Programme Support Officer

Responsible to: Programme Delivery Manager

Job Purpose: The Programme Support Officer will be responsible for recruiting economically inactive participants onto the various programmes within SWC and supporting them to realise progression outcomes, including achievement of qualifications and entry to sustainable employment. Outcomes will be achieved through the discharge of the college’s mentor-led employability model. The post-holder may be required to work across a number of projects in line with funding.

Location: Omagh, however the postholder(s) will be required to work at other South West College campuses as required.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Support the Programme Delivery Manager in the development and implementation of a Programme Implementation Plan ensuring the efficient and effective discharge of the programme in the target region.

Development and implementation of a recruitment and engagement strategy to ensure key stakeholders, including local Job’s and Benefits Offices, Statutory Agencies and Community and Voluntary Sector organisations and potential participants are made aware of the opportunities available through the college’s social inclusion programmes.

Lead and manage the recruitment of participants to the programme and manage relationships with employers, ensuring into employment targets are met for the designated area.

Manage a caseload of participants on the programme; providing 1:1 support, guidance and mentoring; identifying and addressing barriers to progression thus maximising programme into education, training and employment outcomes.

Undertake with participants an agreed induction, initial assessment, action planning and progress review methodology which efficiently and effectively identifies and addresses barriers to progression and assesses the distance travelled.

Development of an individualised Personal Development and Job Plan for all participants outlining the support and mentoring to be provided, ensuring planned provision including courses scheduled meets the educational and/or employment progression aspirations of participants.

Monitor participant attendance and progression on the programme including the discharge of a RAG system to manage the risk of participant disengagement from employment.

Engage with a wide range of local employers arranging site visits and work placements ensuring participants have direct experience of employment opportunities which may lead to sustained employment.

Delivery of a weekly career hub to support participants with the development of employability skills including job search techniques, CV preparation, completing job application forms, preparation for interviews and provision of general guidance on dress code, attendance, timekeeping etc.

Prepare participants for entry to employment including the provision of support with budgeting, providing better off calculations and health literacy provision.

Identify any additional support inputs required by participants, making referrals to the appropriate specialist internal and external supports and monitor progress against agreed development priorities.

Comply with all agreed operational and administrative policies and procedures ensuring compliance with programme guidelines.

Attend internal and external meetings to promote the programme to a wide range of organisations as well as promoting their support and services to participants.

Refer/signpost any safeguarding issues to appropriate Safeguarding Officer in the College.

Engage actively in weekly reviews of the programme, ensuring the key programme targets are agreed and achieved and provide reports for management.

Implement contractual arrangements for administration of the programme to include the preparation and review of participant records, enrolment/registration documentation, tracking of progression/achievement and support with raising of purchase orders for course materials, PPE or any other administrative duties required to support overall governance.

Copyright and Intellectual Property Rights

The College has sole copyright for all software developed by college staff using college resources.

General Responsibilities

The post holder is expected:

• To promote and raise the profile of the College and the services it provides to the local business and civic community.

• To promote and actively contribute to the College’s Mission, Vision and Values.

• To fully comply with and actively promote College policies and procedures.

• Within the context of the post, ensure full compliance with College Health and Safety requirements.

• To comply with and actively promote College policies and procedures on all aspects of Equality.

• To participate in staff training and development activities to update and enhance own knowledge, skills and professional competence needed to carry out the role effectively.

This job description is intended to indicate the broad range of responsibilities and requirements of the post. It is neither exhaustive nor prescriptive. It is anticipated that the post-holder will assume additional responsibilities as and when new projects and/or areas of focus for the College develop. The College reserves the right, in consultation with the post-holder, to amend the job description to meet the changing needs of the College.

Person Specification

Each aspect of the criteria indicated below should be addressed in full on your application form in the Shortlisting Boxes. You must demonstrate in the essential and desirable criterion boxes how you feel you satisfy each of the criteria. The onus is on you, as the applicant, to fully complete this section. If you do not, the selection panel may have insufficient information to shortlist you. Information you provide elsewhere in your application will only be referred to by the selection panel to clarify what you have provided in the criterion boxes. In demonstrating how you feel you meet the criteria, it is not sufficient to make simple statements such as “Yes” or “Yes I meet this criterion” or to refer the panel to another section of the application form. In the event of an excessive number of applications, the College reserves the right to enhance shortlisting criteria.

Essential Criteria

Qualifications/Experience

A Level 5 qualification or above

GCSE English Language and Maths at Grade A-C or equivalent

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

Minimum 2 years’ direct work experience giving advice, support and guidance to young people or adults presenting with barriers to employment or education; with a strong link made with local employers and referral agencies.

Excellent communication, interpersonal and ICT skills

Team/Flexible approach (ability to work in various campuses upon request) with a focus on team service and performance

Experience in Careers Guidance, Counselling, Youth-Work, Employability, Curriculum activities, Community Work, Psychology or Rural Outreach.

General

Access to a car and able to travel between campuses and other business use as required or ability to demonstrate mobility.

Terms and Conditions

Salary: Band 5 Scale Points 20–25, (£31,586–£35,235) per annum. Commencing (£31,586).

Contract Type: Full Time, Temporary Contract (Contract until 31st March 2026 with possible extension)

Hours of work: 36 hours per week

Location: Omagh, however the postholder(s) will be required to work at other South West College campuses as required.

Terms & Conditions: All terms and conditions of employment for this post are as laid down by the Association of NI College’s non-teaching negotiations committees and are drawn from the conditions of service for NJC for local authorities staff.

Holiday Entitlement: 12 public holidays plus 24 days rising to 31 days after 5 years’ continuous service (Pro-Rata).

Pension: The post-holder will automatically be enrolled in the NILGOSC pension scheme which offers a range of benefits commensurate with public sector pension schemes.

Other benefits: Comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme, Staff Wellbeing Programme, Cycle to Work and Tech Schemes; Benenden Healthcare, Occupational maternity, paternity and adoption leave, carers leave, flexible working, hybrid working, training and development.