Widening Participation Project Manager

at  Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

The purpose of this role is to assist in delivering the MFT Widening Participation objectives in relation to community engagement and employment. In particular, to develop and deliver a range of initiatives to support local young people in their career aspirations in Health and Social Care and to develop and deliver initiatives to support the recruitment and retention of local people and people currently disadvantaged in the labour market.
The post holder will have responsibility for particular projects, activities and interventions in relation to corporate and in turn team objectives and priorities. The below lists duties and responsibilities in line with team objectives and it is envisaged post-holders will have a particular area of responsibility or focus.
The post holder will have responsibility for particular projects, activities and interventions in relation to corporate and in turn team objectives and priorities. The below lists duties and responsibilities in line with team objectives and it is envisaged post-holders will have a particular area of responsibility or focus.
Coordinate, deliver and monitor key Widening Participation programmes (for example, Careers Ambassadors, Insight programmes and School Engagement, Work Experience, T-levels, Supported Internships and Employment initiatives).
To monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of activity and deliver a cycle of continuous improvement.
To liaise with internal and external stakeholders as appropriate.
Ensure the maintenance of accurate and comprehensive records of activity and engagement to support with internal and external reporting requirements.
MFT is one of the largest NHS Trust In England with a turnover of £2.6bn & is on a different scale than most other NHS Trusts. We’re creating an exceptional integrated health & social care system for the 1 million patients who rely on our services every year.
Bringing together 10 hospitals & community services from across Manchester, Trafford & beyond, we champion collaborative working & transformation, encouraging our 28,000 workforce to pursue their most ambitious goals. We set standards that other Trusts seek to emulate so you’ll benefit from a scale of opportunity that is nothing short of extraordinary.
We’ve also created a digitally enabled organisation to improve clinical quality, patient & staff experience, operational effectiveness & driving research, and innovation through the introduction of Hive; our Electronic Patient Record system which launched in September 2022.
We’re proud to be a major academic Research Centre & Education provider, providing you with a robust infrastructure to encourage and facilitate high-quality research programmes. What’s more, we’re excited to be embarking on our Green Plan which sets out how MFT continues to play its part in making healthcare more sustainable.
At MFT, we create and foster a culture of inclusion and belonging, provide equal opportunities for career development that are fair, open, and transparent, protecting your health and wellbeing and shaping the future of our organisation together.

Seek out innovative ways for developing engagement for Widening Participation target groups (local unemployed people, young people, people with disabilities etc) in line with emerging research and best practice.

• To liaise and monitor relationships and programmes with third party organisations (e.g. Social Mobility Foundation, the Manchester College. DWP etc) performing regular audits of their programmes and recurring evaluation of the suitability of programmes to ensure that they are fit for purpose. To evaluate the training programmes by regular interface with successful trainees.
• To ensure all activity complies with safeguarding legislation and best practice

Ensure the maintenance of accurate and comprehensive records of activity and engagement to support with internal and external reporting requirements.

• To liaise with internal and external stakeholders as appropriate.
• To write reports and communication articles in relation to activity carried out for use in internal and external communications

• To actively support the achievement of the NHS (Health Education England) Widening Participation Campaign.
• To support the development and delivery of the Trust’s Widening Participation strategy.

Project Management

• Coordinate, deliver and monitor key Widening Participation programmes (for example, Careers Ambassadors, Insight programmes and School Engagement, Work Experience, T-levels, Supported Internships and Employment initiatives).

Develop comprehensive and relevant documentation to support the delivery of MFT’s Widening Participation programmes such as recruitment materials, SOPs and guidance documents
To organize, coordinate and participate in careers events, workshops, presentations and advice sessions for Widening Participation target groups (local unemployed people, young people, people with disabilities etc).

Seek out innovative ways for developing engagement for Widening Participation target groups (local unemployed people, young people, people with disabilities etc) in line with emerging research and best practice.

• To liaise and monitor relationships and programmes with third party organisations (e.g. Social Mobility Foundation, the Manchester College. DWP etc) performing regular audits of their programmes and recurring evaluation of the suitability of programmes to ensure that they are fit for purpose. To evaluate the training programmes by regular interface with successful trainees.
• To ensure all activity complies with safeguarding legislation and best practice.

To participate in the development of new strategies, pilot ideas and fact-finding activities to ensure delivery of the wider strategic objectives relating to this agenda.

Engagement

• To promote the benefit of Widening Participation programmes to Appointing Managers, departmental leads, HR teams and other key staff at the Trust, to facilitate their engagement and support of our programmes.
• Negotiation and organization with managers and individuals to deliver placements in line with programme needs.
• Liaise with key internal stakeholders to enable programme delivery (e.g. Recruitment, Employee Health and Wellbeing, EDI, Education and Apprenticeship teams).
• To liaise with key external stakeholders (schools, college, JobCentre Plus and other providers) to ensure appropriate population of Widening Participation programmes.
• To provide support to learners engaged in Widening Participation Programmes both at the Trust and at off-site provider premises.
• To offer advice and guidance to learners on career options, pathways, and progression.

Administrative and general

• To monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of activity and deliver a cycle of continuous improvement.

Ensure the maintenance of accurate and comprehensive records of activity and engagement to support with internal and external reporting requirements.

• To liaise with internal and external stakeholders as appropriate.
• To write reports and communication articles in relation to activity carried out for use in internal and external communications.

To order training and promotional materials on procurement system, (oracle).
To support across the Widening Participation team and wider Resourcing team as required.
Line management of Widening Participation Assistant as required.
The above indicates the main duties of the post which may be reviewed in the light of experience and developments within the service. Any review will be undertaken in conjunction with the post-holder. To undertake any other duties which is deemed appropriate to the band when requested by Senior Staff.
To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience you’ll need, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the ‘Supporting Documents’ heading. So that you’re even more equipped to make an informed decision to apply to us, you’ll need to take time to read the ‘ Candidate Essentials Guide’ that sits with the Job Description and Person Specification. This document provides you with details about the Trust, our benefits and outlines how ‘we care for you as you care for others’. Most importantly, it also contains critical information you’ll need to be aware of before you submit an application form.
Diversity Matters
MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, email our team at resourcing@mft.nhs.uk .
We’re looking forward to hearing from you