Academy Coach

Ascent Soccer is looking to hire an Academy Coach to join the team in Lilongwe, Malawi, in early 2023.

WHAT IS ASCENT SOCCER?

Ascent Soccer unlocks the competitive advantages of frontier regions in Southeast Africa to identify and develop youth football talent by delivering professional level soccer training, education and personal development to deliver global pathways for youth of promise.

Ascent Soccer launched in 2015, and quickly became the region’s top full-time youth football academy and scholarship program. In the past four years alone, Ascent Soccer has produced 25+ youth internationals at the U15, U17, U20 and senior team levels and has six scholars at world-class boarding schools and universities in Canada and the United States as athlete-scholars. Our squads are formed following the most strategic talent search in Southeast African history, having assessed over 70,000 youth players.

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

With a start date of early-2023 (as soon as possible), Ascent Soccer is adding an International Academy Coach in Malawi for our elite environment. Ascent is searching for a coach who is interested in playing a key role in creating a positive, risk-taking and demanding environment for football, academic and character success for every Ascent Soccer student-athlete.

The ideal candidate will have coaching experience in an elite academy environment and will be working through their coaching education pathway. We are looking for a UEFA B (or equivalent) coach.

The successful candidate will be a team player who is willing to get involved with a variety of elements of academy life, along with being someone who understands the challenges of working in Southeast Africa while bringing a positive attitude and a solution-focused mindset.

A clean driving license is preferred, as is a working knowledge of Microsoft Word/Excel and Google Docs/Sheets, as well as being fluent in English. Previous experience working or traveling within Africa is an advantage, though not essential.

ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES

• On field coaching, with Ascent Soccer’s technical football direction and curriculum, along with a supporting role in the youth academy’s overall training and evaluation program
• Working under, but collaboratively with, Ascent’s Head of Academy to deliver the Ascent football department’s goals
• Be responsible for a regular rotational coaching role with all squads
• Support and deliver individual player development plans, programs and videos sessions
• Create regular video analysis material and highlight reels of recorded matches
• Support Ascent’s coach education/evaluation program for the local staff and grassroots coaches
• Support Ascent’s talent scouting and identification program
• Be a role model, helping drive and maintain standards to Ascent student-athletes
• Assist in delivery of Ascent’s character development program
• Support the academic development program for Ascent players
• Be based at the Ascent headquarters, which is the staff house/academy office
• Understand that a large proportion of Academy operation happens at weekends, with time off allocated on quieter parts of the week
• Any other reasonable duties
• This position reports directly to ‘Head of Academy’

OFFER & DURATION

This is an opportunity in Malawi for the duration of 2023. This role is an excellent opportunity to travel, and work with exceptionally gifted players while gaining international academy experience. In addition, this initial position could lead to a more significant full-time role with Ascent Soccer.

This 12-month offer as an Academy Coach in Malawi would include the following:

• Accommodations (private room) at the Ascent Soccer headquarters in Lilongwe
• House Meals (local food) & High-Speed Internet
• One Return Flight between your home city & Lilongwe
• Visa Costs (your legal status in Malawi shall be ‘volunteer’)
• Coaching Stipend at US $750 a month (dependent on education & experience)
• Access to an Ascent vehicle may also be available for occasional personal use

REQUIREMENTS

• UEFA B Licence (equivalent or higher)
• Strong English language skills & University Degree (preferred)
• Professional academy experience (preferred)
• Coach to have their own laptop

APPLICATION & DEADLINE

To apply for this role please send the following to the attention of George Maguire, Executive Director of Soccer & Programs:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Personal Video (maximum 2 minutes, sharing your coaching philosophy and why you are interested in a coaching opportunity with Ascent Soccer in Malawi)

Submit your application package via email (hr@ascentsoccer.org) or WhatsApp (+265998943680). Only applications with videos shall be considered for the role.

More information: Job Description