Employment Specialist - Connect

Contract

Fixed term contract for 2 years.

Portsmouth Civic Offices & community-based outreach locations.

DBS Disclosure at basic level will be required prior to any offer of employment and this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Portsmouth City Council's Employment, Learning and Skills delivers a wide range of DWP, ESFA and ESF funded programmes. The programmes we work on provide support to residents within local communities; many of whom are either long term unemployed, have a disability or health condition, including mental health issues, or have other barriers as to why gaining sustained employment is proving to be a challenge.

Services include relevant interventions for young people and other excluded or vulnerable groups to provide local communities with an inclusive workforce.

Working within Portsmouth City Council's Connect to Work Employment Programme, the role will include managing a caseload of eligible Participants to assist them in securing sustainable paid employment in line with their preferences; also supporting eligible Participants with job retention. You will deliver a high-fidelity approach (for which training will be given); providing person‑centred advice and guidance to Participants, whilst building positive relationships with local employers, to enable Participants to move into suitable employment.

You will support the team to generate referrals to the Programme and engage with the local community to support eligible residents with employment support and job retention services. Connect to Work is a ‘work first’ intervention designed to support people into sustained employment.

You will possess strong employer engagement skills, to support essential job search activities and develop positive relationships with employers to maximise employment opportunities. You will be adept at negotiating job opportunities that align with each individual's strengths, needs, abilities, and preferences. Additionally, you will be capable of managing and supporting a caseload of clients, conducting vocational assessments, and creating action plans through regular meetings to monitor and review progress both pre‑ and post‑employment.

You will also provide job retention support for participants at risk of losing their jobs and maintain an equality and diversity approach at all times. Strong IT skills are essential, including proficiency in customer databases, Microsoft Excel, Word, and online communication platforms like Teams. You will be able to work independently and within a team, demonstrating flexibility to cope with varying demands and a drive to succeed by setting high personal standards to meet targets.

Driving licence and use of a car for business is desirable, because travel will be involved across the city; you will regularly visit employers, work‑placement hosts and customers to carry out employment engagement, placement‑host reviews, customer in‑work reviews and, on occasion, accompany clients to interviews.

Due to the diversity of our customer base, the need for regular one‑to‑one meetings and the flexibility required in delivering our contracts, a basic DBS Check will be required.

We reserve the right to close the advert early if we find a suitable candidate. We will interview as we go along, so please apply early.

To make sure your application is above the rest, please download the Job Profile below to ensure your application matches the requirements of the role. When completing your application you will be required to complete a personal statement, giving examples of your experience and any transferrable skills. Please align your answers with the points on the job profile. This is your opportunity to showcase yourself and your achievements.

Please note that this role is office based.

We offer hybrid working with the expectation to attend the office 2 days a week (pro‑rata for part‑time) depending on the role and business needs.

We are a disability confident employer and Armed Forces Covenant gold standard. We are committed to offering an…