Appointment of Directors to the Board of
Disability Sport Northern Ireland
INFORMATION BOOKLET AND ROLE
DESCRIPTION
This document is available in alternative formats on request.
Registered Charity No: NIC102838
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CONTENTS
CONTENTS
1.
About Disability Sport Northern Ireland
Page 3
2.
Current Activities
Page 4
3.
Board Structure
Page 5
4.
The Role of Directors
Page 5
5.
Essential Criteria
Page 6
6.
Terms of Appointment, Time Commitment and Remuneration
Page 7
7.
Induction Training
Page 7
8.
Assistance for Board Members with Disabilities
Page 7
9.
Application Process
Page 9
10.
Selection Process
Page 8
11.
Equality of Opportunity
Page 8
12.
Application Form
Page 9-10
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1.
Background to Disability Sport Northern Ireland
Disability Sport NI is Northern Ireland’s main disability sports charity working with children, young
people and adults who would like to participate in sport and active recreation. The organisation
works with people with physical, sensory and learning disabilities of all ages and with schools,
disability groups, sporting organisations and clubs to ensure that everyone can benefit from the
health, social and education benefits of sport and active recreation.
The organisation believes that every person with a disability has the right to participate in all
aspects of life and is committed to building a more inclusive society where people with disabilities
have the same opportunity as non-disabled people to lead a full, active and healthy lifestyle
through sport and active recreation.
Launched in 1998 by a number of small disability sports groups to address the under
representation of people with disabilities in sport, the organisation has gradually grown to
represent the vast majority of disability sports groups and clubs in Northern Ireland.
The organisation currently has over 100 member groups made up of disability sports groups,
schools and adult centres and organises a range of participation programmes, events, training
courses and education projects all designed to improve the health and wellbeing of people with
disabilities.
Although the majority of Disability Sport NI’s work is concerned with developing grassroots sports
and active recreation opportunities, the organisation also works closely with Sport Northern Ireland
and Governing Bodies of Sport to ensure that talented disabled sports people have the same
opportunity as their non-disabled peers to train, compete and excel in their chosen sport on the
world stage.
The organisation also has sole responsibility for the development of the disability specific sports of
Wheelchair Basketball and Boccia in Northern Ireland.
Disability Sport NI is a limited company with charitable status and is recognised by Sport Northern
Ireland as the key body responsible for the development of sport and physical recreation
opportunities for people with disabilities in Northern Ireland.
The organisation is a member of the British Paralympic Association, GB Boccia, the UK Sports
Association for People with Learning Disabilities, Disability Action, the Northern Ireland Council for
Voluntary Action and the Northern Ireland Sports Forum. Disability Sport NI also maintains close
links with Paralympics Ireland.
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2.
Current Activities
Disability Sport NI organises a wide range of programmes and services, all designed to give
disabled people the opportunity to lead a full and active lifestyle through sport and active
recreation.
The table below provides an overview of Disability Sport NI’s work.
Services
Description
Community Sport –
Improving Health &
Wellbeing
The development and delivery of inclusive sports and recreation opportunities and
facilities which enable people with disabilities to lead a full, active and healthy lifestyle in
their local community. This involves the organisation and delivery of:
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Performance Sport –
Developing Sporting
Talent
Regional Disability Sports & Active Recreation Projects
Outdoor Recreation Opportunities
Community Events
Club Development Programmes
Sports Facility Access & Audit Service
The development of performance pathways, facilities and support programmes which
enable people with disabilities to achieve higher levels of performance in their sport.
This involves:
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Supporting Governing Bodies of Sport to develop performance pathways and
facilities which are fully inclusive of disabled athletes.
Managing the development of performance pathways and facilities for the
disability specific sports of Boccia and Wheelchair Basketball.
Providing performance, funding and classification advice and management
support to talented disabled athletes.
Hosting/organising major international disability sports events in Northern
Ireland.
Representing Northern Ireland on key UK & Irish performance sports
organisations.
Education, Training & The development and delivery of education, training and volunteer programmes which
Volunteers – Supporting support the inclusion of people with disabilities. This involves the organisation and
Inclusion
delivery of:
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Communications –
Inspiring Participation
Inclusive Education Projects
Inclusive sport and PE Courses for teachers, trainee teachers and classroom
assistants
Disability Inclusion Training & Inclusive Sports training courses for leisure
services staff, coaches and sports leaders.
Coach Education Courses
Volunteer Programmes
Inspiring and encouraging people with disabilities to participate in sport by providing
information on the opportunities available and highlighting the achievements of talented
athletes and role models.
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3.
Board Structure
Disability Sport Northern Ireland’s Board of Directors has recently been re-organised and from late
November 2015 will consist of not more than eight skills based members recruited through a
public recruitment and selection process.
4.
The Role of Directors
The role and responsibilities of Directors on the Board of is as follows:
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To ensure the organisation fulfils its charitable objectives as outlined in its Articles of
Association.
To contribute to the strategic development of the organisation, including contributing to the
development of the organisation’s strategy.
To ensure that the organisation has adequate financial resources and that its finances are
effectively managed.
To ensure that the organisation complies with its legislative requirements, including
compliance with employment and equal opportunities legislation, and charity and company
law.
To contribute to the development of policies and procedures that ensure the organisation
meets optimum levels of good practice in governance.
To ensure that risks to the organization are maintained at an acceptable level.
To represent the organisation at meetings and events relevant to the business of the
organisation.
To ensure that the needs of people with disabilities remain central to the organisation’s
work.
To contribute to the development of a fundraising and communications strategy which will
maximize the commercial, business and sponsorship opportunities available to Disability
Sport NI.
To advise the organisation on the development of mutually beneficial relationships with
relevant organisations in the private, public and voluntary sector.
To participate in and contribute to sub committees and working groups concerned with
overseeing and progressing key functions of the organisation’s business.
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5.
Essential criteria
5.1
an interest in the development of sport and active recreation for people with disabilities;
5.2
a commitment to the vision, mission and values of the organisation;
5.3
experience in at least one of the following areas:
the voluntary sector
project management
performance or professional sport
training
disability or health issues
marketing
financial management
legal issues
5.4
business
sports & leisure management
education
volunteering
fundraising
governance
personnel
Candidates should also have experience of at least one of the following:
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experience in strategic management in the private, public or voluntary sector including;
overseeing the development and implementation of corporate strategies and business
plans;
demonstrable experience and skills in a business or commercial environment;
‘Direct’ experience of disability, eg. you are a person with a disability, or a
parent/sibling of a disabled person; or
experience of disability sports, preferably as a participant, coach, or in a teaching or
sports leadership role.
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6.
Terms of Appointment, Time Commitment and Remuneration
The Board will be appointed on a rotational basis on a four year cycle. To assist with the
introduction of a rotational system, during the first cycle of the new process, four of the eight
Directors will be appointed for a fixed term of two years. Thereafter all Directors will be
appointed for a four year period.
After serving one period of four years Directors can apply to be appointed for a second
period of four years through the normal selection and recruitment process.
Board membership is likely to require a minimum time commitment of at least 1 day per
month.
Board member positions are not remunerated but reasonable travel and subsistence
expenses will be reimbursed.
7.
Induction Training
Disability Sport NI will provide induction training for the successful candidates.
8.
Assistance for Board Members with Disabilities
Every effort will be made to provide whatever reasonable support Board Members need to
help them carry out their duties.
9.
Selection process
Following short-listing, all successful candidates will be asked to attend an interview.
A selection panel consisting of two existing Directors and the CEO will be appointed by the
Board to oversee the interview and appointment process. The CEO’s role on the panel will
be limited to an advisory one.
Interviews are expected to take place week commencing 16 November 2015.
The panel’s recommended candidates will be considered by the membership at the AGM
on 25 November 2015.
Successful candidates will be informed as soon as possible after the AGM.
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10.
Equality of Opportunity
Disability Sports NI is committed to providing equality of opportunity for all individuals.
Applications are welcome regardless of gender, age marital status, disability, religion, ethnic
origin, political opinion, sexual orientation or whether or not you have dependants. All
applications for appointment are considered strictly on merit.
11. Application Process
Please complete the attached application form and return it to Disability Sport NI no later
than 4.00pm on Friday 13 November 2015.
All applications should be sent to:
Monitoring Officer
Disability Sport NI
Portside Business Park
189 Airport Road West
BELFAST BT3 9ED
Or by email: kdrennan@dsni.co.uk
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APPLICATION FORM
SECTION 1 - PERSONAL DETAILS
Surname:
Title
Forename
MR / MRS / MISS / DR
If Other please specify
Address
Email
Address
Telephone
Numbers
Home
Work
Postcode
Mobile
How did
you hear
about this
vacancy?
SECTION 2 - SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
Please provide information to demonstrate how your skills and experience to date meets the criteria
of:
1. an interest in the development of sport and active recreation for people with disabilities;
2. a commitment to the vision, mission and values of the organisation;
3. experience in at least one of the following areas:
the voluntary sector
business
project management
sports & leisure management
performance or professional sport
education
training
volunteering
disability or health issues
fundraising
marketing
governance
financial management
personnel
legal issues
4.
Candidates should also have experience of at least one of the following:
 experience in strategic management in the private, public or voluntary sector including;
overseeing the development and implementation of corporate strategies and business plans;
 demonstrable experience and skills in a business or commercial environment;
 ‘Direct’ experience of disability, eg. you are a person with a disability, or a parent/sibling of a
disabled person; or
 experience of disability sports, preferably as a participant, coach, or in a teaching or sports
leadership role.
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SECTION 2 - SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
Signed: ___________________________________
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Date: _____________________________