Waterford Sports Partnership | Active Cities Officer
JOB DESCRIPTION
Post and Application Details
Title: Active Cities Officer (ACO)
Salary: Salary in line with the grade 5 local authority pay scale (from €47,339)
Hours: The ACO will work 35 hours a week. This position will require flexibility around working hours with regards to evening and/or weekend work to accommodate the service needs, for which time off in-lieu can be taken.
Annual Leave: 30 days annual leave
Travel Expenses: Travel expenses will be reimbursed where appropriate.
Location: The post will be based in the Waterford Sports Partnership (WSP) offices at the Regional Sports Centre, Cork Road, Waterford. A level of flexibility and remote working will be considered.
Reports to: WSP Sports Co-ordinator
Contract Type & Duration: 2-year fixed term contract subject to satisfactory completion of
6-month probationary period.
Application: Please apply by uploading a COVER LETTER and CV HERE by (EXTENDED CLOSING DATE)
of 5pm Monday 29th May 2023.
Interviews: Those shortlisted will be invited to attend for interview on Tuesday 20th June 2023.
Candidates must demonstrate in their application that they possess all of the essential elements applicable in the person specification. Waterford Sports Partnership will then decide to interview only those applicants who appear from the information available, to be the most suitable, in terms of experience, qualifications and other requirements of the post.
Background to Sport Ireland Active Cities project
The Sport Ireland Active Cities project is funded by Sport Ireland through the Dormant Accounts Fund (DAF). A Sport Ireland Active City will strive to create social norms about the benefits of sport and physical activity, create programmes and opportunities for its citizens regardless of ability or age, work in partnership to increase physical activity and decrease inactivity, and create/maintain environments where sport and physical activity can happen ultimately working toward healthier lifestyles of their citizens. The Sport Ireland Active Cities concept is built on the principles of the Global Action Plan for Physical Activity (GAPPA) developed by the WHO in 2018.
Using the GAPPA framework, the Sport Ireland Active Cities framework is broken down into four key pillars: 1. Actives Societies, 2. Active Environments, 3. Active People, 4. Active Systems and is focused on getting those who are least active in society, active. The project is being delivered across 5 cities in Ireland and partnership working and multi-city collaboration will play a central part in its development. Sport Ireland’s funding of the project seeks to support those who are economically, educationally or socially disadvantaged or those who have a disability.
Purpose and Scope of the Post
The Active Cities Officer will be responsible for the development, delivery and co-ordination of a programme of work that leads to an increase in participation in sport, physical activity and active lifestyles across all communities in Waterford 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 Waterford Sports Partnership team and will develop a strong working relationship with staff in Waterford City and County Council and other local agencies, local sports clubs and community/voluntary groups and relevant staff and officers from National Governing Bodies. The Active Cities Officer will also work closely with the national network of Active Cities Officers, the National Active Cities Lead and Sport Ireland.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
Project Co-ordination and Collaboration
- Develop and support an interagency, cross-sectoral approach to the development of Waterford as an Active City, while also ensuring the work is effectively and efficiently integrated with WSP activities maximising the impact for all.
- Co-ordinate the continued development and operation of an appropriate process/group to steer the project, particularly between WSP and WCCC, while also actively representing Active Cities Waterford on the Well Waterford Implementation group nurturing a collaborative, partnership approach and ensuring appropriate involvement and representation.
- Engage and collaborate with the Active Cities network (i.e. local Active Cities Officers, National Active Cities Officer & Sport Ireland)
- Develop, co-ordinate, support and monitor the implementation of an action plan for Active Cities Waterford
- Facilitate and support local stakeholders in the planning, development and implementation of actions set out in the Active Cities Waterford action plan.
- Consultation – consult and engage with all relevant stakeholders with regards to the development and implementation of the project
- Build relationships and develop partnerships with all local stakeholders who directly and indirectly impact on physical activity levels in the city.
- Ensure the Active Cities Waterford project is represented and promoted by the WSP team in relevant fora.
- Facilitate networking and encourage joined up working between local organisations involved in sport and physical activity.
- Engage with other citywide health initiatives, eg. Well Waterford, Sláintecare Healthy Communities, and contribute where possible to these initiatives.
Planning & Operations
- Align and integrate the Active Cities Waterford action plan with WSP’s Strategy and operational plans
- Facilitate and lead the implementation of the operational and action plan for Active Cities Waterford in line with local sports plans, healthy cities, healthy communities etc.
- Work with the WSP team to support the development and delivery of a range of initiatives, programmes and events as part of the Active Cities Waterford project to provide opportunities for those who are least active to get active.
- Facilitate and lead the co-ordination of Active Cities Waterford initiatives and pilots in targeted communities.
- Capital/Equipment – co-ordinate and manage the Active Cities Waterford capital and equipment projects and related 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 access and opportunity for wider community participation.
Communications & Marketing
- Work with the national network of Active Cities Officers and Sport Ireland to develop and promote the 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 newsletters highlighting activities, strategies and learnings from the project and resources to promote Active Cities Waterford activities and message.
- 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 Waterford’ messages effectively with representatives from the WSP team, partner organisations and members of the public.
- Raise the profile of sport, physical activity and active lifestyles and their benefits through Active Cities Waterford activities.
- Identify opportunities to promote ‘Active Cities’ locally, nationally and internationally.
Finance & Administration
- Finance and Budget management – carefully manage the budget and reporting requirements to 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, evaluate and report on performance, and the impact of Active Cities Waterford activities in line with Sport Ireland requirements.
- Prepare reports and regular updates to the Co-ordinator, Board, Sport Ireland 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 Waterford activities. Ensure best practice for use of facilities. Ensure that all activities undertaken under the Active Cities Waterford project are in line with appropriate codes and legislation.
- Undertake other relevant duties within the scope of the post.
Waterford Sports Partnership | Active Cities Officer
PERSON SPECIFICATION
If interested in applying for the position, please apply by uploading a COVER LETTER and CV HERE by (EXTENDED CLOSING DATE)
of 5pm Monday 29th May 2023.
Candidates may be short listed based on information provided in the Cover Letter and CV. Canvassing will disqualify any candidate from the competition process.
Those shortlisted will be invited to attend for interview on Wednesday 31st May 2023.
WSP shall require the person to whom the appointment is offered to take up the appointment as soon as possible.
Waterford Sports Partnership is an Equal Opportunities Employer
Article Modified: May 22, 2023 1:38 pm
