Sport for Development Officer – Active Essex Foundation

Essex County Council; Chelmsford; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Essex County Council’s Active Essex Foundation is seeking a Sport Development Officer on an 18‑month fixed term contract. This Anywhere worker role combines office time in Chelmsford with countywide delivery across programmes.

The salary is £30,000 - £33,000 depending on experience. You will build strong relationships with Locally Trusted Organisations, manage grants and reporting, coordinate training and events, monitor quality and contribute to continuous improvement across sport, youth crime

Qualifications

• Educated to A level or equivalent by experience.
• Strong relationship management skills across diverse organisations.
• Proven ability to deliver impactful local or county-level projects.
• Ability to collect data and report outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Act as the primary point of contact for Locally Trusted Organisations (LTOs).
• Manage relationships across Sport, Youth Crime Prevention and Mental Health programmes.
• Coordinate training, events and capacity-building activities for LTOs.
• Lead on LTO compliance, grant management and reporting requirements.
• Support data collection, evaluation reports and impact summaries.
• Provide administrative support and coordinate referrals into activities.

Skills

Relationship management

Stakeholder engagement

Project coordination

Communication skills

Education

A level or equivalent by experience

Job description

About The Role

Essex County Council (ECC) are delighted to be advertising the Sport Development Officer vacancy on behalf of the Active Essex Foundation.

Sport for Development Officer

Salary range: £30,000 - £33,000 dependent on experience

Fixed term contract: 18 months October 2026 to March 2028 (extension subject to funding)

Hours: Full Time 37.5 hours a week

Location: Anywhere worker – You will work from the Chelmsford office approximately 1 / 2 days a week and across our operational area on other days, depending on business need. (County Hall, Chelmsford, CM1 1QH)

Relationship Management

• Act as the primary point of contact for Active Essex Foundation's network of Locally Trusted Organisations (LTOs), building and maintaining strong relationships to support effective programme delivery and community impact.
• Manage relationships ensuring consistent communication and high‑quality support across Sport, Youth Crime Prevention, and Young People’s Mental Health & Wellbeing programmes.
• Develop a detailed understanding of people and LTOs at places within the programme delivery
• Build strong, collaborative relationships with LTOs to enhance programme delivery, identify emerging needs, and promote best practice.
• Liaise with the Marketing and Communications team to coordinate content from Locally Trusted Organisations (LTOs) for newsletters, reports, social media and other promotional activities.

Compliance, Governance & Funding

• Lead on LTO compliance processes for all funding rounds, ensuring timely submission of required documentation and adherence to grant conditions.
• Monitor LTO performance against funding agreements and elevate risks or issues where necessary.
• Provide guidance to LTOs on grant management, reporting expectations, and financial accountability.

Training, Events & Capacity Building

• Plan, and coordinate training sessions and development opportunities for LTOs, tailored to programme needs.
• Organise and facilitate Share & Learn events, networking sessions, and peer‑support opportunities to strengthen the LTO network.

Quality Assurance & Monitoring

• Conduct regular quality assurance visits to LTOs, assessing delivery standards, safeguarding practice, and alignment with programme objectives.
• Provide constructive feedback and action plans to support continuous improvement.
• Maintain accurate records of visits, findings, and follow‑up actions.

Evaluation, Data & Reporting

• Assist in co-ordination of programme‑related data collection processes, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and compliance with evaluation frameworks.
• Support the drafting of evaluation reports, case studies, and impact summaries for internal and external stakeholders.
• Work closely with colleagues to ensure data insights inform programme development and strategic decision‑

Programme & Project Administration

• Support the coordination of referrals into project activities, working with delivery partners and Locally Trusted Organisations (LTOs) to ensure referrals are tracked, communicated and actioned effective
• Provide administrative support across all programme areas, including scheduling, documentation, communications, and record‑
• Contribute to project planning, delivery timelines, and coordination of cross‑programme activities.
• Support the rollout of Smart Courses across both the SYCP and Mental Health programmes, ensuring consistent quality and uptake.

Continuous Improvement & Strategic Support

• Identify opportunities to strengthen LTO capability, programme effectiveness, and partnership working.
• Contribute to internal discussions on programme development, funding sustainability, and long‑term strategy.

Other Responsibilities

• Take responsibility for personal professional development.
• Work closely with the other colleagues to improve operational practices and effectiveness.
• Attend Active Essex Foundation Trustee meetings as directed by Trustees.
• Attend Active Essex Foundation Events and meetings as required.
• Attend Active Essex team meetings as required.

Active Essex Foundation General Duties

• To adhere to existing working practices, methods, procedures, undertake relevant training and development activities and to respond positively to new and alternative systems.
• It will be necessary to work with information technology and associated systems in accordance with Active Essex Foundation policies.
• To co-operate with the Active Essex Foundation in complying with relevant health and safety legislation, policies, and procedures in the performance of the duties of the post.
• To carry out the duties and responsibilities of the post in compliance with the Active Essex Foundation equity and safeguarding policies.
• To maintain confidentiality and observe data protection and associated guidelines where appropriate.
• To carry out any other reasonable duties and responsibilities within the overall function, commensurate with the grading and level of responsibilities of the post.

Knowledge Skills And Experience

• Educated to A level or equivalent by experience, with ongoing professional development.
• Strong relationship management skills with a broad range of individuals and stakeholder organisations across different system settings
• Proven track record of delivering impactful projects at local or county level.
• Experience working with communities using a strengths-based approach to build resilience and capacity.
• Ability to support data collection and reporting to demonstrate impact.
• Effective team player with strong collaboration skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including clear presentation and reporting abilities.
• Excellent organisational skills to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.

The closing date for applications is 23:59 on 27 September 2026.

Shortlisting will take place on week commencing 28th September 2026 with successful applications being offered an interview slot by Thursday 01 October 2026.

The Active Essex Foundation is fully committed to the principles of equality of opportunity and is responsible for ensuring that no job application, employee, volunteer or member receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, gender, disability, race, ethnic origin, nationality, colour, parental or marital status, pregnancy, religious belief, class or social background, sexual preference or political belief. The Active Essex Foundation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.