HDB23600

NIACRO JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: EMPLOYMENT OFFICER (Community) North Antrim

(Temporary contract - maximum 9 months )

RESPONSIBLE TO: SENIOR PRACTITIONER

THE POST

The postholder will provide an individual employment based assessment and follow-on service to offenders and ex-prisoners referred to the Jobtrack Programme in order to progress into mainstream training/education and employment.

A core component of the post will be to engage and motivate Offenders to move from status of economically inactive to proactively job seeking and ultimately progression into employment. . Therefore given the diverse range of skills, abilities and levels of motivation of Offenders the postholder must present a flexible, determined though supportive approach to encourage participation, progression and completion of the programme.

The postholder will be required to utilise connections within and beyond NIACRO that will deliver directtraining interventions,ensure achievement of individual employment action plans and ultimately locate programme beneficiaries within the labour market.

The postholder will be required to be flexible and where appropriate provide cover during periods of staff absences to ensure contract compliance.

The postholder will deliver services fromdesignated Probation offices within the North Antrim area. Normal work base will be agreed at commencement of contract.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • To carry out an initial employment assessment with those referred.
  • To draw up employment action plans with timescales
  • As appropriate, to identify the requirement for specialist interventions, e.g. Benefits Advice; Criminal Record Disclosure and ensure appropriate onward referral..
  • To plan and support agreed training ensuring cost-effectiveness. As required to contribute to the direct delivery of in-house training programmes.
  • Identification and negotiation of suitable work-shadowing/employment opportunities and provision of ongoing support to providers.
  • Contribute to the development and implementation of Employer Recruitment Fairs and provide ongoing support to Jobtrack participants to ensure follow through with job application processes.
  • Liaise with Employment Officer (Employer Advice Service) to identify local labour market opportunities and ensure individual action plans reflect skills development for the labour market.
  • Provide advice and guidance to programme participants regarding the rehabilitation legislation as part of overall confidence building in handling criminal records.
  • Ensure contract compliance through the maintenance of individual files and records on all participants and providing timely and accurate information as per programme procedures.
  • To work in conjunction with local Probation Teams to ensure relevance of individual action plans in relation to offences; the sharing of information as contribution to risk management and achievement of agreed targets.
  • To contribute to the overall work and development of the Jobtrack.
  • Any other duties as may be required by the Line Manager.

TRAINING

NIACRO is committed to the continuous development of all its employees. The postholder will participate in all relevant training and development initiatives that are identified as required by the Line Manager.

JOB INFORMATION SHEET

FOR THE POST OF :

Employment Officer – Community

LOCATION : to be confirmed - Amelia House, 4 Amelia Street,

Belfast OR 19C Queen Street, Derry~Londonderry.

NIACRO

NIACRO, the Northern Ireland Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders, is a voluntary organisation that has been working for over 35 years to reduce crime and its impact on people and communities. NIACRO services focus on:

  • Promoting safer communities;
  • Working with children and young people who offend;
  • Providing services to families and children of offenders;
  • Supporting offenders and ex-prisoners in the community
  • Working with prisoners

Jobtrack Programme

This is NIACRO’s adult employment programme delivered in partnership with PBNI and NIPS, targeting prisoners at the point of release and adult offenders within the community. The programme is based on research which shows a link between unemployment and reoffending. By helping prisoners increase their skills and employability it is contributing to an overall crime reduction strategy.

Jobtrack is delivered across Northern Ireland. It is primarily based on the needs of the individual, and uses a structured programme of assessment and individual action planning, advice, training, and work sampling opportunities. The key focus of the programme is to support individuals progress into employment and provide advice, support and training to employers in the Fair Recruitment of Individuals with Convictions.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE POST

Salary:Grade 4 pt 25 (£ 21,519 )

Hours:35 per week

Duration:temporary contract to cover a maternity leave – maximum 9 months duration

Trade Union:Employees are encouraged to join the Trade Union recognised for the purposes of collective bargaining, which is the NI Public Service Alliance (NIPSA)

Annual Leave:25 days per year ( April – March ) plus statutory holidays

Travel:Travel expenses at NIACRO’s current rate will be payable for mileage undertaken in connection with work.

Access NI :This post requires that a check must be carried out under the requirements of ACCESS NI enhanced disclosure. This will involve a full criminal records check and a check of any disqualification lists through appropriate statutory agencies.

Statement of non-discrimination

“NIACRO is committed to equality of opportunity for all applicants including those with criminal convictions. Information about criminal convictions is requested to assist the selection process and will be taken into account only when the conviction is considered relevant to the role” Any disclosure will be seen in the context of the job description, the nature of the offence and the responsibility for the care of existing clients/volunteers and employees.

Further information on Access NI and a copy of NIACRO’s disclosure policy is available on request.

Ref No : B/EO-C/1

Closing date for receipt of applications:

Friday 18th December at 12:00 noon

NIACRO is an Equal Opportunities Employer

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential Criteria

  • A Certificate level qualification, ( NVQ level 3 or equivalent) in a relevant discipline e.g. Training & Development; Advice & Guidance, Working with Offending Behaviour.
  • At least 2 years experience within the Training/Recruitment environment and engaging with employers
  • At least 2 years experience working with long term unemployed or economically inactive adults .
  • Experience of using computerson a daily work basis eg to ECDL standard or equivalent
  • Experience of working in an interagency setting and as part of a team.
  • Access to transport which will enable the postholder to carry out requirements of the job

Desirable Criteria

  • The capacity to maintain concise and accurate records.
  • An awareness of issues affecting those furthest removed from the labour market including offenders.
  • Good interpersonal presentation, written and communication skills.
  • Good organisational and coordination skills.

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