Job title: Localities Support Officer
Salary: SO1 £32,076.00 - £33,945.00
Hours: 37 hours
Contract: Fixed term until 30th November 2025
Location: John Charles Centre for Sport
Internal vacancy. Applications will only be considered from existing Leeds City Council employees.
An opportunity has arisen for the position of Localities Support Officer as part of the Sport England funded Get Set Leeds Local project.
We aim to recruit an enthusiastic and motivated individual with experience of developing community-based physical activity interventions. The overall objective of the role is to support the development of sustainable changes in physical activity levels in some of Leeds most deprived communities. By working closely with partners and utilising an asset-based approach the role will support individuals and groups in these communities to become more physically activity. This exciting and challenging role requires the ability to collaborate with a wide range of partners. The role will support the delivery of the vision for Active Leeds, “Leeds to be the best city to be active in.”
Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.
Purpose of job
Working as part of a citywide team you will contribute towards the City’s ambition of making Leeds the most active big city; ensuring links to relevant local, national and key partner strategies, plans and priorities.
You will focus on areas of deprivation within key localities where health inequalities are greatest and on population groups that are less active e.g. girls and women, lower socio-economic groups, BEM, people with a disability and older people.
Play a lead role in the development of the Get Set Leeds Local project funded by Sport England.
You will use relevant insight and intelligence to provide a clear evidence base for programmes of work and have an understanding of behaviour change models and their application.
You will work in partnership with others to ensure sustainability in models of delivery.
You will evidence increases in participation and how being active / engagement in sport and physical activity can contribute to wider outcomes such health, economic and social benefits.
You should possess:
- Understanding of how to embed community programmes based on identified need and models of change and experience of working with disadvantaged communities and those underrepresented in sport and physical activity.
- Experience of working as part of a team and through your own initiative to develop services that allow communities to deliver their own activities. Ideally this should include working with local communities using ABCD (Asset Based Community Development) model.
- Understanding of behaviour change in terms of physical activity, understanding barriers to physical activity and the promotion of interventions to target audiences.
- Excellent organisational skills.
The successful applicant should hold a professional qualification in physical activity, sport or health or equivalent.
What we offer you
We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:
- a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
- membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
- flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
- a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
- a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
How to apply
Please complete the online application form.
Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.
If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Neil Jones Call 07891 275383 or email neil.jones@leeds.gov.uk
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children’s barred list will be carried out on preferred candidates.
We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds and the communities we serve. Leeds City Council is recognised in Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index 2024. We are also an Age-friendly Employer, a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Leader.
All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six month probationary period.
This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.
Leeds City Council Job Description
Responsibilities
- To develop strong and effective working relationships with key stakeholders, partners and other relevant organisations to develop opportunities to increase levels of activity
- To work collaboratively with relevant partners around joint planning / shared objectives; facilitating and coordinating others to engage with the inactive
- To use relevant local and national research, insight and knowledge to develop successful interventions / programmes of work
- To embed models of behaviour change in any interventions / programmes of work
- To produce, deliver and evaluate a measurable annual work programme utilising relevant Management Information Systems
- To establish effective communication mechanisms with relevant stakeholders, partners and community organisations
- To adopt a community development approach supporting key partners, organisations and groups to develop sustainable models of delivery within local communities
- To work with elected members, service users and community representatives in ways which support open, inclusive, responsive and accountable governance.
- Working as a team for Leeds by developing and maintaining good working relationships with internal and external customers, other stakeholders and partners to achieve excellent outcomes for the citizens of Leeds.
- To be accountable for the safety of staff, service users and contractors in accordance with Legislation and the Council Health and Safety Policy.
- To provide appropriate information relating to the work of the Service to Members and council officers so as to manage risk and support them in their respective roles.
- To be actively involved in effectively preparing and managing budgets and take responsibility where appropriate for assigned budgets.
- As an officer in the Council to work flexibly as required to meet Directorate and Corporate priorities
- To undertake any other duties which may be assigned from time to time and that are commensurate with the grade of the post.
- To undertake the accountabilities of the post in accordance with council policies including the Safeguarding of Young People and Vulnerable Adults, Equal Opportunities and Health & Safety policies.
Qualifications Relevant degree or equivalent professional qualifications are essential.
Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.
- Able to communicate effectively with a wide range of organisations.
- Able to work to tight budgets
- Ability to organise, promote and market activities
- Ability to work at a strategic level
- Able to demonstrate excellent organisational skills
- Able to meet tight deadlines for complex projects
- Able to work as part of a team and on your own initiative including identifying needs and resolving problems with practical solutions
- Able to produce and implement development plans and work programmes
- Able to prepare and present reports
- Adapting physical activity practice to tailor programmes for people with different mobility or health problems
- Knowledge (extensive) of inactivity, recreational and sport development work
- Knowledge (extensive) of relevant local and national strategies, priorities and associated development initiatives
- Knowledge of local, regional and national health, recreational and sports organisations
- Knowledge of developing programmes within a community setting
- Knowledge of funding initiatives relative to physical activity, active recreation and sport
- Knowledge of the benefits of being physically active
- Understanding of issues preventing regular participation within communities
- Knowledge of IT software applications
- Sport, physical activity or recreational development related degree or equivalent professional qualification
- Full, clean driving licence
- Experience of working in health, recreational or sport development or an associated area
- Experience of working at a strategic level
- Experience of liaison with public, private and voluntary agencies
- Experience of marketing and promotion
- Experience of tutoring on education courses
- Experience of working with disadvantaged communities and those underrepresented in sport and physical activity.
Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics
- Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
- Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
- Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
- Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
- Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
- Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
- Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
- Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
- Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
- Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
- The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.
Desirable requirements It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.
- Able to conduct research programmes and capture and interpret detailed monitoring and evaluation data
- Understanding of behaviour change models and their application
- Experience of developing innovative partnerships with regional and local bodies
- Experience of embedding community programmes based on identified need and models of change
- Experience of managing and motivating staff
- Experience of event organisation
- Experience of securing external funding project management
- Experience of leading and managing projects
