May 2, 2017

An exciting opportunity for a high performance administrator to join RowSA

There has been a massive growth in South African sport in recent years. Rowing in particular has been on the rise, most recently producing Olympic silver medallists Lawrence Brittain and Shaun Keeling, from Rowing South Africa (RowSA), in Rio in 2016. 

RowSA represents 3,000 registered rowers in South Africa including novices, juniors, university students, seniors and masters and people with disabilities.

CN&CO is chuffed to be handling the PR and corporate (and school) bookings for the entire team SA national rowing squad.

RowSA is already gearing up and preparing for Tokyo 2020. It is also in search for a high performance administrator to join the team and assist in creating magic for the national squad – yet again. RowSA recently released the following job spec:

 

As we begin our preparations for the next Olympiad, Tokyo 2020, we have identified a new and key role that needs to be filled. Our national squads across all categories require the services of a high performance administrator in support of World Championship and Olympic excellence.”

High performance administrator

Roles and Responsibilities

  • Job Title: International Commission High Performance Administrator
  • Reports to: Rowing South Africa National Head Coach (NHC), Roger Barrow
  • Accountable to: Rowing South Africa (RowSA) National Head Coach and the RowSA International Commission (IC)
  • Works with: NHC; national coaches, squad athletes and technical support staff; IC Members; RowSA staff; various third party suppliers/associates
  • Location: Pretoria

The High Performance Administrator (HPA) will be responsible for the following functions:

1. Logistics:

  • Management of local and international training camps and competitive tours including organising travel and transport, accommodation, nutrition, equipment, and associated documentation
    Administrative support for the RowSA High Performance Coaching
  • Forums, including communication, organisation, reservations and keeping of Minutes

2. Management oversight of the assets belonging to RowSA IC

  • Maintenance of an asset register
  • Report compilation and submission under the guidance and instruction of the NHC to relevant organisations for example
  • Department of Sport and Recreation, SASCOC, Rowing South Africa Executive and IC Committees
  • Supporters and sponsors
  • Constituent members of RowSA e.g. SASRU, USSA, regional structures

3. General administrative and management support to squad athletes including logistics of transport, meals, medical and sport science appointments and reports, equipment needs

  • Overall management of the IC facilities in Pretoria
  • Communication between the HPC/IC office and the RowSA federation, the greater rowing community and its many supporters

4. Data management of

  • Medical and/or sport science service reports, collating the statistics of these services and managing costs
  • National squad supporters database

5. Basic budgeting and financial management, including procurement and ordering, petty cash handling, invoicing and account management

6. On-tour management in support of the Head coach and team

Requirements

1. Recommended Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

  • Practical experience in the administration and management of athletes, coaches and affiliated staff, sports structures and their supporters/sponsors
  • A qualification in Sport Management or Sport Science would be beneficial

2. Important requirements

  • Computer literacy, including familiarity with Office applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and email
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills
  • Financial literacy and some management experience
  • Some knowledge of the sport of rowing (esp. equipment logistics) and high performance program support
  • An intimate understanding of the rules of international rowing (can be developed)
  • Ability to self-manage and take initiative according to an agreed brief – very important to be a self-starter
  • Ability to work at a high pace under stress, with short turnaround times and deadlines
  • Ability to cope with changes and good versatility and creativity
  • Strong administrative and organisational skills
  • Solution focused, action orientated and results driven
  • Highly organised with attention to detail
  • Honest and trustworthy, punctual, possessing cultural awareness and sensitivity; flexible and strong work ethic

3. Experience with working in a multidisciplinary team

4. Some understanding and experience of the structure and dynamic of high performance sport in South Africa, factors affecting South Africa’s competitiveness internationally, and an understanding of the needs of competitive athletes and coaches

5. Availability to travel locally and overseas sometimes for periods of up-to 3 weeks

6Willing to adopt and work within the values of Rowing South Africa

Professional Liaisons

1. RowSA NHC (the team leader)

2. RowSA squad members, our multidisciplinary technical/support staff, including sport scientists, strength & conditioning coaches, doctors, nutritionists, psychologists, physiotherapists, biomechanists, biokineticists and team managers

3. Members of the RowSA and IC executive committees as well as administrative staff at RowSA, supporting bodies such as SASCOC and team sponsors

Performance measures

Key deliverables will be agreed together from time to time. A performance review will be conducted every six months. Key performance measures by which the success of this role will be assessed include:

  • Effectiveness of coordination and integration of administrative support to stakeholders
  • Feedback from coaches and other stakeholders
  • Harmony within the team
  • Initiative in getting the job done

Prerequisites

The senior squad is based at the High Performance Centre, University of Pretoria which serves as the work base and home for this role. Whilst this infrastructure is largely in place it is also being improved and refined at present.

The performance and physical delivery of the duties described above necessitates close proximity to the NHC. Access to a portable computer, software, internet and telephone at all times is essential.

This full-time position comes at an important time in the development of our sport. Coaches (in particular) and the national teams as a whole require the support of a central office that removes the responsibility of logistics and team management, allowing them to concentrate on ‘’moving bow-ball’’. The successful candidate will be joining a winning team with a set of ambitious goals.

Remuneration is negotiable and all the usual benefits will form part of the overall package. Working hours are mostly focused on getting the job done. There is no overtime pay. Holidays will need to coincide with the squad competition calendar. This will be discussed in greater detail in person If this role is for you, please communicate your interest by sending us an email with your personal motivation for the role and attaching you CV.

These can be addressed to:

Denise Wait
Team Powerhouse Trust and IC administration office
denisewa@hollard.co.za
Telephone: 011.351.1083

Should you require any additional information or have any questions, please contact:

Roger Barrow – 0829528601
Paolo Cavalieri – 0832500840