Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Job Title: Employment Consultant (Portsmouth/Southampton area)
Location: Home- and field-based with regular local travel (driving licence essential)
Salary: £33,174
Hours: Full time 37.5 hours per week (part time or flexible working options considered)
Contract: 2 years fixed term with possibility of extension
At The Poppy Factory, we believe that everyone who has served our country deserves the opportunity to build a fulfilling life beyond the armed forces. For over a century, we have stood alongside veterans and their families, evolving our services to support veterans and adult family members to overcome barriers to employment and transform their lives.
We are seeking a passionate and person-centred Employment Consultant to join our team. This is a role for someone who believes in potential, not limitations – someone who can walk alongside clients with empathy and determination, empowering them to take ownership of their employment journey.
You’ll provide tailored information, advice and guidance to help veterans secure meaningful and sustainable work, managing a diverse caseload with care and professionalism. Using coaching, mentoring and strengths-based approaches, you will help individuals identify their goals, build resilience and move confidently towards lasting employment outcomes.
Collaboration is at the heart of this role. You will develop strong partnerships with regional organisations to generate referrals and address wider barriers such as mental health, housing or addiction, while also building strong relationships with local employers to create real opportunities for your clients, and sharing best practice with your colleagues in the team.
With a strong understanding of local labour markets and safeguarding practices, you’ll maintain high-quality case records, contribute to continuous improvement, and actively participate in team development. Adaptability, initiative and resilience are key, as we respond to the evolving needs of our clients and the communities we serve.
Why The Poppy Factory?
- A chance to give back to our armed forces and make a positive and lasting impact to the lives of veterans and their families.
- Competitive salary and benefits package including generous holiday and pension contributions.
- A welcoming and empowering culture, with regular opportunities for team connecting and shared learning throughout the year.
- Variety in the role, a mix of delivering a community-based service in your region, home working and occasional visits to the historic Poppy Factory in Richmond, London
- The opportunity to develop your region and build relationships with employers and other support services that best meet the needs of the people you’re supporting.
- Be part of an iconic charity with a 100+ year history
For further information, including the full job description for the role, please refer to the candidate pack.
How to apply
To apply for this position please prepare your CV and a covering letter clearly outlining how you meet the essential criteria in the person specification as set out above and submit via the online application process. Please address your covering letter to Melanie Rignall, Services Manager.
For an informal conversation to find out more about this role, please call Melanie Rignall.
The closing date for this vacancy will be 2 May 2026. Please note, we cannot accept late or incomplete applications. Only applications submitted through the online process will be considered.
First stage interviews will take place on 8 May 2026, with second stage interviews scheduled for 13 May 2026. Please ensure you are available on these dates, as it’s not always possible to reschedule.
No agencies please.
Equality & Diversity
We are committed to equality, valuing diversity, and promoting inclusion within our workforce, including the volunteers who give their time to us. We work to maintain an environment where the needs and aspirations of all employees are met, irrespective of characteristics protected under the legislative framework of the Equality Act 2010. We expect everyone to understand and accept their personal responsibility to recognise and value differences and the unique contributions that people make to the way we deliver our work.
As an equal opportunities employer our commitment is to take positive measures to recruit people from underrepresented groups, and we actively encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds. As a Disability Confident employer, we offer a guaranteed interview for any job applicant with a disability who meets the essential criteria for the role. Please indicate in your covering letter if you wish to be considered under this scheme. We are also happy to discuss reasonable adjustments to the application or interview process to accommodate disabled candidates.
We are a family friendly employer and happy to discuss flexible working arrangements. We encourage applicants to contact us to discuss if they have any questions before applying.
Registered Charity
51 - 100
The Poppy Factory supports veterans with health conditions and their families into employment, helping them overcome any barriers.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Rural Housing Enabler
Hours: up to 34 hours per week available for the role.
Working days and hours to be agreed with the successful candidate
Location: Office base Brightspace, Ipswich or Kirkley Centre, Lowestoft with blended/hybrid working
Term: Fixed Term to 31 March 2027 (potential to extend subject to funding)
Salary: £31,295 Fulltime (pro rata £28,374.13)
Start date: As soon as possible
About us
Community Action Suffolk (CAS) is the county’s infrastructure organisation for the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector. We exist to ensure our sector, and its volunteers are supported, safe and sustainable and that our communities are active and resilient.
Our values of collaborative, enabling, person centred, responsive and trusted are the golden thread which runs through who we are and how we operate, and we aim to make them real every day.
About the role
We are seeking a Rural Housing Enabler to join our friendly team and help tackle the rural housing challenges in Suffolk.
In this role, you will:
- Play a crucial part in increasing the supply of affordable housing in Suffolk
- Engage with communities and provide a range of support including:
- Raising awareness of the need for affordable housing
- Facilitating initial discussions to assess need
- Gather evidence of need around rural housing
- Liaise and engage with stakeholders
- Assist parishes throughout the journey of developing their own local housing schemes
In this role, clear communication is essential. You’ll be presenting to a range of audiences, and working in partnership with communities / community leaders, parish councils, district and county authorities, landowners, developers, housing organisations, and other partners to bring forward affordable rural housing projects in Suffolk. Good IT skills, and the ability to build strong relationships are crucial.
Although this role is predominately desk space there will be some travel around the county and within rural areas of Suffolk. Access to a car is advantageous.
The ideal candidate will have the following experience/skills:
- Excellent working knowledge of the issues affecting housing in Suffolk, and other issues affecting rural communities
- Experience/ understanding of working in supporting rural communities thorough consultation for affordable and/or community led housing
- A good understanding of the principles of quality community consultation
- Working with local authorities, parish councils, housing associations and similar organisations
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
If you are interested in a role which is community led and focused on rural issues within Suffolk we would like to hear from you.
For more information please visit our website for more information on who to contact.
We are a friendly organisation, committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive culture in all that we do, and welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds. We aim to create a workplace which is welcoming, fair, and inclusive, where people can be themselves and contribute to our vision and values.
We are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments individuals may require in the recruitment process, or on commencement of post.
What we offer
You will work within a reputable charity which offers its employees benefits which include:
- Blended working where role allows
- Flexible working options to support work/life balance
- 33 days (FTE) increasing to a maximum 36 (FTE) annual holiday which includes an allowance for bank holidays
- Up to 4% matched pension contribution
- 2 days pro rata volunteering days to support volunteering in Suffolk
- Staff Discounts Scheme for a range of retailers including; shopping, holidays, insurance, eating out and health and leisure activities
- Company Sick Pay Scheme
- Continued Professional Development for job related development
- Family Friendly policies and practices
- Tailored induction
For more information and an application pack please visit our website.
Applications for this role will be reviewed and considered on an ongoing basis until the role is filled. Interviews will be arranged according to availability.
We therefore encourage you to submit your application at the earliest opportunity to avoid disappointment, as we reserve the right to close this job listing once a successful candidate is appointed.
Registered Charity
51 - 100
Community Action Suffolk’s mission is to strengthen and champion community action in Suffolk by supporting the VCFSE sector
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.