Sligo Rovers wish to recruit a Football & Social Responsibility (FSR) Officer who will be responsible for delivery of a Football Community Engagement Strategy for the Club.

The Full Time role will involve the development and implementation of the Club’s social responsibility policy and procedures using football as the mechanism to have a positive and sustainable impact on the community in the region.

Specific Duties

• Act as a single FSR point of contact for internal and external stakeholders.
• Coordinate and oversee the club’s FSR and sustainability strategy, using UEFA’s Football Sustainability Strategy 2030 and the forthcoming FAI FSR Strategy 2024-2028 as a framework.
• Develop and promote FSR guidelines, policies and activities.
• Guide decision-making processes to improve overall club performance and support strategic objectives.
• Advocate for sustainable practices in all aspects of Sligo Rovers FC’s operations, ranging from resource management to waste control.
• Contribute to the achievement of measurable long-term sustainability objectives and KPIs.
• Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team to coordinate the design, development and delivery of socially focussed programmes, services and events in the football club’s local community.
• Liaise and cooperate with a broad range of community service providers including the Local Authority, Sports Partnership, Social Services, various Government Departments and other relevant statutory agencies in the design, development and delivery of socially focussed programmes.
• Liaise and cooperate with a variety of community groups and organisations to develop and maintain the club in community relationships and to identify target clientele for the club’s FSR programmes.
• Co-ordinate the delivery of a range of football themed education/health focussed programmes in the community including (but not limited to) programmes for schoolchildren, older people, people with disabilities and other groups from marginalised and disadvantaged areas.
• Plan your own work schedule and set work targets in consultation with Club Management Committee
• Approach the role with a strategic mindset with a view to the growth and sustainability of the club’s FSR remit.
• Keep up to date with local, regional and national developments in the education, health and welfare sector, in relation to both policy and practice.
• Identify opportunities to create new income streams via fundraising events, philanthropy, corporate social responsibility, charitable foundations and EU and statutory funding avenues and apply for relevant grants related to the club’s ongoing FSR work.
• Liaise with the Club Board to explore and develop the commercial potential of the services delivered by the Club’s FSR activity.
• Collate information and prepare reports for the Club Board and programme funders.

Key Skills Required

• Experience of working in community development projects/social inclusion programmes with economically, socially, geographically and / or educationally disadvantaged people
• Experience of leading / managing projects or programmes
• Demonstrate strong stakeholder management skills with ability to build and maintain effective working relationships.
• Have an understanding of the third sector (not-for-profit sector) and how it is funded
• Have an understanding of how social enterprises operate
• Knowledge and experience of fund-raising for not-for-profit organisations(s) would be an advantage.
• Knowledge of national and local statutory agencies which could directly affect the project is essential in particular, Local Authorities, Education and Training Boards and the Health Service Executive.
• Have a sound understanding of the promotion of social inclusion through sport.

Education

• Third level academic qualification in Sport, Social Science / Social Care, Youth Community Studies or Business Studies or other relevant qualifications or experience.
• A recognised training qualification (e.g. Train the Trainer QQI level 6) although not essential would be an advantage.

Other desirable abilities, skills and knowledge

• A knowledge of the role of the local statutory and voluntary sectors in relation to sports development
• A knowledge of the local and regional football landscape and how League of Ireland clubs operate although not essential would be an advantage
• Proven ability to think and plan strategically with a focus on future challenges
• A highly motivated professional, solution focused and accountable in all that you do
• Energetic personality – resilient, results driven and flexible in both working hours and in approach to unfamiliar/changing situations.

• Excellent administrative and organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise and meet deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills are essential to the role with the ability to interact with sensitivity, efficiency and professionalism.
• Have good listening skills, be non-judgemental and possess an empathetic and understanding nature.
• Creative, innovative, proactive and pragmatic
• Be resourceful with excellent problem-solving skills.
• Strong and confident communicator (both written and verbal) including ability to draft summary information and correspondence.
• Proven self-initiative.
• Excellent presentation skills
• Competence in IT systems
• Resilient and results focused.
• Excellent report writing skills.
• Flexible and adaptable in approach
• A keen interest in football is essential.
• Full driving license.

Application Process

The Club reserves the right to select a shortlist from the applications received.

This appointment is supported through and by Sligo County Council. Sligo Rovers is an equal opportunities employer.

Interested applicants should forward application and CV to the following email address – andrew@sligorovers.com – before 5pm on 31 January 2024.