Employment Engagement & Mentoring Officer

Date Listed: 03/02/2026

Role Purpose
The Employment Engagement & Mentoring Officer will play a key role in delivering the East London Refugee Employment & Integration Programme. The postholder will build strong relationships with employers across Tower Hamlets, Newham and Southwark, create refugee-friendly job opportunities, and coordinate mentoring support for refugees entering the UK workforce. The role ensures that refugees receive both practical employment pathways and the relational support needed to thrive.

Key Responsibilities

• Employer Engagement: Proactively engage local businesses to develop refugee-inclusive recruitment pathways and secure suitable vacancies, short placements and entry-level roles.

• Cultural-Competency Delivery: Support the delivery of employer workshops focused on refugee awareness, inclusive hiring, and creating supportive workplace environments.

• Candidate Matching: Work with the programme team to match refugee candidates to appropriate vacancies, mentored placements and skills-based opportunities.

• Mentoring Coordination: Recruit, brief and supervise volunteer mentors; ensure high-quality mentor-mentee matching; provide ongoing check-ins and support.

• Placement Supervision: Oversee six-month work placements, providing troubleshooting support for both refugees and employers, ensuring smooth integration and positive outcomes.

• Community Events: Contribute to job fairs, community forums and outreach sessions, representing Sona Circle and promoting employer participation.

• Monitoring & Data Collection: Record engagement activity, placement outcomes, mentoring progress and employer feedback; contribute to project evaluation and the independent final report.

Skills & Experience Required

• Strong relationship-building skills and experience working with employers, HR teams or community partners.

• Experience supporting refugees, migrants or other priority communities (desirable but not essential).

• Excellent communication, cultural sensitivity and organisational skills.

• Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and maintain accurate records.

• Understanding of employment pathways, barriers to work, and inclusive recruitment practices.

Location
Primarily based in Poplar/Tower Hamlets, with outreach across Newham, Southwark and neighbouring London boroughs.

Reporting To
Programme Lead – East London Refugee Employment & Integration Programme.

Job Types: 6 Month Contract Role

Salary: £1,200 per month