Employment Support Officer - Resettlement

Job introduction

You can also see our full list of employee benefits on our careers site here: Why you should work for us | West Northamptonshire Council.

About the role

We’re looking for a motivated Employment Support Officer to help refugees and people on government resettlement schemes take confident steps into sustainable employment.

As part of the South Midlands Connect to Work programme, you will contribute to a region‑wide initiative delivering personalised, one‑to‑one employment support for people who face barriers to work. Connect to Work forms part of the Government’s wider strategy to link work, health and skills support through a high‑fidelity supported employment model, ensuring people with complex barriers receive the tailored guidance they need to thrive.

Working within the Resettlement team, you’ll manage a diverse caseload, delivering one‑to‑one employability support, identifying strengths, and helping individuals overcome practical barriers. You’ll connect people with training, local services, inclusive employers, and opportunities that support their journey into work. You’ll offer tailored guidance on CVs, applications, interviews, and the transition from benefits into employment.

Building relationships and working closely with employers and partners across West Northamptonshire, you’ll be part of a collaborative network committed to helping residents build confidence, independence and long‑term stability. Every day, you’ll play a meaningful role in empowering people to rebuild their futures and thrive in our community.

Interviews will be in Northampton on Tuesday 3rd March 2026.

Additional information

You’ll be someone who is passionate about helping people overcome barriers and build brighter futures. You thrive in a role where no two days are the same, and you’re driven by the impact you can make in people’s lives. Compassion, resilience and a belief in the potential of every individual are absolutely key.

We’re looking for someone who:

• Builds trust quickly and communicates with warmth, clarity and confidence - even when supporting people who may be anxious, newly arrived in the UK or facing multiple challenges.
• Is highly organised and able to manage a busy caseload while maintaining excellent service and accurate records.
• Understands the barriers people can face when entering the labour market, especially refugees, people with disabilities, trauma histories, or those unfamiliar with UK systems.
• Offers constructive, practical employability support, from discussing career goals to coaching someone through interviews or advocating with employers.
• Is solution‑focused and calm under pressure, able to adapt plans and think creatively to help someone move forward.
• Works confidently with partners, whether that’s employers, Jobcentre Plus, training providers, community groups or internal council teams.

Experience in employability, resettlement, social care, community work or similar people‑focused roles would definitely be an advantage - but above all, we’re looking for someone with empathy, drive and the ability to bring out the best in others.

Company information

At West Northants Council, it’s about our people. People who thrive with ambition, bubble with new ideas, demand better ways of working, caring about every detail, and who never shy away from a challenge. Our culture is a gateway for new experiences. A place to forge new opportunities. To empower you in your career and unite you with like-minded people.

Our vision is ‘to make West Northants a great place to live, work, visit and thrive’. We truly stand by this and work hard every day to make this a reality. Our corporate values, THRIVE, stand for: Trust, High Performance, Respect, Innovate and Empower, they underpin everything we do and how we deliver services.

We are committed to ensuring diversity, equality, equity, and inclusion is woven into the fabric of WNC and everything we do, to enable all colleagues to develop and maximize their full potential.  We are a disability confident employer, a member of the Armed Forces Covenant, and a Care Leaver Covenant partner

The following film was created by us to communicate our intentions - watch WNC colleagues explain what DEI means to us.

If you need additional support or reasonable adjustments during the application process, including needing the job description in another format or language, please email careers@westnorthants.gov.uk for support.

West Northants Council, where careers thrive.