The Refugee Employability Officer will provide tailored employability support to resettled refugees in Hampshire under the Afghan Resettlement Programme (ARP), the United Kingdom Resettlement Scheme (UKRS), Community Sponsorship and other eligible schemes. The role delivers structured one‑to‑one and group‑based support focusing on helping individuals achieve employment goals.
Purpose of the Role
The role delivers structured one‑to‑one and group‑based support focusing on supporting individuals towards employment, including job search and application support, interview preparation, understanding UK workplace expectations, employer engagement, and links to training, apprenticeships and (where appropriate) self‑employment.
Key Working Relationships
Works closely with staff involved in Hampshire Resettlement and Integration Support Service as well as partner organisations such as Citizen Advice Rushmoor, Jobcentre Plus (DWP), statutory funded employment support services, education and training providers, employers and relevant advice organisations in Hampshire.
Key Accountabilities
Employability support to individuals (55%)
- Conduct structured individual assessments to identify skills, qualifications, employment history and career aspirations, translating these into clear and realistic actions and goals within an Individual Support Plan.
- Deliver tailored job readiness support through one‑to‑one coaching and group‑based workshops, including CV development, interview preparation, UK workplace norms, digital literacy, job search strategies and confidence‑building.
- Support individuals to access and sustain employment opportunities, facilitating job matching, liaising with employers, facilitating introductions, supporting applications and providing on‑the‑job follow‑up assistance.
- Monitor and respond to employment and training‑related risks, including exploitation, unsafe work and discrimination, ensuring appropriate safeguarding action and partnership working with Citizen Advice Rushmoor and other partners.
- Provide structured guidance to individuals considering small‑scale self‑employment, exploring viable income‑generating ideas, basic planning and market research, and signposting to appropriate start‑up and business support services.
- Facilitate access to vocational training, apprenticeships, accredited courses and skills development opportunities that enhance employability.
External engagement and partnerships (20%)
- Develop and maintain productive relationships with local employers across Hampshire to facilitate direct placements, identify job opportunities, work‑experience placements and promote inclusive recruitment practices.
- Promote awareness among employers of the skills and contributions of resettled refugees, supporting inclusive workplace practices.
- Build and maintain collaborative working relationships with Jobcentre Plus, education and training providers and business advice and start‑up support services.
- Represent the service in local employability and partnership forums, contributing to multi‑agency strategies that improve labour market access for resettled refugees.
Key administrative tasks (15%)
- Ensure timely and accurate compliance with reporting requirements, including database management, case noting and file maintenance.
- Provide logistical support for procurement of into‑work support items and delivery of employability workshops and employer events.
- Analyse trends and barriers affecting employment outcomes and contribute insights to service development discussions.
Ways of working (10%)
- Collaborate with internal colleagues and external partners to ensure that employment, training and self‑employment pathways are integrated within longer‑term integration planning.
- Gather and analyse client and employer feedback to inform continuous improvement of employability interventions.
- Carry out all duties in accordance with IRC values and policies, particularly regarding safeguarding, confidentiality, impartiality and equal opportunities.
Person Specification
Essential Skills, Knowledge and Qualifications
- Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.
- Strong knowledge of the local Hampshire employment context and available training pathways.
- Excellent interpersonal and relationship building skills.
- Good IT skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office and experience supporting workshops via Microsoft Teams and Zoom.
- Strong working knowledge of the UK labour market and recruitment processes.
- Ability to travel regularly within Hampshire.
Desirable Skills, Knowledge and Qualifications
- Ability to communicate in Dari and/or Pashto, or another community language relevant to the Hampshire resettled population.
- Lived experience of forced migration, resettlement or navigating UK employment systems as a refugee or migrant.
Essential Experience
- Minimum two years of related experience delivering tailored employability support with refugees or migrants in Hampshire.
- Experience delivering one‑to‑one coaching and/or group‑based job readiness workshops in diverse, multi‑lingual and cross‑cultural environments.
- Experience conducting outreach to the private sector to build relationships and raise awareness.
- Experience supporting clients to access employment, education and training opportunities, including liaising with Jobcentre Plus and training providers.
- Experience handling confidential documents and sensitive information.
- Prior experience of using a client relationship management system or case management database, with accurate case noting and outcome tracking.
Desirable Experience
- Experience supporting clients with self‑employment pathways, including UK start‑up basics such as sole trader and limited company options, HMRC registration and self‑assessment, and signposting to business advice services.
Job Details
- Salary: 33,756.76 per annum.
- Contract: Fixed‑term until 1‑June‑2027.
- Eligibility: Candidates must have the right to work in the UK.
- Application deadline: 13‑May‑2026 at 11:59 pm BST.
Standard Responsibilities
- Promote and participate in initiatives to build team engagement, inclusion and cohesion.
- Foster learning, honest dialogue and reflection to strengthen safeguarding and promote IRC values and policies.
Equal Opportunities
IRC UK is an equal opportunities employer committed to non‑discrimination and diversity for all applicants. Candidates with disabilities who meet the disability‑confident criteria will be invited to interview. IRC UK welcomes applications from all candidates, including under‑represented groups and refugees who have the right to work in the UK.
Recruitment Process
- Screening call online.
- Panel interview online – including assessment / test.
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