakeholders and drive impactful projects. Seeking to leverage skills in collaborative communication and decision-making to foster positive change in future roles.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Firefighter
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
Orkney, Orkney Islands
04.2025 - Current
- Participated in rigorous weekly physical training routines, maintaining peak condition for duty.
- Improved community awareness by conducting fire safety workshops.
- Maintained fitness levels to meet physical demands of role.
- Enhanced team performance through regular training sessions.
- Educated public and community on fire safety and prevention methods to increase awareness.
Playwright
Freelance
Orkney, Orkney Islands
09.2018 - Current
- Playwright Studio Scotland selected my play, Feral, to be presented at their theatre
- Showcased my first play at Stage to Page
- Edinburgh International Book Festival published my work on their website, and invited me to present my writing at the Book Festival in 2022.
- My play was performed at University of Glasgow's Writer Showcase in 2019.
- Conducting youth theatre workshops on Orkney's outer isles, where access to theatre is scarce.
- Maintained high standards of script writing under tight deadlines.
Community development officer
Island of Hoy Development Trust
Island of Hoy, Orkney Islands
08.2024 - 09.2025
- Developed and implemented an Island Action Plan focused on community needs and aspirations.
- Led a community-owned housing project, conducting consultations and assessments to inform decision-making.
- Fostered strong relationships with community organisations, Scottish Land Fund, Scottish Government, Local Authority, and our academic partners.
- Writing funding applications, reports, and oral presentations
- Led youth empowerment programmes to foster leadership skills among young residents.
- Established initiatives addressing food poverty and youth empowerment, fostering strong community ties.
Researcher
Glasgow Caledonian University
Glasgow, Glasgow City
05.2022 - 08.2024
- Co Produced a research project, with multiple partners, to explore the impacts Community Asset Transfer has on those participating in the process
- Identified four community groups, across Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and Wales
- Conducted semi-structured interviews with all participants
- Contributed to reports, circulated with Developed Governments
- Organised workshops and events, to share experiences of participants
- Fostered strong and positive relationships with Third Sector partners, Funders, while putting wellbeing and experiences of communities.
- Delivered detailed reports summarising research findings to key stakeholders.
Project coordinator
Rural Youth Project
Aberdeen, Aberdeen City
01.2021 - 05.2022
- Organised Idea Festivals around Scotland and England, which included recruiting youth delegates from rural areas.
- Facilitated workshops, events, and idea sharing with stakeholders
- Coordinated project tasks, ensuring timely completion.
- Facilitated regular team meetings to monitor progress.
- Established clear budgets and cost controls strategies to meet objectives.
Project development officer
Island of Hoy Development Trust
Island of Hoy, Orkney Islands
01.2020 - 02.2021
- Led the regeneration of a disused hall on the island.
- Conducted health and safety risk assessments.
- Undertook community wide consultation.
- Successfully applied for funding, to upgrade the kitchen into a thriving community cafe.
- Created a Youth and Digital Hub, to combat loneliness, youth depopulation, and digital literacy.
- Acquired funding to develop the cycling hub, including 10 E Bikes - free for residents
- Fostering positive relationships between community and stakeholders.
Programme Team Lead
Restless Development Nepal
Kathmandu , Nepal
08.2019 - 12.2019
- Supported wellbeing of three cohorts of volunteers, based in different regions of Nepal, comprised of UK and Nepali volunteers.
- Organised community events, such as youth theatre workshops and sport weekends
- Led team building sessions, promoting harmony amongst the team, and mediated conflict
Education
Master of Arts - MLitt Playwriting and Dramaturgy
University of Glasgow
Glasgow 09.2018 - 09.2019
Bachelor of Arts - Drama and Performance
University of Highlands and Islands
Inverness 09.2013 - 05.2017
Skills
- Mental resilience
- Decision making under pressure
- Collaborative communication
- Sustainable development understanding
- Social inclusion strategies
Affiliations
- Cycling
- Cooking
- Travelling
Accomplishments
With Rural Youth Project, I was invited to Scottish Parliament, to present our Youth Manifesto, and discuss the critical issues that are fuelling rural and island depopulation.
Custom
Inspired to eradicate social inequality, I will be running the Edinburgh Marathon in support of Scottish Women's Aid. I will continue to fight social injustice for the rest of my career.
Timeline
Firefighter
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
04.2025 - Current
Community development officer
Island of Hoy Development Trust
08.2024 - 09.2025
Researcher
Glasgow Caledonian University
05.2022 - 08.2024
Project coordinator
Rural Youth Project
01.2021 - 05.2022
Project development officer
Island of Hoy Development Trust
01.2020 - 02.2021
Programme Team Lead
Restless Development Nepal
08.2019 - 12.2019
Playwright
Freelance
09.2018 - Current
Master of Arts - MLitt Playwriting and Dramaturgy
University of Glasgow
09.2018 - 09.2019
Bachelor of Arts - Drama and Performance
University of Highlands and Islands
09.2013 - 05.2017