Community Sports Development Officer (CSDO) will work in a coordinating capacity with all relevant stakeholders to increase and sustain participation opportunities for all population groups within the county under specific programmes of work in a drive to increase participation in sport and physical activity.
The CSDO will foster and encourage a culture of Active Participation, supporting opportunities for and access to sport and physical activity in local communities. They will address barriers to participation and encourage access and increase opportunities for participation by those who experience disadvantage for any reason. The role will cover work in the areas below:

Research & Planning
• Establishing a baseline in the communities chosen for interventions and conducting an audit of local clubs and updating where this has already been completed.
• Implementing Leitrim Sports Partnership’s objectives and reviewing operational plans to enhance participation in sport and physical activity across schools, communities, and sports clubs.

Community Activation
• Consulting and working with local communities to identify the need and demand for new activities.
• Establishing a club sports forum and providing guidance to develop sustainable community sports clubs.
• Tackling local barriers to participation through targeted programmes and initiatives.
• Supporting and maintaining strong links between schools and community sports clubs.

Relationship Building
•Creating and sustaining partnerships with voluntary and public sector partners that support the development and sustainability of sport and physical activity within the county.
•Building and maintaining strong relationships with National Governing Bodies of Sport in the county to expand sport and physical activity opportunities.
• Working with smaller National Governing Bodies that do not currently have development officers to increase opportunities for participation.
•Collaborating with the Leitrim Sports Partnership team to support and enhance clubs/sessions, increasing participation opportunities at all levels in sport and physical activity.
•Building positive relationships with service providers and community organisations within the county to heighten awareness of sport and physical activity opportunities.

Financial Management
• Establishing a financial monitoring template for the operational budget.
•Overseeing use of budgets and monthly income and expenditure for all funded projects.

Facilitation
• Supporting the ongoing rollout of Sport Ireland’s investment, including Dormant Accounts Funded projects.
• Coordinating and facilitating training and development opportunities

Evaluation
• Implementing a monitoring and evaluation framework for all projects.

Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms:
•Have at least 2 years’ experience of working in a similar role i.e. working in communities piloting and developing, project management, facilitating and delivering sport and physical activity programmes
•Have experience of working with sports clubs, community groups and/or young people in a community setting
•Have experience in planning, co-ordinating and delivering sustainable sporting and recreational programmes
•Candidates must hold a clean, current Class B Driving Licence and will be required to have access to his/her own vehicle/transport (Copy of Driving Licence must be submitted with your application).

A third level degree or professional qualification in a relevant discipline (Sports Development, Leisure Management, Adapted Physical Activity, Community Development, Health Promotion etc.) is desirable but not essential.