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Job Title: Safeguarding and Player Welfare Manager
Department: Academy – Operations
Reports to: Academy Operations Manager

Role specific purpose:

Safeguarding-related risks are recognised as some of the most significant identified in Al Jazira Academy operating framework.

Al Jazira Academy has an established Safeguarding Strategy and Framework which is implemented across all age group under the academy umbrella (professional and junior academy)

Working under the direction and supervision of Academy Operations Manager, the post holder will be a key member of the Academy management Team. They will be focused on the implementation of an effective safeguarding program working in close collaboration with all departments that make up Al Jazira Academy football programs (known as (professional and junior academy) based at different locations.

The post holder will be responsible for applying all safeguarding-related laws and regulations that apply to these activities and in particular, compliance with all the relevant regulations of the UAE Football Association, UAE Pro League (PLC) and Child Protection government body. The club is monitored each season by the regulatory bodies and is expected to meet all the necessary criteria.

Role Specific Accountabilities:

1. To promote and protect the rights, safety and well-being of children, young people and vulnerable adults who come into contact with any Al Jazira Academy activities, ensuring that all participants, parents, carers and workers clearly understand these rights


2. To provide safeguarding support, monitoring and visibility across all Al Jazira Academy operations and ensure that the safeguarding and welfare program is effectively planned, promoted, implemented, embedded, monitored, reviewed and continuously improved.


3. To work closely with multi-disciplinary teams across Al Jazira Academy to raise awareness of and implement safeguarding and welfare principles, regulations and practice and ensure that everyone is working together in creating and maintaining a safe, respectful and welcoming environment.


4. To create opportunities to ensure that voices of players are heard in decisions, policies and practices that impact them.


5. To collaborate with recruiting managers and core safeguarding staff to co-ordinate and implement the Safer Recruitment Policy and take responsibility for ensuring compliance with background checks (and other relevant overseas checks where necessary) for relevant staff, and in accordance with UAE legislation, Premier League and FA rules, and Club policy.


6. To help co-ordinate and deliver a scheme of safeguarding and welfare education to the workforce, players and other participants, on Al Jazira Academy programmes. Including the coordination and delivery of activities for safeguarding and wellbeing campaigns throughout the season (including, but not limited to, Anti-Bullying Week, Parents in Sport Week, Safer Internet Day).


7. To provide subject matter expertise to the design and implementation of relevant policy and practice to address key safeguarding and welfare issues specific to the Al Jazira Academy pathway environment including (but not limited to) under 18s playing in the senior environment, trips & tournaments, residential provision and transitional moments (e.g. player recruitment, players on loan, playing out of age group).


8. Working closely, and with support and direction from the Academy operations manager, respond appropriately to safeguarding and welfare-related concerns across the Acadmy’ football pathway operations, liaising with concerned government bodies for Case Management Team and, where appropriate, relevant statutory agencies.


9. Work collaboratively with the Performance Lifestyle department in the delivery of high-quality, age-appropriate holistic support for players across all age groups.


10. To support Al Jazira Academy management in the implementation of the Disciplinary Policy relating to players and in particular provide direct support to players subject to disciplinary procedures.


11. To contribute to and support the maintenance of accurate records (using established recording systems) in respect of training, vetting checks and concern management systems and ensure all sensitive data and information is held securely and in accordance with data protection and privacy obligations; and providing decision-ready, data-driven insights to organisational leaders upon request.


12. To provide data to, and support the production of, regular reports and annual reviews, of the safeguarding and welfare programs to the Safeguarding and Al Jazira Academy Leadership teams.


13. To be an active member of the Safeguarding Team contributing to the development of safeguarding policy, protocol and practice. Support all Al Jazira Academy operations in the development of policy, procedure and projects that impact on, or involve, children and vulnerable adults, ensuring that these include an appropriate, proportionate and contextualized safeguarding response.

Become a brand ambassador and reflect AJSCC values with all operational and strategic matters:

• Passion: We bring enthusiasm and energy to provide outstanding entertainment.


• Teamwork: On and off the field of play we all support each other working together for the good of the club and its fans.


• Ambition: Innovation, determination and hard work drives us to be world class in everything we do.


• Integrity: We take full responsibility and accountability for our actions, acting with respect and honor.


• Unity: We bring people together to unite Abu Dhabi’s diverse community.

Role specific knowledge, skills and experience:

Essential:

• A professional background in child rights, welfare or safeguarding-related work.


• Knowledge of safeguarding children legislation and statutory guidance.


• Understanding of Local Authority statutory bodies.


• A person-centered approach and the ability to maintain this perspective.


• Excellent communication skills with the ability to build meaningful, strong relationships with staff, players and parents/carers.


• Experience of writing reports and compiling case file information.


• Ability to deal constructively with people’s emotions (e.g. upset, distress, conflict, animosity).


• Capacity to handle confidential data/information sensitively.


• Ability to promote best practice and the importance of a safe environment;


• Demonstrates a working understanding of inclusion, equality and anti-discrimination, safeguarding and best practice;


• Ability to use Microsoft Office including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Desirable:

• Professional qualification in social work, probation or experience in a police child protection team.


• Knowledge of the workings of professional sports businesses and particularly the application of safeguarding principles therein.


• Understanding of sports coaching or educational practice and how to work with children (or vulnerable adults) in these settings.


• A second language.


• Experience of policy design.

Qualifications & Experience

• 3-6 Years’ experience with a football academy in similar role


• Knowledge in Safeguarding, Compliance, Health and Safety, and Wellbeing.

Personal Characteristics

• Patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations.


• A natural collaborator


• Cultural awareness


• Ability to move between showing patience and tenacity.


• Passion for kids

Relations

External

• Stakeholders


• Child Guardians


• UAE child protection government body


• Plc

Internal

• Department Heads


• Academy Technical Director


• Academy Technical & Admin Staff


• Youth Players

As requested by the club, we kindly ask that all interested applicants submit their applications exclusively through Jobs4football. Applications received through any other platform or method will not be considered.