In partnership with: NORTHUMBERLAND FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION LIMITED
NORTHUMBERLAND FA RECRUITMENT PACK
FACILITIES AND INVESTMENT OFFICER
WWW.NORTHUMBERLANDFA.COM
@NORTHUMFA
@NORTHUMBERLANDFA
WELCOME TO NORTHUMBERLAND FA
ABOUT US Northumberland FA is the governing body for grassroots football in Northumberland, Newcastle and North Tyneside. We are is committed to using the power of football to inspire, unite and create opportunities for all. These are exciting times for County FA as we have as we embark on our new grassroots football strategy for the next three years from July 2021. The successful candidate for this role will be instrumental in helping the County FA to deliver this. You can find out more about Northumberland FA and the work we do on our website at www.northumberlandfa.com
OUR FACILITIES PROVISION This is a great time to join us here at Northumberland FA. We play a vital role in developing and improving grassroots football facilities across our local area, working in partnership with our local authorities, The FA, the Football Foundation and of course our clubs. Since 2000 we have secured over £31.4m to improve playing facilities for our grassroots community. The National Football Facilities Strategy sets out the Football Foundation’s ambition to transform England’s grassroots game over the next ten years. The Premier League, The FA and Government aim to deliver thousands of new pitches, while also investing in the improvement of existing grass pitches and off-pitch facilities across the country. It aims to provide over the next 10 years: 20,000 improved grass pitches 1,000 3G facilities 1,000 new pavilions The Government has recently provided an additional funding as part of its 'Levelling Up' strategy which allows us an unprecedented opportunity to deliver projects that have been identified in our own Local Football Facilities Plans. The role of Facilities and Investment Officer will be key to this work.
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ROLE PROFILE Facilities and Investment Officer Job Title: Facilities and Investment Officer Location: Whitley Park, Whitley Road, Benton, Newcastle NE12 9FA Closing Date: 17:00 on Sunday 24 July 2022 Contract Type: Full time fixed contract until 30 June 2025 (extension dependant on funding) Hours: 37.5 hours per week Salary: £25,000 per annum Start Date: Must be able to commence role no later than 19 September 2022 Reports to: Head of Business Development
The Role: Northumberland FA is looking for an engaging personality to work with key partners across Northumberland, North Tyneside & Newcastle upon Tyne to deliver high standard facilities to serve grassroots football in this region. This role is joint funded by Newcastle City Council, North Tyneside Council and Northumberland County Council.
Job Purpose: • To support delivery of The FA National Game Strategy and the Northumberland FA Business Strategy • To ensure that every affiliated football fixture is played on a ‘good’ quality pitch • To identify and activate priority projects for Football Foundation investment via Local Football Facility Plans • To protect existing football facilities from planning applications • To contribute to the effective implementation of The FA’s Safeguarding Operating Standard for County FAs • To support the adoption of FA technology systems across grassroots football • To comply with FA rules, regulations, policies, procedures and guidance that are in place from time to time.
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Responsibilities: • Deliver all activities that ensure every affiliated football fixture is played on a ‘good’ quality pitch • Track the quantity and quality of football pitches and ground locations for affiliated fixtures • Ensure that the outcomes of each facility project are aligned to the Football Foundation measurement framework and the FA’s National Game Strategy. • Ensure that each local authority area has a robust Local Football Facility Plan in place to identify priority projects for potential investment • Activate priority projects from Local Football Facility Plans to generate enough demand and deliver against Football Foundation spend targets • Understand and deliver ‘matched funding’ requirements to help activate projects county-wide • Deliver support days to provide guidance to each Football Foundation applicant and ensure progress • Deliver support days to monitor and evaluate previously funded Football Foundation projects and provide guidance to ensure they are successful • Contribute to the development of Local Authority Playing Pitch Strategies and provide responses to planning applications affecting football facilities • Collaborate with The FA, Football Foundation, Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) and Sport England • Develop collaborative working partnerships with local authorities, clubs, leagues, schools and other facility providers • Provide the highest level of customer excellence to support volunteers across all FA Technology systems (FA Learning, FA Events, Whole Game System, Matchday app and Full-Time) • Support the Northumberland FA with any HQ or hub site facility development projects in conjunction with the Football Foundation and The FA • Promote The FA technical guidance documents to local authorities, clubs, leagues, schools and other facility providers • Collaborate with the Designated Safeguarding Officer in all matters involving under-18s and adults at risk within all facility and investment projects • Ensure contract agreements are in place with all contractors (facility hire, consultants etc.) and that these outline the requisite safeguarding responsibilities and accountabilities for all parties • Contribute to ensuring that safeguarding and equality are embedded throughout the Northumberland FA and grassroots football • Execute additional tasks as required to meet Northumberland FA changing priorities.
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WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR? Qualifications: Essential • A degree level qualification or two years’ sports development experience.
Desirable • A qualification in facility development • A project management qualification
Skills: Essential • Strategic thinking and planning skills • Self-motivated with excellent leadership skills and ability to build trust-based relationships • Excellent internal and external stakeholder relations and customer service skills • Ability to work strategically with partner organisations across different sectors to plan and deliver football programmes • Project management skills and experience – to plan, set and achieve objectives within deadlines • Exceptional communication, interpersonal and influencing skills • Effective report-writing and presentation skills • Effective prioritisation and time management skills • Excellent IT skills, including the use of Microsoft Office applications • Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills • Ability to use data to monitor and evaluate programmes Desirable • Ability to coach, develop and manage the performance of staff • Budget management skills
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Knowledge and experience: Essential • Knowledge of and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. • Knowledge of the Safeguarding Operating Standard. • Experience in the football community and a passion for football. • Experience of monitoring and evaluation of programmes. • Knowledge of good people management practice. • Experience of developing facilities. Enhanced DBS Check required? YES Clean, full driving Licence? YES Access to own vehicle and ability to insure it for business use: YES
Desirable • Knowledge of funding sources to support capital projects. • Experience of project management. • Experience of utilising mapping programmes to support strategic and logistical planning. • Knowledge and understanding of The FA’s National Game Strategy and how the County FA business plans support its delivery. • Knowledge of the Football Foundation, Local Football Facility Plans and local planning authorities. • Knowledge and understanding of working with volunteers. • Knowledge of how the County FA operates in partnership with The FA.
The job holder will be expected to understand and work in accordance with the values and behaviours described below: Accountable • Communicates consistently and effectively • Maintains accountability for their area of work within the business, the delivery of agreed targets and actions • Maintains a detailed knowledge of their area of work and seeks to understand others areas of work • Communicates consistently and effectively Professional • Uses supportive body language with colleagues and customers (eye contact, open body position…) • Demonstrates enthusiasm towards work tasks, colleagues and stakeholders • Leads by example and sets a personal example to others at all times through their own behaviour and standards e.g. is an effective role model Respectful • Maintains people’s self-esteem when interacting with them; • Avoids pre-judgment when listening to suggestions from others; • Seizes the opportunity to apply company standards at all times. • Demonstrates an awareness of self and how this may impact upon others Teamwork • Positively shares and receives ideas; • Identifies who they need to collaborate with to ensure success; • Initiates and sets up opportunities to collaborate widely; • Proactively steps in and shows support for colleagues. Page 5 | Recruitment Pack
HOW TO APPLY Safeguarding: Northumberland FA is committed to safeguarding children and adults at risk. Due to the nature of this role, the successful candidate will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check through The FA DBS process. The possession of a criminal record will not necessarily prevent an applicant from obtaining this post, as all cases are judged individually according to the nature of the role and the information provided.
What we can offer: • A great start to your career in football with the local governing body of the grassroots game here in the heart of the County. • Opportunities to progress your career across the County FA Network throughout England and at The FA. • Access to high-quality training, networking, and personal development opportunities. • A varied and exciting working life, where you’ll learn about all aspects of grassroots football. • Holiday entitlement outside of bank holidays and the festive period. • Full staff NIKE kit. • Enrolment in a pension scheme with • Flexible working and home working available • Access to an employee’s assistance programme (EAP) • Professional development budget
Equality and Diversity: Northumberland FA promotes inclusion and diversity and welcomes applications from everyone. If you have any requirements in relation to the recruitment or interview process, please include details on the application form. About the application and selection process: • Complete the Application Form found here and return no later than 17:00 on Sunday 24 July 2022. Applications received after deadline will only be considered in exceptional circumstances e.g. proof of posting indicates undue delay through no fault of the applicant. • Receipt of applications will not be acknowledged. • Shortlisted applicants will be contacted by Wednesday 27 July 2022 to arrange a mutually convenient interview time. • Interviews will be held on Thursday 04 August 2022 and Friday 05 August 2022; we will attempt to accommodate any requests. • If required, second interviews may be held to determine the most suitable candidate for the role. • To meet contracted training requirements, the successful candidate must be able to start employment no later than 19 September 2022. Application Documents: • Application Form • Role Profile and Person Specification • Equality & Diversity Monitoring Form
Contact: If you have any questions about the role, please contact Helen Beales (Head of Business Development) for an informal discussion on 07458 043680 or email Helen.Beales@NorthumberlandFA.com
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OUR VALUES Our values underpin our work and sum up what Northumberland FA stands for. The job holder will be expected to understand and work in accordance with the values and behaviours described below:
ACCOUNTABLE Each of us is responsible for our words, our actions, and our results
PROFESSIONAL We maintain the highest standards, in everything we do and achieve, even when we fail
RESPECT We value everyone and treat people with dignity
TEAMWORK We achieve more when we collaborate and all work together
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