The Road Safety Initiatives (RSI) Committee of The Road Safety Trust (RST) exists to enable the charity to fulfil its core purpose and implement and measure the impact of its grant-giving strategy. Its role is proportionate to the size and scope of the grant programmes in operation.
We are seeking someone who has a strong background in road safety. This background is crucial for being able to assess and support the executive team in the various stages of its grant-giving activity at a strategic and mentoring level.
Candidates applying for the RSIC role ideally will have specific experience in research methods aimed at improving transport safety including evaluation methodologies, behavioural change and the impact on road safety.
Duties as a Road Safety Initiatives Committee member
Members of the RSIC will carry out the duties detailed below for RST:
- Agree the Large Grant Themes at least two years ahead, consulting with stakeholders as appropriate to enable the Trust to meet its charitable objective of improving UK road safety for all.
- Assess Large Grant applications against the policy criteria and Trust’s objectives, make recommendations to The RST Board as to whether they should be funded and, if necessary, whether they should continue to receive funding at break points.
- Approve final project reports/outputs.
- Support the executive in an oversight role with its delivery of the Small Grants Programme.
- Help to plan promotional activities for the RST’s grant schemes, including attending events.
- Consider and suggest ways in which RST grant-making can be developed and improved by reviewing its programme every few years.
- Monitor grant programme spending and allocate resources within the agreed budget set by the RST Board.
- Identify potential additional funding and partnership opportunities then bringing these to the attention of the RST Board.
- Monitor the progress of previously funded road safety initiatives.
- Advise on routes to impact for funded projects.
- Measure, articulate and share the impact of individual and collective funded projects so that RST can demonstrate the difference it is making to road safety nationally through its grant funding.
The Grants Process
Large Grants: With executive support, the Committee conducts an assessment and review of road safety initiative grant applications. Following an initial review, the shortlist of fundable initiatives is circulated to the full RST Board for its consideration and approval. The Committee then oversees the monitoring of Large Grants awarded and guides the executive on the communication of project outcomes and impact.
Small Grants: The executive leads on the assessment and review of applications, with recommended projects then submitted to the Committee for consideration and approval.
The full RST Board approves the annual Small Grants Programme budget and is informed of the successful applications but is not required to consider or approve individual projects.
Membership and Attendance
The Committee should comprise of no fewer than four members. The RSI Committee will possess knowledge and skills in road safety (practical implementation, research and/or engineering), grant-giving and/or project assessment.
To assist in its deliberations, the Committee may also engage external advisors if and as may be required subject to the approval of the RST Board. Other members of the Committee shall also be appointed by the Board in consultation with the Chair of the RSI Committee as required.
Frequency of meetings
The Committee shall meet at least four times a year, with meetings aligned to the grant application and award timeframe.