Job description:

The Referee Development and Competitions Officer will support delivery of the Cambridgeshire Football Association 2024-28 Strategy and The FA Grassroots Football Strategy. We’re looking for a pro-active self-starter to work within our competitions and clubs team. This is a great opportunity to support our referees and referee workforce, enabling them to grow, develop, and progress. The ideal candidate will have experience of working in a team and have excellent people and communication skills.

Responsibilities:
Referee Development (approx. 70% of time)
•    Identify areas of need for referees across all formats of the game within the locality served by the County FA and implement recruitment strategies accordingly.
•    Implement strategies for new referees, to convert them from trainee referees to active referees.
•    Support referees within the grassroots game to retain them within refereeing season-on-season.
•    Actively promote and support referees to progress through the refereeing pyramid.
•    Provide an offer of, and lead, the delivery of referee development initiatives for grassroots referees, progression candidates and referees with the potential and opportunity to progress through the refereeing pyramid. 
•    Deliver educational sessions and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programs for referees. Complete the FA Referee Developer Course if not already certified.
•    Liaise with local leagues to support them in the appointment of appropriately registered referees.  
•    Identify referees with the potential and opportunity to develop within the Cambridgeshire FA CORE and The FA CORE programme. 
•    Assist in the development of the referee developer workforce: observers, tutors, mentors, coaches and other volunteers involved in supporting referees ensuring that all safeguarding criteria are met. 
•    Appoint appropriate workforce (observers, mentors, coaches) to support match officials.
•    Support referee registration ensuring all safeguarding criteria are met.
•    Support referees in submitting discipline reports, including reporting discrimination, as well as actively supporting referees following challenging situations.
•    Collaborate with the Designated Safeguarding Officer in all matters involving under-18 referees and adults at risk within refereeing.
•    Provide guidance to under-18 referees to support them on matchdays.
•    Ensure that a parental link is added to all records in The FA’s systems for all under-18 referees.  
•    Risk assess all Cambridgeshire FA events and activity for under-18 referees and where the Cambridgeshire FA directly deploys under-18 referees and volunteers to ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place. 
•    Ensure mentors working with under-18 referees are appropriately qualified and trained and are aware they are in a relationship of trust and the expectations of them in this regard. 
•    Regularly meet with the Designated Safeguarding Officer and disciplinary teams in all matters where it is apparent that there has been abusive behaviour involving under-18 players and/or where the referee is under-18 or identifies as an adult at risk.
•    Listen to and consult with under-18 referees on their experiences as part of the Cambridgeshire FA youth engagement strategy. 
•    Utilise the feedback from under -18s and adults at risk to enhance the refereeing experience and fun and safety in grassroots football. 
•    Provide the highest level of customer excellence to support volunteers across all FA Technology systems (FA Events, FA Portals, MOAS, Matchday app and Full-Time). 
•    Implement strategies to increase the number of active referees from diverse communities and provide support and guidance to the Cambridgeshire FA Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
•    Implement strategies to increase the number of active female referees.
•    Implement strategies to develop a positive match day environment.
•    Work with other development officers to support league and club development programmes and recreational football opportunities. 
•    Act as secretary and provide support to the Cambridgeshire FA Referees’ Committee. 
•    Work collaboratively with The FA Referees’ Department on local and national initiatives.
Competitions support (approx. 30% of time)
•    Support the competitions department, including:
•    Scheduling fixtures to be completed within a specific timeframe.
•    Issue and process charges and payments of fines for breaches of competition rules.
•    Check weekly match statistics have been completed in accordance with league rules.
•    Support player registration process.
•    Provide support for other members of the competitions team when required.
•    Other competitions duties as required.
•    Manage social media for all CFA run leagues and County Cup competitions to increase engagement and raise the profile of CFA run competitions.
•    Attend and manage County and League Cup finals as required.
General
•    Contribute to ensuring that safeguarding and equality are embedded throughout the Cambridgeshire FA and grassroots football.
•    Execute tasks as required to meet the Cambridgeshire FA changing priorities.