Background:
Sport Ireland (previously the Irish Sports Council) supported the establishment of Local Sports Partnerships around the country to co-ordinate and to promote the development of sport. The key aims of the Local Sports Partnerships are to increase participation in sport and to ensure that local resources are used to best effect. Sport Ireland sees these partnerships as the best mechanism for delivering recreational sport to the greatest number of people.
The Role of the Senior Sports Officer
The Senior Sports Officer will work to enable the promotion, development and access to sport and physical activity at local level. The Senior Sports Officer, will also have a key role in supporting the LSP operational plan and focusing on the delivery of one or more of the following Strategic Programme Actions:
• Women in Sport.
• Outdoor recreation.
• Communications.
• Innovation Projects.
• Coaching Children & Physical Literacy.
• Youth Leadership.
• European Social Innovation in Sport ‘Sport4Empowerment’ Programme.
• Physical Activity for Health.
• Community Sports & Physical Activity Hubs.
• Volunteer Support.
• Training & Education.
• Additional Strategic Action Objectives as prioritised by Sport Ireland.
The ideal candidate shall have:
• Experience of working within a Sports Development environment.
• Knowledge of current Local Sports Partnership issues and structures.
• Understanding of the role of Senior Sports Officer Experience in accessing and managing funding applications and their delivery.
• Inter-personal skills to involve facilitation among people, sports clubs, NGB’s, schools and communities.
• Experience of working with specific target groups in the developing, delivering and evaluating of programmes and initiatives.
• Awareness of the barriers to participation in sport for females throughout the lifecycle and current policy /measures in place to address these.
• Experience in the development of outdoor sports and infrastructure.
• Relevant administrative experience.
• Experience of managing a team and working as part of a team.
• Experience of preparing reports and correspondence.
• Knowledge and experience of operating ICT systems.
• Have effective written and verbal communication skills.
Post of Senior Sports Officer
Louth County Council is currently inviting applications from suitably qualified persons for the above competition. Louth County Council will, following the interview process, form a panel for the post, from which future relevant vacancies may be filled subject to sanction approval from the Department of
Housing, Local Government and Heritage. This panel will exist for 12 months and may only be extended at the discretion of the Chief Executive.
Essential Criteria
Character
Each candidate shall be of good character.
Health
Each candidate must be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.
Education, Training, Experience
Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms:
• Hold a 3rd level degree qualification (minimum QQI Level 7) in Sports Development, Leisure Management, Adapted Physical Activity, Community Development, Health Promotion or other relevant discipline.
• Have a minimum 3 years’ experience working in a similar Sports Development role i.e. working in communities piloting and developing, project management, facilitating, developing and evaluating sport and physical activity programmes.
Driving License
Each Candidate must have a clean, current class B driving licence.
Recruitment Process
All applications must be completed on the Louth County Council online recruitment portal. Handwritten submissions will not be accepted. When completing the application form, accuracy is essential as the information supplied in the form will play a central part in the selection process.
CLOSING DATE FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS is at 4.30pm on Tuesday 22nd April 2025. Late applications will not be accepted.
For more information, full candidate booklet and how to apply please click here