Employability and Support Officer

HappyJobsNI is delighted to be exclusively working alongside WOMEN'STEC to recruit an enthusiastic, professional and driven Employability and Support Officer to join this passionate team at a time of exciting growth.

POST TITLE: Employment and Support Officer

HOURS: 35 hours per week (Part-Time hours will be considered)

LOCATION: WOMEN'STEC, 29 Chichester Avenue, Belfast, BT15 5EH

RESPONSIBLE TO: Building Futures Programme Manager

TIMESCALE: Fixed term contract until March 2025 (may be extended subject to securing funding)

SALARY: £29,269 (NJC Scale 6 Pt 18)

ABOUT WOMEN'STEC:

WOMEN'STEC is a social enterprise based in North Belfast. It was born out of a recognised need for the creation of non-traditional training and employment opportunities for women in industries traditionally associated with men, including construction skills, engineering and IT.

WOMEN'STEC supports unemployed women to address the barriers that prevent them from moving into employment or training and embarking on a career in an industry which is lucrative and filled with opportunities for women. A major aspect of our work also involves changing attitudes and perceptions, both amongst employers and women seeking employment.

THE PROGRAMME

Building Futures is a new employability programme, funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, providing a holistic, person-focused approach to supporting some of the hardest to reach women across Greater Belfast and the Newry, Mourne and Down region, to improve their confidence, self-efficacy, life and work skills. The programme is delivered in partnership between WOMEN'STEC, Bolster Community and Women in Business NI.

The aim of the programme is to support women furthest removed from the labour market to feel confident, motivated and empowered to find and sustain employment. The programme targets 420 participants over a two year period, engaging and supporting economically inactive women, particularly within priority groups (over 50's, rural communities, disability).

THE ROLE:

As an Employability and Support Officer, you will play a crucial role in supporting women who are furthest removed from the labour market. Your responsibilities will include delivering tailored one-to-one and group sessions on employability, assisting individuals in accessing volunteering, training, and employment opportunities. You will collaborate with Project Coordinators and local employers to secure work tasters, placements, and employment options.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Promote employability skills and employment opportunities to programme participants
• Provide one-to-one support in accessing employability skills training, work experience placements, and employment opportunities
• Develop personalized action plans with participants, addressing their individual needs and goals
• Support participants with CV preparation, job searching, and interview skills
• Identify routes for progression into training, volunteering, and employment
• Cultivate relationships with employers to secure employment opportunities for participants
• Coordinate employment and career events for engagement with local employers
• Collaborate with internal and external teams to embed employability competencies in programme delivery
• Maintain accurate records of participant engagement and ensure compliance with project monitoring systems

PERSON SPECIFICATION:
This role requires a supportive and empathetic individual who has the ability to understand the barriers to employment and the individual needs of economically inactive women. You will be passionate about helping individuals discover their true potential, helping them to recognise their strengths, identifying skills gaps, mentoring them to discover their work aspirations, and supporting them with actions that will help them achieve their goals. You will be a motivator and supporter for the women on the programme.

You will be able to build good working relationships with local employers to establish pathways for employment for participants and create work taster and work experience opportunities.

• Relevant education or training qualification
• Minimum of 2 years' experience in a similar role
• Knowledge of the labour market and employability skills
• Understanding of barriers to employment, particularly for women
• Experience in delivering employability skills training
• Strong communication, planning, and organizational skills
• Proficiency in IT, including Microsoft Office Suite
• Supportive and empathetic with an understanding of barriers to employment
• Passionate about helping individuals recognize their potential and achieve their goals
• Ability to build relationships with local employers and create work experience opportunities
• Full driving license and ability to travel within Northern Ireland

ESSENTIAL SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

Willingness to work unsociable hours when required
Full Driving License and ability to travel within Northern Ireland
Understanding and supportive of the values and ethos of WOMEN'STEC and the promotion of equality

BENEFITS:

• 25 days annual leave plus 11 statutory days (pro-rata)
• Benenden Healthcare Cover (upon successful completion of probationary period)
• Pension scheme (6% employer contribution)
• Death in Service Insurance
• Wellbeing initiatives

You could be right for this Employability and Support Officer position if you've previously worked as any of the following: Employment Advisor, Employability Coordinator, Workforce Integration Officer, Career Guidance Counsellor or as a Job Coach.
HOW TO APPLY

If you are a seeking a new challenge, we would love to hear from you. To express your interest and learn more about this exciting opportunity, please submit your updated CV outlining your relevant experience and achievements either by applying online or sending your CV alternatively call our team on 028 ##### ##### and we'd be happy to answer any questions you may have on the position.

*Closing date for applications for this role is Friday 5^th April at 12pm. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews, in-person at the WOMEN'STEC head office. Provisional interview date TBC.*

Please note: All applications will be processed upon their receipt and not after the job advert closing date therefore we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role, should this occur the provisional interview date may be brought forward. Therefore if you are interested in the position, we strongly advise submitting your application as early as possible. If you would like to confirm the current application status prior to applying for the role please contact Happy Jobs NI directly at or on 02890995808.