Outdoor Activation Officer in Leeds

Get Set Leeds Project (Sport England Place-based Working) — As an Outdoor Activation Officer, you’ll thrive on working with those that are less active, managing co-produced projects and exploring innovative ideas, turning them into practical solutions.

Location: John Charles Centre for Sport, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS11 5DJ

Organisation: Leeds City Council Active Leeds

Hours: Full Time

Contract: Fixed term 2-year contract (up to March 2028); secondment opportunity would be considered with line manager approval

About the role: The Outdoor Activation role will become part of a team that work with local residents in priority wards, focusing on where health inequalities are the greatest to build capacity and capabilities. The postholder will work in collaboration with residents, locally trusted organisations, and regional and national partners to overcome barriers preventing access and use in outdoor spaces. You will lead on the delivery and development of outdoor activities creating more opportunities to increase physical activity levels. Fundamental to this role is the Get Set Leeds ways of working – building trusted long‑term relationships, having shared co‑production principles, being visible and connected to a place; actively listening and engaging with communities, and harnessing community voice to bring about change. The Officer will be insight driven and contribute to the effective monitoring and evaluation of the overall Project (based on local evaluation priorities and Sport England's national evaluation and learning process). This will include contributing to the evidence base of how being active / engagement in sport and physical activity can contribute to wider outcomes such health, economic and social benefits.

About you:

• Experience & knowledge of working in sports and community development or Active Travel
• Experience of organising multiple community development programmes and events
• Experience of working with disadvantaged communities and those underrepresented in sport and physical activity.
• Ability to organise, promote and market activities / programmes

Benefits:

• A competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• Membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
• A clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
• A range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

Job purpose: Working as part of a team, you will contribute to Get Set Leeds project as part of our Sport England Place Based working. The Get Set Leeds project forms one of the priorities of the Physical Activity Ambition: “Leeds is a place where everyone moves more every day” and feeds into the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth, Strong Communities and Sustainable City. You will lead on activating, facilitating and coordinating activities in outdoor spaces in priority communities. You will engage, motivate and support people accessing outdoor spaces by contributing to how they move, connect, think and feel in outdoor spaces. You will work with a wide range of partners in the community, regionally and nationally to enhance the delivery of activities in priority places. Working in partnership with teams and individuals from health; climate, energy and greenspaces; active travel; community and third sector to ensure sustainability in models of delivery.

Responsibilities:

• To lead the delivery and development of outdoor activities in the Get Set Leeds priority communities.
• This could include both working with and commissioning Third Sector and/or regional and national partners.
• To contribute to increase the number of residents in priority areas moving more
• To maintain regular contact with participants and groups to support completion of relevant evaluation as required
• To map the offers in each community and promote existing opportunities.
• To promote safe, inclusive and positive experiences for children and young people, women and girls and other underserved communities
• To provide effective mechanisms to assess needs in local communities and to co‑ordinate opportunities for participation and sustainable community development
• To investigate other external funding opportunities to assist organisations and groups in developing sustainable outdoor activity opportunities within local communities.
• To identify the issues preventing access to outdoor opportunities within communities and develop ways to overcome them.
• Contributing to evaluation and learning.
• Collecting/ gathering insights to ensure that programmes are having a positive impact.
• To share learning and insight with partners and stakeholders
• Commit to attending training and development about Evaluation & Learning (E&L) and contribute to E&L workshops and partnerships
• To develop communication opportunities, including ward members, Community Committees, voluntary and statutory agencies, community groups and individuals.
• To assist with the creation and support of innovative and imaginative projects to encourage local communities to actively engage in outdoor active opportunities.
• To help to address issues of social inclusion, integration, and inequality of opportunity within local communities through opportunities within active recreation.
• To identify and support community training needs and volunteer development.
• To direct and monitor the work of project workers, and outdoor activity providers and volunteers
• To effectively manage appropriate budgets in accordance with Leeds City Council's Financial Regulations.
• To undertake any other duties which may be assigned from time to time and that are commensurate with the grade of the post.
• To undertake the accountabilities of the post in accordance with council policies including the Equal Opportunities and Health & Safety policies.

Essential requirements:

• Experience & knowledge of working in sports and community development or Active Travel
• Experience of organising multiple community development programmes and events
• Experience of liaison with public, private, and voluntary organisations / agencies
• Experience of working with health, community groups and charities
• Experience of managing and motivating staff
• Experience of event organisation
• Experience of marketing and promotion
• Experience & knowledge of leading and project managing programmes
• Experience of working with disadvantaged communities and those underrepresented in sport and physical activity.
• Knowledge of the priority neighbourhoods
• Experience of working with children, young people, and families.
• Knowledge of local and national development initiatives
• Knowledge of funding initiatives relative to sport, physical activity and active travel
• Knowledge of the benefits of participation in sport, physical activity, and active recreation
• Knowledge of IT software applications
• Able to communicate effectively with a wide range of organisations
• Able to work to tight budgets
• Ability to organise, promote and market activities / programmes
• Ability to work at a strategic level
• Able to meet tight deadlines for complex projects
• Able to work as part of a team and on your own initiative including identifying needs and resolving problems with practical solutions
• Able to produce and implement development plans and work programmes
• Able to have good inter- and intra-personal skills that transmit energy, commitment, and passion for improving health outcomes for communities
• Able to work with partners and develop relationships.

Essential behavioural & other characteristics:

• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth, Strong Communities and Sustainable City.
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee's responsibility under Health, Safety and Wellbeing
• Willingness to actively participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up, to date knowledge and skills.
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity of Leeds City Council.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person
• The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.
• Willing to work evenings and weekends
• Must be able to work anywhere within the city boundary.

Desirable requirements:

• Experience of working at a strategic level
• Experience of developing innovative partnerships with regional and local bodies
• Experience of preparing funding applications
• Able to prepare and present reports
• Able to conduct research programmes and capture and interpret detailed monitoring and evaluation data

EEO Statement: We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

Right to work: If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Please ensure you are eligible before applying.