About FareShare South West

FareShare South West (FSSW) is the region’s largest food redistribution charity, fighting food poverty and hunger by tackling waste. We source good quality food that is surplus to requirements from retailers and manufacturers. We rely on over 200 brilliant volunteers to help redistribute this food to 400 frontline charities such as school breakfast clubs, community centres and organisations supporting those who are homeless, unemployed, socially isolated and recovering from addiction. During 2021, FSSW piloted our first employability programme to enhance and expand our support to the community.

Purpose of the post:

The purpose of the Employability Coach and Coordinator role is to develop and deliver FareShare South West’s six-month Employability Proof of Concept Programme. The successful applicant will act as both a coach as well as coordinate the programme whilst supporting the growth of an innovative, supportive and caring employability pathway for people to overcome barriers and move closer to the labour market.

This role would suit someone who is passionate about supporting people to thrive. Someone who is sensitive to inequality and the barriers people face in finding meaningful work whilst understanding the benefits of taking a holistic approach to support.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Programme Delivery

Work as part of the programme team and alongside the wider team, working flexibly to ensure the success of the programme.
Support the Employability & Volunteer Development Manager to recruit for and tailor the programme to meet the needs of all our participants.
Alongside the Employability & Volunteer Development Manager, develop and prepare resources for the programme.
Provide tailored motivational coaching/mentoring to:

Onboard and engage participants throughout the programme.
Set up/monitor an action plan for each participant with realistic goals to overcome barriers they face.
Provide advice and guidance, build confidence & support them with suitable interventions & accessing resources (including CV, job interview techniques) into training/volunteering/work placements and work as appropriate.

Build a network of signposting for participants across the programme.
Identify specific needs and risks. Liaising with senior colleagues, create and maintain risk assessments with individuals to ensure safety in the workplace.

Alongside the Employability & Volunteer Development Manager, support the development of the strategy for future programmes.

External partnerships and relationship building

Working closely with referral agencies for the participants throughout the programme.
Liaising with and providing feedback to training bodies.

Where appropriate, working closely with the individual and liaising with future work or training prospects.
Alongside the Employability & Volunteer Development Manager, develop future partnerships with referral agencies and training bodies.

Reporting and Administration

Create records and maintain processes in line with FSSW policies and procedures, both using on-line data bases and hard copy record systems.

Maintain quality records of all interventions with project participants, ensuring the data collected supports funding claims and that such data is stored within the requirements of the Data Protection Act.
Deliver programme data and in conjunction with the Employability & Volunteer Development Manager analyse and feed into future programmes.

General

Respond to/answer any enquiries/communications via telephone, email, in person or via inhouse IT/systems.

Be an excellent ambassador for FSSW
Undertake administrative duties as required (and/or as directed by the Line Manager) to support the effective functioning of the Charity.
Work within national FareShare, and FareShare South West’s, policies, procedures and adhere to legal frameworks.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

Knowledge & Experience of 1:1 motivational mentoring/coaching within the employability sector

Experience of working with a diverse range of vulnerable adults
Experience of working successfully within groups/teams
Successful experience of supporting the unemployed back into work or training
Excellent communication /interpersonal and listening skills
Good written and IT skills & able to set up & maintain good records/action plans

Strong organizational skills including planning, prioritizing & time management
Commitment to advancing equality and diversity
Ability to work flexibly, respond positively to project changes and meet challenging targets
Influencing, motivational and negotiating skills

Desirable