Talent Bursary Officer

Context

SportsAid is recognised as the leading national organisation to support emerging sporting talent; it has a mandate from Sport England to develop this role with the national governing bodies of sport (NGBs), County Sports Partnerships (CSPs) and other interested stakeholders. The overall responsibility of the Talent Bursary Officer is to ensure that athletes receiving Talent Bursary support from SportsAid are integrated, included and involved in all relevant aspects of the charity’s activities and communications.

Premise

This is a new role supporting a new initiative; the Talent Bursary Scheme (TBS) has been developed by Sport England to specifically help talented young sports people facing financial hardship; Sport England has placed the day-to-day responsibilities of managing the TBS with SportsAid; the TBS has a national remit for England.

Key Responsibilities
Bursary Management

• Establish, implement and administer the total bursary application, selection and awarding process from nomination to final award;
• In relation to the nomination process, work closely with the NAM to adapt the SportsAid online nomination system to accommodate TBS nominations;
• Work closely with the relevant portfolio Trustee to create and manage a TBS Awards Panel; this panel will check and challenge the Bursary Officer’s shortlisting and recommendations for TBS support;
• Develop a communication plan to help define, explain and promote the bursary fund to stimulate interest and increase awareness and understanding, particularly with the relevant staff of the NGBs; this will involve the use of accessible, multi-media channels as well as supporting collateral and via in-person briefings;
• Provide a first point of communication for TBS-related communications;
• Research and establish best-practise processes in every aspect of managing the TBS;
• Work closely with the Finance Manager to prepare regular TBS management accounts, analytical and statistical information and progress reports for presentation to the CEO and/or the Board of Trustees;
• In conjunction with the NAM, prepare periodic activity and status reports for Sport England;
• Develop an appropriate and efficient system to monitor each athlete in receipt of TBS support, ie more in relation to their use of, and benefit from, the award than in their sporting performance and progress;

Additional activities

• The promotion and briefing of the TBS to relevant stakeholders will require regular travel;
• The confirmation of nominations will require in-person meetings with the athletes and families concerned; with the purpose of establishing a more in-depth understanding of the athlete’s circumstances;
• There will be the opportunity to develop specific projects with some NGBs to develop their work in identifying and supporting athletes that may be facing financial hardship;
• To provide support to any of the charity’s events during the year, particularly those involving athletes (some of whom may be in receipt of support from the TBS), such as athlete/parent workshops, athlete forums, Q&A sessions and key flagship events such as the SportsBall and other such high profile events that may involve the charity’s Patron;
• Act as chaperone for SportsAid athletes at various events and workshops;

Any other duties as may reasonably be requested in delivering the role. As and when SportsAid evolves in its raison d’etre, so the job profile, duties and location of this role within SportsAid may be adjusted accordingly.

The candidate

• Educated to degree level or equivalent ideally with some relevant employment experience;
• A self-starter with excellent numeracy, financial literacy and administrative skills;
• Interest in working with young people in sport;
• Enthusiasm and temperament to work in a small team in a fast-paced environment;
• Ability to manage and deliver several different projects and activities in parallel;
• A confident, effective communicator able to create and develop relationships with a range of different parties, eg young athletes, parents, teachers, coaches, NGBs and funding partners;
• Strong presentation skills;
• Sound IT competency; strong database management and Excel skills;
• Reliable, trustworthy, committed and motivated;
• Of the utmost integrity and discretion;
• Good working knowledge of sports structures (desirable);
• Experience of charitable activities (desirable).

NOTES

Although based in London, the role will require travel across England. A full, clean driving licence is essential.

As the role will involve contact with young people, the appointee will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check in relation to the post.

Salary

A salary of between £28,000 and £32,000 per annum, plus a car allowance and optional pension scheme is available for the right candidate.

To apply

Apply by sending your CV with a covering letter to Ali Nuttycombe at SportsAid on ali@sportsaid.org.uk  

The closing date for applications is 5pm on Friday 7th August 2015.
The intention is to hold interviews in the week beginning 24th August 2015.

On receipt of your application you will be sent a confidential equal opportunities form which all applicants must complete.

SportsAid is a recognised equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion, belief and gender.