IRL Chief Classifier

Organisation

International Rugby League

Salary

Remunerated but to be discussed

Location

Global - remote

Contract type

(Part time)

Closing date

10 July 2026

Job Description

IRL is seeking to recruit a Chief Classifier for the Classification Advisory Group

The IRL Chief Classifier (‘the Appointee’) role, which can be based anywhere in the world, is a specialised, expert function and is pivotal in safeguarding the integrity of the IRL classification framework and fair competition. The 'Appointee' will be responsible for identifying athletes who require classification, supervise classifiers and trainee classifiers, provide a clear explanation of all stages of the classification process to classifiers, athletes and athlete support personnel and analyse and review the classification processes.

Principal responsibilities
• Identify athletes who require classification at a specific classification
opportunity, whether in-competition or out-of-competition
• Supervise classifiers and trainee classifiers to ensure that the international federation’s classification rules are properly applied and to monitor their level of competencies and proficiencies
• Communicate with and educate athletes and athlete support personnel regarding the classification process
Provide a clear explanation of all stages of the classification process to classifiers, athletes and athlete support personnel, including the following matters: (i) any findings made by a UHC Assessor, Classification Panel, Protest Panel, or Appeal Body; (ii) the procedures of the evaluation session (including eligibility requirements and Minimum Impairment Criteria), protest procedures, and the
procedure following any designation or tracking code being assigned to an athlete; and (iii) matters concerning Intentional Misrepresentation, including the behaviours that may constitute that offence, and how potential violations will be investigated and prosecuted.
• Manage the international federation’s Classification Master List during a particular classification opportunity
• Analyse and review the classification processes during a classification opportunity and recommend improvements to the Head of Classification
• Report all relevant issues at a particular classification opportunity to the Head of Classification

Essential skills / experience
 Excellent spoken and written English
 A thorough understanding of the IRL Classification Manual and classification process
 Qualified physiotherapist or doctor with in-depth knowledge of neurological or musculoskeletal conditions
 A minimum number of two years’ experience as a classifier in a para sport (preferably in the same para sport)
 Completed Activity Alliance Profiling & Classification training or working towards completion
 Able to classify athletes prior to/during competitions
 Ability to recognise conflicts of interest in the classification process and to resolve conflicts
 Effective leadership, interpersonal and teamwork skills, and the ability to apply these skills in remote and multi-cultural environments
 Mentorship skills to provide training or guidance to classifiers

Desirable skills / experience
 Professional/governance experience with sport
 5 years’ post-grad experience
 Knowledge of the international sporting landscape, including governmental, non-governmental and omnisport organisations
 Demonstrable knowledge and experience in administration and management of classification, rules, policy, and procedure development or revision, classification research, classification education and training
 Experience and continuing participation in training and certification of classifiers, for example, teaching and supervising/mentoring instructors at workshops and other similar activities
 Demonstrable knowledge and experience in Physical Disability Rugby League and its applicable rules, including the classification rules of the international federation

SCOPE OF ROLE RESPONSIBILITY
 The successful applicant will be required to commit to a reasonable number of hours required to meet the requirements of this role description
 As a rough guide, (a) the Classification Advisory Group will hold approximately four meetings annually; and (b) the Appointee will review athlete documentation following approximately 10 global classification sessions per year.
 The Appointee will be asked to serve a two-year teams, with the possibility of being re-appointed upon expiry of that term.

How to apply

Interested candidates should submit their CV and a covering letter (of not more than 300 words) to charlotte.monkman@internationalrugbyleague.com by Friday 10 July 2026.

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