JOB TITLE:Employment adviser

TEAM:Resettlement Team

LOCATION:Hertfordshire

REPORTS TO:Resettlement Team Manager Hertfordshire

GRADE:5

HOURS:28

Context and Purpose of the Job

The UK government has committed itself to a Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme whereby people fleeing persecution from Syria are selected and processed in the region of origin and brought to the UK with their status already determined. Under this scheme a specific quota of refugees will be coming to the UK for resettlement.

The resettlement team provides advice and support for resettled refugees to help them access services and mainstream provision, and establish community links. Working closely with local stakeholders and in partnership with other voluntary sector agencies running similar services across the UK, the Refugee Council resettlement team promotes both the integration and independence of this group.

The Employment adviser is responsible for working directly with a caseload of refugee clients who are on the Syria Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (SVPRS). The Employment adviser will prepare refugees for appropriate employment and achieve their chosen employment objective. The Employment adviser will work to a variety of performance targets based on the progression outcomes of clients such as successful completion of training courses, voluntary and work placements and paid employment. This post will report to the Hertfordshire Resettlement Project Manager.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1.To carryout an initial employment needs assessment with all new refugees in order to identify previous skills, experiences, capabilities and aspirations in relation to future employment goals

  1. Delivering a range of ‘employability workshops’ includingbut not limited to:
  2. UK employment law
  3. Interview skills and technique
  4. Confidence building
  5. CV writing and development
  6. Conduct in the workplace – what employers look for
  7. Job search
  1. Carrying out a holistic and employment focussed assessment and individual placement and support plan with each client.
  1. To carry out ongoing monitoring with individual clients, assessing progress against action/development plans.
  1. Quarterly reporting on client activity against action plans.
  1. Conducting regular one to one and group meetings with clients in order to provide practical support with further learning and employment and support individuals to identify their own skills, and to inspire and motivate individuals to take a positive mental attitude to training/education and joining the workplace.
  1. Assisting individuals to translate qualifications and identify and access ‘top-up’ or additional training.
  1. Contributing to the management of a small budget to be used in commissioning training courses. Payment from and some management of petty cash system where appropriate.
  1. Engaging with potential local employers, industry bodies and other agencies in identifying routes into work and entry points depending on qualification and experience.
  1. Pro actively source unpaid (through public and voluntary sector) and paid work experience placements for clients within local businesses
  1. To work closely with and under the guidance of the Employment Engagement Manager in the identification and engagement of supportive employers willing to offer employment support initiatives to refugees and paid work opportunities locally and nationally.
  1. To liaise with other Refugee Council teams, local authorities, refugee community organisations, colleges and other providers when necessary and to negotiate service facilities and referral arrangements.
  1. To develop excellent team working with all elements of the Resettlement service in support of the individual’s longer term integration, and attend team meetings.
  1. Provide ‘in-placement support’ to clients supported into paid and unpaid work placements, including visiting sites to resolve issues and to deliver regular follow up meetings.
  1. Provide coaching and mentoring support to volunteers.
  1. Maintaining accurate and detailed case-notes and files using Refugee Council database system
  1. Undertaking relevant training as required.
  1. Any other duties that from time to time may reasonably be required.
  1. Ensuring that professional boundaries are maintained at all times.
  1. Willingness to work flexibly and at various locations according to the needs of the service.

Additional Information

Health & Safety

The post holder is responsible for:

Cooperating with the Refugee Council in delivering all legal responsibilities in respect of your own and your colleagues, volunteers, clients and others health and safety whilst at work.

Becoming familiar with the Refugee Council’s Health & Safety Policy and procedures including evacuation procedures at your workplace.

Carrying out risk assessments of your own work, your own workstation and venues for client sessions to ensure that you do not expose yourself or others to unnecessary risk.

Flexibility

In order to deliver services effectively, a degree of flexibility is needed and the post-holder may be required to perform work not specifically referred to above. Such duties will, however, fall within the scope of the job, at the appropriate grade. The job description will be subject to periodic review with the post-holder to ensure it accurately reflects the duties of the job.

Equal Opportunities Statement

As part of its recruitment policy, the Refugee Council intends to ensure that no prospective or actual employee is discriminated against on the basis of race, sex, nationality, marital status, sexual orientation, employment status, class, disability, age, religious belief or political persuasion, or is disadvantaged by any condition or requirement which is not demonstrably justifiable.

Working at the Refugee Council

A commitment to the Refugee Council mission and values.

This post is subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check. Repeat checks are initiated every two years.

JOB TITLE:Employment adviser – Hertfordshire

Experience

Essential

  1. Experience in careers advice and guidance
  2. Experience of undertaking in-depth needs assessmentsand the subsequent creation of individual action plans
  3. Experience of providing information, advice and guidance to disadvantaged groups (particularly to refugees would be a distinct advantage)

Desirable

  1. Experience of running group training sessions on job search, CV development and other employment assisting topics
  2. Experience of working closely with volunteers in the delivery of operational services

Knowledge, skills and abilities

Essential

  1. The ability to deliver impartial advice clearly, and in an easily understood manner to those not necessarily familiar with the UK job market and who may not have English as their first language
  2. Local knowledge of the range of training, support initiatives generally available to those seeking to progress towards employment
  3. A good understanding of the barriers that refugees and asylum seekers face when seeking employment
  4. Ability to work effectively with interpreters, colleagues in the team and to establish good working relationships with other teams in the Refugee Council, other refugee agencies and community groups.
  5. Strong verbal and written communication skills combined with excellent IT literacy skills
  6. A high level of interpersonal skills with the ability to work under pressure
  7. Commitment to and understanding of equal opportunities and its practical applications for own working practice.
  8. Willingness and availability to travel outside the region, including some overnight stays

Desirable

  1. A good knowledge of the UK labour market and recruitment techniques used by employers in the UK
  2. The ability to develop and maintain excellent working relationships both internally and externally and to advocate the rights and values of the client groups at all levels
  3. Ability to speak Syrian Arabic
  4. NVQ level 3 or above (or equivalent) in careers guidance

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You can apply for this job at

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