Job Opportunity - Education Officer - Employer Engagement

Job Title: Education Officer – Employer Engagement
Organisation: Palace for Life Foundation
Salary: £24,000 p.a.
Location: Selhurst Park, Selhurst, SE25 6PU
Closing date: 17/08/2018
Interview date: 7th, 8th or 9th August 2018
Second interview date: 13th or 14th August 2018
Contract type: 1 Year Fixed Term (Full time) with extension, pending further funding.

Formerly known as the Crystal Palace FC Foundation, the Palace for Life Foundation started their Community Development programme back in 1990 and over the last 3 years has undergone a comprehensive change of culture with the introduction of a new senior management team and new activities and funded projects, whilst still supporting the Foundation & Club’s commitment to the ‘One Club One Community’ ethos.

As a result of recent growth we now have an exciting opportunity for an exceptional candidate to join the Foundation’s Community Development Team as an Education Officer – Employer Engagement. This role has been created to enhance our Traineeship & Apprenticeship programme.

We are looking for a well-rounded officer with proven knowledge and experience of engaging with local employers. They will work closely with the Traineeships Officer to support individuals in their work environment and helping them to cultivate the right mind-set for business. Targeting those individuals who are furthest away from the labour market, focusing on up skilling, training and utilising work placements within the Foundation, Club and wider community settings, as a means to securing employment or further education through the power of sport.

The Education Officer – Employer Engagement will broker these arrangements between local employers to ensure all trainees are provided with a meaningful work placement in line with their chosen career pathway.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Develop relationships with key employers and arrange face-to-face meetings.
2. Broker the relationship with local employers to provide work placement opportunities for trainees and apprentices.
3. Pro-actively source suitable work placement opportunities and direct routes into employment.
4. Carry out interviews and shortlist candidates for each vacancy.
5. Manage successful Trainee/Apprentice inductions & initial assessments.
6. To build and maintain good professional relationships with the Traineeships Officer and support delivery of soft skills training e.g. Interview Techniques, CV writing, Job search Skills training.
7. To build and maintain an effective rapport with participants and use their planning and organisational skills to ensure that all participants are given appropriate assistance to enhance their chances of starting and sustaining work.
8. Work collaboratively with peers using verbal and written reports to ensure accurate and timely progress reviews, to meet the requirements of funders and stakeholders.
9. Work with the Traineeships Officer to monitor work placement hours and liaise with employers to ensure smooth running of the placement.
10. Develop a network of employers and voluntary organisations to deliver work tasters, placements, and work opportunities.
11. Develop relationships with local organisations, agencies and education providers.
12. Attend staff meetings and staff training as required.
13. Fully participate in creative meetings and discussions towards development.
14. Respond to system and organisational changes as required.
15. Develop evaluation and reflective learning practises.
16. Develop method of incentive and celebration for young people.
17. Develop sustainable approaches to support young people.
18. Ensure all expenses are authorised by the Deputy Head of Community Development.
19. Comply with the finance policy in relation to petty cash and staff expense procedures.
20. Keeping up to date with legislation and policy related to unemployment/employment and making any necessary modifications to accommodate changes.
21. Collection of Data to support the monitoring, evaluation and reporting of the project to report back to funders, future commissioning groups and Foundation management.
22. Outreach work, marketing and promotion to ensure the relevant target group is reached and aware of the project.
23. Work closely with young people to ensure distance travelled is monitored to measure impact.
24. Supporting the development of the Education, Training & Employability Training Framework for Palace for Life Foundation.
25. Maintaining databases and undertaking any other administrative duties.

Any other reasonable duties and responsibilities considered appropriate by the Senior Management Team of the Foundation.

Experience:

• Understanding of the new apprenticeship standards
• Experience of developing key relationships with employers in order to broker traineeship and apprenticeship opportunities
• Understanding the concept of progression pathways

Skills, Knowledge and Qualifications:

• Degree or equivalent in Youth Work, Teaching or Community Development
• Must hold PTLLS or A1 (TAQA)
• Awareness of working with NEET and hard to reach young people

Personal Qualities:

• Car driver/owner – clean driving licence

Palace for Life Foundation is run autonomously from the Football Club and enjoys charitable status. The relationship between the Club and Foundation is strong and mutually beneficial. With an appointed Board of Trustees there is a formal overriding link between the Foundation and the Football Club at senior level.

A competitive remuneration package is available to the right candidate. Additionally, you will be joining an organisation that has recently won the ‘Best Community Scheme Award’ at the Football Business Awards 2015 and the ‘The Best Foundation Diversity Award’ at the Football for Good Awards 2015.

How to apply:

Please complete the application form HERE and send with an up-to-date CV to recruitment@palaceforlife.org

Equality Statement:

Crystal Palace Football Club endorses the principle of equality and will strive to ensure that everyone who wishes to be involved in the club whether as players, match-day fans, staff, board members, participants in foundation programmes and other people engaged with the club’s activities (for example, suppliers, corporate partners):
Has a genuine and equal opportunity to participate to the full extent of their own ambitions and abilities, without regard to their age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion and belief, sex or sexual orientation; and
Can be assured of an environment in which their rights, dignity and individual worth are respected, and in particular that they are able to enjoy their engagement at the club without the threat of intimidation, victimisation, harassment, bullying and abuse.

Safeguarding Statement:

Crystal Palace Football Club acknowledges its duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory requirements and responsibilities, government guidance, recognised best practice and complies with Premier League and Football League rules. The club expects all staff, players, volunteers, contractors and guests to share this commitment.