Head of Participation

Job Advert

**Job Title**:Head of Participation

**Reports to**: Chief Operating Officer

**Line Management**:This role has line management responsibilities

**Budget Management**: This role has budget management responsibilities

**Based at**: RDA National Office (Lowlands Equestrian Centre, Warwickshire)

**Hours**: Full time - 34 hours a week

**Contract Type**: Permanent

**Salary**:£45,000 per annum

**About the Role**

Our participants all have their own unique motivations and aspirations; we exist to help realise them, to develop their full potential and enhance their wellbeing. Setting personal goals and achieving them enhances confidence, self-worth, and a sense of identity.

At RDA we recognise the importance of enabling our participants’ development and the profound role that we play. We offer a range of both formal and informal proficiency and educational pathways, both uniquely developed by RDA and in partnership with other leading accredited bodies.

**Role Purpose**

The Head of Participation will champion inclusivity and be responsible for the development and implementation of a strategies, plans, propositions and programmes to grow our reach, participation and impact across a diverse range of disabled participants.

**Specific Responsibilities**

Strategy Development

Develop and implement a comprehensive participation strategy to include:

- how we serve the needs of our participants
- how we serve the needs of a wider range of disabled participants from diverse backgrounds
- how we develop programmes and activities to meet the needs of our growing participants
- how we use a variety of therapies to support the diverse needs of disabled participants
- how we ensure meaningful outcomes
- how we understand, measure and improve our impact across our participants
- how we ensure best practice in equine welfare through our service offerings and growth
- how we consider social license in the growth of our service offering
- how we support breaking down barriers to participation
- how we consider new and evolving technologies in how we deliver our services
- how we develop and nurture stakeholder relationships with key bodies of influence and knowledge
- how we explore and develop opportunities for partnership working and strategic delivery through partnership programmes
- how we align our participant offering and potential growth to our organisational aims and objectives
- how we ensure we support and champion positive change within the equine world
- how we identify and create new opportunities to expand participation offerings and enhance the scope of activities to cater to more diverse participant needs
- how we work with Groups, national bodies and stakeholders to deliver the strategic plan
- how we develop learning and development programmes and pathways

Inclusivity and Accessibility
- Champion the organisation's commitment to diversity inclusivity and accessibility, ensuring that participation programs are welcoming and accommodating to individuals with a wide range of impairments and long-term health conditions
- Collaborate with internal and external experts to incorporate best practices and innovative approaches to ensure the accessibility of equine-based activities

Partnerships and Stakeholder Management
- Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with organisations focused on disability and long-term health conditions
- Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with government agencies, schools, and community groups to broaden the reach and quality of the RDA’s participation programs
- Cultivate positive relationships with sponsors and donors to secure funding support for participation initiatives
- Work with experts within National Office and Groups

Quality Assurance and Safety
- Ensure that all participation programs adhere to the highest standards of safety and quality for our participants, volunteers and our equines
- Implement robust monitoring and evaluation processes to assess program effectiveness and identify areas for development and improvement

**General**
- To maintain good external partner relationships with sector media, British Equestrian, and others whose campaigning priorities align, working with them to push for policy change.
- Alongside other senior staff, routinely keep up with sector developments and undertake horizon scanning.
- To undertake such other duties as the Director of Business Improvement shall from time to time determine, including attending the National Championships as part of the National Office support team.
- To demonstrate the values and cultural aspirations of RDA in all work that is undertaken.
- To ensure due consideration is always given to our charitable aims and objectives and that this is demonstrated in all activities undertaken.

**Line Management responsibilities**

To effectively manage and lead the department by:

- leading by example and demonstrating the Charity’s vision and values
- ensuring regular communication wi