Active Cities Officer

THE JOB

Reporting to the Dublin City Sports & Wellbeing Partnership Manager and liaising closely with the other Active Cities Officer based within the other Dublin local authorities. The Active Cities Officer will be responsible for the development, delivery and coordination of a programme of work that leads to an increase in participation in sport, physical activity, and active lifestyles across all communities in Dublin City, with a particular focus on people who are economically or socially disadvantaged, educationally disadvantaged or who have a disability.

This will involve creating effective partnerships with a wide range of agencies and community organisations and maximising access to and use of resources, both financial and human.

The Active Cities Officer will be a member of the Dublin City Sports & Wellbeing Partnership (DCSWP) team and will need to develop a strong working relationship with relevant staff in Dublin City Council and other local agencies, local sports clubs and community/voluntary groups and relevant staff and officers from National Governing Bodies. The post holder will also work closely with the national network of Active City Officers; The National Active Cities Lead and Sport Ireland.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE SHALL

• Have the ability to work in a self-motivated manner;

• Possess the ability to positively represent and advocate for the project across partners and agencies;

• Possess strong IT, social media, administrative and organisational skills;

• Have experience in consulting, communicating and networking appropriately and effectively with all sectors of the community;

• Have experience in advising, informing, motivating and supporting individuals and organisations;

• Have the ability to produce good quality publicity material;

• Have an awareness of the importance and value of participation in sport, physical activity and active lifestyles;

• Have a constructive, positive and progressive attitude to working as part of the Local Sports Partnership team and an ability to develop partnerships with the wider community;

• Be willing and have the ability to travel and work unsociable hours.

On the date of appointment the successful candidate must possess a current unendorsed full driving license (Category B) as they may be required to drive a motor car in the course of their duties.

QUALIFICATIONS

CHARACTER:

Each candidate shall be of good character.

HEALTH:

Candidates shall be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, ETC.:

Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed applications:

(a) (i) hold a recognised qualification in Project/Programme Management/Marketing/Planning/Business Development;

OR

(ii) have a minimum of three years relevant experience in one of the above disciplines;

(b) Have a minimum of three years’ experience working with agencies such as local government/public sector in the area of project management;

(c) Have experience in creating partnerships with a variety of agencies;

(d) Have an understanding of the role and importance of co-ordinated and integrated interagency responses to facilitating active lifestyles;

(e) have experience in working with voluntary and/or community groups;

(f) possess excellent interpersonal, communication, problem solving, team working, decision making and influencing skills;

(g) possess the ability to produce, access and disseminate information efficiently and accurately;

(h) possess the ability to prioritise, plan and co-ordinate the delivery of a work programme and produce high quality work;

(i) have the ability to prepare, monitor and manage budgets;

(j) have an understanding of and a personal commitment to the vision and values of the Sports Partnership model;

(k) have good knowledge and awareness of Health and Safety Legislation and Regulations, their implications for the organisation and the employee, and their application in the workplace.

DESIRABLE:

• Relevant Degree in Sports/Community Development, Health Promotion or equivalent;

• Experience and/or understanding in the areas of community sport and physical activity administration;

• Experience and/or understanding the community sector in a developmental and supportive capacity;

• Understanding of targeting groups with low levels of participation in physical activity and the barriers that inhibit their participation;

• Understanding of the international, national sport and physical activity sector relative to Policy, Funding and the Global Action Plan for Physical Activity;

• Have an understanding of research methods.

DUTIES

The duties of the post include, but are not limited to, the following:

Project Co-ordination and Collaboration

• Develop and support an interagency, cross-sectoral approach to the development of Dublin as an Active City, while also ensuring the work is effectively and efficiently integrated with LSP activities maximising the impact for all;

• Co-ordinate the development and operation of the steering group nurturing a collaborative, partnership approach and ensuring appropriate membership and representation;

• Engage with the Active Cities Network and Sport Ireland;

• Prepare and manage Dublin City Council’s Global Active Cities application and liaise with the awarding body;

• Develop, co-ordinate, support and monitor the implementation of the All Dublin Active Cities Plan;

• Facilitate and support local stakeholders in the planning, development and implementation of actions set out in the All Dublin Active Cities Plan;

• Consultation – consult and engage with all relevant stakeholders with regard to the development and implementation of the project;

• Link effectively with all partner agencies in the area of sport and physical activity and represent the Active Cities Dublin in relevant fora;

• Encourage networking and ensure joined up working between local organisations involved in sport and physical activity;

• Engage with other citywide health initiatives, e.g. Healthy Cities, and contribute where possible to these initiatives.

Planning & Operations

• Facilitate and lead the implementation of the operational and action plan for the Active Cities Dublin in line with the local sports plans, healthy cities etc;

• Work with the LSP team to support the development and delivery of a range of initiatives, programmes and events as part of the Active Cities project to provide opportunities for more people to be more active;

• Facilitate and lead the co-ordination of Active Cities Dublin initiatives and pilots in targeted communities;

• Capital/Equipment – manage the capital and equipment budget including procurement, development, storage etc;

• Training and Leadership Development – support and promote training and development opportunities to support the sustainable development of volunteers and community leaders including relevant training for professionals and community groups on the benefits of participation in sport and leading an active lifestyle. Provide networking events and shared learning opportunities for all project stakeholders;

• Work with facility and infrastructure providers, public and private, to support increased community participation.

Communications & Marketing

• Work with the network of Active Cities Officers and Sport Ireland to develop an Active Cities brand and implement locally in line with agreed guidelines;

• Develop and implement a communications strategy including the production of press release and project newsletter highlighting activities, strategies and learnings from the project and resources to promote Active Cities activities and messages;

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive database of organisational and key contacts and prepare clear marketing and communications plans for the project;

• Communicate the ‘Active Cities’ messages effectively with representatives from different organisations and members of the public;

• Raise the profile of sport, physical activity and active lifestyles and their benefits both throughout the city;

• Identify opportunities to promote ‘Active Cities’ locally, nationally and internationally.

Finance & Administration

• Finance and Budget management – carefully manage the budget and reporting requirements to the Co-ordinator, Board and funders for all budget areas;

• Create sport, physical activity and active lifestyle opportunities and identify appropriate funding streams;

• Administration - Provide support and assistance in maintaining up-to-date databases;

• Reporting and Evaluation – Carry out research and needs analysis as appropriate and as required. Measure, monitor and evaluate performance and the impact of Active Cities Dublin activities in line with Sport Ireland requirements;

• Prepare reports and regular updates to the DCSWP Manager, DCSWP Board, Sport Ireland, Sport Ireland, Dublin City Council and other stakeholders as required;

• Generate and disseminate accessible information and analysis for all stakeholders;

• Health & Safety Management – promote good practice in health and safety awareness practice for all Active Cities Dublin activities. Ensure best practice for use of facilities. Ensure that all activities undertaken under the Active Cities project are in line with appropriate codes and legislation;

• To undertake other relevant duties within the scope of the post.

The particular duties and responsibilities attached to the post may vary from time to time, without changing the general character of the duties or level of responsibilities entailed. The post holder may therefore be required to perform duties appropriate to the post, other than those detailed above, and to take instructions from and report to, an appropriate Officer or such designated Officer as may be assigned from time to time by the City Council.

The duties of the post are to give to the local authority and to

(a) The local authorities or bodies for which the Chief Executive is Chief Executive, and

(b) To any other local authority or body with which an agreement has been made by the local authority or by any of the authorities or bodies referred to in sub-paragraph (a) of this paragraph under the general direction and control of the Chief Executive or of such officers as the Chief Executive may from time to time determine, such appropriate computing, technical, management, administrative, executive, supervisory, advisory and ancillary services as may be required by any local authority or body hereinbefore mentioned in the exercise and performance of any of its powers, functions and duties and to exercise such powers, functions and duties as may be delegated to them by the Chief Executive from time to time including the duty of servicing all committees that may be established by any such local authority or body. The holder of the post will, if required, act for an officer of a higher level.

SELECTION PROCESS

• Posts of Active Cities Officer (Temporary 2 years) will be filled from this publicly advertised competition. Selection shall be by means of a competition conducted by or on behalf of Dublin City Council.

• Candidates should note that the information provided by them in their application form and assessment questions will form the basis on which eligibility and short listing is conducted.

• Dublin City Council reserves the right to undertake eligibility and / or shortlist candidates in the manner it deems most appropriate.

• A panel may be formed on the basis of interviews. A candidate whose name is on a panel and who satisfies the Council that they possess the qualifications declared for the post and that they are otherwise suitable for appointment may, within the life of the panel, subject to the appropriate Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage sanction, be appointed as an appropriate vacancy arises.

• The life of the panel shall be for a period of one year from the date of its formation.

• Dublin City Council shall require any person to whom an appointment is offered to take up such appointment within a period of not more than one month and if they fail to take up appointment within such period, or such longer period as the Council in its absolute discretion may determine, the Council shall not appoint them.

SHORTLISTING

Dublin City Council reserves the right to shortlist candidates to proceed to the interview stage of the competition. Shortlisting of candidates will be on the basis of information supplied on the Application Form, in conjunction with the answers given in the assessment question(s). It is therefore in your own interest to provide a detailed and accurate account of your qualifications/experience in your application.

The shortlisting process will provide for the assessment of each applicant’s application form against predetermined criteria that reflect the skills and depth of experience considered to be essential for a position at this level.

SALARY:

The salary scale for the position of Active Cities Officer (Temporary 2 years) is;

€58,474; €59,869; €61,570; €64,767; €66,677 (Maximum); €69,051 (1st LSI) (after 3 years satisfactory service on the Maximum); €71,437 (2nd LSI) (after 3 years satisfactory service on the 1st LSI).

Entry point to this scale will be determined in accordance with Circulars issued by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. In accordance with Departmental Circular letter EL 02/2011, a person who is not a serving public service employee on or after 1st January 2011, will enter the scale for the position at the minimum point.

Rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government Policy.

Under the Public Service Stability Agreement 2013, the working hours for newly appointed/promoted staff are 35 hours per week.