Job Description
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About Us:
NOW Group are an award-winning social enterprise who delivers services across Northern Ireland supporting people with learning difficulties, autism and neurodiverse conditions into jobs with a future. We are passionate about changing lives and our priority is on outcomes and impact for individuals, their families and communities who are the most disadvantaged. We support participants to have better health, a better education and a brighter future. Our services are continually evolving as a result of co-design, participant feedback and project learning.
Our specialist employment and training services are funded by UKSPF and delivered through the SkillSET project, a partnership of 7 regional disability organisations. This project will provide targeted support to those with disabilities/health conditions who face multiple barriers in accessing employment and are furthest from the labour market.
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About the Role:
As a Community Outreach Officer within the Employment team, you will support individuals with learning difficulties, disabilities and autism through the delivery of skills coaching and mentoring to build independence and life skills. An integral part of the role will be to support our participants progressing from community services to employment and training, focusing on placement opportunities and further development of work-based skills.
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Key Responsibilities:
1. Provide person-centered support to participants within community opportunities and employment and training programmes.
2. Support participants within a range of settings including training sessions, academies, work placements and paid/voluntary jobs.
3. Provide effective coaching to individuals or small groups to motivate, address barriers, build skills and support progress towards participant’s work-related and personal goals
4. Encourage participants to engage in social opportunities and build independence skills, including route training.
5. Build on existing external networks/relations and develop new contacts to increase range of activities and work placements available to participants.
6. Contribute to the achievement of targets within the Organisational Scorecard and NOW Group’s strategic objectives.
7. Promote the NOW Group brand and tell our story through social media engagement, attending events, use of marketing materials and other key communication tools.
8. Take part in regular quality audits to ensure compliance with organisational and funder guidelines.
9. Comply fully with NOW Group's 'Organisational Approach to Safeguarding.’
This job description is not definitive and may be subject to review as the duties and responsibilities determine.
What We Offer:
* Holidays: 25 days annual leave plus 12 statutory days (pro-rata).
* Benefits:
o Health Cash Plan (after successful probation).
o Access to confidential counseling and financial advisory services.
o Stakeholder Pension Scheme (5% employer contribution).
o Bike2Work Scheme.
o Holiday purchase scheme.
o Flexible working initiatives and wellbeing programs.
Our Values:
We are looking for candidates who align with NOW Group’s values, demonstrating flexibility, dedication, and a commitment to empowering participants. Successful candidates will exhibit a passion for social change and the ability to work collaboratively with participants, stakeholders, and colleagues.
About The Role
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Additional Information:
* Successful candidates will undergo an Enhanced AccessNI disclosure check.
* Shortlisting will be based on how well your application demonstrates that you meet the above criteria.
Skills Needed
About The Company
At the heart of the NOW Group’s mission is its commitment to empowering individuals to gain skills and access meaningful employment. It achieves this through tailored employment academies, which provide participants with industry-specific training and work placements, and through their social enterprise businesses Loaf Catering and Cafes and Loaf Pottery.
One of the best-known contributions from the NOW Group is the JAM (“Just A Minute”) Card® - a tool that allows people with invisible disabilities to discreetly ask for patience in everyday interactions. It’s a very successful initiative with over 182,500 users and 3, 000 global organisations regarded as being JAM Card Friendly.
The NOW Group’s impact is driven by innovation, dedication, and an unwavering focus on changing lives for the better.
Company Culture
At NOW Group, our culture is what sets us apart. It’s built on collaboration, compassion, and a shared belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive. Across our integrated team — from Training and Employment to Family Service, JAM Card, Loaf Cafés, Catering and Pottery, Social Groups, and vital support services like HR, Communications, Finance and Compliance — we are united by one purpose: to support people with learning difficulties, neurodiverse conditions, ADHD and autism into sustainable employment.
We don’t just work side by side — we work together. Each department brings its own strengths, but our true power lies in our ability to collaborate across teams. Our participants come from all walks of life, and it’s our culture of teamwork, flexibility, and deep empathy that allows us to meet their varied needs with real impact.
In 2024/2025 alone, our culture of care and commitment helped place nearly 400 people into meaningful, sustainable employment across Ireland and supported 2,168 individuals to achieve 1,824 qualifications. These aren’t just statistics — each number represents a life transformed, a family supported, and a community benefitted.
What truly defines our team is heart. We care deeply — not just about the work, but about the people behind it. Our team members show up every day with passion and purpose, knowing that their efforts are making a lasting difference. They don’t see targets — they see individuals, and the ripple effect that a single opportunity can have.
Desired Criteria
* 1.Community Qualification (Level 3 or equivalent) or Foundation Diploma in Supported Employment.
* 2.Proven track record of securing employment for people with barriers to learning.
Required Criteria
* 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.Ability to be flexible and adaptable - hours are flexible and may involve evening and weekend work as required.
* 3.Minimum level 2 qualification in English and Maths.
* 4.Minimum of one year’s paid experience of working with either: •Participants with learning disabilities/difficulties •Experience assisting individuals into work. •Experience of liaising with employers
* 5.Proficient in the use of the Microsoft Office suite.
* 6.Excellent communication skills and public speaking/presentation skills.
* 7.Clear understanding and articulation of the barriers faced by people with learning disabilities or autism.
Closing DateFriday 1st August, 2025