Mentor(s) (Coaching Futures Programme) Job Description
Title:
Mentor (Coaching Futures Programme)
Responsible to:
sportscotland, National Agency for Sport
Reports to:
The Coaching Futures Programme Manager,
sportscotland
Contract type:
Contract for services
Salary:
£250 per day (inclusive of all taxes) inclusive of
preparation time, travel time and expenses, face-toface meeting and administrative follow up time
Contract duration:
Fixed term for 12 months (to be reviewed on an annual
basis)
Expenses:
Included in daily fee. Reasonable additional expenses
approved by Programme Manager
Location:
Scotland (Central belt: Glasgow, Edinburgh, Stirling
and Aberdeenshire)
Number of positions:
Up to six positions are available
Closing Date for Applications:
Friday 22nd January 2016, 5pm
Interview Date:
Week commencing 1st February 2016
Training Date:
Wednesday 2nd March 2016, 10am-3pm
Purpose of the role
To provide individualised support to coaches on the Coaching Futures performance athlete
to coach apprenticeship programme to enhance their knowledge, skills and confidence,
enabling them to maximise their potential. The Mentor is a key component of the
programme, complementing other aspects including deployment in a supportive governing
body, individual and group professional development opportunities and a peer support
network.
The role will specifically focus on developing:
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Coaching skills, behaviours and practice
Confidence and self-belief
Leadership and decision making
Interpersonal skills
Reflective practice
Role Description
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Working with the coach on an individual basis to develop their coaching skills,
behaviour and practice;
Embedding learning from workshops and other key development opportunities;
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Assisting the coach to identify goals and make progress towards them;
Working with the coach to identify and focus on areas for improvement within their
coaching practice;
Helping the coach to increase confidence and self-belief;
Preparing for the meetings and taking action on administrative protocols following the
meeting;
Challenging or questioning their approach, beliefs and assumptions (opening up to
new ways of thinking);
Encouraging the coach to take a reflective approach towards learning;
This may include observing the coach in their coaching environment and enabling
them to reflect on key areas;
Being a valuable resource by sharing knowledge, resources/tools or signposting to
others.
Other tasks:
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To attend meetings (and potentially workshops) relevant to the aims and objectives
of the Coaching Futures programme as required;
Report directly and regularly to the Programme Manager on progress and impact;
To participate in the monitoring and evaluation of the programme.
Person specification
Essential criteria:
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A proven track record of effectively supporting and developing others (e.g. coaches,
apprentices etc.);
Significant and appropriate knowledge and experience of performance sport and
ability to draw on this expertise;
Extensive knowledge of coaching in sport;
A passion for sport recognising the crucial role coaches play in the development of
world class athletes;
Good relationship builder with excellent communication and listening skills and a
positive approach to challenging and questioning;
Solid understanding of different models and techniques for the development of others
and when to apply them;
Follows a solid and tested methodology which reflects a professional code of practice
and behaviour underpinning all they do;
Honest and trustworthy with high ethical standards;
Able to create a safe, trusting and confidential environment to explore and offer
critical insights into issues, expertise and new ideas;
Operates a question-led approach which encourages coaches to reflect and provide
their own solutions;
Able to work flexibly to meet the specific and changing needs of the coaches;
Organised and efficient in meeting preparation and follow-up taking an innovative
approach to improving monitoring processes;
Reflective and receptive to feedback to continually improve effectiveness and
develop practice;
A hunger for learning, constantly striving to be the best that they can be;
Engages in continuous and relevant personal development.
Desirable criteria:
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Hold a recognised and relevant mentor/coach developer/teaching and learning
qualification;
Have successfully completed the UK Sport Mentor endorsement process;
Be currently an active mentor/developer of others;
Have experience developing others through mentor-related practices in a
performance sport environment;
Have experience being mentored;
Have competent IT skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and use of the internet);
Have experience working with coaches on similar coach development programmes.
Specific requirements:
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You are required to provide your own basic disclosure and public liability insurance
which must be gained prior to working with the coaches;
You must be able to travel throughout Scotland (although this will be limited wherever
possible);
You must have flexibility to work week days / weekends / evenings as required.
In return, sportscotland offers a competitive all-inclusive day rate, flexible working and
provides access to learning and development opportunities.
To apply:
Applicants are requested to submit a CV and with it a letter of application in which they
should outline their suitability for the role in relation to the essential and desirable criteria,
and provide details of their base location (in Scotland), radius of working (in terms of travel
time or miles e.g. 60 miles or 1hr etc.) and availability to Sarah Dixon, Partnership Manager:
sarah.dixon@sportscotland.org.uk
If you have any further questions about the role, please contact Sarah Dixon, Partnership
Manager, sportscotland on 07854 680763, or by emailing
sarah.dixon@sportscotland.org.uk