Connect Project Officer

About The Role

Job Title: Connect To Work Project Officer

Hours: 22

Salary: HC8 £ 37,563 - £42,123 (pro rata £22,335 - £25,046) per annum

Contract: Fixed Term until 31/03/2028

Closing date: 11/10/2026

Are you passionate about helping people overcome barriers to employment and supporting them into meaningful and sustainable work? Do you have experience in contract management, performance monitoring, quality assurance, or employment and skills programmes?

Herefordshire Council is seeking a dedicated Connect to Work Project Officer to support the delivery of the Government's Connect to Work programme. This ambitious programme aims to help people with disabilities, long-term health conditions and other barriers to employment access and sustain fulfilling employment through the delivery of high-quality supported employment services.

Working closely with the Senior Adviser Post 16 Learning and Skills, you will play a key role in the management and oversight of commissioned delivery partners, ensuring the programme achieves its objectives and delivers positive outcomes for Herefordshire residents.

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a high-profile programme that will make a real difference to the lives of local people and contribute to the economic wellbeing of the county.

• Support the implementation, delivery and ongoing development of the Connect to Work programme.
• Monitor the performance of commissioned providers against agreed targets, outcomes and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with delivery and referral partners, stakeholders and employers.

• Experience of contract, programme or project management within employment, skills, health, education or related services.
• Strong analytical skills and confidence working with management information, data and spreadsheets to produce meaningful insights.
• Knowledge of quality assurance, compliance requirements and audit processes.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive relationships and provide constructive challenge where required.
• A good understanding of the barriers faced by people with disabilities, health conditions and disadvantaged groups in accessing employment.

Ideally, you will also have knowledge of:

• Supported Employment approaches, including Individual Placement and Support (IPS) and Supported Employment Quality Framework principles.
• Employment and skills programmes funded through local or national government.
• Partnership working across health, employment, skills and voluntary sector services.

A competitive salary, holiday entitlement, and access to our contributory pension and staff benefits scheme, which includes:

• Pension
  Scheme Enrolment in the Local Government (LGPS)
• Generous Annual Leave:31 days (pro rata) plus bank holidays. You can also purchase an additional 10 days per annum
• Flexible working:flexi-time, job-share, part-time hours
• Employee Assistance Programme:24/7 access to support and counselling
• Pick your perks
  – our benefits include access to a range of retail, leisure, holiday and health benefits. This includes savings, cash back and discounts.

This is a unique opportunity to be involved in the delivery of one of the Government's flagship employment programmes and help shape services that support Herefordshire residents into work.

You’ll join a supportive and collaborative team committed to improving outcomes for local people and strengthening the county's economy.

If you are passionate about improving employment opportunities, enjoy working with partners and stakeholders, and have the skills to ensure high-quality programme delivery, we would love to hear from you.

Come and help make a…