Job Purpose: To support the Director and Specialist Advisers with administrative duties to enable growth and development of CRF as the independent specialist advice organisation in Scotland. (2 days/week).

To provide administrative support on all matters relating to the charity, with the development of the client data base.

Location: Dumbarton with home working.

Main Responsibilities

• Administrative Responsibilities
• Work closely with the Specialist Advisers on agreed tasks.
• Have responsibility for admin tasks, objective setting, and performance, providing regular structured reporting and
• support.
• Take a lead on specific projects within the organisation in addition to the project streams.

Strategy and Planning

Work closely with staff and to support CRF around achieving the aims and objectives of CRF:

a. Work with CRF on the review of the Strategic Framework and subsequent development adjustments.

b. Provide Admin Support for CRF in scoping out future development opportunities for services, and work towards developing business plans and securing funding for relevant projects

Internal and External Relationships

• Support to build effective networks with key individuals and agencies in the voluntary, public and private sectors
• Support CRF in the development and delivery of an internal and external communication strategy working closely with the specialist advisers.
• Support CRF to form partnerships with other organisations to work jointly where this will enhance the programmes and project delivery, or aid learning
• Maintain awareness of the policies and political initiatives that affect these areas.

Administrative support to CRF (2 days per week) Flexible working.

Staff and volunteers

• Support staff in their roles with admin duties.
• Training and CPD

Support duties

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team to support with admin, including development and growth of CRF.
• Build effective communication with staff in CRF and other organisations to ensure matters are well understood and that effective and timely referrals are made to and from it.
• Build effective communication with outside organisation to ensure that CRF is well understood and utilised.
• Ensure effective tools are created and utilised to elicit evaluation and feedback from clients. Feedback what is being learnt into future design activities.
• Report on progress within agreed timescales to Director.
• Support staff with internal and external partnership working.

Any other duties as required (both areas)

Contacts:

• Third sector organisations
• Disabled people, people with long term conditions and parent carers
• CRF Board, staff and members
• Disability organisations and other voluntary organisations
• Schools and colleges
• Law centres and Legal organisations
• Local authority and National Government officials and elected members
• Courts, Tribunals and Sheriff Clerks
• Solicitors

Supervision Received:

The post holder will receive regular supervision from the Director in accordance with the terms and conditions of service. The post holder will be expected to attend staff meetings, team meetings, training courses, CRF events and other meetings as appropriate to the functioning of the organisation.

Complexity and Creativity:

CRF is an innovative charity which has a significant impact on the lives of vulnerable people including disabled people, their families, and the statutory authorities.

The provision of specialist advice, negotiation and representation with support enables all vulnerable people including disabled people to increase their level of self-control in all aspects of their lives which is highly complex. It requires sensitivity, a knowledge of services which are available to disabled people, up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation, an understanding of the concerns of disabled people, a commitment to the Social Model of Disability, and an understanding of the Independent Living philosophy.

The post holder is required to take initiative on a range of tasks and work as part of a team to ensure CRF is supported to maintain an integrated approach. They must be able to work under pressure within a challenging and sometimes uncertain social, political and financial climate.

It is essential that the post holder is able to work within an organisation which is led by our values and ethos in access to justice for all.

For person specification, please see attached job description.

CRF is a new and innovative charity, Civil Rights First is an access to justice charity; providing advice and representative service to everyone in society. We aim to promote social justice with delivery to everyone in society, through a valued, tailored advice and effective advocacy service enhancing lives and connecting communities through diverse services in a variety of areas including vulnerable people, carers, mental wellbeing, marginalised groups, Third Sector support and volunteering. Every year CRF enhances the lives of people, helping them to overcome barriers and achieve their goals.

CRF is seeking to recruit a Specialist Legal Adviser/Solicitor to support the organisation through the next stage of its strategic development. As an established and dynamic charity, we have five years experience of service across a variety of areas. It is essential that we continue to deliver our core services to the highest standards whilst increasing our profile, developing our income streams, and realising our strategic vision.

The successful candidate will be a creative, inspiring, and self-motivated individual who can provide vision, deliver results, and act as an ambassador for the values of both the organisation and in the voluntary sector more widely. They will be a strong and effective communicator with a proven record of specialist advice in legal matters, with leadership qualities, strategic development, and the delivery of an organisation’s goals and objectives.

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer who is responsible for the operational control of CRF and is accountable for the overall results of the organisation to the CRF Board. Our CEO is responsible for developing and implementing our business plans to realise our vision, overseeing service delivery, and for ensuring that CRF has the financial sustainability and profile to be successful in a changing environment. Bringing out the best in the committed staff and volunteer team; delivering the strategic aims for CRF in a creative and inspiring way that encourages the engagement of others.

The specialist adviser will report to the CEO, assisting them in their responsibility for the effective financial, legal, and moral governance of CRF.