Job description:

THE KENT FA IS LOOKING TO RECRUIT A DYNAMIC AND INSPIRING FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANT, W&GS [FDA] TO JOIN OUR TEAM AT A TRULY EXCITING TIME FOR ONE OF ENGLAND’S LEADING COUNTY WOMEN’S AND GIRLS PROGRAMMES. 

Salary: £22,000 - £24,000.
Hours per week: 35 hours per week. The Kent FA operates a hybrid working arrangement of 2 days per week in the office and 3 days at home.
Vacancy Type: Full-Time position, 35 hours per week. Fixed Term contract until 2028.  
Location: Kent FA HQ, Invicta House, Cobdown Park, London Road, Aylesford, Kent, ME20 6DQ. 

The Role

We are looking for an individual who brings passion and enthusiasm to the team and who will work collaboratively with others, both internally and externally, from the organisation. The successful person will be supporting our delivery of the women’s & girls' section of the Kent County FA Strategy; the aim is to provide over 5,000 women and girls access to playing opportunities across the county, raise the profile of the amazing opportunities available off the field and assist on our Key Performance Indicators [KPIs].

The Football Development Assistant will report directly to the Football Participation Lead and work closely with the Football Development Officer (W&Gs), and be an important member of the Football Development Team. 

This new role will be an exciting and rewarding one with the incentive of being part of the Kent FA. To join our team and be successful you must be able to meet our ‘core’ business values. Equally, evidenced by both your application and the recruitment process, the panel must be convinced of your passion, inspiration, and professionalism. 

Key Responsibilities

• Lead on the Youth Section of the Women's & Girls' pathway, liaising with key stakeholders to meet the needs of the game.
• Work in partnership with the Women's & Girls' Football Development Officer to support the recruitment, retention, and development of female football opportunities. 
• To support Youth Clubs and Provisions in the county with the transition of Wildcats and Squad Girls onto the Club Spark platform.
• To work with Youth Clubs and Provisions in the county to recruit, retain and grow the delivery of Wildcats and Squad Girls centres.
• Support the administration across the Women's & Girls' landscape and service the appropriate related queries.
• Use national and local data, research, and customer insight to identify key mapping of female football provisions in the county. 
• Provide administration and organisational support to county Equal Game Ambassadors to develop opportunities for new female teams within Youth Clubs.
• Provide administration support for the Kent Female Volunteer Forum, Kent FA Women's & Girls' Working Group and FA Coach Mentor (W&Gs).
• Work with the W&G FDO to provide league support where and when appropriate to ensure for regulated football provisions in the county. 
• Work collaboratively with The FA W&G’s Department on local and national initiatives.
• To provide support to the Women's & Girls' FDO with Kent Female Casual League, Kent FA ETC, Kent Female Walking Football provision and County Connects. 
• Risk assessment for all Kent FA events and activity for under-18s to ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place. 
• Listen to and consult with under-18 female players on their experiences as part of the Kent FA youth engagement strategy. 
• Provide the highest level of customer excellence to support players and volunteers across all FA Technology systems (Club Portal, FA Events, Club Spark and Whole Game System). 
• Contribute to ensuring that safeguarding and equality are embedded throughout the Kent FA and grassroots football.

What we are looking for

The successful candidate will be educated to A Level or have 2 years’ sports development experience, and knowledge of the female game is desirable. They will be able to think and work strategically, be self-motivated and have excellent organisational skills. In addition, they will be able to forge and build exceptional relationships with partner organisations and have a strong customer service ethos.

What we can offer

• A great start to your career in football with the local governing body of the grassroots game here in the heart of the County.
• Opportunities to progress your career across the County FA Network throughout England and at The FA.
• Access to high-quality training, networking, and personal development opportunities
• A varied and exciting working life where you’ll learn about all aspects of grassroots football.
• Enhanced Holiday entitlement.
• Access to employee benefits, including an employee experience and engagement platform and employee assistance scheme.  

About Kent FA

The Kent FA prides itself in being an innovative and forward-thinking organisation, and these are exciting times as we embark on developing a new corporate strategy to reinforce the vision and objectives moving forward for the next four years. The successful candidate for this role will be instrumental in helping the Kent FA to deliver this.

Safeguarding

Kent FA is committed to safeguarding children and adults at risk. Due to the nature of this role, the successful candidate will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service [DBS] check through The FA DBS process. The possession of a criminal record will not necessarily prevent an applicant from obtaining this post, as all cases are judged individually according to the nature of the role and the information provided.

Equality and Diversity

Kent FA promotes inclusion and diversity and welcomes applications from everyone. If you have any requirements in relation to the recruitment or interview process, please include details on the application form.

Application and Selection Process

• Complete the Application Form and Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form found at https://www.kentfa.com/news/2024/apr/15/vacancy---football-development-assistant-womens-and-girls and return them to Jobs@KentFA.com no later than midnight on Sunday, May 12th. Applications received after the deadline will only be considered in exceptional circumstances, e.g., proof of posting indicates undue delay through no fault of the applicant.
• Receipt of applications will not be acknowledged.
• Shortlisted applicants will be contacted by May 16th, communicating their interview date/time.
• Interviews will be held on Wednesday, 22nd May 2024. 
• If required, second interviews may be held to determine the most suitable candidate for the role.