Forces Employment Charity is seeking a dedicated employment advisor to join us. As part of a national team, you will provide employment and training advice and guidance to a remote caseload of spouses and partners of still serving Armed Forces and ex-service personnel (Veterans) in the UK and overseas with personal development and/or until they are settled in sustainable careers.
The programme provides a combination of virtual and face-to-face coaching and mentoring, events, practical employment support, access to training, apprenticeships, and corporate mentoring to offer the best possible opportunities to upskill and gain fulfilling employment.
Reporting to the National Employment Projects Manager. This position is full-time, 35 hours per week with a salary of £29,000 per annum. This role is Home-based (with community outreach) in the Colchester region with community outreach throughout the region (Southeast, East of England, London).
The role involves regular travel across the operating region and working from home when not out in the community. The usual working hours are Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm. However, there may be an occasional need to work outside core hours to meet the demands of the role.
Principal Responsibilities:
· Make a positive impact by putting our clients at the heart of everything you do.
· Assess individual clients’ needs; identify any challenges and barriers.
· Build rapport, show empathy, motivate, and increase aspirations.
· Support clients to develop their CVs and prepare for the job application process and interviews, along with soft skills including basic digital upskilling if required.
· Networking and engagement: promote the benefits of FEC case worker support to spouses and partners (families) of Armed Forces and Ex-Service personnel, and stakeholders.
· Work with the EP Marcoms officer to promote FEC Spouses & Partners support to beneficiaries, charities and other organisations working with military spouses and partners.
· Work with EPMs and ERMs to support Employer Engagement to generate employment opportunities for military partners and spouses.
· Provide advice and guidance to spouses and partners of serving Armed Forces and Ex Forces personnel throughout the journey into employment or training following the FEC Case Management Guidance and Work Instructions.
PERSONAL SPECIFICATION
Essential Competencies:
· Reside in, or within easy commute of, Colchester
· Evidence of working in a customer facing environment and delivering excellent customer service.
· Strong collaborator and teammate.
· Able to demonstrate coaching/mentoring experience and influencing skills.
· A desire to achieve through self-motivation and initiative, with an ability to exercise judgement and discretion.
· Empathy with Armed Forces personnel and an understanding of the challenges faced by them and their families in finding appropriate and sustainable employment.
· Strong organisational and administrative skills and experience of using a CRM.
· Passionate about personal development and helping others achieve their goals.
· Aligned with and committed to our organisational values.
Desirable Competencies:
· Lived experience.
· An understanding of the employment and education market, including recruitment, welfare-to-work provision, work-based learning, and vocational training.
· NVQ L4 in Advice, Information and Guidance.
Security Clearance
Successful candidates will be the subject of an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (EDBS) check. The job offer will be subject to a successful DBS enhanced.
FEC is committed to attracting, recruiting, and retaining the most talented individuals, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, gender expression, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion, belief, sex or sexual orientation. We strive to be a Team that reflects all the communities with which we engage around the world through diversity in the workplace and promoting an inclusive culture in which all team members are respected, empowered and valued.
We actively encourage people with personal experience of the criminal justice system or lived experience of the issues facing this client group to apply for this role.
If you meet the criteria and are passionate about this role, we encourage you to apply. The closing date for the position is Midnight, 21 February 2025.
The first stage of online interviews will begin during the week commencing 24 February 2025, and the final face-to-face interviews will be conducted during the week commencing 3 March 2025 in London or Colchester area.