Vacancy: Wellbeing and Protection Officer

Scottish Women’s Football is looking for a passionate Wellbeing and Protection Officer to help ensure the welfare of players and volunteers is at the heart of the women’s and girls’ game. This is an exciting role for someone who loves a fast-paced environment and wants to make a real difference to girls’ and women’s football in Scotland.

ROLE TITLE: Wellbeing and Protection Officer

RESPONSIBLE TO: CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, SCOTTISH WOMEN’S FOOTBALL BOARD

LOCATION: HYBRID WORKING BETWEEN HOME AND HAMPDEN STADIUM, LETHERBY DRIVE, GLASGOW

TERM: Full Time, permanent (some weekend working will be essential)

SALARY: £25-27K depending on experience

ROLE DESCRIPTION:

An exciting opportunity has emerged to join the busy Scottish Women’s Football team at what is a pivotal time for the growth of women’s and girls’ football in Scotland.  We are looking for an organised and effective Wellbeing and Protection Officer.   This crucial role is designed to help ensure that SWF’s priority of meeting the wellbeing needs of players and volunteers is met along with ensuring compliance standards are adhered to.

The role is also designed to help promote understanding and implementation of Child Wellbeing and Protection policies, procedures and guidelines along with more general policies concerning wellbeing issues, across Scottish Women’s Football (SWF) clubs.  The postholder will help ensure all children, young people and players enjoy football safely and that volunteers and our members feel supported in terms of striving for best practice.  The Wellbeing and Protection Officer will also provide leadership across SWF to ensure the highest wellbeing and protection standards are met and delivered.

Main duties: 

• Support with the provision of advice, guidance and support to SWF affiliated clubs in their adoption and implementation of policies and procedures in keeping players safe
• To oversee and support (as appropriate) the administration in the appointment and selection of adults into regulated work with children including PVG, self-declaration forms and references
• To have some line management responsibilities for the Lead Admin and Finance Officer (and other administrative staff as required) in the fulfilment of tasks relating to the wellbeing and safety of players.
• To coordinate and support the functions of the Safeguarding Panel in support of concern reports and risk assessments
• Develop and co-ordinate Regional SWF Club CWPO Forums and take the responsibility for the dissemination of best practice
• To support Club Child Wellbeing & Protection Officers with enquiries and advice
• To deliver training and presentations in supporting Club Child Wellbeing & Protection Officers to remain informed and up-to-date
• To respond and manage concerns raised about a player’s wellbeing or an adult’s conduct towards young players and to support the wellbeing of officials from time to time
• To liaise with Scottish FA Child Wellbeing and Protection Coordinator in compliance with the Board Directive and monitoring progress of implementation
• To take responsibility for the completion of the Annual SFA Self-Audit, ensuring that action plans are completed timeously
• To represent SWF at external meetings including the Unicef learning set, SFA network meetings and take responsibility for ensuring that SWF aligns with best practice
• Support the SWF Child Wellbeing & Protection Director with the development and implementation of SWF Child Wellbeing and Protection Strategy and for gathering the relevant evidence, monitoring and evaluation data
• Any other reasonable duties as delegated from time to time commensurate with salary

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Relevant good first degree is essential 

EXPERIENCE: 

• Proven experience in a similar role. Sports industry experience is not required but would be beneficial
• Previous and demonstrable experience of working with children and young people
• While knowledge of women’s football is desirable, it is not essential though an interest in football and sport is required

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES: Essential unless stated otherwise 

• An excellent communicator – written and oral – who is comfortable and clear in giving advice in sensitive situations and engaging with young people
• Confident dealing with a range of stakeholders on a day to day basis.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office; Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, Word
• Understanding of the UNCRC, a children’s rights-based approach and the ‘Getting It Right For Every Child’ wellbeing indicators
• Excellent knowledge of PVG processes and requirements
• Strong organisational and administrative skills; acute attention to detail; an excellent listener
• Ability to deliver training and presentations as a facilitator to learning
• Can measure performance of the owned activity and report on this monthly
• Can react to last minute issues or requests that may arise (and often do)

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES:

• Dynamic and happy to work on own initiative and as part of a team with a proactive approach
• Ability to manage conflicting demands and prioritise tasks
• Ability to remain calm and professional under pressure and make considered decisions
• Flexible and adaptable approach
• Ability and willingness to take ownership of the role and associated tasks
• Passionate about driving girls’ and women’s football forward
• Passionate about equality and children’s rights in action
• Ability to work from home as required
• Willingness to work evenings and weekends on occasion as required

 Closing date: 5pm, 3rd January 2024

Please apply by sending in your CV and job specific covering letter detailing at least two references and with the term “Wellbeing and Protection Officer” in the subject line FAO Aileen Campbell to: jobs@scotwomensfootball.com.

Due to the high number of anticipated applicants, it will not be possible to get back to everyone to let them know if they will be invited to interview.  All successful applicants will be contacted within a week of the closing date.

SWF is an equal opportunities employer.  We welcome applications from suitably qualified persons regardless of age, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour, ethnic or national origin, pregnancy, maternity or disability.