Employment Liaison Officer

Now Group; Cavan; On-site; EUR 34,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous Leave

Health Cash Plan

Wellbeing Support

Pension Scheme

Flexible Work Initiatives

Job summary

NOW Group in Ireland is seeking an experienced Liaison Officer to support participants with learning difficulties and autism through Skills Connect, a PEACEPLUS-funded cross-border initiative.

You will deliver person-centred mentoring, coordinate access to pre-employment training and academies, and build partnerships with employers to create sustainable pathways into employment. The role emphasises lifelong learning, inclusivity, and proactive employer engagement across the project.

Qualifications

• Must have strong communication and mentoring abilities.
• Experience liaising with employers to create opportunities.
• Proven ability to design and monitor individual development plans.
• Knowledge of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion concepts is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Recruit and induct participants.
• Co-design and review personal development plans with participants and trainers.
• Provide mentoring and coordinate access to pre-employment training and academies.
• Develop partnerships with employers and learning providers to improve outcomes.
• Support participants with career progression and upskilling.
• Engage with a range of employers using labour market intelligence.
• Deliver Equality, Diversity and Inclusion training to employers.
• Promote programme promotion and maintain occupancy and compliance.

Skills

Communication skills

Public speaking

Liaising with employers

Organisational skills

Education

Leaving Certificate

NFQ Level 4 in Supported Employment

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

About NOW Group

NOW Group is a social enterprise committed to supporting people with learning difficulties and autism into sustainable employment and meaningful lives. We delivery a range of services including training, employment support, and social enterprise initiatives across the Island of Ireland.

The Role

We are seeking an experienced and dedicated Liaison Officer to play a vital role in a groundbreaking cross‑border initiative that empowers people with disabilities through skills development, targeted training academies, and clear pathways to meaningful employment.

The successful candidate will deliver high‑quality, person‑centred support to help participants achieve their skills and educational goals, with a strong emphasis on enhancing employability through proactive employer engagement and the promotion of continuous learning and skills development.

This role is part of Skills Connect, a project funded by PEACEPLUS and managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure the effective recruitment and induction of participants, carrying out initial and suitability programme assessments.


• Collaborate with participants and Skills Trainers to co‑design, implement, and regularly review individual personal development plans, aligned to Outcome Star framework.


• Provide person‑centred mentoring and support to participants throughout their individual journeys, helping them achieve their educational and skills goals. This includes coordinating access to pre‑employment training, practical and theory‑based academies, and other pathways to higher‑level skills and qualification attainment.


• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with employers and learning providers to enhance participant outcomes and outputs, while creating sustainable pathways into employment, training, and further education.


• Support employed participants with career progression, upskilling, and transitions into other identified sectors, promoting continued lifelong learning and sustainable career development.


• Conduct scoping exercises and utilise labour market intelligence to proactively engage with a diverse range of employers, identifying emerging recruitment needs and aligning these with participant skills and aspirations to create meaningful employment opportunities.


• Deliver Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) training to strengthen the capacity of local employers and communities in creating inclusive, equitable, and supportive environments.


• Proactively manage participant engagement and programme promotion to achieve and maintain full occupancy levels, ensuring alignment with funder requirements and compliance standards.


• Assist in monitoring and evaluating the project by accurately capturing participant progress, maintaining detailed records of attendance, and documenting service outcomes to inform continuous improvement and reporting.

This job description is not definitive and may be subject to review as the duties and responsibilities determine.

What We Offer

At NOW Group, we value and invest in our team. As part of our organisation, you’ll benefit from:

• Generous Leave: 25 days annual leave plus 11 statutory days (pro‑rata).


• Health Cash Plan: Available after successful probation.


• Wellbeing Support: Confidential staff counselling and financial advisory services.


• Pension Scheme: 5% employer contribution.


• Flexible Work Initiatives: Including the Bike‑to‑Work scheme, holiday purchase options, and more.

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

Additional Information

• Employment is subject to a check from the Garda Vetting Bureau.


• NOW Group is committed to fair recruitment practices. Policies on safeguarding, recruitment of ex‑offenders, and data protection are available upon request.

Join NOW Group and be part of a team that makes a difference by transforming lives and creating brighter futures.

Required Criteria

• 1. A full current driving license and access to a car. Consideration will be given to alternative travelling pro‑posals in respect of applicants with a disability who cannot hold a licence.


• 2. Leaving Certificate in English and Maths or equivalent.


• 3. Minimum NFQ Level 4 or equivalent in a relevant discipline.


• 4. Experience of liaising with employers


• 5. Minimum of one year’s paid experience of working with either: participants with learning disabilities/difficulties experience assisting individuals into work


• 6. Clear understanding and articulation of the principles of supported employment


• 7. Excellent communication skills and public speaking/presentation skills.


• 8. Proficient in the use of the Microsoft Office suite.

Desired Criteria

• 1. NFQ Level 4 in Supported Employment.


• 2. Experience of building local networks.

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.

Company Benefits

Benefits at NOW Group

NOW Group is dedicated to the wellbeing and growth of our employees, offering a comprehensive benefits package designed to support both personal and professional needs. We provide 25 days of annual leave plus 12 statutory days (pro‑rata), allowing ample time for rest and rejuvenation.

We prioritize health and wellness through a Health Cash Plan, which becomes available upon successful completion of the probationary period, and confidential staff counseling and financial advisory services, ensuring support for your physical, mental, and financial health.

To help plan for the future, we offer a Stakeholder Pension Scheme with a generous 5% employer contribution. Employees can also take advantage of our Bike to Work scheme and holiday purchase options, promoting flexibility and convenience.

Our flexible working initiatives, include various wellbeing programs, reflect our commitment to fostering a positive and adaptable work environment for all team members.

• Vacation


• Paid time off


• Cycle to work


• Competitive salary


• Long service recognition


• On the job learning


• Progression opportunities

Salary

€38,000.00 per year