Referee Development and Competitions Officer

Organisation: Cambridgeshire Football Association
Salary: £26,000
Location: Location: The role is based at Cambridgeshire FA HQ, Bridge Road, Impington, Cambridgeshire, CB24 9PH. We are currently operating a flexible hybrid working model with our staff splitting their time between site based and home working. We believe this maintains the benefits of home working, while allowing for collaboration, interaction, and business functions.
Contract type: Permanent (Full time)
Closing date: 31 August 2025
Interview date: 25 September 2025
Job Description: The Referee Development and Competitions Officer will support delivery of the Cambridgeshire Football Association 2024-28 Strategy and The FA Grassroots Football Strategy. We’re looking for a pro-active self-starter to work within our competitions and clubs team. This is a great opportunity to support our referees and referee workforce, enabling them to grow, develop, and progress. The ideal candidate will have experience of working in a team and have excellent people and communication skills.

Responsibilities:
Referee Development (approx. 70% of time)
• Identify areas of need for referees across all formats of the game within the locality served by the County FA and implement recruitment strategies accordingly.
• Implement strategies for new referees, to convert them from trainee referees to active referees.
• Support referees within the grassroots game to retain them within refereeing season-on-season.
• Actively promote and support referees to progress through the refereeing pyramid.
• Provide an offer of, and lead, the delivery of referee development initiatives for grassroots referees, progression candidates and referees with the potential and opportunity to progress through the refereeing pyramid.
• Deliver educational sessions and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programs for referees. Complete the FA Referee Developer Course if not already certified.
• Liaise with local leagues to support them in the appointment of appropriately registered referees.
• Identify referees with the potential and opportunity to develop within the Cambridgeshire FA CORE and The FA CORE programme.
• Assist in the development of the referee developer workforce: observers, tutors, mentors, coaches and other volunteers involved in supporting referees ensuring that all safeguarding criteria are met.
• Appoint appropriate workforce (observers, mentors, coaches) to support match officials.
• Support referee registration ensuring all safeguarding criteria are met.
• Support referees in submitting discipline reports, including reporting discrimination, as well as actively supporting referees following challenging situations.
• Collaborate with the Designated Safeguarding Officer in all matters involving under-18 referees and adults at risk within refereeing.
• Provide guidance to under-18 referees to support them on matchdays.
• Ensure that a parental link is added to all records in The FA’s systems for all under-18 referees.
• Risk assess all Cambridgeshire FA events and activity for under-18 referees and where the Cambridgeshire FA directly deploys under-18 referees and volunteers to ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place.
• Ensure mentors working with under-18 referees are appropriately qualified and trained and are aware they are in a relationship of trust and the expectations of them in this regard.
• Regularly meet with the Designated Safeguarding Officer and disciplinary teams in all matters where it is apparent that there has been abusive behaviour involving under-18 players and/or where the referee is under-18 or identifies as an adult at risk.
• Listen to and consult with under-18 referees on their experiences as part of the Cambridgeshire FA youth engagement strategy.
• Utilise the feedback from under -18s and adults at risk to enhance the refereeing experience and fun and safety in grassroots football.
• Provide the highest level of customer excellence to support volunteers across all FA Technology systems (FA Events, FA Portals, MOAS, Matchday app and Full-Time).
• Implement strategies to increase the number of active referees from diverse communities and provide support and guidance to the Cambridgeshire FA Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
• Implement strategies to increase the number of active female referees.
• Implement strategies to develop a positive match day environment.
• Work with other development officers to support league and club development programmes and recreational football opportunities.
• Act as secretary and provide support to the Cambridgeshire FA Referees’ Committee.
• Work collaboratively with The FA Referees’ Department on local and national initiatives.
Competitions support (approx. 30% of time)
• Support the competitions department, including:
• Scheduling fixtures to be completed within a specific timeframe.
• Issue and process charges and payments of fines for breaches of competition rules.
• Check weekly match statistics have been completed in accordance with league rules.
• Support player registration process.
• Provide support for other members of the competitions team when required.
• Other competitions duties as required.
• Manage social media for all CFA run leagues and County Cup competitions to increase engagement and raise the profile of CFA run competitions.
• Attend and manage County and League Cup finals as required.
General
• Contribute to ensuring that safeguarding and equality are embedded throughout the Cambridgeshire FA and grassroots football.
• Execute tasks as required to meet the Cambridgeshire FA changing priorities.
How to apply: To apply, please visit our website for the full role profile and link to the application form: https://www.cambridgeshirefa.com/news/2025/aug/07/vacancy---referee-development-and-competitions-officer