We’re Hiring – Grassroots Disability Activator

Swim Ireland is the National Governing Body (NGB) for Swimming, Water Polo, Diving and associated Aquatic Disciplines on the island of Ireland.  Swim Ireland’s Head Office is based at Irish Sport HQ, National Sports Campus, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 with circa 60 employees. Swim Ireland’s remit as a Governing Body is to increase participation, run the competitive aspect of our sport and to provide a framework for regulation. For further information, please see our website at www.swimireland.ie.

 

Swim Ireland aims to be inclusive and welcoming in our sport, seeking to empower everyone to participate in a safe and enjoyable environment, where everyone is treated with the same level of respect, equality and importance. Find out more about our commitment to inclusion on our Aquatics for All page.

 

In recent years Swim Ireland have significantly increased participation of persons with a disability in aquatics. This has been possible through Sport Ireland Dormant Accounts funding, led by the Swim Ireland Participation department.

 

We recognise that creating a pathway for participation in swimming for persons with a disability is an important step in supporting inclusive participation in the sport.

 

To continue this development, we are currently recruiting for a newly created role of Grassroots Disability Activator to join our dynamic team.

 

This role will support the integration of children and adults into our swimming programmes while also engaging with Disability Representative Organisations to increase the number of persons with a disability taking part in our programmes.

 

Swim Ireland’s selection process aims to ensure that we get the right people recruited into the right role.  We want to ensure that you have the best opportunity to display your skills and experience.  Swim Ireland has identified Core Values that we consider to be integral to delivering exceptional service to our stakeholders.

 

These Core Values are:

• Skills, Professionalism, Knowledge
• Wellbeing & Inclusivity
• Integrity and Excellence in Governance
• My Passion, Our Vision
• Teamwork & Collaboration

 

If selected for interview, you will be provided with a candidate support pack giving you information and guidance on the selection process.

 

Role and Reporting Structure

Reporting to the DEIB and Women in Sport Manager and working within the Participation Department, the Grassroots Disability Activator will work with the Swim Ireland network of Activators to support the development and delivery of inclusive community-based programmes for swimmers with a disability.

 

They will encourage and promote best practise when working with swimmers with a disability, and support swimming teachers and facility managers in the delivery of inclusive programmes.

 

Key Areas of Responsibility

 

1. Swimming Places

• Engage with swimming pool operators to secure pool time for Swim Ireland programmes for people with a disability
• Identify suitable open water swimming locations, working with Local Authorities, LSPs and the Open Water Swimming Activator to ensure locations are safe, accessible, inclusive and welcoming for people with a disability

 

2. Swimming People

• Identify the training needs of teachers and coaches that deliver participation programmes, which will depend on specific support needs of swimmers with a disability.
• Organise swimming teaching courses in conjunction with the Swim Ireland Education department and local facilities
• Increase the diversity of our swimming teacher community to engage with people with a disability to promote teaching swimming.
• Recruit, train and retain Community Coaches and Teachers to deliver disability programmes in each county.

 

3. Swimming Programmes

• Deliver specific lifecycle programmes in swimming to support people with a disability to participate at all stages of the lifecycle in line with Sport Ireland and Healthy Ireland objectives and National Swimming Strategy
• Support the development of disability programmes in collaboration with Swim Ireland Activators, Local Sports Partnerships and Sports Inclusion Disability Officers
• Seek feedback and evaluate programmes periodically.
• Engage and deliver on campaigns and key events with partnering organisations e.g. Active Disability Ireland
• Signpost Swim Ireland Participation programme swimmers to suitable club programmes.
• Work in partnership with the Swim Ireland Club Disability & Pathway Officer to develop a pathway for swimmers from participation programmes into club programmes.

 

4. Swimming Partners

• Create awareness and clarify Swim Ireland’s role and relevance in swimming and water safety for persons with a disability with partners and the wider public.
• Maintaining and developing existing relationships with key partners such as Sport Ireland, Paralympics Ireland, Special Olympics, Deaf Sport Ireland, Irish Down Syndrome Sporting Association, Vision Sport Ireland, Active Disability Ireland and other representative bodies for persons with a disability.
• Develop and strengthen relationships with swimming pool operators.
• Develop and strengthen relationships with Local Authorities and LSPs
• Engage with Community groups, Charities and other supporting organisations to promote disability swimming programmes and identify participants.

5. Other

• Set and monitor standards for the delivery of disability swimming programmes
• Collate all evaluation data as required by Swim Ireland and Local Authorities/LSPs.
• Monitor the budget for programme delivery, ensuring that spend is within allocated budget and produce regular reports as required
• Ensure that the highest safeguarding standards are ingrained throughout programmes and CPD.
• Attend Swim Ireland conferences, competitions and events as required.
• Attend leisure industry events and networking opportunities as required.
• Support other departments in Swim Ireland in the delivery of their work.
• Support the roll out of Swim Ireland initiatives.
• Other duties as required.

 

Education and Experience

• Relevant experience in a similar role, or previous experience in a sports environment.

• Relevant third level qualification to degree level in Sports Development, Sports & Recreation, Health Promotion, or other relevant disciplines

Or

At least 2 years of relevant on the job experience.

• Swimming teacher qualification or a disability sport qualification would be beneficial.

 

Key Qualities

• Excellent communication and administration skills, with attention to detail.
• Excellent people skills, willing to meet new people and work with volunteers.
• Comfortable presenting and directing meetings.
• Strong work ethic, flexibility and adaptability.
• Team player, with ability to work on their own initiative or under pressure.

 

Essential Requirements

• Be eligible to work in Ireland on a full-time basis.
• Some evening and weekend work is expected, availability for flexible working hours is required.
• Full, clean driving license and access to vehicle.
• Excellent working knowledge of IT and software packages including MSOffice, Word, Excel and PowerPoint. 

 

Applicants should note that this list is not exhaustive and is subject to change as required as appropriate.

 

 

 

 

Remuneration and Location

• The package will include a salary commensurate with qualifications and experience to commence at circa €35,000.
• Position Tenure: 1 year fixed-term full-time contract.
• Position Location: Swim Ireland Head Office, Irish Sport HQ, Sport Ireland Campus, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15.

 

Appointment will be made subject to satisfactory:

Safeguarding and vetting requirements; and reference checks.

 

Applications should be made for the attention of the HR Manager to hr@swimireland.ie and should include a Cover Letter and up to date CV.

 

Closing date for applications is Monday 9^th February

Interviews will be held in Irish Sport HQ during w/c 23^rd February

 

At Swim Ireland, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every element in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway.  You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.  Swim Ireland is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

 

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