Join the GREAT Team and help to transform lives

• ESO (Employment Support) Lead, Leicester, LE1 – £32,115 pa (FTE). 2 posts
• Employment Support Officer, Leicester, LE1, £24,289 pa. 4 posts

We have exciting new opportunities for you to join the Getting Ready for Employment and Training (GREAT) project which has been operating since 2017, to support families move into training and employment across Leicester city and the wider county. As a project led by Voluntary Action LeicesterShire (VAL), we work in collaboration with several organisations to deliver effective and tailored services to participants.

The project is funded by the European Social Fund and The National Lottery Community Fund. https://valonline.org.uk/the-great-project/

Our current partnership includes;

• Business in The Community
• Optima UK
• Personal Development Point

We are looking to increase the capacity of our team to meet with the increase in demand following the national lockdown and resume our services. Our expanding team will offer support to more local families who are currently not in employment and who may be facing challenges to access work or training.

ESO (Employment Support) Lead, Leicester City Centre, LE1

£32,115 pa (FTE) – 2 posts
1 x Fixed term to 31st March 2023, Full Time, 35 hours
1 x Fixed term to 31st March 2023, 28 hours, over 5 days (pro-rata)

This is a brand new role designed to work as part of the GREAT Project Team and an exciting opportunity that combines caseload and line management. The Post holder will line manage, coordinate, develop and support a team of Employment Support Officers (ESOs) to enhance and improve participant engagement in joining the project, accessing GREAT Project activities, facilitating positive results, outcomes and exit from the Project.

Applicants will need to demonstrate the ability to line manage, motivate staff and improve team engagement.

The role requires an excellent multi-tasker who can manage multiple work streams as well as oversee a personal caseload of project participants. A keen eye for detail is crucial to ensure accuracy for compliance monitoring and performance management. The successful candidate will have strong communication skills and have confidence to engage with diverse stakeholders.

Employment Support Officers, Leicester City Centre, LE1

£24,289 pa. Full Time, 35 hours – 4 posts
3 x Fixed term to 31st March 2023, Full Time, 35 hours
1 x Maternity Cover to December 2021, Full Time, 35 hours

Joining our established team of GREAT Project Employment Support Officers working across Leicester and Leicestershire, you will support family members who are furthest from the labour market and are most at risk of social exclusion to achieve progress towards and into training or employment. Each participant is allocated to a specialist Employment Support Officer for 1-2-1 support during their time on the project. The GREAT Project also provides a wide range of group sessions to help develop work skills and general wellbeing. These sessions include practical job searching and interview skills, new media skills (such as LinkedIn), and behind the Scenes Tours with local employers, which have included FareShare and the Y Project. In addition to confidence building workshops and dedicated health & wellbeing support.

Applicants will need to demonstrate experience in supporting individuals to identify and achieve personal goals combined with an established understanding of barriers preventing families from engaging with support linked to employment, education and training.

The role requires a superb communicator with an established track record in providing impactful support and training and experience of working in diverse communities. Proven skills in engaging and motivating individuals (both face to face and remotely) to achieve outcomes and an ability to develop high quality information and resources are also necessary.

You will have a proactive and dynamic approach, excellent technical and organisation skills, a keen eye for detail combined with the ability to process detailed information, manage complex processes, prioritise and multi-task. The project team works with structured processes and to tight timelines and targets, so flexibility and a “can do” attitude are a must.

Voluntary Action LeicesterShire (VAL) is a sector leading diverse and ambitious organisation, with a vision for growth. You will benefit from a competitive salary, a flexible and supportive working environment, 25 days annual leave, rising with service, plus bank holidays and a 6% employer pension contribution.