Sport for Development Assistant - Active Essex Foundation

Essex County Council (ECC) are delighted to be advertising the Sport for Development Assistant on behalf of Active Essex.

To apply for this vacancy, please click HERE.

Job Title and Role: Sport for Development Assistant

Salary range: £26,000 - £28,000 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. Please note this opportunity is available on a fixed-term contract or secondment basis.

Directly responsible to: Operations and Development Manager

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)

Active Essex Foundation is a successful and growing charity dedicated to creating the conditions for young people and communities across Essex to thrive. Our work focuses on three core areas: improving young people’s mental health, reducing vulnerabilities to youth crime and exploitation, and strengthening communities through trusted relationships and positive engagement.

A defining feature of our approach is our network of more than 100 Locally Trusted Organisations (LTOs) across Essex. These community-based organisations are at the heart of our delivery model, providing trusted relationships, local insight and direct support within the communities they serve. Working closely with our LTO network enables us to reach those who may be least likely to engage with traditional services and ensure support is tailored to local needs.

Through partnerships with our LTOs, we deliver programmes that use physical activity, mentoring and community support to build resilience, improve wellbeing and reduce inequalities. This role will play a key part in developing and strengthening these relationships, helping our LTO network to maximise its impact and deliver positive outcomes for young people and communities across Essex.

Everything we do is shaped by the real experiences of the people we serve, ensuring our interventions are meaningful, accessible and rooted in what communities tell us they need.

We are pleased to offer an exciting opportunity to join the Active Essex Foundation team as a Sport for Development Assistant.

The Sport for Development Assistant will play an important role in supporting the delivery and coordination of these programmes. Working closely with the Sport for Development Officer, programme leads, Locally Trusted Organisations (LTOs), and community stakeholders, the postholder will help ensure smooth programme administration, high‑quality communication, and effective operational support across our mental health, youth crime prevention and community strengthening work.

The ideal candidate will bring strong relationship-building skills and experience of working collaboratively with a diverse range of stakeholders.

The post holder will work with AEF staff across the business to deliver the duties and responsibilities set out below.

Main duties and responsibilities:

• Support the Sport for Development Officer in maintaining positive relationships with community organisations across Sport, Youth Crime Prevention, and Young People’s Mental Health & Wellbeing programmes.
• Assist in gathering and updating information about people and organisations involved in programme delivery.
• Act as a first point of contact for LTOs where appropriate, ensuring timely responses and consistent messaging.
• Support ongoing LTO liaison, helping maintain strong communication channels and ensuring LTOs feel supported and connected.

Programme Support & Referral Management

• Provide administrative 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

• Maintain organised records of referral pathways, outcomes, and follow‑up actions.

Compliance, Governance & Funding Administration

• Support LTO compliance processes by collecting required documentation, checking submissions, and maintaining organised records.
• Assist with monitoring LTO performance against funding agreements and flagging concerns to the Sport for Development Officer and Operations and Development Manager.
• Provide basic guidance to LTOs on reporting templates, deadlines, and documentation requirements.

Training, Events & Capacity Building

• Assist in planning and coordinating training sessions, development opportunities, and Share & Learn events.
• Support event logistics including scheduling, invitations, materials preparation, and follow‑up communication.
• Help maintain records of attendance, feedback, and learning outcomes.

Quality Assurance & Monitoring

• Support the Sport for Development Officer with scheduling and preparing Quality Assurance visits.
• Assist in maintaining records of visit findings, safeguarding checks, and follow‑up actions.
• Help track Smart Courses uptake and ensure LTOs have access to required resources.

Digital Systems & Project Management Support

• Provide administrative support for Monday.com, including updating project boards, tracking actions, maintaining timelines, and supporting project documentation.
• Assist with general project management tasks across programmes, ensuring information is accurate, up‑to‑date, and accessible.
• Support website maintenance, including updating content, uploading documents, and ensuring information is current and user‑friendly.

Communications & Administration

• Monitor and manage the admin inbox, ensuring timely responses, appropriate triage, and escalation where needed.
• Support internal communication processes, including scheduling meetings, preparing agendas, and tracking actions.
• Assist with preparing case studies, summaries, and basic evaluation content for internal and external reporting

Evaluation, Data & Reporting

• Assist with programme data collection, ensuring accuracy and consistency across submissions.
• Collect case studies, summaries, and basic evaluation content for internal and external reporting.
• Work with colleagues to ensure data is stored correctly and supports programme development.

Continuous Improvement & Strategic Support

• Identify small improvements to administrative processes, communication systems, and programme coordination.
• Contribute to internal discussions by sharing insights from day‑to‑day programme support.

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 commitment to ongoing development.

Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.

Good communication skills, both written and verbal.

Experience working with communities or voluntary organisations is beneficial.

Ability to maintain accurate records and support data collection processes.

Confidence using IT systems, including Monday.com or similar project management tools.

Ability to update and maintain website content.

Strong teamwork and collaboration skills.

A strengths‑based mindset and willingness to learn about community development approaches.

A driving licence and access to a vehicle, or ability to meet mobility requirements through other means.

Applying for the role

Please provide a CV and a covering letter explaining your relevant experience that meets the job description for the role admin@activeessexfoundation.org using the title ‘Sport for Development Assistant’ in the subject line. If you have any questions relating to this post, please contact: Jamie Rhodes jamie.rhodes@activeessex.org .

The closing date for applications is 23:59, 11 October 2026

Shortlisting will take place on 12 October 2026 with successful applications being offered an interview slot by Thursday 15 October 2026.

If you know you will be unavailable on the dates above, please state this on your application form. Interviews will take place face to face in Chelmsford. If for any reason this does not suit or you would need any additional requirements, please also state this on your application form.

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.

Essex County Council (ECC) are delighted to be advertising the Sport for Development Assistant on behalf of Active Essex.

To apply for this vacancy, please click HERE.