Carlow County Council invite applications for the permanent post of Sports Partnership Programme Manager.

The Role of the Sports Partnership Programme Manager
Sport Ireland (previously the Irish Sports Council) supported the establishment of Local Sports Partnerships around the country to co-ordinate and to promote the development of sport. The key aims of the Local Sports Partnerships are to increase participation in sport and to ensure that local resources are used to best effect. Sport Ireland sees these partnerships as the best mechanism for delivering recreational sport to the greatest number of people.  
 
Sport Ireland and its network of Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs) is committed to the equal treatment of all people when it comes to their participation in sport. In addition to the Sport Ireland Statement of Strategy (2018-2022), the following national policies and plans set out the overarching framework under which sports participation is underpinned: 

• The National Sports Policy 2018-2027 recognises the important contribution sport makes to Ireland and the key roles played by the National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs), the Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs) and the representative sporting organisations in the delivery of that contribution. 
• The National Physical Activity Plan aims to increase physical activity levels across the whole population. It aims to create a society which facilitates people whether at home at work or at play to lead an active way of life.  

• Assist with the development, delivery, and reporting of the LSP’s Strategy & Annual Operation Plan.
• Assist with the continual compliance of the organisation to the Governance Code for Sport.
• 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. 

• 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.

• 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. 

• 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.

Education, Training and Experience
Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms:  

1. Hold a relevant third level Degree.
2. Have a minimum of two years Management experience.
3. Coupled with two years' relevant experience, in the areas of sport, social or community development or working in the sport, health or community sectors in a developmental and supportive capacity either in a paid or voluntary capacity.
4. Experience of the community and voluntary sector, good understanding of programme monitoring and evaluation.
5. Experience of working in a project team.

• Strong IT, administrative and organisational skills. 
• Ability to monitor and evaluate work and write reports.
• Excellent communication, 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, identify staff learning and training needs.
• Understand research and evaluation methods.
• Understand the public sector and local government environment.
• 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, among hard-to-reach groups in local communities.
• A commitment to on-going training and development.
• A self-motivated approach to work.