A search is underway for candidates keen to take on the challenge of a unique job opportunity.

Those chosen for the task will be given the chance to play a key role in helping four island communities in Orkney build themselves sustainable futures.

Eday, Stronsay, Sanday and North Ronaldsay have recently joined the Scottish Executive's Initiative at the Edge.

The initiative is designed to help remote communities boost their own prosperity by finding home grown solutions to problems such as population decline.

Now local development officers are being sought to work with trusts set up in the islands that are seeking ways to turn each community's aspirations into reality.

The funding is in place for the equivalent of two full time posts, one covering Sanday and North Ronaldsay, the other Eday and Stronsay.

But applications are also welcome from people who would prefer to work on a part time basis in just one of the islands.

"A lot of flexibility has been built in to the recruitment process," said Ruth Kirkpatrick, senior development manager at Orkney Enterprise, which is funding the posts along with Orkney Islands Council, Communities Scotland and the Crofters' Commission.

"Initiative at the Edge is all about empowering remote communities - giving them the support they need to take charge of their own destinies.

"By working with trusts made up of people from the communities involved, the new local development officers will have a unique opportunity to help shape the future prosperity of the islands they serve."

Jeremy Baster, the islands council's director of development services, said: "This initiative is at the cutting edge of the government's support for remote communities.

"That ensures that these will be particularly exciting and interesting posts, so I'm sure they'll attract a lot of interest from people keen to play a very active role in developing ideas brought forward by the communities in the islands involved."

For the communities in Eday, Stronsay, Sanday and North Ronaldsay, the appointment of local development officers is seen as an important step towards gaining maximum benefit from inclusion in Initiative at the Edge.

Clive Brookes, chairman of the Eday Development Trust steering group, said: "To work with and for a community is a very attractive proposition.

"Our key aim is to become as self reliant as we can as a community, so this represents a tremendous opportunity to help in building a stronger future for our island."

Stronsay Development Trust chairman Daran Brown said: "The appointment of a local development officer will be good for community confidence - sending a strong signal that Initiative at the Edge is well and truly underway here.

"This will be a great job for someone with drive, energy and self motivation - with those qualities they'll get plenty of support from the community in Stronsay."

Billy Muir, chairman of North Ronaldsay Development Trust, said: "This appointment is being made at key moment in the history of our island.

"We want to attract more young people into our community and to find employment and housing for them.  The local development officer will be taking on the challenge of supporting the trust in making our plans become a workable reality."

Sanday Development Trust chairman William Sichel added: "We see the arrival of a local development officer as a unique and exciting opportunity for the island.

"We have a detailed development plan for Sanday and we're looking forward to working with someone who can kick start the whole process.  Part of the job will be to train people in the community to carry on the work once the three-year post comes to an end."

Sam Harcus was appointed as local development officer for Westray and Papa Westray after the two islands were included in Initiative at the Edge four years ago.

He said: "It's a tremendous chance to do something positive for your own area. It's good to be involved in helping development trusts push forward ideas that have come from the communities themselves - and it's great to see the tide turning for islands like ours."