Refugee Employability Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) was founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein and has since developed unparalleled expertise in responding to emergencies and helping uprooted communities rebuild. With a presence in over 40 countries, the IRC provides lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. The organization is committed to bold leadership, innovation, creative partnerships, and accountability to those it serves. IRC UK, part of the IRC global network headquartered in New York, focuses on raising awareness, delivering policy changes, and increasing funding to restore health, safety, education, and economic wellbeing to people affected by conflict and disaster. Since 2021, IRC UK has also provided integration services directly to refugees in England, with additional offices in major European cities such as Berlin, Bonn, Brussels, Geneva, and Stockholm.

Job Overview:
The Refugee Employability Officer will provide tailored employability support to resettled refugees in Hampshire under various resettlement programs. This role involves delivering structured one-to-one and group-based support aimed at helping individuals achieve employment-related goals. The officer will assist clients in job searching, application processes, interview preparation, and understanding workplace expectations in the UK. The position is crucial for individuals facing barriers such as limited English proficiency, recognition of overseas qualifications, childcare responsibilities, health needs, or confidence challenges. The role also integrates employability support within broader integration planning to promote sustainable economic independence and access to public services.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The key responsibilities of the Refugee Employability Officer include conducting structured assessments to identify clients' skills, qualifications, and career aspirations, and translating these into actionable goals within an Individual Support Plan. The officer will deliver tailored job readiness support through coaching and workshops, covering CV development, interview preparation, and job search strategies. They will facilitate job matching by liaising with employers and providing follow-up assistance to promote job retention. Monitoring employment-related risks, such as exploitation and discrimination, is also essential. The officer will guide clients considering self-employment, helping them understand UK start-up requirements and connecting them with relevant support services. Additionally, the officer will develop relationships with local employers to promote inclusive recruitment practices and represent the service in local employability forums.

Required Qualifications:
Essential qualifications include strong written and verbal communication skills in English, knowledge of the local employment context in Hampshire, excellent interpersonal skills, good IT proficiency, and a strong understanding of the UK labour market and recruitment processes. The ability to travel regularly throughout Hampshire is also required. Desirable qualifications include the ability to communicate in Dari and/or Pashto, or another relevant community language, and lived experience of forced migration or navigating UK employment systems as a refugee or migrant.

Educational Background:
While specific educational requirements are not detailed, candidates are expected to possess relevant qualifications that demonstrate their ability to perform the duties of the role effectively, particularly in relation to employability support and integration services.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of two years of related experience in delivering employability support to refugees, migrants, or vulnerable populations. Experience in one-on-one coaching and group workshops in diverse environments is essential, as is experience in outreach to the private sector and supporting clients in accessing employment and training opportunities. Familiarity with client relationship management systems and handling sensitive information is also required.

Languages:
The mandatory language for this position is English. It is desirable for candidates to communicate in Dari and/or Pashto, or another community language relevant to the Hampshire resettled population.

Additional Notes:
The position is full-time and based in Hampshire. Candidates must have the right to work in the UK. The IRC UK is committed to being an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all candidates, including underrepresented groups and refugees. The recruitment process includes a screening call and a panel interview, which may involve an assessment or test. The compensation for this role is set at £33,756.76, with variations based on factors such as the labor market and individual candidate experience.