Sports Programme Manager

OVERVIEW Sport Ireland established the Local Sports Partnership (LSP) Network as an initiative to create a national structure to co-ordinate and promote the development of sport and participation at local level. LSPs aim to increase participation in sport and physical activity by breaking down barriers and increasing numbers of people participating and ensuring continued participation through all stages of life. The Local Sports Partnership sits within the structure of Wexford County Council and the Sports Programme Manager will be an employee of Wexford County Council for the duration of the contract. The role of the Sports Programme Manager, which is funded by Sport Ireland, will play a central role in the delivery of Sport Ireland’s Strategy 2023 to 2028 and the Local Sport Partnerships Statement of ambition.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POST 1. CHARACTER: Candidates shall be of good character and references shall be sought. 2. HEALTH: Each candidate must be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render an efficient service. 3. EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE ETC.: Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed Application forms: (i) Hold a relevant third level degree in any of the following areas Sport and Recreation, Health, Exercise Science, Physical Activity, Diversity and Inclusion, Community Development or related field or have 5 years’ relevant experience and (ii) Have 3 years’ relevant experience (experience of project management and/or people management and experience of community and voluntary sector) and (iii) Hold a current clean full driving licence (minimum Class B) and have access to a car at all times for use in their work, details of which must be entered on the application form. Desirable Requirements It is desirable that each candidate shall have: - • Experience in the areas of education, social or community development or working in the community sector in a developmental and supportive capacity either in a paid or voluntary capacity • A good understanding of programme monitoring and evaluation • Experience of working in a project team 4. 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 as a result 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.

GARDA VETTING The successful candidate will be required to co-operate with a Garda vetting procedure and must have Garda clearance. DUTIES OF THE POST The duties of the post shall be to give to the local authority under the direction and supervision of its appropriate employee, such services of an executive, supervisory and advisory nature as are required for the exercise and performance of any of its powers and duties and shall include the duty of deputising for other employees of the local authority, when required, and such duties as may be required in relation to the area of any other local authority. The following is a non-exhaustive list of the primary duties of the Sports Programme Manager. The appointed person will: - Strategy & Governance • Assist with the development, delivery and reporting of the Local Sports Partnership’s (LSP) 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, coaches and tutors. • 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.

Partnerships 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. The Sports Programme Manager will also undertake any other relevant and related duties that may be required from time to time.

Candidates must also have: - • An awareness of the importance and value of participation in sport / active recreation • 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

Candidates are required to demonstrate the following: - • Strong IT, administrative and organisational skills • Ability to monitor and evaluate work and write reports. • Excellent communications, 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

Desirables: - • Knowledge of the sport and physical activity sector and policies • Understanding of research and evaluation methods • Understanding of the public sector and local government environment COMPETENCIES FOR THE POST Key Competencies for the post include the following and candidates will be expected to demonstrate sufficient evidence within their application form of competence under each of these. Please take particular note of these when completing the application form as any short-listing or interview processes will be based on the information provided by candidates:

Management and Change Contributes to the development of policies in own area and is effective in translating corporate policies and strategies of Wexford County Council into operational plans and outputs; Embeds good governance practices into day to day activities, practices and processes; Establishes, develops and maintains positive and productive professional working relationships; Effectively manages change, fosters a culture of creativity in employees and overcomes resistance to change;

Delivering Results Acts decisively and makes timely, informed and effective decisions and displays good judgement and balance in making decisions or recommendations; Maintains a strong focus on meeting the needs of customers at all times; Allocates resources effectively to deliver on operational plans; Ensures all outputs are delivered to a high standard and in an efficient manner; Ensures compliance with legislation, regulation and procedures;

Performance through People Leads by example to motivate staff in the delivery of high quality outcomes and customer service; Addresses any performance issues in a timely, appropriate and constructive manner; Ability to foster and maintain productive working relationships within the organisation and with relevant stakeholders externally; Has excellent written and verbal skills; Personal Effectiveness Develops the expertise necessary to carry out the role to a high standard and shares this with others; Manages time and workloads effectively; Takes initiative and seeks opportunities to exceed goals. Is proactive in keeping up to date on issues and key developments that may impact on their Department or Local Government; Salary: The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. 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 employment 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.

SALARY: €53,345 - €65,172 (LSI 2) per annum. Entry point to this scale will be determined in accordance with Circulars issued by the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government. Appointees who are not existing public servants will enter at the minimum point of the scale.