BEGIN Advice, Information and Referral Officer (2 posts - Part Time x1 T & Full Time x1) Nottingham, England
Job description
Contract: 2 positions: 1 x Fixed term for 12 months, full time; 1 x Permanent part time, 22.2 hrs per week
BEGIN (Basic Educational Guidance in Nottinghamshire) is a well-established partnership service providing advice and placement for ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages), and Functional Skills Maths and/or English courses. Nottingham College funds most of its work and the small team is a vital part of the College’s adult employability work.
BEGIN helps approximately 3,500 people a year to find the right learning opportunities – from beginner to GCSE-equivalent levels. The service is integral to Nottingham College and also works with a wide range of external organisations to take enquiries, track people’s changing needs, and place them in a range of provision across Nottingham – including formal ESOL courses with exams, community courses, informal Language and Conversation Groups, Functional Skills Maths and English courses.
We are expanding the team and are looking for 2 new Advice Information & Referral Officers to support this rewarding work. One position is full-time and the other part time 22.2 hours.
Ideal candidates will get real job satisfaction from supporting disadvantaged people, often people with low levels of English speaking and listening. They will enjoy working under the pressure this sometimes brings and days that ‘fly by’. Nevertheless – they will take time to listen to service users with patience, learn about their common issues and provide solutions to help people progress in their lives – from booking them onto language courses to signposting people for advice about childcare, benefits, careers or immigration.
Key duties include telephone work to screen and log people’s needs, including language levels, UK residency, employment, income and benefit status. Data inputting of enquiries, regularly updating people’s information and booking learner appointments are also significant parts of the work. Excellent administration and good ICT and English skills are essential, as is the ability to listen and record information with accuracy and attention to detail. Additionally, organisational skills, initiative, and ‘teamwork’ are vital for staff to advise learners and maintain smooth services.
Please specify in your application which position, full time or part time, is your preference.
The post will be shortlisted against the essential and desirable criteria at application stage from the person specification. Please ensure that you have a look at this specification attached to the Role Profile and complete your application directly from this, as these specifications are an integral part of the selection process.
For further details on this post which the job description and person specification cannot answer for you, please feel free to contact Fiona Vale on 07912 070404, email [email protected] , and/or visit www.begin.org.uk for more information.
Interviews/assessments are planned for Wednesday 22nd & Tuesday 28th March 2023.
Our values mean we work together, as One Team. As One Team in our commitment to creating an inclusive environment, promoting inclusivity and respect with a culture that supports our college community of staff and students to achieve their full potential and celebrate all aspects of diversity. Achieving our aim to be an employer of choice will be through striving to lead an environment that is free from discrimination, harassment, bullying and victimisation.
We believe that a diverse workforce leads to an organisation that is more innovative, more creative and gets better results. We want our workforce to represent the diversity of the people and communities that we serve. We also want our workplace to be one where different experiences, expertise and perspectives are valued and where everyone is encouraged to grow and develop.
We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that successful candidates may need. Nottingham College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of our students and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Background checks including employer references and an enhanced DBS check will be required for this role.
