Participant Engagement Officer

Participant Engagement Officer

Permanent, Full Time

£26,485 to £31,158 per annum

Location: Chelmsford

Closing Date: Monday 21st July 2025 at 11.59pm

The Opportunity

Essex has a number of key employment and skills challenges including low productivity, low wages and lower than average workforce skills levels. Whilst the unemployment claimant count is low, Essex suffers from high levels of economic inactivity and significant pockets of deprivation in communities and cohorts.

To resolve these challenges, Essex County Council delivers the Connect to Work Programme which supports residents with facing barriers or challenges to get into and maintain meaningful employment, social inclusion, and engagement.

The Participant Support Officer plays a key role in removing barriers for residents in accessing opportunities that exist in the Connect to Work programme, ensuring as many people as possible can access support to increase social mobility and move them closer to employment. Working across Greater Essex the role will specialise in working directly with participants / potential participants and their support networks to facilitate engagement in the programme and develop a tailored package of support alongside commissioned providers. The role will also support continuous improvement, reviewing complaints, conducting user surveys / engagement and support co-production activity to develop the programme.

Accountabilities

• Responsible for maintaining an accurate understanding of the eligibility and suitability requirements of the Connect to Work Programme, providing information and advice to residents with an interest in applying to the programme.
• Responsible for assisting individuals to complete Expressions of Interest, facilitating self-referrals to the Connect to Work Programme, providing ongoing support to ensure engagement throughout the triage and onboarding process.
• Responsible for building and maintaining professional networks to increase understanding of the Connect to Work Programme and enable the identification and introduction to those persons most likely to benefit from the programme.
• Work with the Marketing Executives to design and deliver advice clinics / workshops, engaging with housing associations, Job Centre Plus, and voluntary sector groups across Greater Essex to offer support to vulnerable and hard-to-reach group likely to benefit from the Program.
• Maintain close relationships with Triage teams to facilitate a smooth, timely progression of participant Expressions of Interests, proactively supporting the resolution of any issues or barriers that arise.
• Work with frontline Employment Advisors to develop tailored, value-for-money support packages for participants.
• Gather, analyse, and report data related to participant engagement including direct engagement with participant, conducting user surveys and analysing complaints to assess the quality of support provided.
• Support the co-production of continuous improvement initiatives and support the development of innovative solutions to resolve issues and improve participant satisfaction.to enhance the quality and effectiveness of the programme.
• Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.

The Experience You Will Bring

• Educated to RQF level 4 or equivalent by experience in relevant job coaching or participant support work specialisms.
• Evidence of continuing professional development with good knowledge in relevant professional area and commitment to the principles of evidence-based practice
• Significant practical experience of working with people with a range of barriers or challenges in accessing employment.
• Effective communication skills, good problem solving and assessment skills with a demonstrable track record of building and sustaining positive professional relationships with individuals and families with multiple and complex needs.
• Excellent presenting skills to be able to facilitate workshops and training to colleagues and partners and - collaboration.
• Experience of working with businesses and/or partner organisations on economic development issues.
• Familiar with data and the use of digital tools (e.g. PowerPoint) to present complex information to a variety of audiences in compelling ways.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team and to use supervision appropriately.