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Careers with COS

Employment project team leader (full time) - North East Wales. Based in Wrexham covering Flintshire, Wrexham and North Powys.

JOB TITLE: Employment project team leader
DEPARTMENT: JobSense Team
LOCATION: North East Wales. Based in Wrexham covering Flintshire, Wrexham and North Powys
SALARY: £27,900
RESPONSIBLE TO: COS Operations Manager
DURATION: Fixed Term Appointment to Dec 2021

APPLY WITH APPLICATION FORM ONLY. CV'S WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

Application form PDF (Application form is available in other accessible formats)

About us

As a charity Centre of Sign-Sight-Sound (COS) has the organisational purpose of: promoting, developing and causing to be provided appropriate facilities, services and resources to improve the quality of life and equality of opportunities for D/deaf people and people living with sensory loss.

COS’s mission is to promote a world where sensory loss does not limit, preclude or stigmatise people from achieving their full potential. We do this by campaigning and lobbying, raising awareness of sensory loss, promoting health, learning and communication support, and providing services which enable the achievement of our mission. The services we provide are aimed at ensuring D/deaf people and people living with sensory loss have equal access to statutory, voluntary and private sector service provision enabling them to remain living independently in their own homes for the longest time possible.

JobSense Project

JobSense uses Specialist Employment Advisers to support people with a sensory loss, through a range of interventions tailored to the needs and circumstances of the individual to achieve the following outcomes:

Confidence building and vocational skills, such as:
  • Knowledge, skills and work behaviours 
  • Skills relating to developing applications for work 
  • Problem solving, communicating and relationship management 
  • Emotional resilience and confidence 
  • Manage money more carefully 
Practical help, such as:
  • transport challenges 
  • Identifying realistic and appropriate options for work 
  • Information on vacancies in association with Job Centre Plus et al 
  • Referrals to training programmes to learn additional skills, including accredited training and qualifications relevant to the participant’s journey towards work 
  • Referral to further and higher education programs 
  • Awareness of technology that can support sensory loss in the workplace 
  • Providing access to work experience, work placements, volunteering opportunities and job tasters through a wide range of employers 
Specific outcomes for each participant exiting the programme could be:
  • Supporting them into employment 
  • Completing work experience placement or volunteering opportunity 
  • Gaining a qualification or work relevant certification 
  • Or engaging in job search. 
Answering to the Operations Manager, the Vision Loss Team Leader will be responsible for managing a team of Specialist Employment Advisors, Volunteer Coordinator, Project Administrator and a Support Worker. The postholder will also be required to work closely with the Employment Engagement Coordinator for East Wales.
The role requires someone who is experienced at giving advice, support or mentoring and has previously worked or volunteered with people who are Blind or have sight loss.

You’ll also be used to working independently under your own initiative, with the ability to plan and prioritise your workload effectively. You will play a key role in the successful running of this European Social Fund project.

You will also be passionate about making a difference to the lives of people who have sensory loss.

This scheme has been supported by the European Social Fund through the Welsh Government www.gov.wales/eu-funding


Personal Specification

Please note that all applicants must demonstrate in their application form that they currently use the skills outlined below or have used them previously in employment, education, training, volunteering etc.

Criteria
Essential/Desirable

Education/Knowledge

Strong command of English and Maths
E

Experience

2 years’ experience of managing resources and management systems and the ability to motivate support those with sensory loss and/or other disability looking for training and employment.
E
Prepared to work flexible hours including Bank Holidays and weekends according to the needs of the job.
E
Experience of publicity and promotion activities
E
Relevant experience of working in recruitment / employment field and proven track record in successfully securing jobs for clients and meeting quantitative targets in a focused environment.
E
Understanding of employment issues faced by customers with various needs and experience of working with disabled/ disadvantaged people in employment focused programmes including Vision impairment and sight loss.
E
Knowledge of Supported Employment and Supported Employment Techniques

E
Experience of delivering accredited and non-accredited training/vocational skills to the required standard to groups or individuals.
E
An understanding of the Welfare Benefits system.
D
Ability to liaise with employers and negotiate paid employment opportunities
E
Drive and determination to work to challenging targets and achieve in a fast-moving customer focused environment.
E
Proven excellent interpersonal, communication skills, presentation skills and ability to represent COS
E
Good computer literacy skills (Word, Access, Excel, E-mail, Internet, PowerPoint)
E
To conform to a high standard of professional conduct at all times
E
Good negotiation and influencing skills
E
Understanding of employment law, health & safety, GDPR, the Equality Act and other recruitment related legislation.
E
Full driving license, access to a vehicle and a willingness to travel across Wales/UK
E
Experience and / or knowledge of various industrial/ commercial environments and knowledge of local and national labour market.
D
Experience of developing and leading presentations
E
Experience in supporting a manager and leading colleagues to maintain a high-quality provision that meets the needs of a specified contract/s.
E
Experience of coordinating groups of adults
E
Experience of working with volunteers
E
Experience of publicity and promotional activities
E
Experience of working with the third sector
D

Skills / Ability

Ability to work flexibly, on own initiative and as part of a team.
E
Ability to prioritise and co-ordinate your own workload and that of others to include identifying problems and opportunities and work in a proactive manner.
E
Good organisational and administration skills, time management, computer literate with a willingness and aptitude to learn.
E
Ability to speak Welsh
D

Circumstances

Ability to undertake travel and overnight stays on occasion as and when required. Flexiable to the changing demand of the project and its targets.

Leadership and Management Behaviour’s

Act as a role model for the COS's Leadership and Management behavior’s:
  • Driven to deliver
  • Leading and engaging
  • Strategic thinking
Competencies

Listed below are key competencies, which describe how the job must be carried out in order to achieve the objectives set.

Business initiative

An understanding of the markets COS operates in and ability identify and capitalise on opportunities

Planning and Organising

Ability to plan, lead and manage proposals that win new business, in line with business processes.

Problem solving and time management

Ability to identify and successfully plan dependencies in complex projects, prioritising critical tasks and allocating time and resources to the crucial areas that will underpin project success.

Concern for accuracy

Acting to minimise errors and inaccuracies, maintaining high standards of accuracy and correctness in dealing with information and data. Adopting an orderly and precise approach to work paying careful attention to following standard procedures and ways of working.

Team Working

Build and maintain good working relationships with colleagues within COS to cultivate a positive team spirit, commitment to the team and achievement of shared goals.

Application Process: Please email the completed application form to stephanie.woodcock@signsignsound.org.uk

Closing date: The current closing date is scheduled for 13th November 2020

Interview schedule: Week commencing 16th November 2020

*Statement: This Job Description and Person Specification reflect the duties of the post as they exist at this time and may be subject to changed based on the needs of the organisation.  The post-holder may be required to undertake other duties commensurate with the salary and competence requirements of this post from time to time as required. 

Application form PDF

Key Responsibilities:

  • Contribute to leading the provision of high quality, cost effective services to people with disabilities/disadvantage specifically with a focus on those with sight loss.
  • To work closely with the North East Wales Employment Engagement Coordinator. 
  • To lead a small team of Specialist Employment Advisors, a Support Worker, a Project Administrator and a Volunteer Coordinator for people who are blind or partially sighted to deliver supported Employment services (this element of your role will account for 80% of your time) to meet COS contractual obligations within the JobSense Project. 
  • Effectively coordinating staffing activities and resources to deliver the JobSense objectives.
  • Implement policies, procedures and strategies appropriately.
  • Manage your own time and prioritise work to ensure deadlines are met and targets achieved.
  • Provide cover across the team as appropriate and when required.
  • Carry out the duties and responsibilities of the post at all times in compliance with all of the host organisation’s policies, but especially Equal Opportunities, Health & Safety, Safeguarding and Lone Working.
  • Ensure that reasonable care is taken at all times for the health, safety and welfare of yourself and other persons, and to comply with the policies and procedures relating to health and safety.
  • Carry out any other duties which fall within the broad spirit, scope and purpose of this job description and which are commensurate with the grade of the post.
  • Recognise and work within the organisations quality system and standards, that encompass those of our funders
  • To ensure participant confidentiality is adhered to at all times and to work in line with the principles of the GDPR.
  • Must be willing to undertake journeys throughout Wales for work purposes, including occasional overnight stays and travel where necessary.

Responsible for:    

  • 1. 5 Specialist Employment Advisors
  • 0.5 Project Administrator
  • 0.5 Volunteer Coordinator
  • 1 Support Worker
Key Activities:

  • As directed by the Operations Manager, provide day to day management and leadership to a team of staff, in line with the organisation’s policies and procedures, through 1:1s, annual appraisals, personal development planning and training, capability issues and regular daily/weekly communication. 
  • Deployment of resources including staffing on an operational basis, to include delegation and allocation of work activities to all project staff e.g. caseloads, meetings, employer leads, arranging staff cover and other operational and identified personnel matters.
  • Provide appropriate presentations to promote the organisation to a variety of groups.  
  • To work closely with the Employer Engagement Team in the development and maintenance of strategic relationships with employers throughout the organisation.
  • Be responsible for ensuring your team of staff complete the requisite paperwork and meet the funder-specified requirements of service delivery (e.g. meeting participants within agreed timescales, completing risk assessments, submitting assessment paperwork, etc.)
  • To oversee the maintenance of internal and external contract specific financial policies and procedures to ensure budgets are adhered to and systems are maintained to ensure payment.
  • In conjunction with the Operations Manager, drive performance and provision of all relevant KPI’s, PI’s and target outcomes in line with specific contract requirements.
  • As directed by the Senior Management Team, maintain accurate performance statistics and contribute to the provision of information to funders through their selected mechanisms e.g. telekit, webinars, Service Progress Reports & ESF Reports, Contract Performance Review and Monthly Performance Review meetings.
  • In conjunction with the Operations Manager, ensure the maintenance of all contract quality and compliance systems and obligations which includes GDPR obligations, data security, health and safety, relevant legislation and confidentiality across the team to ensure that contract compliance and operational guidance are adhered to. This includes, where relevant, input into COS’s Policy and Procedures.
  • Foster effective operational relationship with network agencies and funders.
  • Contribute to COS marketing activities.
  • Liaise with members of COS’s Management Team providing reports / presentations to meetings and other advisory group meetings as necessary.
  • In the absence of the Operations Manager and through consultation and support from the Senior Management Team, assume relevant and identified responsibilities of the Operations Manager
  • Such other duties as may be required to fulfil the objectives of the role
Statement:

This Job Description and Person Specification reflect the duties of the post as they exist at this time and may be subject to changed based on the needs of the organisation. The post-holder may be required to undertake other duties commensurate with the salary and competence requirements of this post from time to time as required.

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