Student & Graduate Placements

Background

Cycling Scotland seek to identify graduates to support campus based cycling activities across further and higher education campuses across Scotland. Working in partnership with Bright Green Business with the support of Transport Scotland, Cycling Scotland has introduced the Cycle Friendly Campus Internship Programme.

Cycling Scotland’s vision is a sustainable, inclusive and healthy Scotland where anyone, anywhere can enjoy all the benefits of cycling. Cycling Scotland is a recognised Scottish Charity SCO29760 who work with a range of partners towards the aims of the Cycling Action Plan for Scotland (CAPS) which carries the shared vision of ‘10% of all journeys, by bike, by 2020’. The Cycle Friendly Campus Award is aimed at encouraging and supporting colleges and universities across Scotland to take a leading role in increasing the number of students and staff traveling by bike.

This position is will be based at both Edinburgh Napier University and Edinburgh College.  Your time will be split between both institutions. The role of the candidate will be to further enhance this partnership and develop on the work already achieved by previous Campus Cycling Officers.

Once appointed the successful applicant will be required to register for the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme.  This will be arranged by Edinburgh College.  

Role

The candidate will take on the role of Campus Cycling Officer (CCO) in reviewing cycling projects and activities aimed at getting staff and students travelling by bicycle. With support from a mentor, the CCO will be put in charge of a small budget and tasked with the responsibility of designing, planning, implementing and evaluating a cycling project using the Cycling Scotland Cycle Friendly Campus criteria as a basis for development.

The candidate will be required to:

• Undertake a gap analysis of cycling provision on campus and verify key priorities by engaging with staff and students.
• Support the preparation, development and delivery of cycling initiatives on campus in order to support behaviour change and progress towards Cycle Friendly Campus status. Focus will be to use the Cycle Friendly Campus criteria and audit the college and university sites.
• Gather and analyse data relating to cycling activity in order to prepare and present relevant information and recommendations to colleagues, stakeholders and sponsors.
• Develop and maintain effective partnerships which support the college and university’s efforts to make cycling an attractive travel choice, linking in with wider programmes, initiatives and events.
• Lead on the design, planning and implementation and evaluation of a cycling project and activities which reflect key priorities and feedback from stakeholder engagement
• Assist colleagues to develop and maintain an up to date Cycling Action Plan which will form the basis of future funding bids/opportunities and delivery of cycling initiatives.

The Candidate

The organisations are looking for an enthusiastic individual who is committed to promoting the benefits of cycling as a healthy, sustainable and affordable travel option.

Experience of organising and running events would be an advantage whilst experience of audit, good communication skills, initiative and the ability to engage with varied audiences is essential.

This is an excellent development opportunity and we are keen to receive applications from students seeking a career in environmental sustainability, health and/or transport.

Essential Skills

• An enthusiasm for and appreciation of the benefits of cycling
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong presentation and report writing skills
• Ability to motivate and influence others
• Able to manage own workload and contribute to team objectives

Desirable

• Knowledge of active travel, environmental, health and sustainability programme and initiatives in Scotland
• Experience of workshop and event planning and delivery
• Experience of creating action plans and developing strategies
• Experience of engaging and managing stakeholders
• Experience of managing project and budgets