Wicketz Development Officer

Derbyshire Cricket Foundation in partnership with the Lord’s Taverners wish to appoint a Development Officer to continue to grow the Wicketz programme across Derbyshire. This new and exciting role seeks an energetic and experienced individual who can deliver across a wide range of key priorities and objectives. The role combines programme development with cricket coaching focused on the personal development of participants. The role will be responsible for engaging young people and recruiting volunteers from areas of deprivation/hard to reach groups into becoming active members of local Community Wicketz Hubs. Purpose and Focus of the Role The DCF Wicketz Development Officer is employed by Derbyshire Cricket Foundation Ltd in partnership with Lord’s Taverners to work with selected individuals and organisations in Derbyshire and will link directly to the DCF overall Strategy. The main areas of focus for this role is outlined below: • To maintain one existing hub in Derby and a minimum of two new sustainable and inclusive community led cricket Hub environments, building participation and competitive opportunities, whilst tackling prevalent social issues identified within the community and promoting healthy lifestyle choices. • To ensure the Wicketz legacy is left within the community beyond the cycle of the programme by identifying and upskilling participants, volunteers and members of the community, • To positively engage with the local community to champion and develop partnerships with businesses, partner agencies, schools, parents and other sports groups to ensure community cohesion. • To be patient and understand the importance of developing strategies to enable challenged individuals to make the most of opportunities to use the power of cricket as a vehicle to seek to enhance their future prospects and support them make positive life choices. • Develop social and inter-personal skills of participants including: leadership, communication and self-esteem. • Provide formal written reports and case studies, and ensure all monitoring and evaluation is kept up to date. • Organise and deliver festivals and competitions to engage the wider community. The Purpose of the role is to deliver the aims and outcomes of the Lord’s Taverners Wicketz programme across Derbyshire. These include: • To develop and deliver a strategy to implement the Wicketz programme aligned to the needs of the local community. • To successfully engage young people aged 8-19 years old into Wicketz community Hubs focussed on participation, sustainability leaving a longstanding legacy. Working to create an offer for these participants into their latter teens and help them into valuable pathways both inside and outside of sport. • Deliver quality, innovative programmes, health activities and opportunities to engage all members of the community into the game of cricket through Wicketz Hubs. • Maintain a database of participation for all who have engaged with our programmes, and to maintain regular communication and dialogue, whilst also capturing feedback, opinion and a review of satisfaction. • To comply with the monitoring and evaluation requirements of the Lord’s Taverners for the Wicketz programme including database management and written reports. • To collect case studies to highlight the positive impact of the programme in both locations. • Ensure the branding and identity of the programme within delivery. • Delivery of a year-round cricket programme that is diverse and inclusive, and attracts girls and boys as well as the wider community. • Developing cricket opportunities for all players of all standards (coaching, tournaments, teams or casual play). • Liaise/Support other initiatives to signpost Wicketz participants, to older age group cricket participation projects and increase awareness of the Wicketz programme locally. • Develop extended partnerships with external partners and stakeholders resulting in an enhancement of cricket development plans/strategies. PERSON SPECIFICATION Knowledge, Education and Experience Essential criteria • An understanding of the principles of sports development. • An understanding of the Wicketz Programme and its aims and objectives. • Experience in youth work. • Experience of mentoring, supporting and encouraging volunteers and young people. • Experience of working with children with behavioural and special needs. • Experience of Partnership working. • Understanding of the local landscape and community, in particular local authority. • Computer literate including using databases. • Holder of a current full driving licence with access to their own vehicle . • DBS verified, First Aid & Safeguarding qualifications. • Has a right to work in the UK. Desirable criteria • A good knowledge of the structure of cricket (UK and Internationally) • Significant cricket coaching experience within a club/community environment • ECB Level 2 or equivalent accredited coach • Experience in workshop delivery • Experience of working with inactive people in recreational sport and/or physical activity sessions • Funding bid writing experience The successful post holder will: • Commit to improving the lives of young people. • Develop partnerships with external organisations and stakeholders resulting in an enhancement of the cricket development plan • Ensure the branding and identity of the programme within delivery • Provide formal written reports and case studies, and ensure that all monitoring and evaluation is undertaken as required • Ensure the health, safety and welfare of yourself, participants and others at all times. • Conduct sessions in accordance with the appropriate ECB guidelines and good practice. • Perform all duties in an equitable manner and to actively promote the principles of equality amongst colleagues, partners and service users. • Conform to, actively commit to and promote both the Lord’s Taverners and Derbyshire Cricket Foundation’s values when using any communication. • Participate on various DCF and or Lord’s Taverners Committees and other groups as agreed and required. Attend relevant meetings, seminars, workshops and/or conferences as agreed • Establish a County wide process of continuous operational review and improvement (monitoring and evaluation of all work) planning, supported by other DCF staff as required. • Ensure a high level of local positive promotion and marketing of activities and events both locally and nationally through the development of the DCF website and media platforms. • Commit to a personal professional development programme in order to provide an ever improving service and support to all stakeholders. This will be agreed with the management at Derbyshire Cricket Foundation. • Offer support and advice to the Trustees in the delivery of their core roles and responsibilities • Other duties as required. • To present Derbyshire Cricket Foundation Ltd, Lord’s Taverners, other Partners and the game of cricket in a positive and professional manner. SUPERVISION AND WORK PLANNING The Wicketz Development Officer will work across Derbyshire and will have office space available at Derbyshire County Cricket Club’s County Ground as required. The employee’s normal working days will be Monday-Friday and will normally be expected to complete at least 35 hours in a week. The employee will not normally be required to work before 9am, however, due to the nature of the work involved in this position, the employee will be required to work some evenings and possibly weekends. The post holder will be required to carry out their duties at such times and on such days that are the most effective to perform the responsibilities of the position. Safeguarding: Lords Taverners and Derbyshire Cricket Foundation are committed to safeguarding and protecting the children and young people that we work with. As such, all posts are subject to a safer recruitment process, including the disclosure of criminal records and vetting checks. We ensure that we have a range of policies and procedures in place which promote safeguarding and safer working practice across our services. At the Derbyshire Cricket Foundation (DCF) we are committed to ensuring that cricket is accessible, safe, and welcoming to all, and to the principles of equality of opportunity. We aim to ensure that no individual is discriminated against on the grounds of any of the protected characteristics outlined in the Equality Act, 2010; age, gender, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, disability, race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religion/belief or sexual orientation. In line with these commitments we will seek to recruit a diverse workforce of high quality, high performing individuals who have the specific competencies (qualifications/knowledge, skills, experience and behaviours) required for defined roles which will support achievement of our mission, strategy, and business plan. All applicants will have equality of opportunity during our selection processes, and decisions will solely be based on an individual’s ability to meet the requirements of the role. All applying candidates will be required to complete the DCF Equal Opportunities section of the application form.