Job Opportunities

Board Members

Chair

Overview

Athletics NI (ANI) is responsible for developing and promoting the sport of athletics in Northern Ireland, in partnership with UK Athletics, Athletics Ireland and the other home country associations. Athletics NI oversees the delivery of events, coaching and education programmes, performance pathways, anti-doping and integrity policies, and membership and affiliation services.

ANI is seeking to appoint a Chair to lead its board of directors, which consists of eight elected members and four independent members. The Chair will be appointed for an initial term off our years, renewable for a further term of four years, subject to performance and board approval.

The Chair ensures the board has a clear vision, strategy and culture, and holds the chief executive and senior management team accountable for delivering the organisation's objectives. The Chair also represents Athletics NI at various functions, meetings and media events, and liaises with key stakeholders and partners, including Sport NI, UK Athletics, Athletics Ireland and Mary Peters Track Ltd.

An effective chair will provide leadership to the board, enabling them to fulfil their responsibilities for the overall governance and strategic direction of the organisation. The chair will play an integral role in ensuring that appropriate decisions are correctly made, including developing the organisation’s aims, objectives and goals in accordance with the governing document and legal and regulatory guidelines.

The chair will work in partnership with the chief executive to ensure that board decisions a reacted upon and the organisation is managed effectively. They will understand the difference between the role the board plays in governance, developing and agreeing the strategic direction of the organisation and that of the chief executive and senior management team in applying that strategy to the day- to-day operations.

 

Main Duties & Responsibilities

  • Lead the board in developing and reviewing the strategic direction, priorities and performance of the organisation.
  • Support and appraise the chief executive and act as a critical friend.
  • Facilitate effective board meetings, ensuring adequate scrutiny, challenge and decision-making.
  • Manage conflicts of interest and loyalty, and uphold the values and principles of the organisation.
  • Promote board diversity, renewal and succession planning, and evaluate board performance.
  • Authorise action between board meetings within the scope of the governing document and legal requirements.
  • Engage with the Sports Governance Academy to keep up with current trends in sports governance.

 

How to Apply

To apply for the role, please send a CV and a covering letter outlining your motivation and suitability for the role, and how you meet the person specification, to Athletics NI CEO, ceo@athleticsni.org by Friday 20 September 2024 at 12 noon. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview with a panel of board members and external advisers. The appointment will be subject to satisfactory references and eligibility checks.

Chair - Role Description

 

President

Purpose of the role of the President

The role of President of Athletics NI is reserved for individuals who have demonstrated outstanding service to Athletics NI. It is an ambassadorial role – the President is the public face of Athletics NI to our members, partner organisations and the public, and ensures that the diverse viewpoints of our members are represented to the Directors. It is intended that there is a change of President on a regular basis, so that the outstanding contribution of many individuals can be recognised through the honour of becoming President.

 

The term of appointment

The President is appointed every two years by the Membership. At the end of two years the President shall retire but be eligible for re-appointment once, for a total maximum term of four years. The President will take part in an induction programme at the start of their term. The President has the right to become a Director of the Company. If they do they must attend Board meetings and in doing so will be will be bound by the Directors Code of Conduct. Accepting the additional post is not mandatory and is at the discretion of the individual. They can decide not to accept the director role and in that case may attend Board meetings as an Observer.

 

Duties of the Role

The President shall represent Athletics NI at events to be agreed during their term of office and carry out ceremonial duties, such as the presentation of medals and attendance at other events organised by Athletics NI.

 

The President in carrying out these duties will connect with members, clubs and volunteers within the sport and provide another mechanism for more informal communication and feedback to be shared with the Chairperson, the Board and the CEO.

 

Accountability

The President shall report to the membership each year at the AGM.

 

The President’s point of contact within Athletics NI, for other than routine matters shall be the Chairperson.

 

The President reports the views of the membership to the Board.

 

Code of Conduct

The President will carry out their duties in accordance with these guidance notes and the Directors Code of Conduct.

 

The President shall ensure that no action is taken as President that has the effect of placing, or gives the perception of placing, his or her own interests in priority to the interests of Athletics NI.

 

Should she or he choose to attend Board meetings, the President will be able to debate issues and be free to question or challenge opinions presented at Board meetings. The President’s views will be fully respected within the Board just as the President will always respect the contributions of other Directors and staff members.

 

The President is expected to utilise their relevant skills, knowledge and experience at meetings.

 

Unless the Board has established an agreed position in relation to a topic under discussion, individual Board members should not publicly declare a personal view. Once the Board has established an agreed position it is the duty of all Board members to support that view in public, even if they may have argued differently during the Board’s discussions. These responsibilities will apply equally to the President. Any declaration of a difference of opinion should only be made with the prior consent of the Board.

 

The President may not communicate any confidential Information known to them by reason of their position that has not been made public, except as may be necessary in the course of their duties or under the authority of the Chairperson and with appropriate legal advice.

 

Expenses

The role of President is a voluntary role and is not remunerated. Expenses will be reimbursed in line with the Athletics NI Expenses Policy.

 

Person Specification

Essential

  • Excellent communication skills, with a talent for writing clearly and the confidence to speak in front of groups of all sizes
  • A good understanding of the key issues facing Athletics NI and the sporting landscape in which it operates
  • An approachable personality with the desire to meet with members from a range of different communities and disciplines
  • Ability to regularly attend Athletics NI events, functions, meetings, etc. as appropriate throughout Northern Ireland

 

Desirable

  • Experience and skills in corporate or charity governance, including previous experience on a charity or corporate board
  • Experience handling sensitive and confidential issues

 

Values

  • Represent all members of Athletics NI from every community and discipline
  • Uphold the highest ethical standards of integrity and probity
  • Support the staff and Directors in their leadership of the organisation whilst representing any views of members that may require a change of policy or strategy
  • Question intelligently, debate constructively, challenge rigorously and decide dispassionately
  • Listen sensitively to the views of others inside and outside the Board
  • Gain the trust and respect of members, Directors and staff
  • Promote the highest standards of corporate governance and seek best practice wherever possible

 

Vice President

Purpose of the role of the President

The role of Vice President of Athletics NI is reserved for individuals who have demonstrated

outstanding service to Athletics NI. It is an ambassadorial role – the Vice President is a support role to the President and assists with being the public face of Athletics NI to our members, partner organisations and the public in the absence of the President. With such a wide and diverse sport it will be necessary for the Vice President(s) to represent Athletics NI at occasions delegated by the President/Chair/CEO to ensure presence across the whole Sport throughout the year.

 

The term of appointment

The Vice President(s) is appointed every two years by the Membership. At the end of two years the Vice President(s) shall retire but be eligible for re-appointment once, for a total maximum term of four years.

 

Code of Conduct

The Vice President will carry out their duties in accordance with the Code of Conduct.

The Vice President shall ensure that no action is taken as Vice President that has the effect of

placing, or gives the perception of placing, his or her own interests in priority to the interests

of Athletics NI.

 

Expenses

The role of Vice President is a voluntary role and is not remunerated. Expenses will be

reimbursed in line with the Athletics NI Expenses Policy.

 

Independent Board Member

Overview

Athletics NI (ANI) is responsible for developing and promoting the sport of athletics in Northern Ireland, in partnership with UK Athletics and the other home country associations. Athletics NI oversees the delivery of events, coaching and education programmes, performance pathways, anti-doping and integrity policies, and membership and affiliation services.

ANI is seeking to appoint an independent board member with legal experience / qualification to join its board of directors, which consists of eight elected members and four independent members. The board is accountable to ANI’s members and stakeholders, and provides strategic direction, governance oversight, and financial and risk management for the organisation.

The independent board member will bring expertise, experience and diversity to the board, and will contribute to the achievement of the ANI's vision, mission and values. The independent board member will also act as an ambassador for the sport and the organisation as required.

ANI adheres to the Code for Sports Governance and expects its board members to uphold the highest standards of governance and conduct.

 

Main Duties & Responsibilities

  • Provide robust challenge and fresh perspective to the board on all matters of strategy, policy, performance, accountability, resources, risk and governance.
  • Support the chair on governance issues, including the annual review of board effectiveness.
  • Participate in any board induction, training and evaluation identified as an individual board member and as part of the board or committee.
  • Promote the board's commitment to board diversity, renewal and succession planning, inline with the governing document and organisational diversity goals.
  • Act between full meetings of the board in authorising action to be taken intra vires, e.g. directly engaging with stakeholders as required.

 

How to Apply

To apply for the role, please send a CV and a covering letter outlining your motivation and suitability for the role, and how you meet the person specification, to the ANI CEO at ceo@athleticsni.org by Friday 20 September 2024 at 12 noon. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview with a panel of board members and external advisers. The appointment will be subject to satisfactory references and eligibility checks.

Independent Board Member - Role Description

 

External Vacancy

UKA - Media and Communications Manager 

UK Athletics (UKA) is the national governing body for the Olympic and Paralympic sport of Athletics. An opportunity has arisen for a Media and Communications Manager with the right skills and attributes to join the team.

The post holder will work closely with the Head of Communications to maintain strong relationships with journalists and other media stakeholders to ensure that the sport and athletes are promoted positively and accurately across platforms.

They will ensure that the best possible service and support for the National Governing Body in areas including GB & NI team support, governance and staging of major events, and will support internal communications, including staff engagement, meetings and newsletters.

Specific duties include:

  • Manage and coordinate media and communications across Olympic and Paralympic programmes, as well as other GB & NI teams from Track & Field, Cross Country, Mountain Running, Ultra running and age groups.
  • Ownership of the Paralympic World Class Programme communications and media activations
  • Working as part of UKA’s event team helping to manage and coordinate media, communications and operations for major spectator events.
  • Manage and coordinate media opportunities with athletes and key staff as well as handling general queries.
  • Ongoing management of social media and digital agencies involved with UKA channels.
  • Oversight of media matrix on annual, monthly and weekly basis for planning purposes across UKA as well as ensuring accurate planning and logistics around events throughout the year.

The successful candidate will have a demonstrated a track-record in a media and communications role, and will have a relevant qualification for the industry as a minimum, however qualification by experience and placements will also be considered. Experience working in elite sport or sport national governing body is preferred and an interest in athletics and paralympic athletics is essential.

Applicants will have good knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and will possess excellent communication skills, showing an ability to adapt information to the needs of different audiences. A positive team player, the successful candidate will also have strong work-planning attention to detail and will deliver a high level of accuracy. Your workplace will be hybrid with occasional attendance at Alexander Stadium, Birmingham.

UK and overseas travel as well as weekend working is a core requirement of this role.

Applications will close at midday on the 19 September 2024, Interviews will be held week commencing 23 September 2024.

For the full job description and details of how to apply for this exciting role, please visit http://careers.ukathletics.org.uk/ 

As the nation’s favourite Olympic and Paralympic Sport. UK Athletics embraces equality, diversity, and inclusion both on and off the field of play where everyone can participate, we encourage job applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates irrespective of their race, sex, religion or belief, sexual orientation, disability, age and other protected characteristics to reflect the diversity of our sport. Athletics is a Disability Confident Leader and will guarantee an interview to any candidate with a disability who meets the minimum job criteria.

 To apply for this role visit - UK Athletics | Careers

 

Other Opportunities

Athletics Northern Ireland - Course Measurer

In response to the ever increasing number of road races Athletics Northern Ireland wishes to extend its list of Certified Course Measurers.

Course Measurers work to ensure the accuracy of courses which are advertised as being a particular distance. Accurate measurements mean that Permitted Races can be accredited as being of the advertised distance and are accepted by Power of 10 and RunBritain for ranking purposes.

Basic requirements are:

  • A bicycle
  • A Jones Counter (this can be loaned from Athletics NI)
  • A means of transport to the course to be measured
  • A fair amount of free time

The first step in the process is to complete an on-line introductory test, followed by a practical under the guidance of a qualified measurer. Further information on what course measurement involves can be found HERE.

Anyone interested in becoming a Certified Course Measurer should contact the Athletics NI office to express their interest by email at info@athleticsni.org or calling 028 9060 2707. It should be noted that measurers only receive a modest sum plus travelling expenses, currently paid by Race Directors, for carrying out this task.

 

Athletics Northern Ireland - Casual Coaching Work

Athletics NI is periodically able to offer casual work to qualified coaches and assistant coaches. The expression of interest form below allows coaches to sign up to be included in the Casual Coaches list for Athletics NI. Being part of this list means you may be contacted for coaching opportunities on some of the Athletics NI programmes, such as MPT Panthers, StarTrack or Sports Hall competitions.

ONLINE COACH REGISTRATION FORM

Coach Payment Structure

By definition of casual work, Athletics NI is not obliged to offer any individual work at any time, nor are coaches obliged to accept any work offered.  By registering you submit your details to be included on a mailing list, and any opportunities that arise will be forwarded with full details to individuals on this mailing list to apply if desired. 

Other External Vacancies

UK Athletics

Scottish Athletics

Welsh Athletics

England Athletics

Sport NI