Job Title:Project Officer, Community Links, Scotland

Job Description

Reference:SUS2100

Salary:Grade F: £21,965 - £24,586 per annum

(dependent on relevant skills and experience)

Hours:37.5per week

Fixed Term:12 month contract

Base:Scotland - Flexible

Purpose of Job:

To contribute to the successful delivery of a wide range of Community Links projects which aim to create and enhance sustainable transport links across Scotland.

Sustrans Scotland‘s Community Links Programme provides grant funding to all 32 Scottish local authorities, statutory bodies and educational institutions for the creation of cycling and walking infrastructure for everyday journeys. It has been running since 2010 and has funded over 700 projects to date utilizing over £40 million of Scottish Government funding. The Programme is funded through the Transport Scotland Sustainable Transport team within the Scottish Government.

Find out more here:

Dimensions of Job:

The post-holder will be part of the team that manages the Community Links Programme. The core role of the officer will be to monitor the delivery of a number of cycling and walking infrastructure projects of varying sizes that are being delivered by local authorities and other partners across Scotland.The role will involvethe assessing and sifting ofproject funding bids, assist partners in improving infrastructure concept, design and delivery. Community links officers carry out site inspections, provide guidance on both social and technical aspects of projects, negotiate with partners and administerfunding awards and agreements.

The post-holder will be working in a project management capacity and will be the key contact with a number of partner organisations, ensuring that Community Links projects within their portfolio:

Observe best practice and ensure quality;
Offer best value;
Achieve the desired outcomes of Sustrans and the Community Links Programme;
Adhere to conditions set out in funding agreements and;

In addition, the post-holder may get involved with other projects concerning the promotion of cycling and walking.

Management Structure:

The post-holder will report to aCommunity Links Coordinator (Scotland) and work in collaboration with the existing Project Officers; Community Links team(Scotland) managed by the Community Links Manager, Scotland. The post-holder will be part of the Built Environment Team, which is managed by the Deputy Director, Built Environment (Scotland). In addition, the post-holder will receive support and direction from colleagues in other disciplines as and when required.

Key Relationships:

Internal: Community Links Coordinator

Community Links Manager

Infrastructure Partnerships Manager

Engineering and Design Manager

Community Links Project Officers

Deputy Director for the Built Environment

National Director for Scotland

Deputy Director for Behaviour Change

Media and Policy Advisor

Engineering Manager, Scotland

Land & Estates Manager, Scotland

NCN Development Officer, Scotland

Community Links Team Project Officers

Assistant Engineer

Communities Manager

Sustrans Scotland Staff

Research and Monitoring Staff

Other Sustrans staff

External: Local authorities and other partners in receipt of funding support

Transport Scotland Sustainable & Active Travel Team Staff

City of Edinburgh Council Planning and Strategy team staff

Key Responsibilities:

To work with partners, such as local authorities, national parks and other statutory bodies who are delivering Community Links projects. Such projects may include the construction of paths or re-allocation of road space in favour of cycling and walking.

To ensure that Sustrans’ design standards and best practices are adhered to and ensure best value for money is achieved at all times by partners delivering the projects.
To assist in the assessment process of applications to the Community Links Programme.
To disseminate and promote best practice.
To assist in delivering community engagement processes for individual projects.
To monitor the delivery of the projects within agreed timescales.
To make site visits, providing guidance on both technical aspects (engineering and design) and social aspects (community engagement) and work with partners in managing change to the project, programme and costs.
To offer technical advice with respect to the suitability and progression of the projects where appropriate and with support from other colleagues where required.
To influence the partners to ensure they deliver high quality projects.
To monitor the budget set for each project and observe the overall budget for the programme.
To ensure that the Community Links Coordinator (Scotland) is made aware of any key issues in the project delivery, especially where the overall project delivery timescale or expenditure is at risk.
To use the Sustrans’ internal project database to record progress of projects and anticipated and actual expenditure.
To ensure all grant claims are submitted on time for completed projects.
To ensure projects are correctly signed off, recorded and mapped for reporting.
To ensure all partner project reports are submitted on time for completed projects.

Communication and marketing:

To promote the Community Links Programme and encourage new funding bids and new partners to apply to the fund.
To help with the administration and promotion of the of the Community Links programme.
To contribute towards raising the profile of Sustrans, by representing the charity at meetings, activities and events, as required.
To support and comply with the charity’s guidance on branding, tone of voice and key messages, positively contributing towards raising Sustrans’ profile.

Training and personal development:

To attend essential Sustrans training as required by the Charity.
To ensure own personal development by working to objectives set as part of the Charity’s appraisal process.

Health & Safety, Safeguarding and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:

To support and comply with the organisation’s policy for the management of Health and Safety.
To support and comply with the organisation’s policies for the management of safeguarding.
To support and comply with the organisation’s policy and procedures relating to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and apply principles of best

Other:

To perform any other duties consistent with the nature and grade of the role as agreed with the line manager.
To participate in the team-based approach to Sustrans work in Scotland.

Working Conditions:

The post is expected to be based at the Sustrans Scotland office in Edinburgh; however, in exceptional circumstances it could be based elsewhere. Travel across Scotland and overnights away from home or work outside normal office hours will be required.

The post-holder will be expected to travel to site by sustainable transport methods where possible.

Special Note:

This job description does not form part of the contract of employment, but indicates how that contract should be performed. The job description may be subject to amendment in the light of experience and in consultation with the post-holder.

Compiled by: Community Links Manager, Scotland

Date:March 2017

Project Officer,Community Links (SUS2100)

Person Specification

Criteria / Essential
Qualifications, education and training / Educated to degree level or equivalent or equivalent practical experience
Experience / Technical background, e.g. in delivery of civilengineering projects
Proven track record of project management and delivering to time and budget
Experience of building successful working relationships
Skills and abilities / Excellent written, verbal communication and IT skills
Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to express complex subjects in an effective and accurate manner
Proven ability to influence others in design and delivery of projects
Ability to work as part of a team with a positive and enthusiastic attitude
IT literacy
Experience of engaging with community representatives and stakeholders in the design and delivery of infrastructure projects
Knowledge / Highway design, active travel signage and/or experience in the design or construction of cycling and walking infrastructure
Other / A dynamic, imaginative and creative approach
Committed to the promotion of sustainable transport
Criteria / Desirable
Experience / Experience and understanding of the transport sector
Experience of GIS and mapping
Experience of local authority working and practices
Experience of website administration
Experience of working for a grant funding body
Experience of event management and marketing
Skills and abilities / Experience of cross-sector collaboration and action
Experience of photography
Knowledge / Business administration/finance experience
Other / A strong commitment to Sustrans’ vision and sustainable transport
Clean driver’s license