Job title: Training and Employability Manager

Candidate Brief: 

NOW Group is a social enterprise committed to supporting people with learning difficulties and autism into sustainable employment and meaningful lives. We deliver a range of services including training, employment support, and social enterprise initiatives. 

We are seeking an experienced and passionate Training and Employment Manager to lead on the delivery of bespoke training and employment services under the PEACEPLUS Skills Connect Project. 

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in a transformative cross-border initiative that empowers people with disabilities through skills development, training academies, and meaningful employment pathways. The successful candidate will manage a cross-functional team and collaborate with four strategic project partners to ensure high-quality delivery of outcomes for over 2,000 participants across the island of Ireland. 

Skills Connect is a project supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

Location: Remote working – role requires travel across Cavan, Louth & Monaghan County areas

Reports to: Programme Manager

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Salary scale: €45,320.00 per annum

Benefits: 

• 25 days annual leave plus 12 statutory days (pro-rata)
• Health Cash Plan (on successful completion of probationary period)
• Access to confidential Staff Counselling & Financial Advisory Services
• Stakeholder Pension Scheme (5% employer contribution)
• Bike 2 Work Scheme Holiday purchase scheme
• Flexible working initiatives
• Wellbeing initiatives

Mission

Supporting people with learning difficulties and autism into jobs with a future.

Vision

A society where people with learning difficulties live, work and socialize as valued citizens.

Main Responsibilities

1. Co-ordinate the implementation of the Skills Connect project across multiple locations in North/East Northern Ireland and the border counties of the Republic of Ireland, ensuring consistency, accessibility, and inclusivity.
2. To recruit, lead and coordinate the project delivery team in the design, development, and delivery of high quality training programmes and accredited qualifications for Skills Connect participants.
3. To lead on the development of feedback and review processes for the Skills Connect project, establishing effective systems and procedures to measure performance, demonstrate impact, and drive continuous improvement.
4. To build and maintain strong partnerships with consortium stakeholders, education providers, government agencies, a wide network of employers and community organisations to enhance participant outcomes and identify opportunities for collaborative working.
5. Engage in meaningful dialogue with service users to ensure participants have a role in shaping service delivery and future skills provision.
6. Represent NOW Group and the PEACEPLUS project at relevant events, forums, and cross-border partnership meetings.
7. Use data-driven insights to adapt and improve training delivery and support models.
8. Ensure compliance with all monitoring, reporting, and audit requirements set out by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).
9. Promote a culture of inclusivity, ensuring that all training and employment programmes are accessible and tailored to the diverse needs of participants.
10. Address regional and demographic inequalities in access to education and employment for individuals with disabilities.
11. To manage, document, and report any incidents or safeguarding concerns in accordance with NOW Group’s Safeguarding procedures and Quality Assurance initiatives.
12. To deliver and facilitate Equality, Diversity and Inclusion training to local stakeholder and promote inclusion throughout the sector.

This job description is not definitive and may be subject to review as the duties and responsibilities deter-mine.

Please note that employment with NOW Group may be subject to a check from the Garda Vetting Bureau.

Personnel Specification

Essential

1. A full current driving license and access to a car. Consideration will be given to alternative travelling proposals in respect of applicants with a disability who cannot hold a license.
2. NFQ level 6 or equivalent level professional qualification.
3. UU Certificate in Teaching / Professional Diploma in Education or equivalent teaching qualification
4. At least 2 years’ experience of delivering training to young people or adults with barriers to learning
5. At least 1 year’s experience of managing a team or training contracts
6. At least 1 year’s experience of applying and securing funding, grants, tenders or government contracts.
7. Experience of developing courses for accreditation and working with awarding bodies.
8. Excellent level of IT, communication skills and public-speaking/presentation skills.

Desirable

1. At least 2 years' experience of taking a lead role in ETI/QQI inspections, self-evaluation and quality improvement processes.
2. Internal verifier, External Verifier or assessor qualifications

Shortlisting will be based on the evidence that you supply on your application form to satisfactorily demonstrate how, and to what extent, you meet the above criteria. The shortlisting panel will not make assumptions as to your circumstances, qualifications, and experience.

All employees in NOW Group are required to subscribe to the values of the organisation and demonstrate these values through agreed behaviours in their day-to-day work and their relationships with participants, stakeholders and colleagues. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate relevant values and behaviours as part of the interview process.