Connect to Work Administrative Officer in Margate

Are you a highly organised administrator who thrives in a fast‑paced environment and enjoys making a real difference? We are looking for a proactive Connect to Work Administrative Officer to support a dynamic employment programme helping people move closer to work and independence. This is a full‑time (35 hours per week) position based in Margate, supporting our Connect to Work programme across East and North Kent. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with strong coordination skills, attention to detail, and confidence working with data, systems and multiple stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Allocating referrals to Employment Specialists within 48 hours
• Managing DWP PRaP requests and tracking outcomes
• Monitoring participant engagement and programme activity daily
• Supporting financial tracking including training costs, travel claims and employer incentives
• Producing reports, dashboards and programme performance data
• Taking minutes at key meetings and supporting quality assurance processes
• Liaising with partners and subcontractors to support participant engagement
• Managing office systems, supplies and equipment
• Handling enquiries professionally while maintaining confidentiality

Qualifications

• Highly organised with excellent attention to detail
• Confident using Excel and administrative systems
• Able to manage sensitive information professionally
• A strong communicator who can work with multiple teams
• Proactive, reliable and able to prioritise workload effectively
• Committed to high standards of data protection and compliance

You’ll be joining a supportive team delivering meaningful work that changes lives, with opportunities to develop your skills in programme administration, data reporting and quality processes. We are The Forward Trust, the social enterprise with charitable status that empowers people to break the often interlinked cycles of crime and addiction to move forward with their lives. For more than 25 years we have been working with people to build positive and productive lives, whatever their past. We believe that anyone is capable of lasting change. Our services have supported thousands of people to make positive changes and build productive lives with a job, family, friends and a sense of community. We are committed to our cause and the work we carry out as a charity.

Benefits

• Flexible working
• Training and development opportunities
• Simply Health Cashback Scheme (optional)
• Season Ticket Loan Scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Crisis Loan Scheme
• Electric Car Scheme
• 3 x Wellbeing Days (pro rata'd for part time employees)
• Access to Blue Light Card
• 25 days (rising to 30 with length of service) Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays
• Contributory Pension Scheme – Employer matched contributions of up to 6% in the first two years' service and up to 9% thereafter
• Death in Service Payment (2x annual salary)
• Critical Illness Insurance (subject to qualifying criteria)

We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Diversity and Equality

The Forward Trust commits to providing opportunities to everyone. We want to ensure we have a diverse team with a range of lived and professional experiences. This includes those with 'Lived Experience' of addiction, offending, or homelessness. When we recruit, we welcome applications from everyone. This is inclusive of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion and/or belief, marriage and civil partnerships, pregnancy and maternity and socio-economic background. Where operationally possible, we will consider flexible working requests and make reasonable adjustments for all roles.

To find out more about Forward's commitment to being an inclusive employer and our current EDI strategy click . We want our recruitment process to be accessible to everyone. If you require any reasonable adjustments at any stage, please let us know.

Employee Screening and Eligibility to Work

Dependent on role you may be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service Check, details of which will be shared with you at interview. If successful in your application, you will be required to provide eligibility to work evidence in line with the 'Eligibility to Work in the UK' requirements.

Safeguarding

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and adults at risk. Forward Trust follows safer recruitment practices and support a culture of openness and accountability.