Fixed Term Contract /Secondment

Fixed Term Until 30 September 2022, with potential for extension subject to performance and funding.

1 Lancaster Circus - Blended home working/ office bases/visits to employers

Jobs and skills are vital to the economic recovery of Birmingham, and are central to the Council's Covid 19 Economic Recovery Plan. In the Employment and Skills section we work with some of the top civic bodies, and experts in young people's support, mental health, and skills provision to deliver exciting projects, including the Government's Kickstart programme.

Birmingham City Council is seeking to appoint 2 Principal Employment Officers to join our team to deliver Kickstart project management. The Council is supporting 50 job-placements internally, and hopes to support at least 150 jobs with external employers via our Kickstart Gateway.

Our vision is to provide a high quality Kickstart support programme that brings together expert support from our range of partners to help some of the most vulnerable young people in our area to succeed to gain and retain Kickstart jobs, and ultimately to take the next step into a further opportunity.

Do you understand the importance of excellent Project Management? Do you have passion for delivering employment and skills and supporting young people? Are you an excellent co-ordinator with an up to date knowledge of the employment and skills landscape? Can you manage a caseload of young people and help them to succeed?

This is an exciting opportunity for the right individuals to make a difference by supporting young people into jobs at this time of high unemployment  across the country.

Currently the funding for these roles reflects the end of the Government's Kickstart scheme in mid 2022 (with extra time to wrap up the programme). These jobs may be extended subject to extension of Kickstart funding and requirements review.

This post has is a broad job description including:

-Account manage a wide range of employers, strategic partners, and internal and external stakeholders to capture jobs, design programmes and deliver commissioned activity to accelerate targeted individuals and groups into training, work experience and sustainable employment opportunities.

In relation to the Kickstart project, the emphasis is on capturing job opportunities (internal / external) and supporting the design and delivery of the participant journey

- Secure external funding and other resources to support implementation of local policies and strategies. Undertake activities to support effective performance management, research and evaluation to enable continuous service improvement and sharing of best practice.

In relation to the Kickstart project, the emphasis is on delivering the Kickstart funding processes and performance management to meet targets, along with development of best practice and promotional communications.  

- Represent the council in partnerships, on external bodies, committees and meetings as required.

- Direct or convene project or initiative-based groups as required to agree and deliver appropriate actions

-Oversee financial and performance management of projects and contracts, identifying risks and remedial actions

-Ensure compliance of contracts, service level or partnership agreements. Maintain, produce and report management and impact information.

-Establish and maintain robust project management systems

-Undertake or commission evaluations

-Prepare reports, briefings, presentations and publicity material on all aspects of projects and work programmes as required.

-Produce reports and presentations as appropriate for internal and external committees, forums and partnerships

-Provide briefings / publicity material for a wide range of stakeholders, including senior officers and elected members

-Act as a point of contact for employers, service users and internal and external partners and stakeholders.

-Undertake staff and resource management responsibilities as required.

-Supervise, develop work programmes and direct the work of staff, students and work experience beneficiaries on an agreed basis.

-Identify suitable work activities and performance targets, in line with objectives of the team.

We are inviting applications from self-motivated, outcome driven individuals who can work with minimal supervision and manage a varied work load, with the experience to represent the Council in a responsible and professional way.

The role would be ideally suited to a candidate with a relevant background in employment and skills project management

Due to the focus on supporting young people to succeed in their kickstart journey, experience of direct advice and guidance support to young people is essential.

Applicants should demonstrate successful negotiation experience and management of productive delivery partnerships with a variety of stakeholders.

The post holder will need to have good team working skills, being able to work collaboratively and autonomously to meet deadlines.

Requests for flexible working / compressed hours will be considered where business needs can be met. Occasional working outside of usual office hours may be required.

Project funded. Fixed term to 30 September 2022, Full time (36.5 hrs per week), Flexible hours, Agile working. Blended working from home / at office bases/ visiting employers.

For any informal enquires please contact Tara Verrell, YEI Project Manager on 07703 373 418 or email at tara.verrell@birmingham.gov.uk

Ref: BCC002024

Interviews for this post will take place virtually via video conferencing. Shortlisted candidates will be provided with further information.

Right to work in the UK documentation will be fully checked for all applicants.  All non-UK applicants (excluding Ireland) may require a Certificate of Sponsorship from Birmingham City Council and must have an approved visa from the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) before any employment offer can be confirmed. Unless they are an EEA or Swiss citizen or their family members, already living in the UK by 31 December 2020, then they will need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) instead.

Supporting documents
Job description and Person specification