Pathways to Work for Lone Parents

Department for Employment and Learning: Pathways to Work for Lone Parents Project

Pathways Project

16 May 2008

Jim Russell

jim.russell@delni.gov.uk

028 9025 2196

Description of opportunity

A Local Development Officer is sought from the Community/Voluntary sector to work in support of the Pathways to Work for Lone Parents pilot project.

The postholder will support the pilot which is operating in 3 Jobs and Benefits offices (JBOs) - Lisburn, Knockbreda and Shaftesbury Square. The Local Development Officer’s role will be to support Personal Advisers and other JBO staff by forging links and working relationships between them and a wide range of organisations offering opportunities and support in the community to lone parents. Such organisations may include Extended Schools providers, Sure Start and other childcare providers, as well as voluntary and community sector bodies offering services to lone parents. Such links will

1. optimise the flow of information about childcare and community initiatives to Personal Advisers and lone parents
2. provide opportunities for the Local Development Officer and local JBO staff and managers to market DEL products and services directly to the organisations and the lone parent client group; and
3. provide opportunities for the Local Development Officer and local managers and staff to influence voluntary and community groups providing services for lone parents to encourage the client group to become active in the labour market.

The post will be full time however there is flexibility to offer this post on a part time /job sharing basis. The postholder will be based in Gloucester House, Chichester Street, Belfast in the Pathways to Work Project Team, however the role will require the individual to travel around three of the Jobs & Benefits offices involved in the pilot – Lisburn, Knockbreda and Shaftesbury Square and the surrounding communities.

The individual will be required to take up the post in July 2008. The secondment will be for 9 months. This will be reviewed after 9 months with a view to extension where funding and spending priorities permit.

Salary and associated expenses will be funded by DEL. The salary for this post will be not less than the current salary of the successful candidate and up to a maximum of £29,922. Therefore the salary will fall within the range £22,621 - £29,922 or on a pro rata basis.

Main objectives of the opportunity

• To support Jobs & Benefits Office staff by forging links between them and those public, private and voluntary organisations that provide services for lone parents in the local community; and
• To facilitate outreach to lone parents in their local community in order to raise awareness of the Department’s employment service and how it can inter-relate with other services with a view to encouraging more lone parents to engage with the labour market.

Skills requirements

Essential Skills/ Experience

• Experience of working with lone parents and those who support them.
• Experience of advocacy on behalf of lone parents.
• Sound knowledge of the full range of services available to lone parents in the public sector and elsewhere.
• An awareness of current research on the work related needs of lone parents.
• Good presentation, oral communication and influencing skills.
• Access to a form of transport that will allow the post holder to carry out the duties of the post in full.

This Opportunity will benefit the Department, you and your organisation and lone parents by:

• allowing the Department to reach lone parents more effectively and avail of skills and knowledge and understanding that community/voluntary sector partners have of the lone parent client group
• allowing the Department to will gain a deeper understanding of the barriers lone parents face in employment and of the factors that influence lone parents in the choices they make in relation to work
• developing individual's knowledge of DEL programmes and processes and building working relationships with DEL staff which will benefit them and their own organisation at the end of the secondment
• offering individuals the opportunity to influence policy in respect of lone parents and their employability.

The closing date for completed Candidate Proformas is 4.00 pm on Friday 16 May 2008.

Initially selection will be made on the basis of an eligibility sift and candidates will be invited to a short, informal, interview. It is important therefore that candidates clearly demonstrate on their application form how and to what extent they meet the skills and experience requirements detailed above.

For further information about the post please contact Jim Russell, Pathways Project on 028 9025 2196, or jim.russell@delni.gov.uk