Project Officer - disABILITY
Saracens Foundation
The Foundation has for the last 20 years worked tirelessly to support the local communities across the Hertfordshire and North London areas by changing lives through the power of sport.
- Posted
- 11 May 2023
- Status
- Full Time
- Location
- England
- Closing date
- 9 Jun 2023
Saracens Foundation are seeking to employ a Project Officer to join our Inclusion Foundation team. The Foundation has for the last 20 years worked tirelessly to support the local communities across the Hertfordshire and North London areas by changing lives through the power of sport. The charity runs over 30 programmes which service the needs of individuals from the age range of primary school all the way through to the over 50’s, to those with impairments (both physical and non physical) to those in the criminal justice system.
Project Officers are responsible for leading the design, delivery, and coordination of sport for change projects across North London and Hertfordshire. You will be leading projects in our disABILITY area, providing young people and adults with learning difficulties and/or physical disabilities access to physical activity, education and employability opportunities. Our disABILITY Hub consists of a variety of weekly sports sessions together with offering parent respite services. We also deliver education and employability courses and work in partnership with key stakeholders to develop sustainable exit routes for participants. The projects focus on a holistic approach, tailoring delivery to meet the individual needs of the participants. Our mission is to integrate people with disabilities into their local communities, tackling discrimination and changing perceptions.
You will be ‘hands-on’, developing, leading, and delivering against the operational and Foundation targets set out within the Foundation strategy. You will manage a project to create and deliver industry leading charitable activities.
You will work closely with the other Project Officers to ensure that the Foundations projects are being coordinated in a way that generates cross-project working and reduces the risk of projects operating in silos.
This a full-time position, based at StoneX Stadium with a hybrid/flexible working pattern which will include a mix of working on site and at various delivery locations.
Saracens is an inclusive, people first organisation. A core part of achieving our mission is that our workforce is diverse and reflective of the community that we serve. There will be no discrimination in our recruitment and selection processes, nor when considering pay and benefits. We encourage people from all backgrounds to apply for the position and join us on our mission to enrich lives through sport and entertainment. (You can read more about diversity and inclusion here).
If you are a proactive, innovative, and results-driven individual with a passion for social impact, we would love to hear from you.
What you'll be doing
- Assists in the development of creative ideas to improve projects, engage beneficiaries, and provide the greatest impact on people and communities.
- Project Officers support and lead in the design, delivery and coordination of projects, including budgeting and administration.
- Ensures that work produced meets all objectives set, is done by the agreed time to the highest standard and achieves the best possible outcome for the Foundation.
- Coordinate and manage casual staff to ensure high quality and safe delivery that exceeds expectations
You should apply if
Skills
- Ability to deliver inspiring and engaging sessions to groups with disabilities, both with learning difficulties and physical disabilities
- Ability to be an advocate for people with disabilities
- You are a creative problem solver who can identify and implement improvements to projects
- A ‘people person’ with excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build strong internal and external relationships
- Good communicator and facilitator with excellent presentation skills including ICT capability
- Able to multi task and manage workload effectively
- Excellent ability to build stakeholder relationships both internally and externally
Experience
- Experience of working with people with disabilities, particularly those with autism
- Sports coaching qualifications (or Level 2 equivalent leadership qualification)
- Disability specific qualifications
- Knowledge and understanding of the potential pathways for positive progression for people with disabilities
- Understanding the barriers faced to participation in sport
- Experience of working alongside an elite sports foundation that sits alongside an elite sports club (desirable but not essential)
- Knowledge of regional and national programmes and the landscape of sports development (desirable but not essential)
- You have excellent written and verbal communication skills (attention to detail is essential)
- Experience or knowledge for working in a sport for change landscape (desirable but not essential)
- Understand the current challenges faced by organisations in the charity sector
- Experience of successfully applying for funding and being aware of process
Personal Characteristics
- You have a relentless focus and are a great team player who has a good sense of humour
- You thrive in and promote a culture of hard work, discipline, honesty, and humility to deliver results
- You manage projects, activities, and resources effectively, assuming personal ownership and accountability for results
- Proven ability to challenge and influence others
- Report writing and presentation experience
- Assertive, yet calm and works well under pressure
- An ambassador for sport for change
- Perception and awareness of when things may work
- Good understanding of the secondary and primary education sector
- Have a strong behaviour and pastoral manner with the ability to remain composed in situations of crisis
- You instil continuous improvement mind-set and champion best practices
Benefits
- Compensation
- Your manager reviews your salary annually. However, proactive pay increases will be implemented to reflect growing responsibilities
- Holiday
- Up to 25 days’ holiday a year, plus bank holidays - please use them all!
- Health & Wellbeing
- Paid sick leave for both physical & mental health
- Sports & Entertainment
- After work events including PT, football and tag rugby
- Ballot tickets for Saracens Home Games
- Ballot tickets for International Rugby Games
- Opportunities for discounted tickets to Saracens games and events for you and your family
Family - Enhanced paid maternity, paternity, adoption or shared parental leave, if you’ve been with us for at least 26 weeks
- Life Assurance with Zurich
- Commuting
- We’re a member of the cycle-to-work scheme
How to Apply
Please click “Apply Now” to your CV and a covering letter explaining your interest and suitability for the role. Candidates should have a valid driver’s licence and access to a car as the role will involve travelling to multiple locations for delivery of project. Applications should be sent to Sangita Asani, People Business Partner.