Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership (SSRP) invites applications for the following position:
WALKING FOR ALL OFFICER
(THREE YEAR FIXED TERM FIXED PURPOSE CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT)
Walking For All is a project supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). Locally, the project is co-ordinated by SSRP with the support of lead partner Outscape.
This is a unique and exciting opportunity to lead the delivery of a Walking For All programme, a strategically important, volunteer-led walking participation programme developed to improve health, wellbeing, and social inclusion within local communities across County Sligo.
Job and Person Specification can be downloaded from the SSRP website at www.sligosportandrecreation.ie
Please send Cover Letter and Curriculum Vitae to : info@sligosportandrecreation.ie
Closing date for receipt of applications is 12 noon Wednesday 5th November 2025.
Short-listing of candidates may apply. The post is subject to Garda Vetting. Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
For all information see our website www.sligosportandrecreation.ie email info@sligosportandrecreation.ie or phone 071 9161511.
Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership, in collaboration with Outscape, invites applications for the position of Walking For All Officer.
Walking For All is a project supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).
This is a unique and exciting opportunity to lead the delivery of a Walking For All programme, a strategically important, volunteer-led walking participation programme developed to improve health, wellbeing, and social inclusion within local communities across Sligo.
The successful candidate will be responsible for the overall management of the Walking For All project including administrative and financial management. The candidate will play a central role in developing, co-ordinating, and sustaining regular volunteer-led walks in towns, villages, and rural areas throughout the county and meet the key objectives of the Walking For All programme.
Key responsibilities include the recruitment, training, and ongoing support of Volunteer Walk Leaders, with the aim of increasing community participation in walking and promoting greater social cohesion.
Background
Walking For All is a project supported by PEACEPLUS (€7,536,957), a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body, (SEUPB), under the Rural Regeneration and Social Inclusion Investment Area, through the PEACEPLUS Healthy and Inclusive Communities theme.
PEACEPLUS is a cross-border funding Programme designed to support peace and prosperity across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland.
The programme aims to create healthier rural communities by encouraging participation in walking through organised, volunteer-led walks. These short walks, guided by trained volunteers, will be held in local community spaces and will also aim to bring diverse communities together, fostering acceptance and respect for difference.
About Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership
Sport Ireland through its network of Local Sports Partnership supports people of all abilities to get active and remove barriers to participating in sport and physical activity. The national network is made up of 29 Local Sports Partnerships who are passionate about getting more people physically active.
Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership was established in 2001 to co-ordinate the development of sport and physical activity in County Sligo with main objectives:
•To increase participation rates in sport and physical activity in the County, especially by those most marginalised sectors in society
•The provision of high-quality training, education and leadership programmes which support capacity building
•To provide information on sport and physical activity opportunities across County Sligo
About Outscape
Outscape is a not-for-profit organisation working across the island of Ireland. Their aim is to make it easier for people to responsibly enjoy the outdoors by:
•Advocating for the integration of outdoor recreation into government policies and strategies
•Developing frameworks, strategies, and plans at landscape, regional, and national levels
•Planning and creating high-quality trails and green spaces for a wide range of stakeholders offering sector training, increasing awareness of outdoor opportunities, and implementing participation programmes.
Job Description
Responsible for the overall management of the Walking For All project including administrative and financial management. To develop, co-ordinate, build community capacity and sustain regular volunteer-led walks in towns, villages and rural communities throughout the County, through the recruitment, training and support of Volunteer Walk Leaders to, in turn, increase the number of people walking and meet the objectives of the Walking for All programme.
Walking For All aims to create healthier rural communities by encouraging participation in walking. Walking For All is a project supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).
Post: Walking for All Officer
Location: Based out of SSRP offices Sligo Town (or any other location that may be required during your employment), however, it is expected that a significant proportion of postholder’s time each week will be spent co-ordinating the programme on the ground across the County
Duration: 36-month contract (January 2026 – end of December 2028), subject to satisfactory completion of a 6-month probationary period
Hours: 35 hours per week
By its nature the post will require some flexible working, for example, work outside normal office hours, including evenings and weekends as required.
Annual Leave: 26 days per annum
Salary & Benefits: The salary commences at Grade 4 Point 1 of the public sector scale.
Travel expenses will be reimbursed where appropriate.
Reports to: Line management: Chief Executive Officer in SSRP
Performance management: Regional Manager, Outscape, in collaboration with CEO in SSRP
Application: Please apply by emailing a COVER LETTER and CV to info@sligosportandrecreation.ie by 12 noon Wednesday 5th November 2025. Interviews: Those shortlisted will be invited to attend for interview on Tues 18th November 2025. Interviews will be held in person and at a Sligo Town venue
Job purpose
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Volunteer Recruitment
•Proactively engage with communities to identify potential Volunteer Walk Leaders in towns, villages and rural communities across the County. Engagement will include travelling to and meeting with a wide range of groups in the local community such as community groups, sports clubs, groups for people with a disability, mother and toddlers’ groups, Age Friendly clubs, Men’s Sheds, new communities etc.
•Engage with potential volunteers to explain the responsibilities, expectations and benefits of the role of Volunteer Walk Leader and recruit potential leaders.
Volunteer Training
•Plan and co-ordinate a series of one-day Walking For All training courses for Volunteer Walk Leaders including venue, materials, walking route
•Deliver one-day training courses to new Volunteer Walk Leaders
•Organise and deliver additional training to the Volunteer Walk Leaders as appropriate
Volunteer Support & Retention
•Implement a strong support system for all new Volunteer Walk Leaders, including accompanying them on initial led walks to build their confidence and ensure quality control
•Put in place measures to support, motivate and retain Volunteer Walk Leaders (so that they maintain a weekly regular walk as a minimum) including regular and high levels of contact
•Encourage Volunteer Walk Leaders in your area to attend the annual Volunteer Walk Leader Celebration Event to recognise and reward Volunteer Walk
Leaders for their contribution to Walking For All
•Plan, co-ordinate and host an annual Walking Celebration Event specific to the County for the Volunteers and walkers to celebrate their achievements and walking
•Roll out the incentive programme to all qualifying Volunteer Walk Leaders
Twinning
•For established walking groups, pair up (twin) groups based on a cross-border and/or cross-community basis
•Plan, organise and host a series of events for the twinned walking groups such as a shared walking trip to an inspirational location, hosting a walk in each other’s local community, a walking activity day
Promotion
•Use appropriate social media platforms and other promotion such as poster and leaflet distribution to promote Walking For All across the County
•Attend events or organise presentations on Walking For All to promote the opportunities for Volunteers and walkers to relevant stakeholders and organisations
•Support the development of promotional content in your area such as the creation of videos
•Supply photos and good news stories to the communications officer
Partnership Working
•Attend monthly Regional Meetings and liaise on an ongoing basis with other Walking For All Officers in your region in order to share best practice and improve effectiveness
•Where appropriate, work in partnership with other participation officers in SSRP or other organisations (such as Get Ireland Walking) to share learnings and leverage activities
Administration
•Keep accurate records of the people and activities for Walking For All at all times.
•Manage the programme budget associated with the project.
•Prepare monitoring and evaluation reports for the Regional Managers and SEUPB on a quarterly basis.
•Assist with the preparation of the quarterly finance reports to SEUPB.•
Meet and report to the Regional Manager on targets and outputs on a monthly basis
•Report to the Project Working Group and Managers’ Group when required.
•Any other additional tasks as may be reasonably assigned according to the changing priorities of the Walking For All programme.
General Responsibilities
•Contribute to and assist with the preparation and implementation of the SSRP Strategic Plan and annual operational plans, in the context of the Walking For All programme
•Implement SSRP monitoring and evaluation processes to understand the effectiveness of the Walking For All programme
•Provide reports and regular updates to the CEO and SSRP Board as required
•Record accurately all financial transactions relevant to the Walking For All programme and prepare timely and accurate budgets and financial reports to Outscape, SSRP and SEUPB as appropriate
•Promote best practice health & safety awareness and reporting of all incidents
•Be flexible in approach to work and undertake any other duties related to the role of Walking for All officer
•Ensure that all activities undertaken as an employee of SSRP are in line with SSRP values, codes of conduct and relevant legislation
Person Specification
The person appointed will have:
Essential
•A minimum level 6 or a Level 7 Degree (NFQ) in a relevant discipline such as Sports Development/Health Fitness, Sport Science, Health Promotion, Physical Education, Community Development or related fields
•A minimum of two years’ experience in the following areas:
❖Project Planning and Delivery: Proven track record in the successful development, co-ordination and delivery of projects from initiation through to evaluation, ensuring objectives are met on time and within scope
❖Stakeholder engagement: Extensive experience in engaging with and supporting a broad range of stakeholders, including community groups, sports clubs, schools voluntary and statutory organisations. Skilled in collaborative relationships and maintaining positive communication channels to achieve shared outcomes
❖Event, Training and Meeting coordination; demonstrated ability to plan, organise and deliver community events, stakeholder meetings, and training sessions, including managing logistics, communications, venue arrangements and post event follow up
❖Administrative and Organisational Support: strong administrative skills with experience maintaining accurate records, project financial management, preparing reports, managing correspondence and ensuring compliance with organisational procedures and reporting requirements
Key Skills, knowledge and attributes
•Highly motivated and proactive, with a strong ability to work on personal initiative and demonstrate ownership of tasks from conception through to completion
•Excellent interpersonal and communication skills enabling the fostering of positive and collaborative relationships with colleagues, community groups, external stakeholders and funding bodies
•Approachable, respectful and effective in diverse team environments
•Proven ability to work efficiently under pressure, consistently delivering high-quality outputs within tight deadlines and across multiple concurrent priorities
•Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritise workloads effectively, access competing demands, and ensure key tasks and projects are delivered on schedule
•Demonstrated experience in both independent working and team collaboration, particularly within dispersed or cross-functional teams. Ability to support a culture of continuous improvement and innovation
•Effective written communicator, capable of producing clear, concise and professional reports proposals and evaluations tailored to a range of audiences, including funders, partners and governance boards
•Deeply passionate about encouraging active lifestyles and outdoor engagement with a belief in the social, mental and physical benefits of participation in sport and physical activity across all ages and abilities
•Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook and confident in adopting new digital tools to enhance productivity, reporting and communications
Other
•Full, clean, and current EU driving licence and use of personal transport for work
•Garda Vetting is mandatory for this role
•Ability to travel efficiently between sites
•Commitment to work evenings and weekends as required
Please apply by emailing a COVER LETTER and CV to info@sligosportandrecreation.ie
by 12 noon, Wednesday 5th November 2025
Candidates may be short listed based on information provided in the Cover Letter and CV.
Canvassing will disqualify any candidate from the competition process. Those shortlisted will be invited to attend for interview on Tuesday 18th November 2025. Interviews will be held in person at a Sligo Town venue.
Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership is an Equal Opportunities Employer