Team Ireland Chef de Mission Appointment Process for Paris 2024 and Krakow 2023

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2023 European Games, and 2024 Olympic Games

Team Ireland Chef de Mission Appointment Process

 

Background

 

The Chef de Mission (CDM) is responsible for leading Team Ireland’s preparations and performance at the Summer Olympic and European Games. The role requires strong leadership qualities, a detailed understanding of the Irish high performance system, and the ability to coordinate the multi-disciplinary functions required for a successful Games event.

 

The Olympic Federation of Ireland (OFI) will endeavour to appoint the best person for this role through a well-structured and transparent process.  This will include both a written submission as per the requirements of the CDM position and an interview.

 

This process should be the vehicle for appointing a CDM for European Games in 2023 (EG) and Summer Olympic Games in Paris 2024 (SOG).  While ideally it may be the same person, an individual’s circumstances may not allow for this, therefore some flexibility may be required.

Terms of the CDM Role

 

The role will ideally encompass oversight for two significant projects during the next Olympic cycle. Consequently, it will start in 2021, with increasing workloads required in 2022-2024.

 

EG Krakow                         9 June – 25 June                             2023

SOG Paris                           26 July – 11 August                        2024

 

Remuneration will be commensurate with experience and competencies.

 

Role requirements and responsibilities are listed below.

If you believe that your experience, skills and ambition meet the requirements of this role, please forward an application to [email protected] as per the below requirements:

  • Cover letter outlining your background and why you want this position
  • Application addressing how you would meet the key responsibilities and requirements of the role
  • CV including summary of qualifications and relevant experience pertaining to the role.

Closing date for receipt of applications is 18:00hrs on Thursday 13 August 2020.

 

 

Team Ireland Chef de Mission (CDM)

Summer Olympic Games 2024, European Games 2023

 

Olympic Charter: Bye law to Rules 27 and 28 – Section 4 – Chef de Mission

‘During the period of the Olympic Games, the competitors, officials and other team personnel of a National Olympic Committee are placed under the management and responsibility of a Chef de Mission, appointed by his (or her) National Olympic Committee, to liaise with the IOC, the International Federations and the Organising Committee of the Olympic Games’.

 

Primary Role

To provide leadership, management and a high duty of care to Team Ireland athletes and staff at the Summer Olympic Games and European Games in order to deliver a cohesive and well organised level of service and support to enhance optimal performance.

 

 

Key Considerations for the CDM Role

 

  • Understanding of the IOC and OFI strategic landscape and respects a bigger picture and OFI agenda outside Games participation that drives an ‘athlete centred’ operational and performance culture that aligns to the OFI vision and values. 
  • Ability to maximize the leadership and contributions of Team Leaders, who in the majority of cases will be full time National Federation Performance Directors.
  • Supports and helps facilitate the role of the Sports Institute Ireland (SII), Sport Institute of Northern Ireland (SINI) and partnership between the Institutes and the OFI from the provision of Leadership and Sport Science and Medicine services.
  • Composition and identification of key support staff should be expertise and discipline driven, and align to the age and gender of athletes, host country, village and venue conditions and an analysis of both risks and opportunities. 
  • National Federations are responsible for the vetting and qualifications of all staff, however the CDM must endeavour at all times to ensure that all Team Ireland staff operate and behave to the highest of standards. 
  • As per the above, a high duty of care needs to be exercised at all times by the Olympic Federation of Ireland (OFI) and all members of Team Ireland staff to ensure the security and safety of athletes. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chef de Mission Role Requirements

 

Experience

  • Minimum of 5 years of experience in a key leadership and/or management role, ideally in Sport or an associated organisation or business
  • Project management experience with a track record of delivering on strategic and operational targets, to deadlines and on budget
  • Demonstrated ability to work with partners and key stakeholders in an integrated way that supports both the collective and individual performance
  • Experience of major sports competition events, preferably of a multi-sport nature
  • Outstanding people manager and mobiliser
  • Target oriented and process driven

 

Required Competencies

  1. Leadership
  • Leads and manages Team Ireland staff and key stakeholders to deliver on strategic and operational imperatives
  • Establishes and drives an ‘athlete centred’ operational and performance culture that aligns to the OFI vision and values
  • Ensures that there is a high degree of consultation and collaboration in planning and decision-making that reflects an athlete centred approach with athlete inputs
  • Builds a strong sense of team, while maximising the individual experience and expertise of a diverse and highly talented Team Ireland workforce
  • Comfortable leading change and driving innovative practice that enhances performance in all areas of operations
  • Works well under pressure and in crisis situations where responsiveness and critical decision-making require a calm and controlled approach
  • Is accountable and comfortable with responsibility and delivering on outcomes and targets

 

  1. Interpersonal
  • Professional disposition and leads by example
  • Compelling oral and written communication skills, IT literate
  • Good listening skills, able to provide both appropriate and meaningful feedback and direction, while also able to accept advice
  • Builds and fosters partnerships and relationships with key partner bodies and stakeholders
  • Understands the need to balance a performance agenda with that of ensuring that athlete well-being and their sporting experience is prioritised
  • Positively influences people and the OFI agenda, in relation to the role and positioning of the OFI in the broader Irish high-performance system

 

3.Business Management

  • Proficient in planning, implementation, monitoring and reviewing event preparation and competition performance
  • High level organisational skills with an attention to detail, effective time management and able to meet deadlines
  • Drives technical and operational execution, meeting agreed targets and key performance indicators
  • Utilises the expertise and experience of others and evidence-based approach to make sound and rational operational decisions
  • Builds and supports growth and professional development in the Team Ireland staff group through facilitating and/or sourcing both formal and informal methods of education, training and mentoring

 

  1. Personal Attributes
  • Passion for results and the betterment of Irish sport
  • Team player
  • Consistent and reliable in own behaviour and actions
  • Effectively manages self and copes well under pressure
  • Confident speaking in front of others in a peer, forum or VIP settings
  • Committed to own growth and professional development

Desirable

  • Olympic experience and/or strong understanding of the Olympic movement and Games experience and the role and operations of the OFI.  

 

Chef de Mission Role Responsibilities

  1. Leads and represents the Olympic Federation of Ireland (OFI) and Team Ireland (TI) members in all requirements and activities leading up to and at the Summer Olympics 2024 and European Games 2023;

 

  1. Leads operational and logistical planning requirements for both pre and in-games, working closely with the OFI Chief Executive Officer (CEO), staff and other key partners;

 

  1. In conjunction with the CEO and any other relevant key stakeholders, contributes to budget planning and decisions pertaining to investment and funding allocations for the conduct of all Olympic training, preparation events and value-add activities i.e. Holding Camp, team building activities;

 

  1. In collaboration with the CEO, and Games specific working groups, leads the identification and selection process for all staff, in particular Deputy Chef and Games Administrative support roles;

 

  1. Facilitates and contributes to the development of a Games orientation programme for all Team members prior to the Games i.e. Staff, Team Leaders, Coaches, SS/SM providers and Athletes;

 

  1. Works closely with the Athletes’ Commission and Athletes’ Commission Support Officer to ensure that the needs of athletes are being met and that the Commission can contribute to planning and relevant initiatives that align to the Athletes’ Commission Strategy;

 

  1. Liaises with various stakeholders, on behalf of the Team, namely funding and service partners, National Federations (NFs), athletes, coaches, managers, support team members, Games Organising Committee, Sport Ireland; other multi-sport organizations, High Commission or Consulate office, and other Chefs de Mission from NOCs;

 

  1. Is accountable for providing on-going relevant and timely information to all Team Ireland members and staff prior to and during the Games e.g. qualification and competition information, accreditation requirements, travel arrangements etc;

 

  1. Ensures that there is a high standard of preventative care and on-going education in the fields of anti-doping and manipulation of competition and reinforces the anti-doping and integrity messages.

 

  1. Ensures adherence of team and team members to OFI and IOC regulations / programmes as per OFI athlete agreements, national federation agreements, and IOC regulations.

 

  1. Represents Team Ireland at CDM meetings before and during the Games and addresses team concerns and or issues that arise, with the host Organising Committee and or appropriate personnel;

 

  1. Liaises with the Team Ireland Medical Team (Doctor and Physio/s) to ensure adherence to the OFI medical Policy and the provision of a high-quality medical support and physiotherapy care is provided to athletes and staff, including maintaining appropriate medical records of all consultations confidential and secure;

 

  1. Works closely with Team Leaders and/or Coaches to establish understanding of the OFI values and open lines of communication and accountability for the well-being and performance of all athletes and staff in their care;

 

  1. Establishes an appropriate day to day support, communication and information sharing system for all staff, whether they are located in the village or at outlying residential locations.

 

  1. Participates as a member of the Issues Management Team dealing with any major issues or crisis situations during the Games, in the first instance reporting to the CEO;

 

  1. Responsible for the preparation of any official NOC Games appeals, ensuring appropriate decision-making and communications with the CEO and relevant parties before this occurs;

 

  1. Works closely with the CEO in respect of the PR and communications strategy and any requirements or initiatives being facilitated through sponsors, external media partners and/or third parties;

 

  1. Ensures that social media protocols are in place and communicated to all Team Ireland members, respect of the appropriate use of social media before and during the Games;

 

  1. In conjunction with the CEO and primary Team Ireland media contact, assists in delivery of all Games media requests and opportunities for interviews and promotion of Team Ireland athletes and staff;

 

  1. Prepares, in conjunction with OFI staff, progress reports (Board Updates) and a final report for presentation to the OFI Board, Executive Committee, Athletes’ Commission and other key partners as required;

 

  1. Contributes to the formulation of appropriate Games debriefing and review mechanisms to capture feedback and relevant information from all Team Ireland members in respect of planning and the Games experience;

 

  1. Liaises with the Athletes’ Commission in determining review mechanisms that compliment rather than duplicate their processes for gathering athlete feedback on Games experience;

 

  1. Performs other duties as required and assigned by the CEO throughout the duration of the organisation and participation of Team Ireland at the Games and of the Team.

 

Accountable to – the CEO

 

Key Relationships – OFI President and Executive Committee, Athletes’ Commission and staff, Sport Irelans Institute, Sport Ireland, Sport Northern Ireland, National Federations, host Organising Committees, Team Ireland support staff, Team Leaders, athletes and sport specific staff.

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