Belfast Works Employment Liaison Coordinator

JOB BACKGROUND:

This post is part of the Belfast Works project, a Belfast wide employment project implemented by a consortium of organisation led by Ashton Community Trust. The Belfast Works partnership organisations are

• GEMS NI
• Upper Springfield Development Trust
• Impact Training
• East Belfast Mission
• Ashton Community Trust

The post holder will co-ordinate an employer liaison team tasked with establishing and maintaining excellent working relationships with employers for the purpose of developing job opportunities for clients across Belfast for a range of different employment contracts. They will supervise a team that will source sector-specific vacancies as well as opportunities for individuals in designated geographical locations and manage the subsequent recruitment process.

KEY TASKS & RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. To co-ordinate the Ashton Trust Employment Liaison team to ensure the smooth delivery of quality services and performance and that all targets are being met
2. To undertake duties arising from the co-ordination of the BELFAST WORKS Employer Liaison team including supervision and appraisal, performance measurement, monitoring leave and sickness
3. To lead an Employment Liaison team that will
   1. proactively develop relationships with a wide range of employers to build an employer and opportunity base, particularly focusing on the key industry sectors in Belfast.
   2. Source and secure managed work placements, including subsidised wage opportunities and un-waged work experience opportunities, for clients across all employment programmes. 
   3. Seek out and conduct 'cold' site visits with a view to sourcing work opportunities at new and existing sites of employment, ensuring all visits are reviewed and followed through.
   4. Work with employers to identify training and ‘routeways’ to employment, which would guarantee our clients interviews as a minimum.
   5. Work with employers to convert work placements into permanent employment opportunities.
4. Analyse and report on the labour market in Belfast and identify key strategic employment trends in the short medium and long term
5. Identify key employment related forums and ensure the active participation of the Employer Liaison team in any initiatives that may led to employment for Belfast Works clients
6. Maintain accurate and up-to-date employer database and participant information systems.
7. Undertake health & safety assessments of placements as necessary, ensuring all legal obligations are met and Health and Safety policy is adhered to.
8. Ensure accurate and timely completion of all paperwork and reports in line with funders and partners requirements.
9. Work closely with Belfast Works mentoring team to inform them of clients progress in employment
10. Performing any other duties as required by the line manager and that are commensurate with the grade of the post
11. Establish and maintain effective methods of communication and reporting to the management of the Belfast Works project and Ashton Community Trust
12. To work in conjunction with the Belfast Works and administration teams in maintaining quality systems and standards into all programmes to include: Matrix, ISO and EFQM in order to ensure the full delivery of quality programmes to all user groups and to ensure that all standards and processes are being met for funders 
13. To perform such other relevant tasks deemed necessary by Management team of the Training & Employment Services to ensure the effective and efficient implementation of the organisation’s action plan

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

• Undertake any other related responsibilities commensurate with the evolving objectives of the post and the evolution of the Ashton Community Trust, as may reasonably be requested by the Director
• Work flexibly on evenings, weekends and during school holidays to ensure full delivery of the programme.
• Undertake training in order to develop work related skills and knowledge.

• Work with due regard for Ashton Community Trust’s core values and objectives
• Ensure the effective implementation of and adherence to, the Trust’s policies and procedures

• Participate in Ashton Community Trust’s Performance Management and Appraisal process, and agree short, medium and long term goals with line manager, and direct line staff.
• Identify learning and development needs with your line manager and evaluate T&D to demonstrate needs have been met.
• Share best practice and achievements, and contribute to opportunities to present outcomes and case studies.

Status of the Job Description

This job description is not incorporated into the employee’s employment contract. It is intended as a guide and should not be viewed as an inflexible specification and it may be varied from time to time in the light of strategic developments following discussion with the post holder. The post holder will be expected to work to objectives agreed with the line manager.

Essential Criteria

1. Recognised professional Level 5 Qualification or above in a relevant field (Relevant fields include Business, Recruitment or equivalent) and a proven track record of 1 year or more experience within the last 3 years of working within an employer liaison field as a Coordinator or equivalent. 

            Or

            A proven track record of 3 years or more experience within the last 5 years of working within an employer liaison field as a Coordinator or equivalent.  (Number of             years’ experience may be increased should there be a need to facilitate manageable shortlists)

2. Experience in supervising appropriate people and teams in a target driven environment within your capacity as Co-ordinator to ensure the smooth delivery of quality services and  performance
3. Extensive demonstrable experience of working with employers and ability to analyse and report upon Labour market trends
4. Experience of good working relationships and communicating effectively with colleagues, funders, stakeholders and particularly representatives of employers
5. Experience of writing tenders; and experience and understanding of the processes involved in the procurement of services
6. Valid driving license and access to transport appropriate for the post.  (Consideration will be given to candidates, who because of a disability, cannot hold a driving license but they must have access to a mode of transport that allows them to fulfill the duties of the post)

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience of ensuring accurate recording of information, produce monthly progress reports against targets and attend management and multi-agency meetings as required

Experience of using own initiative, including effective prioritisation of tasks and ability to work to agreed aims and objectives