Referees Manager

Football Association of Malawi (FAM)

THE ORGANISATION

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) is the governing body of football in Malawi and was founded in 1966 with its main mission of effectively organizing, administering, developing and controlling the game of football in consistent with FIFA rules and regulations in a manner that will continuously improve the standard of football in the country. FAM is affiliated to FIFA, CAF, COSAFA and the Malawi National Council of Sports (MNCS). FAM manages all Malawi national Football, Beach, Futsal teams for both men and Women. FAM seeks to hire a Referees Manager and Referees Development Officer for the Head office situated in Blantyre, Chiwembe – Limbe.

Referees Manager (Grade D1)

Job Summary

This position is responsible to oversee that the referee strategic planning involves developing a comprehensive plan to improve refereeing standards, consistency and overall performance; to oversee the administration, development, performance of referees within regions and the whole country; to ensure that refereeing standards are maintained and improved, and that referees are supported in their roles and; to ensure regular review and evaluation of strategies for effective plan and alignment with the governing body objective. The successful candidate will be offered a 3-year renewable performance-based contract.

General Description

Reporting to the General Secretary, the incumbent will lead in ensuring effective appointment and manage referee development staff, overseeing referee appointments and performance management, make decisions on referees development and training programs and act as a liaison or represent regions and country in the refereeing matters.

Key Responsibilities

A. STRATEGIC OVERSIGHT (35%)

1. Strategic Planning

1.1. Mission and Vision

  • Define the mission and vision for refereeing in the country
  • Align with FA objectives

1.2. Situation Analysis

  • Assess current refereeing standards and performance
  • Identify the strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats – SWOT Analysis
  • Gather data on referee development, training, and assessment

2. Strategic Objectives

  • Improve refereeing consistency and accuracy
  • Enhance referee development and training programs
  • Increase retention and recruitment
  • Strength referee management and administration
  • Improve communication and stakeholder engagement

3. Strategies and initiative

  • Developing strategies, aligning with governing body objectives
  • Develop and implement a referee development pathway
  • Enhance training programs, incuding technology e.g. video analysis
  • Improving referee assessment and feedback mechanisms
  • Develop a referee retention and recruitment strategies
  • Enhance referee management and administration process
  • Improve communication with stakeholder including referees, clubs and leagues

4. Action Plan

  • Assign responsibilities and timelines for each initiatives
  • Establish key performance indicators – KPls – and metrics for success requirements
  • Define resources and budget

5. Implementation Roadmap

  • Develop a detailed implementation plan, including timelines and milestones
  • Assign responsibilities and resources
  • Policy implementation to ensure that referees adhere to FA policies, rules and regulations sign and deliver training sessions, workshops and courses

B. REFEREES DEVELOPMENT (25%)

  • Develop and implement development strategies
  • Identify training needs and assessing skills and knowledge of referees
  • Design and deliver training programs, workshop, and course
  • Identify and develop talented young referees
  • Career development by guiding referee in their career progression to higher levels – promotion
  • Referees’ welfare by ensuring well-being and safety of referees
  • Database management and keeping contemporary trends, rules and best practices to inform development programs.

C. REFEREES APPOINTMENT (15%)

  • Oversee appointments of referees to matches by choosing suitable referees for specific matches based on experience, availability and other factors
  • Ensure the most suitable officials are assigned
  • Scheduling – thus creating and managing referee schedules, ensuring optimal assignments
  • Appointment communication – by notifying referees of their appointments, providing match details and instructions
  • Travel and logistics requirements for appointed referees
  • Referees’ rotation and balanced to prevent bias and promote consistency
  • Records keeping and maintaining accurate records of appointments, performance and Feedback

D. PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT (10%)

  • Monitor and evaluate referees performance
  • Provide feedback and coaching for improvement
  • Making approval for promotions and demotions
  • Assess KPls and metrics
  • Regular review progress against strategic objectives
  • Make adjustments to strategies and initiatives as needed

E. ADMINISTRATION (10%)

  • Referee registration and ensuring accuracy and compliance
  • Data management for information, performance and appointment
  • Policy implementation ensuring compliance with governing body policies, rules and regulations
  • Referee licensing, certification and re-certification process in Mpira connection
  • Disciplinary actions and conflict resolution, including investigations and hearings
  • Manage referee- related budgets and resources including expenses, fees and travels
  • Ensuring compliance with governing body policies and regulation
  • Referees kit and equipment managing the provision and maintenance

F. Communication

  • Liaise with stakeholders, including leagues, clubs and governing bodies
  • Addressing concerns and grievances, and settle disputes
  • Promoting refereeing excellence
  • Providing regular reports to governing bodies, stakeholders and senior management
  • Feedback and coaching by communicating constructive feedback and coaching to referees to improve performance
  • Establishing and enforcing communication protocols and channels for referee, stakeholders and governing bodies for effective communication
  • Managing Media relationship and inquiries related to referees
  • Providing regular reports to governing bodies, stakeholders, and senior management on refereeing matters
  • Referees recognition and celebrating their achievement and contribution

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, COMPETENCES AND EXPERIENCE

Education and Experience

  • Have relevant bachelor’s degree in sport management or with any degree with at least 4 years of work experience within sports administration.
  • Advanced International Referees Instructor Certificate, Futuro111 Referees Technical Instructor and CAF Referees Instructor
  • A current registered referee or equivalent experience.

Other Knowledge and additional Competences

  • Must have knowledge of a variety of computer software applications i.e. software, Word, Excel, Power Point and Access.
  • Eager to learn, demonstrating the willingness and capacity to acquire the necessary level of competence for the job.
  • Maintains FAM’s ethics and standards in all interactions within and outside the Organization.
  • Must have effective oral and written communication skills.
  • Must be able to work independently and multi-task, prioritizing as appropriate.
  • Must be able to sit or stand for long periods at a time.
  • Capable of working in a fast paced environment and in stressful situations.
  • Must be flexible in work hours/days.

Remuneration

FAM will offer a competitive remuneration par commensurate with qualification and experience within its structure.

Method of Application
Interested candidates should apply by submitting a Motivation letter, a Detailed Curriculum Vitae with three traceable referees and copies of certificates not later than 23rd August 2024.

Applications must be submitted by email clearly marked “Application for Referees Manager Position” and or “Referees Development Officer” by email to:

The General Secretary
Football Association of Malawi
Mpira Village
P.O. Box 51657, Limbe, Malawi.
Or Email address: admin@fam.mw