Programme Manager Sports Partnership

Applications are invited from suitably qualified persons who wish to be considered for inclusion on a panel from which temporary vacancies for the position of Programme Manager Sports Partnership (Specific Purpose Contract) in Monaghan County Council shall be filled. TheProgramme Manager will work under the control of the Sports Co-ordinator, or other officers designated by the Director of Services or Chief Executive within Monaghan Sports Partnership.

Sports Partnership

Sport Ireland supported the establishment of Local Sports Partnerships around the country to co-ordinate and to promote the development of sport and physical activity. The key aims of Sports Partnerships are to increase participation in sport and physical activity and to ensure that local resources are used to best effect. Sport Ireland sees these partnerships as the best mechanism for delivering recreational sport and physical activity to the greatest number of people.

Sport Ireland and its network of Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs) is committed to the equal treatment of all people when it comes to their participation in sport.

Every day in communities across the country, Sport Ireland through its network of Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs) helps people irrespective of age, gender, disability, or social circumstance to get active.

The Role

Monaghan Sports Partnership plays a lead role in the co-ordination, development and delivery of sport and physical activities for the communities of County Monaghan. This role is guided by a Strategic Plan and year on year operational plans. Monaghan Sports Partnership encourages and facilitates participation in sport, recreation, and physical activity across all members of the community.

The role of the Programme Manager, which is funded by Sport Ireland, will focus on supporting the management function and working at a strategic level within the Monaghan Sports Partnership team. The successful candidate will work in a coordinating capacity with all relevant stakeholders to increase and sustain participation opportunities for all population groups within the County in sport and physical activity by delivery of the high-level programme objectives of the LSP.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Programme Manager shall perform such duties as may from time to time be assigned in relation to employment and carry out such instructions as may be given in relation to the performance of their duties. Specific tasks of the Programme Manager will be determined locally having regard to the overall job purpose with reference to the national policies and plans and Monaghan Sports Partnership Strategic Plan.

The following is a non-exhaustive list of the primary duties of the Programme Manager:

Strategy & Governance

• Assist with the development, delivery and reporting of the LSP’s Strategy & Annual Operation Plan
• Provide direct support to the Coordinator and the LSP team to achieve a coordinated approach to the development of sport and physical activity throughout the community and for agreed target groups.
• Coordinate and manage reviews of the annual operational plan reporting on the effectiveness and impact of work areas.

Management & Programming

·        Manage and coordinate the work activities of direct reports to achieve the goals and objectives of the LSP.

·        Be responsible for leading staff, monitoring performance and identifying training and development needs.

·        Plan and manage the work activities of work placement students, volunteers, casual coaches and tutors (where applicable).

·        Create and implement a comprehensive range of physical activity programmes and events for relevant target groups with a view to creating sustainable participation.

·        Support the coordinator in implementing accurate and efficient reporting structures

·        Manage and be responsible for programme budgets ensuring timelines and reporting structures are met and budgets adhered to.

Research/Evaluation

• Manage the implementation of a monitoring and evaluation framework for all projects, programmes and initiatives.
• Conduct research of participation in sport and physical activity in the community including, where relevant, needs analysis to identify suitable support to increase participation in sport and physical activity in the community and target groups.
• Prepare reports as appropriate relating to existing and proposed initiatives and present timely and relevant information and advice to the coordinator.

Partnership and Communication

• Develop relationships with appropriate partner organisations and local community groups to create links and encourage collaboration between partners.
• Work in partnership with stakeholders to share knowledge and information relevant to target groups in the community to identify the needs and demand for new activities.
• Support and guide clubs and communities with various issues as they arise.

These duties are indicative rather than exhaustive and outline the main functions and responsibilities of the post of the Programme Manager and may be subject to change in the future. The post holder may therefore be required to perform duties appropriate to the post, other than those detailed above and to take instruction from and report to an appropriate officer or such designated officer as may be assigned from time to time by Monaghan County Council.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POST

1.     Character

Candidates shall be of good character.

2.     Health

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

3.      Citizenship:

Candidates must, by the date of any job offer, be:

(a)         A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway; or

(b)         A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or

(c)          A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or

(d)         A non-EEA citizen who is a spouse or child of an EEA or UK or Swiss citizen and has a stamp 4 visa: or

(e)         A person awarded international protection under the International Protection Act 2015, or any family member entitled to remain in the State because of family reunification and has a stamp 4 visa or

(f)          A non-EEA citizen who is a parent of a dependent child who is a citizen of, and resident in, an EEA member state or the UK or Switzerland and has a stamp 4 visa.

4.      Education, Training and Experience

Training and Qualifications and Experience:

Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms for the post:

• Hold a relevant third Level Degree in any of the following areas:-

Sports and recreation, Health, Exercise Science, Physical Activity, Diversity and Inclusion, Social Justice, Community Development, Education or related field;

And

Have 3 years relevant experience in the areas of education, social or community development, sports development or working in the community sector in a developmental and supportive capacity either in a paid or voluntary capacity

OR

Have 5 years full time relevant experience in the areas of education, social or community sports and recreation development or working in the community sector in a developmental and supportive capacity either in a paid or voluntary capacity

Experience of the community and voluntary sector, good understanding of programme monitoring and evaluation.

Experience of working in a project team

5.      Knowledge and Skills

Essential Skills, and Knowledge:

It is essential that candidate through their application and at interview stage demonstrate the following:

• Strong IT, administrative and organisational skills
• Ability to monitor and evaluate work and write reports
• Excellent oral and written communication, presentation and facilitation skills
• Ability to advise, inform, motivate and support individuals and organisations
• Ability to prepare, monitor and manage budgets and to prepare funding applications.
• Capacity to lead, organise and motivate staff
• Experience in managing staff performance, address issues, identifies staff learning and training needs
• Experience in engaging with stakeholders in the planning, delivery, monitoring and reporting of projects
• Understanding of research and evaluation methods
• Understanding of the public sector and local government environment
• Awareness of the importance and value of participation in sport / active recreation
• Competent in the area of sports development
• A constructive, positive and progressive attitude to working as part of the LSP team
• Be motivated and committed to sports development and increasing opportunities for participation, in particular among hard-to-reach groups in local communities
• A commitment to on-going training and development
• A self-motivated approach to work
• A good understanding of safety management in the workplace including Health & Safety legislation and regulations.

Candidates must also:

• have the knowledge and ability to discharge the duties of the post concerned.
• be suitable on the grounds of character.
• be suitable in all other relevant respects for appointment to the post concerned.

Candidates, if successful, will not be appointed to the post unless they:

• agree to undertake the duties attached to the post and accept the conditions under which the duties are, or may be required to be, performed.
• are fully competent and available to undertake, and fully capable of undertaking, the duties attached to the position.

Non-Irish Qualifications must be accompanied by a determination from Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) to establish their comparability against the Irish National Framework of Qualifications. Oversees qualifications must also be accompanied by a translation document.

Each candidate must include on the application form details of all qualifications obtained by them. The invitation to attend for Interview is not to be regarded as an admission that you possess the prescribed qualifications and/or requirements for this post or are you qualified by law to hold the post. Documentary proof will be required before appointment where you claim credit for qualification, experience, etc.

COMPETENCIES FOR THE POST

Key Competencies for the post of a Programme Manager are outlined in the table below. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate sufficient evidence within their application form and at interview that they possess the following competencies through the experience and skills they have gained to date.

Competency

Management and Change

• Effectively manage the introduction of change and demonstrate flexibility and openness to change
• Establishes, develops and maintains positive and productive professional working relationships
• Embeds good governance practices into day-to-day activities, practices and processes
• Can work with multiple stakeholders to implement change.

Delivering Results

• Translate the business/operational Plan objectives into clear actions and prioritise work and resources effectively
• Take responsibility for the delivery of results and for bringing projects and tasks to completion in area of responsibility
• Establish high quality service and customer care standards
• Make timely, informed and effective decisions and show good judgement and balance in making decisions or recommendations.

Performance through People

• Demonstrate the ability to build effective teams and motivate and engage staff and stakeholders to achieve quality results and deliver on operational plans
• Manage effectively the role, performance and contribution of each staff member for which they are responsible,
• Have excellent interpersonal, presentation and communication skills
• Demonstrates the ability to develop and maintain positive and beneficial relationships with a wide range of stakeholders including citizens, elected members and staff.

Personal Effectiveness

•  Take initiative and seek opportunities to exceed goals in service delivery
• Manage time and workload effectively
• Is positive and enthusiastic about the role and is motivated in the face of difficulties and obstacles.
• Develops the expertise necessary to carry out the role to a high standard and share this with others.

Essential Requirements

Knowledge, Experience and Skills

• Demonstrate the knowledge and understanding of the structure and functions of Local Government including service delivery
• Demonstrate the knowledge of current local sport partnership issues, priorities, concerns and future direction
• Understands the role of a Programme Manager Sports Partnership
• Understands the key challenges facing the local government sector and Monaghan County Council
• Has relevant administrative experience at a sufficiently high level
• Has experience of managing and supervising staff, including managing performance
• Experience of compiling, preparing and presenting reports, presentations, correspondence, etc.
• Effective financial and resource management skills.
• Has knowledge and experience of operating ICT systems.

PRINCIPAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The Competition

Monaghan County Council invites applications from suitably qualified persons, who wish to be considered for inclusion on a panel from which temporary vacancies for the post of Programme Manager Sports Partnership (Specific Purpose Contract) shall be filled. The post(s) shall be wholetime, temporary and pensionable.

The post holder shall not engage in any gainful occupation, other than as an employee of a local authority, to such an extent as to impair the performance of his or her duties as an employee of a local authority or in any occupation which might conflict with the interests of the local authority, or which might be inconsistent with the discharge of his/her duties as a local authority employee.

Salary:

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. Starting pay for new entrants will be at the minimum of the scale. Holders of the post shall pay to the local authority any fees or other monies (other than their inclusive salary) payable to or received by them by virtue of their office or in respect of services which they are required by or under any enactment to perform. An allowance may also be payable in respect of travel expenses and subsistence.

The salary scale for the post is: -

€57,895, - €59,286, - €60,960, - €64,126, - €66,017, - 1st LSI €68,367, - 22nd LSI €70,730

Entry point to this scale will be determined in accordance with Circulars issued by the Department of Housing, Local Government, and Heritage. Appointees who are not existing public servants will enter at the minimum point of the scale.

Probation:

Where a person who is not already a permanent employee of a local authority is appointed, the following provisions shall apply: -

(a)              there shall be a period after such appointment takes effect, during which such person shall hold such position on probation.

(b)             such period shall be twelve months, but the Chief Executive may, at his discretion, extend such period.

(c)              such person shall cease to hold such office at the end of the period of probation, unless during such period, the Chief Executive has certified that the service of such person is satisfactory.

Hours of Duty:

The successful candidate’s normal hours of work will be 35 hours per week. Flexible working arrangements apply. The Council reserves the right to alter the hours of work from time to time. The role requires flexibility in terms of working hours as the duties may involve working outside of normal office hours.

Annual Leave

The annual leave entitlement will be 30 days per annum.

Health

To satisfying the requirement as to health it will be necessary for each successful candidate, before he/she is appointed, to undergo a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner to be nominated by the local authority.

Superannuation:

Membership of the Local Government Superannuation Scheme or the Single Public Service Pension Scheme is compulsory for all employees. Details will be provided to the appointee prior to appointment.

Superannuation contributions

Persons who become pensionable officers of a Local Authority who are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of their superannuation to contribute to the Local Authority at the rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of social insurance old age contributory pension payable at the maximum rate to a person with no adult dependant or qualified children).

Persons who become pensionable officers of a Local Authority who are liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of their superannuation to contribute to the Local Authority at the rate of 5% of their pensionable remuneration.

Widows & Orphans/Spouses & Childre’s scheme

All persons who become pensionable officers of a Local Authority will be required in respect of the Spouses and Children’s Contributory Pension Scheme to contribute to the Local Authority at the rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration in accordance with the terms of the scheme.

New entrants from 1st January 2013 – Single Public Services Pension Scheme

For new entrants under the Single Public Service Pension Scheme, effective from 1st January 2013, superannuation contributions are as follows: 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration and 3% of pensionable remuneration. Pension and retirement lump sum will be based on career-average pensionable remuneration; pensions will be co-ordinated with the State Pension Contributory.

Retirement:

There is no mandatory retirement age for new entrants to the public service as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004. Anyone who is not a new entrant to the public service, as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004, is subject to a compulsory retirement age of 70 years or as determined in accordance with Department Circulars and in line with Government Policy.

The maximum retirement age for new entrants as defined by the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and other provisions) Act 2012 is 70 years.

Garda Vetting/Child Protection

The successful candidate(s) may be subject to the Garda Vetting Procedures and will be required to complete Appendix V of the County Council’s Child Protection Policy.

Residence

The successful candidate(s) shall reside in the district in which his or her duties are to be performed, or within a reasonable distance thereof.

Training

Successful candidates will be required to attend and participate in training programmes as may be decided by the local authority and/or Sport Ireland from time to time and to apply their learning during their working activities.

Driver’s Licence

The holder of the post shall hold a current full clean driving licence in respect of category B vehicles or equivalent in the EU Model Driving License. The successful candidate will be required to provide their own transport in the course of their duties and maintain the vehicle to the satisfaction of the local authority. Monaghan County Council, as employer, must be indemnified on the insurance policy.

Offer of appointment

Monaghan County 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 from the date on which the offer is made. If he/she fails to take up the appointment within such period or such longer period as the Council in its absolute discretion may determine, the Council shall not appoint him/her.