Progression Officer

Overview of Main Duties

• To provide support and guidance in relation to attending interviews and assist participants in applying for employment including completion of application forms for employment.
• To meet with programme participants to identify progression routes into employment, volunteering, training or education.
• To engage with women in the target group to identify and address the barriers to engagement and to provide mentoring and support.
• To be familiar with the aims and objectives of the Women Towards Education and Employment ESF Programme and to develop strategies for implementing the Progression Officer role.
• To monitor and review outcomes and report as required, in conjunction with Quality Assurance.
• To directly promote and raise the profile of the Programme with all appropriate internal and external stakeholders.
• To co-ordinate all aspects of the Progression Service for women that enter into training/education, employment or volunteering through First Steps Women’s Centre’s ESF Programme.
• To maintain contact with clients during and up to 6 months after completion of training or education programmes within First Steps Women’s Centre.
• To liaise with local businesses and recruitment agencies in order to identify potential placement or employment opportunities.

Person Specification

Essential

• 3rd Level Education in an appropriate area plus a minimum of GCSE English & Maths (Grade C or above) or equivalent.
• A strong understanding of the challenges and barriers women face re-engaging into education, training and/or employment
• A strong understanding of how the Women’s Sector plays an integral role in assisting women into employment, training and/or education
• Knowledge & Understanding of what it means to be Economically Inactive and/or Unemployed
• Knowledge of local provision for unemployed & disadvantaged people
• Excellent planning and organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to work with a wide range of external and internal customers
• The ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• The ability to work on own initiative to find creative solutions to problems
• A strong awareness and understanding of equal opportunities and the ability to translate these into effective action
• Hold a full current driving license (valid for use in the UK) and/or* have access to a form of transport on appointment, which allows the applicant to undertake the duties of the post in full (*this refers to any applicant who has declared they have a disability which debars them from driving.)
• Experience of building up trust and communicating with people face to face
• Experience of working with people who lack confidence and self belief
• Competent administrative and IT skills;
• Experience of managing relationships with external organisations