Project Officer – Job description

We are now looking for someone to join our small but mighty team as our Project Officer. This is a new role, and is crucial to the development of the charity over the next few years. You will set up and deliver new projects to enable disabled people to get active and access sporting opportunities. To do this you will develop relationships with partners, funders and the disability community. This role has the potential for growth and development. You will have a huge influence in shaping our project delivery so that we can continue supporting disabled people to achieve their ambitions through sport.

Job Title: Project Officer

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Responsible for: No staff; volunteers as appropriate

Location: Home based, with travel where required within England and Wales

Hours: Part time 3 days or 22.5 hours per week

Flexibility: Flexible working hours are available. The role will require some evenings and weekend work.

Length of contract: Permanent

Salary range: £30,000 – 33,000 depending on experience (pro rata)

About the Richard Whitehead Foundation

The Richard Whitehead Foundation is a small charity, established in 2021, with big aspirations to use the power of sport for the benefit of disabled people. We believe in the impact of sport: the increased mental well-being, the confidence, the self-esteem, the social inclusion and employability which can come from it. We want disabled people to be able to thrive and benefit from all the opportunities that sport provides.

Our vision:Enabling disabled people’s ambitions.

Our purpose:We believe disabled people should have access to the life-changing power of sport.

Our mission:We place the individual at the centre of our work. We provide access to life-changing support, mentoring, information, advice, equipment, and opportunities that will spark a sustained lifetime intervention.

Our values: Person Centred, Dynamic, Powerful, Authentic, Inclusive

Main purpose of this role

Our mentoring work provides a person-centred approach, supporting disabled people to access the life-changing power of movement and sport. We train mentors (who are mostly disabled) and match them with disabled people who face multiple barriers and are likely to remain inactive without intervention. They work together to break down these barriers and connect with local sports clubs and initiatives. We delivered our first mentoring programme in Nottingham and are now looking to expand the programme across the East Midlands and other areas in England and Wales. Alongside this we want to expand our already established Supported Runner Programme to enable disabled people to participate in shorter community runs, and to adapt the model to support disabled people into other sports.

We are looking for a proactive, confident and dynamic individual to help us set up and deliver new mentoring and supported sports projects to enable disabled people to get involved in physical activity in their communities. You will join our small creative and supportive team within an empowering, values-led organisation that is person-centred and ambitious to empower disabled people.

We are looking for someone with significant experience of delivering projects at a community level, recruiting and supporting volunteers and project beneficiaries. You will be able to work independently, take initiative and achieve results. You will keep up to date with developments in the disability and sports sectors in order to inform the development or our projects and ensure we are seeking opportunities for partnerships and funding. You will work confidently with a wide range of individuals and stakeholder groups, including disabled people, volunteers, community groups, disability organisations and local services.

Project set up and delivery

• Develop and implement project plans that incorporate KPIs, milestones and responsibilities, ensuring deadlines are met and plans amended as appropriate.
• Develop effective systems, policies and procedures to support project delivery.
• Carry out administrative tasks and maintain accurate records of projects and activities.
• Deliver workshops and training sessions to volunteers and freelance mentors.
• Provide appropriate support to participants, volunteers, freelance mentors and project partners to ensure delivery of project outcomes.
• Work with the Digital Communications and Marketing Officer to develop and implement communication and social media plans to raise the profile of projects and recruit volunteers, mentors and participants.
• Work with the Digital Communications and Marketing Officer to create marketing assets and sign-up routes for projects, activities and events.
• Ensure safeguarding, health and safety and risk management policies and processes are implemented throughout all projects, activities and events.
• Work with the CEO to set and monitor project budgets and ensure we do not exceed expenditure limits.

Stakeholder management

• Manage relationships with stakeholders, inspiring confidence, maintaining quality communications and ensuring professional representation of the Richard Whitehead Foundation. 
• Identify, develop and maintain effective partnerships with local community groups, volunteers and key partners to deliver projects.
• Develop and maintain a database of stakeholders, ensure we meet our requirements under data protection legislation.

Evaluation

• Develop and implement feedback, monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to measure the impact and outcomes of projects.
• Report against KPIs, outcomes and impact measurements, providing regular updates on projects to the CEO and colleagues.
• Work with the CEO to produce insight and evaluation reports, including data and case studies for trustees, funders and stakeholders.
• Use the learning from projects to improve delivery mechanisms and to inform the development of future projects.
• Work with the Digital Communications and Marketing Officer to collect photographic and video content, quotes and testimonials for use in reports, publicity and fundraising appeals.

Other:

• Ensure all activity complies with the latest data protection legislation.
• Work effectively and collaboratively with colleagues across the Richard Whitehead Foundation.
• Attend internal and external meetings and represent the Richard Whitehead Foundation at events, where required.
• Attend occasional out of hours meetings or events as required.
• Promote and support diversity and equality of opportunity in the workplace and across all projects, and ensure people’s access requirements are met.
• Abide by all our organisational (and project) policies, code of conduct and practice.

Benefits

• Flexible working.
• 28 days annual leave, plus public and bank holidays (pro rata for part-time employees).
• Access to company pension.
• Access to learning and development opportunities.

Safeguarding

The Richard Whitehead Foundation is committed to safeguarding and protecting the individuals we work with. As such, posts are subject to a safer recruitment process, including the disclosure of criminal records and vetting checks. We ensure that we have policies and procedures in place which promote safeguarding and a safe working environment.

Application process

If you would like to be considered for this role, please forward a current CV with a supporting statement, explaining how you meet the person specification. Your application can be a video, audio, or word-based document – whatever works best for you.

Your supporting statement is such an important part of your application. We cannot make assumptions about your suitability, so the information you provide in your supporting statement is key for us for shortlisting. Please show how you meet each part of the person specification. Please use lots of examples.

Please provide a CV and covering letter before 10pm on Sunday 5th January 2025.

Interviews are planned for the week commencing 20th January 2025.

Please let us know if you need us to adapt the process to best suit any needs around disability.

If you don’t hear from us within two weeks of the closing date, please assume that we are not inviting you to continue to the next phase, on this occasion.

Please note that all offers of employment will need references deemed satisfactory by The Richard Whitehead Foundation, a DBS check and proof of eligibility to work in the UK.