Temporary Active Cities Coordinator

1. The Role

The Active Cites Coordinator is 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 Fingal County, 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 Coordinator will report to an officer of the Local Authority as designated by the Chief Executive.

2. Duties

The duties of the post of the Active Cities Coordinator include, but are not limited to:

Project Co-ordination and Collaboration

• Develop and support an interagency, cross-sectoral approach to the development of Fingal 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
• Develop, co-ordinate, support and monitor the implementation of the Active Cities Plan.
• Facilitate and support local stakeholders in the planning, development and implementation of actions set out in the 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 Fingal 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 Fingal 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 Fingal 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 national 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 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 Fingal activities in line with Sport Ireland requirements.
• Prepare reports and regular updates to the DCSWP Manager, DCSWP Board, Sport Ireland, National Active Cities Officer, Sport Ireland, Fingal County 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 Fingal 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.

 

These tasks which are indicative rather than exhaustive are carried out under general supervision.

Persons appointed will be required to work in any location within the Fingal administrative area.

 

3. Qualifications and Requirements of the Post

CHARACTER

Each candidate must 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, TRAINING, EXPERIENCE, ETC.

Candidates must on the latest date of receipt of completed application forms have:

(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 inter-agency 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.

 

Candidates must also:

·        hold a clean, current Class B Driving License and will be required to have access to their own car.

 

The ideal candidate shall have:

·        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.

·        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 , 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.

Candidates may be shortlisted based on the desirables listed above.

4. The Selection Process:

Fingal County Council reserves the right to shortlist applications, if required. This is not to suggest that any candidate may be unsuitable or incapable of undertaking the duties of the post advertised, but rather that there may be candidates who have demonstrated that they are better qualified and/or have more relevant experience.

 

The number of persons to be invited, in these circumstances, to interview shall be determined by the local authority from time to time, having regard to the likely number of vacancies to be filled.

 

Step 1: Initial Screening

In the first instance, all applications received by the latest date/time for receipt of completed applications are screened for eligibility in accordance with the qualifications for the post as set out in this booklet and declared by the Minister for the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage under Section 160 of the Local Government Act 2001.

 

Step 2: Shortlisting

Each candidate’s application may be assessed against pre-determined criteria based on the requirements of the position as outlined in this booklet. It is the sole responsibility of the applicant to provide a detailed and accurate account of their qualifications and/or experience in their application form and to outline the relevance of their experience in the examples provided.

 

Step 3: Interview

Candidates who are successful in the shortlisting process will be invited to attend for interview(s). Fingal County Council will endeavor to give sufficient notice of the interview to shortlisted candidates. Thereafter, it is the responsibility of the candidate to make themselves available on the date/time selected. Candidates who do not attend for interview will be deemed to have withdrawn their application from the competition. Expenses incurred by candidates in attending for interview, will be at the candidates own expense.

 

An independent interview board will be established by the Senior Executive Officer, People Services, or other designated officer, to assess the candidates shortlisted for interview. The interview board will generally comprise of a Chairperson and two other members, who will have expert knowledge in the relevant field. The objective of the interview board is to identify candidates who best meet the objective criteria and competencies required for the position and to place them in order of merit.

 

Candidates who are successful in the interview will be qualified in order of merit for appointment to the post of Active Cities Coordinator (Grade VI) and placed on a panel. It should be noted that placement on a panel may not necessarily lead to a job offer. The selection process is not concluded until such time as references have been sought and clearance checks, i.e. Garda vetting, occupational health, verification of education qualifications, etc, have been carried out to the satisfaction of the Council.

 

5. Benefits

At Fingal County Council, we value our employees and want to support them to develop their careers. We offer flexible working arrangements, competitive salaries and pension benefits, a positive work environment, training and development opportunities, a defined career path in a supportive and inclusive culture and the opportunity to make a difference, along with the following benefits:

 

Ø  Standard working day is 9-5

Ø  Excellent Work/Life balance with Family Friendly Schemes such as Shorter Working Year and Work-sharing

Ø  Opportunities for promotion and career development

Ø  Employee Assistance and Wellbeing Programme

Ø  Pension Scheme

Ø  Blended Working available - up to 2 days per week

Ø  Ongoing training and higher educational support

Ø  Cycle to Work Scheme

6. Particulars of Employment

The employment is whole time, temporary and pensionable. Persons who become pensionable employees 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 dependent or qualified children).

Persons who become pensionable employees 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.

All persons who become pensionable employees of a local authority will be required in respect of the local Government (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.

 

PROBATION

(a)   there shall be a period after such employment takes effect during which such persons shall hold such employment on probation,

(b)   such period shall be one year but the Chief Executive may at his or her discretion extend such period,

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

 

SALARY 1st February Rates

€57,895 – €59,276 – €60,960 – €64,126 – €66,017 – €68,367 (LSI1) – €70,730 (LSI2) Per annum

Persons who are not serving local authority employees will be based on 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 post or in respect of any services which they are required by or under any enactment to perform.

 

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.

 

HEALTH

For the purpose of satisfying the requirement as to health it will be necessary for successful candidates, before they are employed, to undergo a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner to be nominated by the Local Authority.

 

RETIREMENT AGE

The retirement age is 70 years.

 

Recruitment

The local authority shall require a person to whom employment is offered to take up such employment within a period of not more than 6 weeks and if he or she fails to take up the employment within such period or such longer period as the local authority in its absolute discretion may determine, the local authority shall not employ the person.