GAMEPLAN Programme Officer

3Pillars Project is seeking a motivated and proactive GAMEPLAN Programme Officer to support the delivery and development of our Rugby Academy and Fit for Future programmes across the Midlands region. 

This role is designed for an ambitious and relationship-driven individual who wants to build experience across in-custody and post-release delivery.

Working closely with regional Programme Leads, you will play an important role in maintaining high-quality delivery, building meaningful relationships with participants, supporting progression beyond custody, and helping create environments where young men are challenged to grow, take responsibility and engage positively with their futures.

This role offers significant exposure to frontline delivery, decision-making and relationship management within custodial and community settings, making it an excellent opportunity for someone seeking to grow within a fast-moving and ambitious organisation. 

This is a developmental role. The successful candidate will receive training and ongoing support with the opportunity to progress into a Programme Lead position in future.

Background

Our purpose We enable people in the criminal justice system to find hope, opportunity, and community.

Our mission We are on a mission to develop the most effective sports-based mentoring programme for individuals in custody and post-release.

Through the power of sport, particularly rugby, we empower people to thrive beyond prison by building resilience, self-discipline, and a sense of belonging. We believe that everyone deserves the chance to rebuild their lives, and we are dedicated to providing the tools, support, and encouragement to do this.

Our Values

• Each of us are unique; Each person we meet has lived a different life and has a different set of opportunities before them.
• Respect; We have to respect everyone we meet for them to respect us.
• Courage; Changing our lives means taking a risk which requires courage.
• Determination; Making change stick is hard work and takes determination.
• Truth; Only I can change my life. No one else can do it for me and I can’t do it for them.

Primary Responsibilities & Duties

Programme Delivery Support

In prison

• Support Programme Leads in coordinating the delivery of the GAMEPLAN programme supporting recruitment or participants onto programme and cultivation of tangible routes into employment, education or training.
• Deliver on the Rugby Academy as a coach leading rugby, mentoring and life skills sessions and building meaningful relationships with participants.
• Support the delivery and administration of the Level 1 and 2 Sports Leaders Qualification for all participants.
• Assist in running the Assistant Coach & Mentor Development Programme for a minimum of 10 participants annually, including organising workshops and facilitating further qualifications (e.g. Level 2 or above).
• Build and maintain strong relationships with prison staff to enhance programme delivery.
• Support the Programme Lead to maintain a pool of casual coaches, coordinating their onboarding and development to maximise their impact within the Rugby Academy. 

In the community

• Cultivate boundaried, meaningful mentoring relationships with graduates and be a part of the team which delivers 1:1 coaching sessions to those in need of intervention.
• Support the coordination and delivery of adventurous and purposeful and cultural alumni events in the community which bring graduates together including hikes, employability days, rugby matches, kayaking, group coaching or training etc.
• Maintain regular review of participant progress in monthly progression support meetings with the Resettlement Lead, Programme Leads/Officers and Chief Operating Officer, working collaboratively across the team on shared participants to track and improve outcomes and ensure coordinated support.

Programme Records and Evaluation

• Maintain accurate records on Upshot.
• Work with the Chief Operating Officer and any evaluation partners to evidence long-term impact.
• Prepare and submit timely reports on progress against objectives and targets.
• Actively contribute case studies, stories, quotes and source material to the central team.
• Support the collection and writing of success stories or case studies for comms.
• Support data collection and reporting on impact, including surveys and assessments.

Safeguarding, risk and compliance

• Support Programme Leads with programme risk management, contributing to risk assessments and ensuring incidents are recorded within 24 hours and escalated to the Chief Operating Officer.
• Maintain personal vetting, training and prison clearances at all times.

What sort of previous experience are we looking for?

Essential

• Strong communication and teamwork skills
• A passion for working with young people and supporting positive change
• Organised and reliable, with good attention to detail
• Comfortable working in secure and sensitive environments (e.g. prisons)
• Commitment to learning and professional development
• A full driving licence (within 6 months) and willingness to travel across the Midlands

Desirable

• Experience in youth work, criminal justice, coaching, or mentoring
• Sports coaching qualifications or experience delivering physical activity
• Understanding of safeguarding and professional boundaries
• Confidence using digital tools for scheduling, communication, and reporting

Qualities and Attitude

• Thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and demonstrate flexibility to work across different areas of the charity.
• Maintain a positive, proactive approach to challenges, demonstrating resilience and problem-solving skills.
• Embody and uphold 3Pillars Project values at all times, serving as an excellent role model for the men we work with.
• Communicate clearly and effectively with colleagues across the team.
• Be energised by innovation and change, adapting to the evolving needs of the organisation.

Terms and Conditions

• Salary: £27,000 - £29,000 per annum. London weighting: +£4,000.
• Hours: 37.5 per week.
• Contract: Permanent (6-month probation).
• Location: London or flexible for the right candidate, with national travel to alumni, rugby clubs and partners.
• Culture & Benefits: Birthday off, ongoing professional development opportunities, pension scheme, 25 days holiday plus bank holidays.
• Start Date: TBC (flexible for the right candidate).
• Opportunity to grow into a Programme Lead role