Employment Manager (Maternity Cover until March 2026)

*HOW TO APPLY*

Please return a completed Application Pack to recruitment@wegobeyondhr.com. This must be completed and returned to the stated email address by Friday 14th January 2025 at 4pm.

Salary: £33,120 + 7% employer pension contribution

Hours: Monday – Friday 9.00 – 4.30, up to 35 hours per week available.

Holidays: 37 inclusive of 12 Statutory days

Location: Orchardville Head Office, Belfast. NB travel to other sites and locations is required.

Overview

Orchardville is seeking to recruit a motivated and enthusiastic employment manager with experience of supporting people with disabilities to prepare for and secure work. Orchardville is a voluntary organisation and registered charity that supports young people and adults with learning disability or autism to live, learn and work. Established in 1982 we offer high quality day opportunity and employment services to over 600 participants each year who attend services in Belfast, North Down, Lisburn and Derry/ Londonderry. The work we do is life-changing for participants, enabling them to lead independent lives, gain employment and become fully included in their community. If you want to make a real difference, working for an organisation that places service users at the centre and in a team who are passionate about their role, apply now using the link below.

About the Role

The Employment Manager is a key member of the Orchardville management team and will jointly lead on managing the employment service with their time apportioned between the Workable NI and SkillSET projects. They will manage a team of Employment Officers (EOs) to successfully deliver employment outcomes and embed a culture of high performance through mentoring and motivating staff. The Employment Manager will have responsibility for engaging and networking directly with employers to promote Orchardville’ s services and facilitate disability acceptance training. In addition, they will lead on recruiting participants through establishing and building on referral networks. You will also be required to ensure compliance with all administration associated with SKillSET and Workable NI including leading on the registration of Workable participants.

MAIN PURPOSE:

A key member of the Employment and Community Inclusion Team, the Employment Manager will jointly lead Employment Officers (EOs) to successfully deliver employment related projects. They will embed a culture of high performance through mentoring and motivating staff to achieve project outcomes, in particular securing and retaining employment for participants on SkillSET and Workable NI. The Employment Manager will have responsibility for engaging and networking directly with employers to promote Orchardville’s services and facilitating disability acceptance training. In addition, they will lead on recruiting participants onto employment projects through establishing and building on referral networks.

This role will be split 60/40 between Workable and SkillSET with an emphasis on registering new Workable participants and overseeing their initial engagement on the project. Therefore, the role will involve managing a small caseload. They will also be required to complete monthly project administration and carry out internal monitoring checks to ensure compliance.

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

Essential Criteria

• Educated to Level 3 or equivalent i.e. A level, AS level, NVQ level 3.
• A minimum of 2 years’ experience of working with people with a disability in an employment related service such as UKSPF funded programmes or Workable NI.
• A proven track record of successfully engaging with employers to achieve employment for people with disabilities.
• Effective communication skills tailored to meet the needs of various stakeholders.
• Excellent organisational skills including proficient in the use of Microsoft Office applications.
• Knowledge and understanding of the DDA, the duty for reasonable adjustment and basic knowledge of employment law and processes i.e. recruitment and selection/ capability/ grievance/redeployment procedures.
• Current full driving license, valid in the UK, and access to a car or other form of transport which will permit you to carry out the duties of the post in full. NB: Alternative transport methods will be considered for those who have a disability and cannot obtain a driving license. Successful candidates will be required to ensure that their insurance allows them to use their car for business purposes.

Desirable Criteria

• A relevant management qualification, eg Level 5 Leadership & Management.
• Experience of managing/ supervising a team of staff or volunteers
• Completed Adult Safeguarding / Child Protection Training

Requirements

The post holder will be asked for proof of the right to work in the UK and will be required to undergo an Access NI check (funded by Orchardville).

Other Requirements

In addition, applicants must be able to demonstrate our values (EQUIP).