Special Olympics Australia (SOA) is the peak national body developing and delivering inclusive sport and physical activity programs for people with intellectual disability (PWID). Since 1976, SOA has provided year-round inclusive sports training and competition in sports for children and adults with intellectual disability in communities throughout Australia.

Special Olympics has grown from a backyard camp into a global movement that has been transforming the lives of PWID for almost 50 years. Today, Special Olympics supports over 5 million athlete and unified partners in more than 170 countries.

Special Olympics Australia strives to ensure that everyone living with an intellectual disability has opportunities to participate in sport. The dedicated network of volunteers and coaches create accessible sports training, coaching and competitions that allow PWID to reach their personal best - in sport and in life.
Special Olympics Australia provides:

• grassroots sporting, recreational, social and health activities in local communities around Australia;
• an environment where people with an intellectual disability can develop physical fitness, build self-esteem, demonstrate courage and make friends; and
• competition pathways ranging from weekly club events, to regional, state and national games culminating in the Special Olympics World Games.

Hours of work: Fixed Term Part Time - 22.8hrs per week until 31 December 2024

Reporting to: State Manager - NSW / ACT

Primary Purpose of Position:

• Coordinate and oversee all participation opportunities within the club, including weekly sports training and competitions.
• The Sport Coordinator will engage and collaborate with sport partners, venues, affiliated organisations and other relevant stakeholders.
• They will liaise closely with the Club Committee, particularly for the distribution of communication.

Location: Home based (laptop and phone will be provided)

Key Relationships and Interactions:

• Club Committee Members and State Sports Coordinators
• Affiliates and Program Delivery Partners
• Athletes, Volunteers and Coaches
• Relevant Staff from National Office

Essential Criteria:

1. Experience building and maintaining effective relationships with a range of volunteers
2. Experience coordinating sport and physical activity programs in a variety of formats and settings
3. Experience in planning, project management and/or community program delivery
4. Demonstrated experience working autonomously and in a fast-paced environment
5. Demonstrated ability to work under pressure, and to plan, prioritise and organise to meet deadlines
6. Demonstrated understanding of appropriate behaviours when engaging with children or vulnerable adults
7. Strong alignment with Special Olympics Australia’s Vision and Mission

Desirable Criteria:

1. Knowledge and understanding of the disability sector and issues facing people with intellectual disability

Personal Qualities:

1. Excellent interpersonal, collaborative and communication skills to support the organisation and culture, and engage with staff, volunteers, and other stakeholders
2. Demonstrated capacity to cooperate and work well with others in a cross-functional environment, as part of a multi-faceted team, to promote and pursue organisational goals
3. Strong alignment to the Special Olympics culture

Focus Areas & Key Deliverables

1. Sport Development
   • Coordinate delivery of sports programs via a network of coaches and providers
   • Develop and grow the number of sports offered
2. Sporting Competitions
   • Work with the SOA Competition Team to foster more competition opportunities
   • Support the State Sport Coordinator/s to offer more local sporting competitions
3. Stakeholder Engagement
   • Respond to general enquiries from members and local community
   • Work collaboratively with National Office to ensure compliance within the club
   • Work collaboratively with the State Committee
4. Leadership
   • Represent the Club at meetings, workshops, forums and other events, as required
   • Actively contribute to a ‘One Team’ culture at all levels of the organisation
   • Always role model the SOA values and place athletes at the centre of what we do