At a Glance
- Tasks: Help prison leavers find jobs and improve their work readiness.
- Company: Join a supportive team focused on transforming lives through employment.
- Benefits: Flexible working hours, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Hybrid working options available with excellent career progression.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives by helping them secure sustainable employment.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and a passion for supporting others.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
The role is to improve prison leavers’ employment outcomes by assessing work readiness, matching candidates to suitable jobs and working with employers, DWP and partners. Prison Employment Leads collaborate with the New Futures Network, DWP Employment Advisers, National Employer and Partnership Team, and prison staff to support prisoners to secure sustainable employment upon release.
Responsibilities
- Identify work‑ready candidates.
- Refer prisoners to work readiness support.
- Match candidates to suitable vacancies supplied by the New Futures Network, DWP, and other employment providers.
- Engage with prison stakeholders to establish a system that identifies work‑ready prisoners and highlights actions needed to support work readiness.
- Work with prison staff and DWP Prison Work Coaches to match candidates to job opportunities.
- Support contracted IAG and Education providers to ensure the prison induction process promotes employment and education opportunities, captures relevant information, and encourages skill development.
- Manage an Employment Hub to centralise services and promote live vacancies to leavers during the resettlement period.
- Champion innovations in employment and industry‑focused recruitment practices.
- Partner with the Prison Strategic Employment Advisory Boards to improve systems that support employability and meet commercial standards of employers.
- Contribute to the Local Partnership Agreement (LPA) with DWP, outlining responsibilities of the PEL, Prison Work Coaches and DWP Employment Advisers.
- Organise opportunities for NFN, DWP and other stakeholders to bring employers into the prison and facilitate forums.
- Collaborate with Community Offender Management (COM) to supply post‑release information to relevant agencies and support leavers who need further assistance.
- Liaise with COM to signpost leavers needing additional support to CRSs.
Qualifications
- Confidence in English communication (and Welsh where required in Wales).
Working Arrangements & Further Information
The role offers hybrid working, combining base location, MoJ sites, and/or home, subject to business needs. Working hours are 37 hours per week excluding unpaid breaks. Both full‑time and part‑time, flexible and job‑sharing arrangements are considered where they meet role demands.
Benefits
- Bank, public and privilege holidays: 9 days (66 hours 36 minutes) added to annual leave allowance.
- Pension: choice of two Civil Service pension schemes.
- Training: range of staff development opportunities, including equality and diversity, behaviour management and safety training.
- Other benefits: access to promotion programmes, security and identity checks, season ticket advance after two months of service.
EEO – Nationality & Other Considerations
Open to UK nationals, Republic of Ireland nationals, Commonwealth nationals with right to work, EU/Switzerland/Norway/Iceland/Liechtenstein nationals and family members with settled or pre‑settled status, and other specified groups. Disability Confident employer: offers reasonable adjustments and interview adjustments. Veteran support: guaranteed interview scheme for eligible former armed forces members. Redeployment interview scheme for staff at risk of redundancy.
Interview Stage Assessments & Security Checks
Assessments: presentation. Security checks: DBS Standard. All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up the post. External candidates undergo a six‑month probation; internal candidates where applicable.
Prison Employment Lead in Shaftesbury employer: Ministry of Justice
As a Prison Employment Lead, you will join a forward-thinking organisation dedicated to transforming the lives of prison leavers through meaningful employment opportunities. Our supportive work culture fosters collaboration with various stakeholders, ensuring that you have access to extensive training and development programmes, as well as flexible working arrangements that promote work-life balance. With a commitment to diversity and inclusion, we offer unique benefits such as a guaranteed interview scheme for veterans and a focus on employee growth, making us an excellent employer for those seeking a rewarding career in the public sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Prison Employment Lead in Shaftesbury
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Ministry of Justice.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Ministry of Justice.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Ministry of Justice.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Ministry of Justice. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Prison Employment Lead in Shaftesbury
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Ministry of Justice. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Prison Employment Lead, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ministry of Justice
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Ministry of Justice. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
