Project Coordinator - Employability Support

Our Vision - A world in which all people have the opportunities and support to develop skills, knowledge and confidence allowing them to fulfil their potential and create a positive future.

Our Purpose - Enriching Lives through Education and Adventure.

We are currently delivering a number of employment support programmes for young people and young adults. We take a holistic approach to employment support utilising life skills and outdoor based personal development activities to boost people’s confidence to access work placements, job interviews and new employment opportunities. Do you have both experience of employment support and enthusiasm for this holistic way of working? If so, we’d love to hear from you.

In addition to our working on our employment skills initiatives you may engage in interesting and varied work across our alternative provision, personal development and activity programmes. Our work delivers real social value and offers great job satisfaction.

We offer very competitive rates and excellent benefits. We welcome applications from people of all ages, identities and backgrounds. We are more interested in your aptitudes and attitudes than in specific skills or qualifications.

We have a thorough induction process with training modules that will support your transition into employment with Endeavour, and regular support and guidance from your line manager.

Information on how to apply can be found below. Whilst this is initially offered as a 0.6 permanent contract, we hope to secure additional funding to be able to offer a full-time contract. Salary FTE £25,400 Actual salary range 0.6 FTE £15.240

Please do not be put off if you do not have the qualifications or experience for the role. We are a flexible employer and are committed to developing talent in the right candidates. If you are passionate about enriching lives through education and adventure, and believe in our values we want to hear from you!

The Project Co-ordinator role is both a co-ordination and front facing delivery role with a focus on co-ordinating and delivering activities and opportunities for young people and (vulnerable) adults (referred to as participants hereafter) as determined by the funded programmes. The role will be providing exciting, challenging and developmental opportunities for participants enabling them to learn and grow. You will work to extend participants' comfort zones by facilitating situations that stretch them and allow them to improve their soft skills. Each participant in your care should have an opportunity to learn new skills and qualities and help prepare them for their future. The skills they learn, the friends they make and the memories they will take with them will enable them to
gain experiences they can refer back to and learn from.

What will you do?-

• Lead on and develop projects, line manage staff and co-ordinate delivery
• Deliver activities and opportunities to participants focusing on personal and social development, as defined by the funded projects
• Ensure all project outcomes are met
• Develop project content, within the remit of the programme outcomes, to meet the needs
• of the participants
• Develop and maintain Relationships
• Maintain Organisational Standards and Expectations

How will you do it?-

Lead on and develop projects, line manage staff and co-ordinate delivery

• Lead from the front and provide an inspirational example for other members of your delivery team.
• Familiarise yourself with the funded project and the specifics of the contract.
• Effectively line manage staff, ensuring staff feel supported and are appropriately trained.
• Work on different projects in line with business need. Ensure that your projects are adequately staffed and supported.
• Encourage the staff & participants to interact and work co-operatively with others and engage all the participants in activities.

Deliver activities and opportunities to participants; focusing on personal and social development, as defined by the funded projects

• Work closely with other staff, leading the delivery of activities and opportunities, planning schemes of work and sessions to meet project outcomes.
• Identify, target and work with participants appropriate to your projects identifying their needs and introducing a programme of activities to provide new positive opportunities and experiences and support their personal development.
• Through activities, role modeling and support, equip the participants to reflect and to build up transferable skills, that will support them to make informed decisions about their actions and life choices, building their confidence and empowering them to make positive contributions to society.
• Organise the preparation of snacks and drinks, ensuring that food hygiene standards are adhered to.
• Notice and acknowledge accomplishments and achievements and celebrate these with the participants.
• Ensure the participants learning, achievements and contributions are recognised and accredited through celebratory events, training and certification (e.g. ASDAN / John Muir Award / AQA Unit Award Scheme).
• Lead on visits, trips, residentials and offsite activities as required, ensuring the opportunity for experiential learning is implemented.
• Work with other staff to ensure personal, educational and social development is incorporated into all (outdoor and adventurous) activity sessions. Where appropriate, embed social action and other skills as part of your programme delivery design.
• Encourage the participants to interact and work co-operatively with others and engage all the participants in activities.
• Deal promptly with conflicts and incidents in line with behaviour management and reward policies.
• Provide and ensure a high level of supervision for participants including during unstructured times such as breaks / lunch breaks.
• Make effective use of opportunities to support the development of literacy and numeracy.
• Maintain a professional and appropriate standard of classroom / workspace appearance.

Ensure all project outcomes are met

• Plan, publicise and recruit to projects as directed by your line manager.
• Ensure that full and accurate records are kept of projects (in your area of responsibility) and the development of the participants in order that comprehensive and accurate performance information can be presented to funders, managers and partner schools / organisations using organisational systems and processes and adhering to GDPR.
• Record activities through a variety of media including written, photos and videos.
• Where data sharing agreements are in place, provide information and ensure dissemination of project learning to other organisations and agencies as required.
• Monitor and ensure that project expenses remain within the agreed budget.

Develop project content, within the remit of the programme outcomes, to meet the needs of the participants

• Ensure true involvement of participants within the project.
• Collect and utilise feedback from the participants, use it to develop programmes that encourage the participants to engage in positive and constructive activities and opportunities.
• Deliver enhanced support advice and guidance to the participants; identifying and signposting opportunities for progression into sustained education, training or employment.
• Promote punctuality and excellent attendance, support participants to access the programme and chase up nonattendance.
• Promote independence and thinking skills, employing strategies to recognise and reward achievement and self-reliance .
• Encourage the participants to take responsibility for their own actions.
• Encourage respect for each other, the staff, the working environment and the wider community at all times.
• Promote acceptance and appreciation of diversity by providing opportunities for the participants to get to know people from different cultures / backgrounds.

Develop and maintain Relationships

• Develop purposeful and productive relationships with participants referred to the programme, (and their families / carers), gaining their trust, acting as a role model and setting high expectations.
• Use these relationships to offer support and encouragement, addressing key issues including health, self-esteem, independent living and managing relationships.
• Take an active role in youth development as part of Endeavour’s portfolio.
• Be an advocate for participants, whilst maintaining professional boundaries.
• Be a friendly and welcoming face in the local community, and someone the participants can trust and talk to.
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with referral agencies and promote the programmes to ensure target numbers are achieved.
• Deliver in partnership where appropriate and beneficial to the participants.

Maintain Organisational Standards and Expectations

• Understand safeguarding and safeguarding procedures.
• Ensure policies and procedures are adhered to.
• Take personal responsibility for knowing and enacting Endeavour’s Standard Operating Procedures.
• Adhere to protocols for safe working.
• Administer first aid when needed.
• Act responsibly in the care of premises and equipment including vehicles.
• Ensure activity kit and equipment is prepared, maintained, stored and quarantined as appropriate and in line with Endeavour standard operating procedures.
• Attend and participate in regular meetings and working groups as required.
• Complete organisational training as directed by your line manager and take part in any CPD opportunities.
• Recycle as much as possible and encourage staff and the participants to recycle and avoid waste.
• Promote Endeavour Values and encourage the staff and participants to do the same.
• Support the aims and objectives of the Endeavour Leadership Team and Board of Trustees.
• Support Endeavour at fundraising and other events as required.
• Promote and support quality assurance initiatives.
• Other duties commensurate with the post and needs of the company.

Are you right for our young people? If so you'll bring...

Qualifications

Desirable -

• Full UK Driving Licence
• Qualification in working with young people / (vulnerable) adults e.g. Youth Work / Cert Ed / PGCE or experience of direct work with young people and / or (vulnerable) adults such as group work and work in community settings
• English and Maths GCSE grade A* - C (or 5-9) or Literacy and Numeracy level 2 or equivalent

Experience

Essential -

• Experience of delivering or supporting young people or (vulnerable) adults at or with one or more of the following
• Education or Alternative Provision Youth club provision Detached youth work Pastoral support Information, advice, guidance Counselling skills Life skills Therapeutic work
• Lived experience or experience of working with one or more of the following groups of young people or (vulnerable) adults
• GRT (Gypsy, Roma, Traveller) young people or (vulnerable) adults LGBT+ young people or (vulnerable) adults Young people or (vulnerable) adults with low emotional health and wellbeing Young people at risk of CSE Young people or (vulnerable) adults at risk of radicalisation Young people or (vulnerable) adults at risk of county lines / human trafficking / modern day slavery Young people or (vulnerable) adults with barriers to engagement e.g. through ESOL, mental health, SEN Young people or (vulnerable) adults who have complex needs and exhibit challenging behaviour
• Experience of delivering or leading the delivery of one or more of the following activities to groups:
• Team Building activities Life skills PSHE Education sessions including literacy, numeracy or personal development

Desirable -

• Experience of developing and delivering employment support services to young people and young adults.
• Experience of developing and implementing innovative and inspiring personal development programmes or sessions
• Experience of delivering qualifications and preparing for moderation
• Line Management
• Project Management including monitoring performance against outputs and preparing written reports for funders
• Dynamically risk assessing and responding to issues that may arise in unexpected circumstances

Knowledge, skills and understanding -

Essential:

• A good understanding of and the ability to relate to young people or (vulnerable) adults needs, barriers to engagement and the impact of adverse childhood experiences
• Adaptable, flexible and safe when working with young people including with complex needs
• Organisation & time management skills with the ability to multi-task
• Communication skills: written, verbal, presentation and listening
• Excellent use of IT specifically Excel, Word, Powerpoint and Outlook
• Is able to work accurately and effectively under pressure, maintaining judgement and prioritising workload to achieve deadlines

Desirable -

• Managing Budgets
• Understanding of legal and health and safety frameworks including standard operating procedures, risk assessments and reporting of accidents, incidents and near misses.
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding procedures

Personal Qualities:

Essential -

• Be able to recognise your limitations and be open, transparent and communicative if and when things become challenging
• Ability to develop and maintain positive working relationships with young people and (vulnerable) adults, their families / carers, and other professionals
• Takes responsibility for own personal and professional development
• Working as part of a team
• Reflective practitioner
• Commitment to Endeavour’s vision and values

Endeavour is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this committment. As part of this commitment, we undertake enhanced disclosure checks for all roles within Endeavour. Having a criminal record will not automatically exclude applicants.

With specific reference to the person specification, decide on whether or not this is the role for you.

If your response to the above is 'absolutely, yes!', then

Please send an email to recruitment@endeavour.org.uk with the Subject Line ‘Project Coordinator – Employment Support’:

• attaching a CV* which illustrates how you meet the person specification
• in the body of the email please answer the following questions in no more than 75 words per question (300 words in total)

Having read the job description:

1. Having read the job description:

a. Which part(s) of the job excite you the most and why?

b. Which areas do you feel you will most excel at?

2. Having read the person specification:

a. Which roles/experience from your cv do you think are most relevant to this project co-ordinator role?

b. What skills do you think will carry across into this role?

3. Which areas of this role do you think will be most challenging, and which skills do you hope this role will allow you to develop?

4. What particular skills and qualities would you contribute to the delivery of our holistic employment support programmes?

Finally, please let us know if you have a full driving license valid in the UK.

*If you do not have a CV please request a word version of the application form from recruitment@endeavour.org.uk

Job Types: Part-time, Permanent

Salary: From £25,400.00 per year

Expected hours: 22.5 per week

Benefits:

• Company pension
• On-site parking
• Work from home

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• Weekend availability

Application question(s):

• In order to proceed with your application you must answer the listed questions in the job specification above please answer them here or in email to recruitment@endeavour.org.uk

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 02/04/2024
Reference ID: EndeavPC
Expected start date: 13/05/2024