Passionate about orienteering and keen to welcome newcomers into the sport? Interested in working with young people and their parents/guardians so they join and actively participate in our club? Then this opportunity could be perfect for you. Lagan Valley Orienteers (LVO), based in Northern Ireland, is seeking a part-time Juniors and Families Officer.
The role is centred around providing consistent monthly orienteering coaching to a group of newcomer families and juniors with the purpose of encouraging them to join the club and participate at events. It also involves promoting the club to newcomers via social media content and posts. Such content will be shared, together with lessons learned, to the wider orienteering community. The Officer will advise the club on what works and doesn’t work in terms of attracting newcomers based on the Tollymore experience, so that an appropriate model can be potentially set up in other parts of the club’s region e.g. Ballyclare, Belfast, Hillsborough etc. The Officer will also have opportunities to advise on how to develop a proper structured programme for junior orienteers.
A short description of the background to the role can be found here: https://www.orienteeringfoundation.org.uk/lvo-junior-and-families-officer
This new role, part-supported by Orienteering Foundation, is for 78 days’ work over a two-year period starting from 1 September 2024, at the equivalent of roughly three days out of every four weeks (flexible depending on work requirements).
Practical Arrangements
A freelance contract of 39 days over a one-year period is being offered, starting 1 September 2024. This is renewable for a second year, based on targets being met satisfactorily. The Juniors and Family Officer will work on a self-employed basis. It is envisaged that the contract for services will be for up to £5,850 over the course of a one-year period, based on a daily rate of £150. The role will require working from home, with regular travel for on-site work within Lagan Valley area, particularly Tollymore Forest.
The Officer will report to the LVO Club Chair and will be supported by the club’s Juniors Team.
A project budget will be available to support delivery activities i.e. mileage, map costs, publicity, hall hire and materials.
Person Specification
Lagan Valley Orienteers is looking for a self-motivated, proactive, organised person with a proven interest and experience in orienteering, who can welcome juniors and newcomer families into LVO and provide them with the skills and knowledge necessary to compete in the sport.
The ideal candidate will have the following skills and experience:
- A good working knowledge of orienteering, at least up to TD3 level.
- Experience of coaching orienteering and putting on small-scale events. Qualified Level 2 BOF coaches preferred.
- Strong enthusiasm to promote the sport broadly to the wider community.
- Excellent project management and self-organisation skills.
- Be based in the area local to the club.
- A current first aid qualification (REC 2 desirable).
- Access NI vetted.
- Experience with orienteering software especially Condes.
- Experience of volunteering or working in a club environment.
- Experience of social media management and generating content for posts.
If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please send a CV and covering letter to Club Chair Moire O’Sullivan (chair at lvo.org.uk). Your cover letter should explain how you meet the specification for the role in terms of your skills and experience, as well as briefly outline your ideas for delivery on this contract. You should also provide names and contact details for two referees.
The deadline for applications is midnight on Friday 31st May 2024 and interviews will be held shortly after.