Project Manager Level 1

Working Hours: 35 Hours per week

Contract Type: Full-Time, Temporary for 12 months

Closing Date: 9 July 2024 

The role of Employment Project Manager will be to actively engage employers, and other employer/business networks, to encourage the recruitment of people from a refugee and forced migrant background. This will include Hong Kong BN(O) visa holders, individuals in the North West on Ukraine Sponsorship Schemes, people in the region on Afghan Resettlement Schemes, and other resettled communities, highlighting the skillset that migrant groups possess. The post will report to the Hong Kong BN(O) Project Manager but will work across cohorts to ensure refugees and forced migrants with the right and ability to work in the UK can be supported through their work. 

The North West Regional Strategic Migration Partnership (RSMP) is a local authority led team which works with a range of partners both statutory and non-statutory to support the region to understand, plan for and benefit from migration. We work with partners across the North West such as; Local Authorities, VCSE organisations, businesses, health colleagues, police, central government departments and other local and national organisations across a number of workstreams, including:

• Asylum: We work with local authorities, the Home Office, the housing provider (currently Serco), and voluntary sector colleagues to ensure that dispersed asylum seekers are not exposed to unnecessary risks, and are housed and supported in a way that causes minimum disruption to local communities. 
• Hong Kong British National (Overseas) Welcome Hub: We provide the North West Welcome Hub function for Hong Kong BN(O) status holders arriving in the region. This includes signposting to relevant services, sharing information, supporting integration activities and commissioning programmes to support one of the largest BN(O) communities in the country.
• Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children: We work with the Home Office and local authorities in the North West and across the country to help children who are seeking asylum, but do not have any adults to support them.
• Refugee Resettlement: We administer and coordinate a number of refugee resettlement and relocation schemes in North West England, including Afghan support programmes, ensuring that the refugees are housed in good quality accommodation, and are given the support they need to build new lives in this country.
• Ukraine: We work with local authorities and community groups to support the arrival, integration and settlement journey of individuals and families arriving into the region on Ukrainian Sponsorship and Humanitarian routes.
• English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL): We provide a directory of organisations who teach English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and help with finding opportunities to learn English so that refugees can have the best chance of integrating into society.
• Migrant Employment: We work with businesses, VCSE groups, employment support programmes and directly with migrant communities to support those who can work into employment and to demonstrate the benefits to businesses and the economy of employing individuals from migrant backgrounds.
• VCSE Engagement & Coordination: We recognise the vital work VCSE groups, supporting migrants from the above cohorts and others, do in facilitating the integration of migrant communities in the region and work with them either by directly commissioning their services or working to support their capacity, capabilities and amplify their voice to external partners.
• Migrant Health: We work cross-cohort with partners in health and local authorities to better understand the specific health needs of migrant communities and the best ways to engage with and support them.

Although hosted by Manchester City Council the North West RSMP operates on a regional basis covering the entire North West of England. 

The North West Regional Strategic Migration Partnership is looking for someone who is passionate about supporting migrants achieve their aspirations and full potential as they settle and build a life in the North West. We are searching for someone who wants to support businesses, local Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) organisations, local authorities and other key regional stakeholders unlock the benefits and opportunities that migration brings to the region.

The post holder will:

• Have a clear and detailed understanding of the needs and experiences of migrant groups in the UK, and the barriers that they face in relation to entering the employment market.
• Have extensive experience of working with businesses and/or jobseekers to increase employment levels.
• Have experience of engaging with businesses and employers around their recruitment practices and processes.

In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment.   

This is not a role we consider to be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route based on Manchester City Council policy. Candidates are therefore encouraged to consider their own right to work options without the requirement for Manchester City Council sponsorship. 

We’re the local government authority for Manchester, and have teams across the city helping to make this a great place to live for everyone. We’re proud to do local government differently, in a city with an international reputation for diversity, creativity, culture and passion. 

When you join us, you’re joining a team of over 7,000 council staff helping to make our ambition for Manchester a reality. Whatever your role, you’ll be supporting our residents and communities to be the best they can be, and helping to build a Manchester that's fairer for everyone who lives, works, volunteers, studies or plays here. 

To make our ambition a reality, every person we recruit needs to play their its part. It takes a certain type of behaviour, attitude and way of working to get Manchester where it wants to be. Our people and partners have agreed five ‘behaviours’ – the grounding for how we must work together and treat one another:

• We take time to listen and understand
• We work together and trust each other
• We show that we value our differences and treat each other fairly
• We ‘own it’ and we’re not afraid to try new things
• We’re proud and passionate about Manchester

A career with us means you can be yourself, thrive, and build the career your talent and ambition deserve.

Creating an inclusive team at Manchester City Council 

At Manchester City Council, we strive to create a fair and inclusive workplace that is as diverse as the communities we serve.  We want to further increase the diversity of our workforce, in particular the number of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic staff and disabled staff at all levels of the Council. This advert is open to all applicants, and we would particularly encourage applications from candidates identifying with one or both of those characteristics.   

If you want to find out more about the role, our ways of working, flexible arrangements or any workplace adjustments, please let us know by emailing [email protected]. If you are invited to interview, we will ask you if you require any adjustments for you to best demonstrate your suitability for the role in the interview process.   

Guaranteed Interview Scheme

As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• Are currently in care, or have previously been in care
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition

Accessibility 

As a Disability Confident Employer, we provide support for employees with physical or mental-health conditions, a disability or neurodiversity. Our workplaces are accessible by design, and we make workplace adjustments including providing aids, adaptations and equipment. These, combined with our flexible working policies such as disability-related leave, enable our employees to perform their role, thrive and be their authentic selves in work. 

When you join us 

We want everyone to be able to be themselves at work and give their best. If you need additional support to undertake the duties of the role, we’ll make every effort to source any necessary aids, adaptations or equipment. If, however, any task proves to be unachievable, we will look at redesigning parts of the role. 

Other relevant information 

Why work for us
Who we are - Manchester City Council 
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