Match Official Scout – Assistant Refereeing (Consultancy)

Develop and inspire the next generation... 

The Match Official Talent Scout – Step 2 and Women's National League (Assistant Refereeing) plays a critical role in identifying assistant referees with the potential to progress from the progression pathway into the professional game. Working across the Women's National League (Divisions 1 & Premier), and the National League North/South, the scout validates assistant referee performance through evidence-based scouting aligned with the FA Refereeing DNA.

This role supports the FA's commitment to objective, growth-oriented talent identification by ensuring assistant referee evaluations are based on long-term development potential, not just isolated match performances. Scouts will contribute to the FA Refereeing team and help shape the future landscape of English officiating, using the DNA for English Refereeing as the framework for success.

What You'll Do?

• Talent Scouting: Anonymously observe and appraise the performances of referees in the Women's National League (Division 1 and Premier), and the National League Men's System (National League North and South), both in-person and online, focusing on their alignment with the FA Refereeing DNA.
• Growth Potential: Establish referees' capacity for future development, assessing their ability to transition into the professional game and meet long-term performance standards.
• Performance Assessment: Evaluate referees holistically, focusing on tactical awareness, decision-making, physical readiness, and psychological resilience in line with the demands of semi-professional and potential professional football.
• Collaboration and Communication: Work with National Talent Managers and National Referee Managers to ensure consistency and alignment in scouting activities across levels.
• Reporting and Insights: Prepare comprehensive, evidence-based scouting reports, highlighting referees' strengths, areas for growth, and readiness for progression or reclassification.
• Executes additional tasks as required to meet the FA's changing priorities.
• Comply with all company policies and procedures to ensure the highest standards of health, safety, and wellbeing can be maintained.
• As part of the FA's commitment to ensuring a safe environment for everyone in football, every employee will be required to complete a DBS check. The level of the check required will be based on the activity of the specific job role and in line with legislation and government guidance.

What You'll Need?

Essential for the role:

• Pathway/Semi-Professional/Professional Football Expertise: Experience as a referee, coach, or player with insight into high-performance environments, able to assess readiness and growth potential.
• Developmental Experience: Experience delivering referee coaching, observing or mentoring, able to guide individual growth using practical football knowledge.
• Understanding of FA Refereeing DNA: Comprehensive understanding of the FA Refereeing DNA across Tactical, Technical, Physical, Psychological, and Social domains, and how to apply this in scouting.
• Effective Communicator: Strong written and verbal skills, with the ability to clearly convey feedback and complete detailed scouting reports.
• Inclusive & Objective Approach: Demonstrates a strong commitment to equity, diversity, and unbiased evaluation, ensuring consistent and inclusive talent identification.

Beneficial to have:

• Pathway System Knowledge: Familiarity with progression frameworks such as the Women's National League, National League System, and CORE, including programme structure and expectations.
• Analytical Thinking: Ability to identify trends and performance indicators, interpret data patterns, and recommend referees for development opportunities.
• Trend Awareness: Awareness of emerging trends in professional refereeing, including modern techniques and the integration of technology, with the ability to adapt scouting strategies accordingly.
• Strategic Adaptability: Ability to evolve scouting approaches in response to changes in the football landscape, referee competencies, or FA talent identification processes
• Proficient in Analysis Tools: Skilled in using platforms such as HUDL, WyScout, or VEO to observe, annotate, and evaluate refereeing performance based on video evidence.

What's in it for you?

We pride ourselves in offering a competitive rate of pay as well as great opportunities to develop and grow in your role.

We are committed to ensuring everyone can flourish in their roles, and by doing this, we offer top-of-the-range facilities across two core business locations. We have unique office spaces under the arch of the iconic Wembley National Stadium, which is the home of English football. We are also delighted to have a world-class Elite Performance Centre, St. George's Park in Staffordshire which is an exceptional setting to develop and inspire high-performing England teams and leaders.

We are a diverse workplace, aspiring to represent football across the country. The Football Association actively promotes inclusion and diversity, encouraging you to be the best version of yourself at work.

We welcome applications from everyone and are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. If you have any particular requirements in respect of the recruitment or interview process, please mention this during your application.

As part of the FA's commitment to ensuring a safe environment for everyone in football, every employee will be required to complete a DBS check. The level of the check required will be based on the activity of the specific job role and in line with legislation and government guidance.