NOAH (New Opportunities and Horizons) is a Luton-based charity working across Bedfordshire, offering hope and support to people struggling against homelessness and exclusion. For over 30 years NOAH has been working to provide support for people with complex needs who have nowhere else to turn. Their staff, volunteers, partners and benefactors, provide a combination that is dedicated to recognising the potential in people who have experienced disability and helping them to realise it. They have come through some tough times with them to create an organisation that can do extraordinary things.
At the heart of their vision is a belief in the fundamental dignity and worth of every individual. Last year they met and worked with over 600 people through their Welfare Centre. They helped 250 people off the streets and trained over 800 people in a range of skills. Since 2015 over 350 have been assisted into employment.
NOAH has an annual turnover of c£2m, employs 60 staff and is assisted by some 200 volunteers. Their income sources are fairly diverse with only 15% generated from grants and donations. Most of their income is historically generated by their social enterprise, training and employment commissions and welfare contracts.
Appointment of an interim Head of Training & Employment
They are looking for an interim manager to work with them as Head of Training and Employment, whilst they recruit to the permanent role. The Head of Training and Employment provides strategic leadership for the development and operations of the NOAH Academy. The post-holder has overall responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the NOAH Academy and oversees a budget of c.£1M.
The NOAH Academy is well-respected across Bedfordshire for helping people experiencing disadvantage to regain their confidence and gain employment. The Academy has grown significantly in recent years, and the challenge is to capitalise on new opportunities, whilst continuing to provide a caring and trauma-informed service and ensuring financial and operational sustainability. It is expected that the Academy will expand into Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire during the 2021-26 strategy period. The NOAH Academy operates projects which are free at the point of entry to our clients. However, through those projects, the Academy will increasingly be providing services to other NOAH departments, namely staff recruitment via our in-house agency Rainbow, staff training, and building & grounds maintenance.
They are looking for a senior manager to work with us on an interim basis to lead our Training & Employment function. Key deliverables for the interim role will include managing and supporting their staff, focussing on our strategic objectives and in particular the work of our Technical Skills Hub and engaging with statutory bodies to develop and sustain statutory funding opportunities.
This role presents an opportunity to work with an established organisation which is well respected across Bedfordshire for helping people experiencing disadvantage to regain their confidence and gain employment.
