Role: HITZ Project Officer
Salary: £18,000 - £22,000 (Dependent on experience)
Contract: Three-Year Fixed Contract (subject to programme funding)
Probation Period: Six Months
Review Period: Annually
Reports to: HITZ Project Manager/ Community Manager
Closing date: Friday 11th April
Interview date: Friday 25th April
About London Wasps:
"At London Wasps we recognise the importance of our Community Programmes and the responsibility that we have as professional players and staff to be positive role models and ambassadors for our sport and our club. We are delighted that our projects reach so many young people and adults from all backgrounds in our community. It is important that we continue to generate new interest in rugby participation and sustainable support for London Wasps."
David Young Director of Rugby, London Wasps
Our commitment to the community is a long-term project, working with partners, and focusing on forging and developing strong relationships. We take pride in delivering quality rugby and lifestyle programmes; supporting grass roots development in primary schools, secondary schools, Further Education and local rugby clubs and in the communities in which we work.
Our aim is to make London Wasps accessible to young people from all backgrounds by establishing links in the community through all of our programmes.
We are an English professional rugby union team. The men's first team, which forms London Wasps, was derived from Wasps Football Club who were formed in 1867 at the now defunct Eton and Middlesex Tavern in North London, at the turn of professionalism in 1995. We play at Adams Park Stadium, which is located in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.
We have won at least one of each of the major European competitions or knock-out tournaments in the past decade. The team competes in the English club competition, the Aviva Premiership, the Anglo-Welsh competition the LV= Cup and the European knock-out competition, the Amlin Challenge Cup.
We won the Heineken Cup in 2003–04 and 2006–07, the Anglo-Welsh Cup in 1999, 2000 and 2006 and the Premiership in 1990, 1997, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2008.
HITZ Project Officer:
We are looking for an enthusiastic and inspiring team player who has proven ability to plan, deliver and evaluate high quality rugby and educational activities. You will combine your passion for rugby and sport with strong organisational, communication and administrative skills. As well as being a strong rugby coach, you will also have the ability to engage positively and build relationships with challenging young people, motivating them to undertake a study programme and additional courses. You will also be expected to be able to communicate with a wide range of strategic partners.
The position will be based in Ealing / Hounslow with regular management meetings at the Community Team offices in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. Due to the nature of the job some evening and weekend work will be required. Applicants must hold a valid clean driving license and have access to a suitable vehicle.
Key Responsibilities
· To develop, in conjunction with the Project Manager/Community Rugby Manager, a suitable social inclusion/educational rugby programme for London Wasps.
· To organise, set up, lead and coordinate rugby sessions at identified venues, coordinating competitions and other events as appropriate. All activities should be appropriate to the needs of the target audience and be line with the HITZ strategic aims.
· To work in partnership with a training provider to guide young people through a set programme of educational outcomes
· To be responsible for high quality delivery of community and social inclusion sessions as agreed in the programme
· To keep accurate monitoring records for all sessions, rugby and educational and contribute to the gathering and analysis of evaluation information for activities.
· To work in partnership with all local youth providers, local agencies and other partners to recruit and support ongoing participation and achievement by young people.
· To identify, recruit and direct young people onto relevant training and volunteering opportunities with identified partners.
· To work closely with a cohort of young people to progress them through simple engagement sessions and through to achieving academic outcomes through the learning provider
· To liaise with local funding agencies to ensure growth and sustainability of the programme.
· To maximise opportunities to raise awareness amongst the target audiences/boroughs of rugby/educational activities and encourage their participation.
· To oversee any appropriate budgets ensuring spend is within budget and raising any overspend issues with the Community Rugby Manager at an early stage
· To update the monitoring and evaluation system to a high standard (training provided)
· To identify and follow up potential opportunities to develop activities in line with the strategic development of the HITZ programme.
Person Specification
Essential
· A passion for sport and an understanding of wider issues related to sport, health and education
· Minimum UKCC 1st 4 Sport Level Two Coaching The 15-a-Side Game of Rugby Football Union award (previously RFU Level Two Coaching Award)
· Current Disclosure & Barring Service (Criminal Records Bureau Check) Enhanced Disclosure Certificate
· Experience of coaching within a range of environments
· Good understanding of the sports networks and the strategy
· Detailed knowledge of current coaching and training processes and how to adapt and target participants according to ability
· An enthusiastic and committed individual who will ‘go the extra mile’ to deliver results
· Good organisation and time management skills
· Excellent communication and motivation skills
· Valid clean driving licence and access to a suitable vehicle
· Willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends
· An ability to inspire others
Desirable
§ Other NGB Level 1/Level 2 qualifications
§ Degree qualified –strong academic record
§ RFU Play it Safe (preferred) or equivalent NSPCC accredited course with a suitable provider (e.g. Sports Coach UK Safeguarding and Protecting Children).
§ SCUK Equity in your Coaching
§ SCUK How to coach disabled people in your sport
§ Appointed person first aid course.
§ Sporting Background
§ Experience coaching with a range of age groups, demographics and abilities
§ Experience of working in a youth work setting
§ Experience of working within and educational environment
§ Experience of working with a wide variety of partners and stakeholders; including sports clubs and national governing bodies
Please send a CV and covering letter detailing relevant experience and why you are suitable for the job to: Community Manager – Dave Larham detailing the position you are applying for in the subject header.