Head of Research and Monitoring Unit

Head of Research and Monitoring Unit (Scotland and NI) 

• £48,606 per annum (pro rata for part time hours)
• (Ref: SUS4276)
• Full Time 37.5 hours per week – happy to talk flexible working
• Base: Scotland 
  

About the role 

As the Head of Research and 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 is about shaping resourcing in response to changes in funding,
evidencing and communicating the value of 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 experience of resource management, including managing and implementing change
initiatives. 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 and respect. 

What we offer

In return we can offer true hybrid working to suit individual circumstances and a flexible,
supportive and rewarding working environment.

Wellbeing 

• 28 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 6% or 7% of basic salary contribution being matched by
  Sustrans
• Bike, computer and season ticket loans
• Discount benefits
• London Weighting Allowance of £4,530 for all those living within a London Borough (32 local
  authority districts plus the City of London)
• Death in Service benefit – 3 x annual Salary 

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, 11 June 2024

Interviews will take place during the week of 24 June 2024 

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

At Sustrans you’ll be part of a movement to make it easier for people to walk and cycle.

We’re all here to change things! You’ll be part of an incredible community of talented,
passionate, creative, problem solvers all working together to change things for the better. We
act locally and think big – we have a vision of a society where the way we travel creates
healthier places and happier lives for everyone. 

You’ll be questioning the status quo and daring to imagine a different world. You’ll work on
exciting, impactful projects that will stretch and empower you and you’ll be rewarded by seeing
the difference you make to people, communities and the planet.

 We believe including everyone is central to who we are and what we want to achieve, we welcome
difference and pride ourselves on creating a culture where you can be yourself and where your
wellness is supported.

You’ll be guaranteed to make friends for life and work with a team that is incredibly flexible,
supportive, ethical and fun.