Head of Research & Monitoring Unit, Scotland & NI

Head of Research & Monitoring Unit,

Scotland & NI

£43,132 - £51,228 per annum (pro rata for part time hours)

(Ref: SUS3745)

Up to 37.5 hours per week – happy to discuss flexible working

Base: Hybrid - Scotland

About the role

As the Head of Research & Monitoring Unit (RMU), Scotland and Northern Ireland you will contribute to the strategic direction of Sustrans' evidencing work. You will provide strategic and operational leadership to RMU, working alongside the Director of Evidence and Insight and RMU’s Senior Leadership Team.

RMU conducts evaluation and research to assure the delivery of Sustrans impact and influence policy, investment and practice in support of Sustrans’ vision.

You will drive a culture change in Sustrans where impact is central to the operation, and this is understood and acted upon at all levels; you will identify areas of the Sustrans Scotland delivery portfolio in which impact can be improved; and you will empower colleagues to think creatively, pragmatically and collaboratively about developing outputs that are useable, objective, efficient and timely.

This senior leadership role, it is about evidencing and communicating the value of Transport Scotland’s investment in active travel, and demonstrating the value added by Sustrans’ role.

Acting as the senior-level interface between the RMU, Sustrans Scotland and Transport Scotland, you will enable the generation of high quality evidence, use this material to support service improvement in delivery by Sustrans in Scotland and partners, and engage Transport Scotland, providing justification of their investment and advocacy for future policy and investment decisions.

This role also covers similar activity Northern Ireland, but due to the balance of investment the role is more heavily focused on Scotland than on Northern Ireland. The brief is similar for Northern Ireland, but the delivery and evidencing portfolios are much smaller, with a focus on developing more evidencing and evaluation operations in NI.

We offer true hybrid working, a mix of home working and time within our new Hubs in Edinburgh or Glasgow, with flexible working patterns to suit individual circumstances. On occasion, there will be travel, and possible overnight stays required.

About you

An experienced senior leader, you will build relationships easily at all levels; adapting your communication skills to engage and influence people, as well as a proven record of successful working strategically with a diverse range of partners. These skills and experience are key, as you will be the primary point of connection between Sustrans’ evidencing work and senior stakeholders within Transport Scotland.

You should have demonstrable experience of delivery to deadlines and within budget, including scoping, designing and effective implementation of project work and you should have an awareness of key data sources on active and sustainable travel, allowing you to advise colleagues at a strategic level.

It would be advantageous for you to have knowledge of the political and funding context for walking and cycling initiatives in Scotland and Northern Ireland, but it is not essential.

We aim to be a truly inclusive employer and welcome applications from people from all parts of the community, in particular from under-represented groups. Sustrans has a long-term commitment to being a charity for everyone - reducing inequality, valuing diversity, enabling inclusion and ensuring all people are treated with dignity & respect.

What we offer

In return we can offer ongoing working from home (or a nearby Sustrans office when it’s safe to do so) and a truly flexible, supportive and rewarding working environment.

Wellbeing

· 26 days’ leave per annum plus bank holidays for full-time working

· Ability to buy an extra week of annual leave (pro-rata for part-time staff)

· Staff volunteer days

· 24/7 free, impartial and confidential support service

· We are members of the Green Commute Initiative and Cycle Scheme who both offer cycle to work schemes

Financial

· Group Personal Pension scheme with a 4% or 5% of basic salary contribution being matched by Sustrans

· Bike, computer and season ticket loans

· Discount benefits

Family Friendly

· Enhanced maternity and paternity pay

· Flexible Working practices (full time hours are 37.5 per week, Monday - Friday)

Additional information

· Closing date for the receipt of completed applications is 23:59, 24 July.

· Interviews will take place via MS Teams during the week of 8 August

To apply, please complete our online application form. More details of our vacancies can be found at http://www.sustrans.org.uk/about-us/vacancies.

About Sustrans

Sustrans is the charity making it easier for people to walk and cycle. We connect people and places, create liveable neighbourhoods, transform the school run and deliver a happier, healthier commute.

Our vision and mission have never been more relevant. Across the UK, governments are pledging investment and action on walking and cycling.

We are working together to make a real difference - creating places where everyone can live and travel happily and healthily, and where nobody is excluded.

Our work wouldn’t be possible without the commitment and dedication of our colleagues.

We are proud of our employee net promoter score, being in the top 20% of all employers across all sectors in the UK, due to our energised, friendly and motivated workforce.

Join Sustrans today and help us get things done, together!