Employment Adviser

Job title: Employment Adviser

Reports to: Client Services Manager

Line reports: None

Location: Manchester (Hybrid)

Salary: £26,500 - £29,000

Hours: 37.5 hours per week, with occasional evening or weekend work (TOIL provided)

Contract: One year fixed term

Overall purpose

The Employment Adviser (EA) plays a key role in supporting refugees and people from refugee backgrounds to progress towards and secure sustainable employment. The EA provides tailored employment advice and guidance, helping clients build the knowledge, confidence, and skills needed to navigate the UK job market. This role will work with clients at various stages of their employment journey, with a particular focus on those in the earlier stages of understanding career options, developing employability skills, and exploring education, training, and volunteering opportunities.

The EA will deliver one-to-one and group-based employability support, collaborate with employers and volunteers to source opportunities for clients, and maintain strong relationships with referral and support partners to ensure a holistic approach to employment support.

Key responsibilities

We are a fast-paced charity that prides itself on its flexibility and responsiveness so your responsibilities may change, develop and grow according to the needs and development of our programmes.

1) Client Support

• Provide tailored one-to-one support to clients, helping them understand the UK labour market, define career goals, and develop employability skills. This could be in-person or online depending on client needs.
• Support clients with CV and cover letter writing, job applications, interview preparation, and job searching.
• Guide clients in identifying appropriate employment, education, training, and volunteering opportunities that align with their career aspirations.
• Deliver group sessions to help clients build knowledge and skills in a supportive peer-learning environment.
• Manage a caseload of clients with varying needs, adjusting frequency and intensity of support based on individual requirements.

2) Employer, Volunteer and Referral Partner Engagement

• Engage with employers to build networks and identify job, training, and work experience opportunities for clients.
• Attend job fairs and community events to connect clients with employers and recruitment opportunities.
• Support outreach initiatives by building and maintaining relationships with local referral partners, including Jobcentres, community organisations, and other support services.
• Liaise with volunteers to source additional expertise and mentoring opportunities for clients.

• Establish and maintain relationships with referral partners and support agencies to signpost clients to additional services, including welfare, housing, and mental health support.

3) Service Delivery and Administration

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of client interactions, progress, and outcomes in the CRM system.
• Implement and adhere to monitoring and evaluation processes to track client outcomes and inform service improvements.
• Identify and escalate safeguarding concerns, making appropriate referrals and ensuring clients receive the support they need.
• Support managers with additional projects, such as research, resource development, and service improvements.

Person specification

Essential Skills and Experience

• Experience providing employability support, careers advice, or guidance to individuals facing barriers to employment.
• Understanding of the challenges refugees and people from refugee backgrounds face in accessing employment.
• Experience delivering group training, workshops, or employability sessions.
• Ability to engage and collaborate with employers, volunteers, and external stakeholders.
• Strong administrative and organisational skills, with experience maintaining client records and using a CRM system.
• Knowledge of safeguarding principles and experience handling safeguarding concerns appropriately.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust with clients from diverse backgrounds.
• Understanding of Lived Experience of seeking sanctuary or forced migration to the UK.

Desirable Skills and Experience

• Lived Experience of seeking sanctuary or forced migration to the UK.
• Experience working in a charity, refugee support, or employment services setting.
• Experience organising job fairs, employment events, or networking opportunities.
• Knowledge of the UK labour market, sector-specific career pathways, and employment progression routes.
• Ability to speak an additional language relevant to the client group.

Additional Information:

• This role may require travel for client support and external stakeholder meetings or events.
• Some evening or weekend work may be required to support clients (TOIL provided)