Project Assistant - Children and Young People Team

Herts Sport & Physical Activity Partnership

Organisation: Herts Sport & Physical Activity Partnership
Salary: £28,778
Location: Hatfield, Hertfordshire
Contract type: Fixed Term (Full time)
Closing date: 8 February 2026
Interview date: 20 February 2026
Job Description: We have an exciting new role in the Herts Sports & Physical Activity Partnership (HSP) team, focused on how we can harness the power of sport and physical activity to improve social outcomes. We’re pleased to offer the vacancy of a Project Assistant – Children & Young People to join our friendly team. The role has been created because of Sport England’s new strategy (Uniting the Movement) and associated funding from Herts County Council to deliver the Holiday Activity and Food Programme, known in Hertfordshire as HAPpy. Please note that this role is offered on a 1-year Fixed Term Contract basis due to funding arrangements, it is hoped to be able to extend the contract for a further 2 years after that.

At HSP, we are all about getting EVERYONE more active, so we encourage applicants to apply from all backgrounds to help us build a diverse and inclusive team that is truly representative of the people and communities of Hertfordshire who we work tirelessly to support.

Main duties and responsibilities

You will need to support the coordination, marketing, monitoring and evaluation of the HAPpy programme, which has three delivery phases (Spring, Summer and Winter). You will be able to research and identify locally trusted community partners who could assist with the delivery of the programme. The post holder will have to shape, initiate and develop relationships with primary and secondary schools across the county.

The post holder will also be required to assist in the coordination and delivery of HSP’s Summer Parks programme, which runs during three weeks of the summer holidays (currently commissioned just for 2026).

You will also be assisting with some key strategic projects for HSP- School Games, CYP (Children and Young People) Active Lives Survey, the Partnership’s Celebration Day, junior parkrun, and other key Partnership projects – ensuring alignment with the Partnership’s overall objectives.

The postholder will carry out any other related duties commensurate with the responsibility level of the post, including some evening and weekend working as required to enable delivery of HSP’s wider operations.

Finally, you will need to ensure that all projects take an equitable and inclusive approach when working with partners and stakeholders; support achieving and maintaining the HSP Equality standards, social inclusion, and increased participation of underrepresented groups.

Please note:

You will be working as part of a team with other officers and other members of the HSP team and your annual work programme will focus on several of the responsibilities outlined above. These may change over the course of the contract, and you may be required to undertake a range of other projects in line with the demands of the service.

Skills and experience required

You will have some experience in community projects, events and engagement work. The successful candidate will be proficient in the use of Microsoft Office and digital engagement tools, including social media platforms. A practical understanding of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion issues in sport and physical activity is desirable. You will have excellent organisational and interpersonal skills and be able to prioritise to meet different lead times.

The successful candidate will be able to create good working relationships with a range of partners and stakeholders, both internal and external. You will also be able to solve problems creatively and be flexible in your approach to work (some unsocial hours may be required). Please note this post also requires a satisfactory Enhanced DBS check.

We are looking for individuals who are passionate about the community they support, who are keen to see people from all backgrounds get more active, so an instinct and appetite for insight and empathy will be key.

Qualifications required

Educated with a minimum of A Levels or GNVQ in sports studies (or other related subject) or have equivalent proven professional experience.

Please view the job description and person specification for a full list of the duties and essential criteria. Please attach a personal statement showing clearly how your skills and experience match the Person Specification.

Internal applicants – please ensure you apply via your employee self-service portal.

We regret that we are unable to offer UKVI sponsorship for this post; applicants will either hold UK Right to Work or demonstrate access to UK Right to Work before an offer is made.

Contact Details/Informal Enquiries: Please contact Louise Gallagher-Smith l.gallagher-smith@herts.ac.uk on 01707 284229

Closing Date: 8th February 2026

Interview Date: 20th February 2026

Reference Number: REQ000533

Date advert placed: 20 January 2026

Disclosure and Barring Service

Our commitment to the University’s Safeguarding Policy requires that the recruitment of staff in this area will require the minimum of a Basic DBS Check. In the course of our work and University-led activities, there may be external contractual obligations where a further Enhanced Check is required. DBS checks may require renewal in line with policy.

Overseas applicants and UK applicants who have lived abroad

Successful applicants who have lived outside the UK, for 12 months or more (whether continuously or in total), in the last 10 years, will be required to produce a ‘Certificate of Good Character/Conduct’ from each of those countries.

HSP / UH is committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (see our latest EDI Policy & Action Plan) and building a diverse community, and we want our staff to represent diverse life experiences and different cultural heritage. We welcome applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of their protected characteristics and recognise there are different ways applicants may achieve the criteria in this document. We particularly encourage applications from ethnically diverse and disabled candidates who are under-represented in HSP.

We offer a range of support systems to support people with different needs (e.g. Inclusion Passport, Peer Support Groups) and we are a ‘Disability Confident’ employer and we will ensure reasonable adjustments are considered to enable accessibility and inclusivity for all. UH has also achieved Athena Swan Bronze accreditation which recognises and celebrates good practices in higher education towards the advancement of gender equality.

We offer a range of employee benefits including generous annual leave, flexible working (within the HSP guidelines), discounted Sports Village memberships, personal and professional development and family-friendly policies. #GoHerts
How to apply: https://ce0997li.webitrent.com/ce0997li_webrecruitment/wrd/run/etrec179gf.open?WVID=26210100HV&LANG=USA&VACANCY_ID=7993213WHA