Disability Football Ambassador in London

Job purpose(s): Support grassroots football clubs to apply their learnings from the Disability Training for Clubs to create their own Disability Football Game Plan; creating more accessible opportunities for disabled people to participate in football.

Location: Remote - London and Home Counties

Working hours: 50 hours contract. Hours of work will vary and may include evenings and weekends.

Contract type: Casual Worker

Responsibilities:

• Attend the ‘Disability Training for Clubs: Journey to Inclusion - Train the Trainer’; scheduled on 22 September (Select Car Leasing Stadium, Reading, RG2 0FL).
• Engage with selected England Football Accredited clubs following their completion of the Disability Training for Clubs, to support in the creation of a bespoke disability game plan which will outline new club-based opportunities for disabled people which may include new playing provisions, coaching opportunities and/or volunteering roles.
• Drive engagement at every level of the clubs to maximise and sustain these opportunities for disabled people.
• Support clubs to build and sustain relationships with relevant local partners such as charitable organisations, disability support groups, educational establishments, alongside other key partners to promote the new opportunities.
• Help clubs access relevant support including funding and coach development opportunities with support from the County FA.
• Collaborate with County FA staff, national FA staff, disability football coach mentors, external partners, and wider members of the grassroots delivery team workforce.
• Maintain records of the support being provided to grassroots clubs with the aim of providing clarity on work programmes, development opportunities and sharing of good practice.
• Contribute to ensuring that safeguarding and equality are embedded throughout the Amateur Football Alliance and grassroots football.

Person specification

Experience - Essential:

• Can demonstrate success in developing disability grassroots football opportunities and/or an experienced sports development professional.
• Experience of facilitating and engaging with volunteers and external stakeholders.

Experience - Desirable:

• Experience of volunteering within a grassroots football club as a committee member.
• Experience of mentoring others.
• Experience of accessing external funding.
• Experience of coaching disability football.

Knowledge, skills and behaviours - Essential:

• Ability to build trust and develop effective working relationships.
• Ability to deliver practical support sessions to a range of volunteers.
• Understanding of how grassroots clubs can operate.
• An advocate for disability football with an understanding of the challenges and barriers that both players and volunteers can face.
• Commitment to attend additional training provided as part of this programme.
• Proficient IT skills in Microsoft Office with experience in organising and leading virtual meetings.
• Outstanding communication and presentation skills, alongside exceptional customer service.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent time management and prioritisation skills.
• Flexible in approach with willingness to work evenings and weekends, as well as travel across the County.

Knowledge, skills and behaviours - Desirable:

• Knowledge of The FA’s Game Plan for Disability Football: Football Without Limits.
• Knowledge of the England Football Accreditation framework and the existing support and resources available to Accredited clubs.
• Knowledge of The FA's technology systems, particularly the Book Football platform.

Enhanced DBS Check required? YES

Clean, full driving licence? NO

The job holder will be expected to understand and work in accordance with the values and behaviours described below:

• We Deliver - The very best outcome achieved by sustained excellence in performance:
• Seeks to achieve the highest levels of performance at all times.
• Can be persistent to achieve a standard that others consider impossible.
• Challenges others to go further and achieve more.
• We are Always Respectful - Sets the standards for respectful behaviour across the game:
• Maintains people’s self-esteem when interacting with them.
• Avoids pre-judgement when listening to suggestions from others.
• Seizes the opportunity to apply Amateur FA standards at all times.
• We are a Team - Tenacious and accountable. Serving the whole game and doing the right thing:
• Works relentlessly to overcome roadblocks or obstacles to achieve the goal.
• Remains focused on seeing agreed goals through to completion taking pride in their work.
• Maintains motivation for their team and themselves.