Main Purpose  

To be the strategic lead for the rollout and implementation of a new national network of Sport Welfare Officers (SWO).  You will build and develop trusted relationships across key stakeholders and act as an influential external advocate for the network.  Read more about the SWO network here. 

https://www.activepartnerships.org/services/programmes/sport-welfare-officer-network

Main Relationships   

The Active Partnership National Organisation Board and Team, Local Active Partnerships, especially CEO’s, Sport England (and specifically colleagues responsible for the welfare project), Strategic staff within NGBs, Anne Craft Trust and Child Protection in Sport Unit  and other relevant agencies.   

You will line manage the  National Programme Lead, Sport Welfare Officer Network  

Role  

• Develop and maintain effective relationships across key stakeholders. Be an influential external advocate for the network.  

• Work across Sport England system partners and other wider sector partners to develop and implement a strategic framework to deliver against the set requirement within the Whyte Review Action Plan.  

• Oversee the governance of the investment, be accountable for the delivery of the framework, including overall connectivity across the network.  

• Lead the sector through the journey of the programme. Guide high level discussions and develop understanding with CEOs and other strategic partners. Drive the learning from the Sports Welfare Officers to the sector.   

• Be the strategic lead for the network across safeguarding and welfare. Represent the network and broader safeguarding agenda on relevant groups and committees across the sector, influencing policy and strategies and helping to shape the future landscape.   

• Be the main contact for the evaluation study provider. Support the development of methodology, reporting procedures and tools.  

•  Develop Service Level Agreements, information sharing protocols, policies and procedures e.g. with Active Partnerships/ National Governing Bodies (where appropriate).  

•  Support the development of expertise, learning, ideas, resources and tools.    

• Be the lead for the projects central budget and on any external procurement processes in line with company policy.  

•  Line manage other staff as required. E.g., National Lead, Sport Welfare Network . 

•  Support Active Partnerships with the recruitment and implementation of Sports Welfare Officers .  

•  Lead on ensuring the Active Partnership National Organisation principles are embedded within the implementation of the Sports Welfare network.  

•  Play an essential role in helping to deliver the Active Partnerships National Organisations ambitions and organisations strategy.  

Knowledge  

• Experience of leadership and managing people.

• Experience of developing, managing and implementing complex network wide programmes.   

•  Have knowledge of welfare infrastructure and support both inside and outside sport.  

• Understand the policies/implications and learnings from independent reviews into sport and have an experience of welfare and safeguarding.  

Skills   

• Relationship Management. Demonstrates an ability to work as a trusted partner and build strong, effective, and valued relationships across a wide range of people and organisations at a strategic level.   

•  Be a credible and influential leader who can shape and guide strategic thinking and ways of working to influence continual improvement and development.   

•   Can develop strategic frameworks and appropriate governance procedures, including risk registers, budget management, information sharing protocols.    

•   Can effectively project manage, showing ability to prioritise and set and meet objectives within deadlines and budgetary parameters.   

•   Visibly values and promotes co-design and can bring people together to jointly create innovative ideas and practice. Has strong collaborative leadership skills, with an inclusive and diverse approach to working with people.  

• Is articulate with excellent written, verbal and presentation skills enabling them to effectively communicate at all layers of an organisation.  

  Interviews for this role will be held on Stage 1: 12th October and Stage 2: 19 October.