Wicketz Development Officer – Worcestershire Cricket

Job Description
Contract: 35 hours per week, 3 year fixed term
Reports to: Cricket Development Director (Worcs)
And dotted line to General Manager (Warks)
And Lord’s Taverners
Date Effective: October, 2016

The Worcestershire Cricket Board & Warwickshire Cricket Board, in partnership with the Lord’s Taverners, wish to appoint a Wicketz Development Officer who will use the power of cricket as a tool for change, social cohesion and make a difference to the lives of people in deprived areas of Birmingham, Dudley & Redditch.

This new and exciting collaborative project seeks an energetic and enthusiastic individual who has a passion for cricket, supporting and developing young people, and working with multiple partners and organisations. The role combines cricket coaching and development work and will be responsible for engaging young people from areas of deprivation into becoming active members of a ‘Wicketz Hub Club’.

The role will be directly employed and line managed by Worcestershire Cricket Board and deployed to work on Warwickshire Cricket Boards Wicketz programme, supported by the General Manager of Warwickshire.

1. JOB PURPOSE & FOCUS
The focus of this role is to:
 Create sustainable community led cricket club environments, that operate all year round, and that offer both participation and competitive opportunities
 Develop programmes that tackle social issues identified within the sport and promote healthy lifestyle choices

The needs of this role are:
 Plan, deliver and review Wicketz community club programmes that are aligned to the needs of the local people
 Successfully engage young people aged 8-15 years old into a Wicketz community club, with particular focus on ‘hard to reach’ individuals such as young offenders / carers
 Actively support the transition of young people from school to the community club
 Deliver a year round cricket programme that is diverse, inclusive and attracts both girls and boys
 Develop cricket opportunities for all players of all standards (coaching, tournaments, teams or casual play)
 Develop partnerships with external partners and stakeholders resulting in an enhancement of the cricket development plan (Chance to Shine, relevant Councils etc.)
 Maintain a database of participation for all who have engaged across the community clubs
 Maintain regular communication and dialogue, whilst also capturing feedback, opinion and a review of satisfaction
 Provide formal written reports and case studies, and ensure that all monitoring and evaluation is undertaken as required
 Support the development of the wider pool of volunteers and sports coaches by mentoring and / or signposting for opportunities both formally and informally
 Ensure the branding and identity of the programme within delivery
 Work closely with all other aspects of Worcestershire & Warwickshire Cricket
 Organise and deliver a launch event and festivals to engage the community
 Increase awareness of the Wicketz programme locally

The successful post holder will be:
• Committed to their own personal professional development and play an active role in the professional development of your colleagues
• Take part in the development programmes of the Worcestershire & Warwickshire Cricket Boards’ key partners as directed
• Represent the Cricket Boards in a positive and professional manner at all times
• 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
• Take part in other activities as and when required
• 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 Worcestershire & Warwickshire Cricket Board values both with internal and external ‘customers’ when using any communication

2. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
Essential
 Experience as a qualified cricket coach to ECB level 2 or UKCC2 (or overseas equivalent)
 High levels of energy and enthusiasm and the desire to succeed
 Experience of working within Sports Development with recreational sports clubs and the enthusing of volunteers
 Experience of working in both school and community settings
 The ability to develop and implement high quality, varied and creative activity/cricket sessions
 Good project management skills and ability to prioritise and work to deadlines
 Excellent customer service skills, with the ability to build relationships and communicate effectively with a diverse range of people.
 Effective communicator and the ability to engage with people of all levels
 Excellent leadership skills and the ability to work independently and as part of a team
 Excellent administrative skills and evidence of project work
 Computer literate and effective user of Word, Excel, Outlook and other Microsoft programmes
 Child protection trained or, commitment to achieving this within a short period of time
 First Aid trained or, a commitment to achieving this within a short period of time
 ECB DBS checked
 Ability to travel independently between sites (Full and valid driving licence)
 Willingness to work ‘unsocial’ hours, including evenings and weekends

Desirable
 Understanding and experience of a variety of Cricket Development programmes
 Experience of managing a cricket coaching programme
 A cricket-playing background
 Experience of working with inactive people in recreational sport and/or physical activity sessions
 Experience of mentoring, supporting and encouraging volunteers
 Experience of working with children with behavioral and special needs
 Experience in youth work

3. SUPERVISION AND WORK PLANNING
The Wicketz Development Officer will be employed by Worcestershire Cricket Board Ltd and line managed by the Cricket Development Director (Worcs) and the Participation & Growth Manager (Warks). The officer will work across Birmingham, Dudley and Redditch and will have hot desks at the County Grounds at Edgbaston and Worcester.

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. 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.

How to apply
This job description outlines the principle accountabilities/main duties relating to this post and does not describe in detail all of the duties required to carry them out. Other duties may be required to be undertaken from time to time as directed by the Boards.

If you require further information, please contact Tom Hill on 07828 784 916. If you would like to be considered for this post please send your up-to-date CV, along with a covering letter, explaining your reasons for applying to:

Caroline Busby
Worcestershire Cricket Board
New Road
Worcester
WR2 4QQ

Or email to Caroline Busby: caroline.busby@wccc.co.uk

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