Glasgow North West Citizens Advice Bureau (GNWCAB) is an independent charity founded in 1981.

Our mission is to end poverty and inequality by ensuring that people from all backgrounds are empowered through access to advice and support that helps them affect positive change in their lives and the lives of those around them.

We are a dynamic and forward-thinking organisation. We recognise the value of our staff and this is reflected in our positive working environment. Staff benefit from family friendly policies, blended working and a commitment to personal development. It is a supportive and happy working environment that enables you to make a positive contribution to the lives of the clients we work with.

About the job

This is a new and exciting project as we extend the work we do in health care settings. A partnership between Glasgow North West and Greater Pollok CAB, we are looking to recruit an experienced adviser to deliver advice to patients of Stobhill and New Victoria Hospitals in Glasgow.

In direct response to demand, the new project will provide both an outreach service located in the Support and Information Service space within each hospital, as well as a direct referral pathway between NHS partners and the CABx to allow patients to access support using a method that best suits their needs. As a brand-new project, the candidate will be empowered and supported to develop partnerships with the relevant NHS teams and help design the service.

The focus will be on the people who may be in financial crisis, the reduction of poverty and supporting clients to have more control over their finances. The successful applicant will work with appropriate clients and with a number of partner agencies including health care professionals to ensure the provision of a high quality holistic and comprehensive financial inclusion and income maximisation service. The candidate will apply their skills and knowledge in a compassionate, non-judgemental manner to ensure the client receives quality advice and is empowered to improve their circumstances.

For more details about the key responsibilities of the role and knowledge, skills and experience required, please refer to the job description and person specification. If you would like to have an informal conversation about the role we are happy to accommodate this.

Job description

We are looking for client-focused individuals with experience of providing income maximisation as part of overall holistic advice and support. In this role you will see clients in person, as well as providing advice via telephony, email and digital channels ensuring clients they get the advice, information and support needed.

To succeed, you will need relevant experience and knowledge of current welfare benefits together with the ability to analyse the client’s overall financial position and offer early intervention advice and support.

There will be strong emphasis on team working and the ability to work effectively and closely with other agencies and health care professionals.

You will have strong oral and written communication skills. We are also looking for a proven ability to work effectively and well organised. Proficiency in using a range of IT tools to carry out your work, including case management systems, benefit calculators, online forms and Microsoft Office applications is essential.

Key Responsibilities

• To conduct in person, telephone, web chat and video call interviews, using sensitive listening and questioning skills to allow clients to explain their problem(s) and empower them to set their own priorities.
• To explore clients’ circumstances, support needs and access channel preferences considering language barriers, accessibility needs, and issues around digital access and ability.
• To build positive relationships with a variety of stakeholders.
• To deliver outreach advice services in NHS settings.
• To work patiently and tactfully in a non-judgemental manner with protected adults to build their trust and engagement in the work.
• To develop formal links with other support agencies that could provide support for clients to further better their circumstances.
• To liaise where appropriate with bureau staff and other relevant agencies as appropriate.
• To record, update and maintain information on a case management system for the purpose of continuity of casework, information retrieval, statistical monitoring, and report preparation.
• To ensure that all work meets quality standards and the requirements of the funder.
• To remain up to date with all relevant legislation and practice in relation to welfare benefits, debt, immigration, housing.
• To adhere to all GDPR requirements and CAB policies.
• To provide regular reports on the functioning of the work as well as progress and learning achieved.
• To work to Scottish National Standards for Information and Advice giving and Citizens Advice Scotland Quality Advice Framework.
• To liaise, communicate with and be operationally responsible to the Operations Manager.

The above job description is not exhaustive and is clarified to include broad duties inherent in the post as reasonable requested by the bureau manager.

Person specification

Knowledge, skills and experience

Essential

• Demonstrable experience of delivering advice in welfare benefits, debt and energy.
• Understanding, maintaining and practising high standard of case recording requirements as according to the project specification, CAS quality assurance and Scottish National Standards.
• Ability to use telephony and IT systems to deliver services across multiple channels (web chat, telephony and video) via Avaya, Zoom, TEAMS and other systems.
• Experience of using a range of IT tools to carry out work, including case management systems, Microsoft Office, internet and email etc.
• Ability to work without supervision and prioritise workload.
• Experience of working with people with multiple and complex needs.
• Experience of working with protected adults and ability to deal with issues sensitively.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex information in a clear and accessible manner.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• Ability to work across multiple teams and build effective stakeholder relationships quickly.
• Knowledge of a range of enquiry areas to aid with identifying emergencies.
• A commitment to the aims and principles of Citizens Advice Bureau.
• Ability to operate as a team player and communicate effectively with colleagues and managers.

Desirable

• Experience of contributing to the set-up of a new service

Employee benefits

Glasgow North West CAB offers excellent terms and conditions, including a 4 day working week, a total of 35 days leave and a pension scheme with a 6% employer contribution. Glasgow North West CAB is an inclusive employer considering flexible working arrangements where appropriate.

Glasgow North West Citizens Advice Bureau is an equal opportunities employer.

A fantastic opportunity has become available within the Fundraising & Engagement Team to deliver significant income from two key income streams and sustain our mission to ensure nobody faces dementia alone.

The Fundraising & Engagement Coordinator will report to the Fundraising & Engagement Leader, contributing to the delivery of our strategic objectives.

Whilst the role will work collaboratively to support all income streams, we are particularly keen to hear from anyone who has prior Corporate Partnership and/or Major Donor experience.

We are looking for someone who is naturally optimistic and empathetic, with a can-do attitude. You will be a self-starter, comfortable working independently, who thrives on building meaningful relationships. Applicants should enjoy and have a track record of working in a fast-paced and varied environment.

Successful applicants will have a positive attitude towards dementia, along with excellent communication skills and a caring manner. A pro-active approach to learn and participate in training will also be expected.

Care and Repair Edinburgh (CRE) is an independent charity who have been serving Edinburgh’s older and disabled community since 1985 and regularly complete over 6,000 jobs every year in homes across the city.

CRE offer a range of practical services to help older and disabled people repair, improve or adapt their property so that they may remain independent at home for as long as possible.

The Charity is a financially stable and viable organisation and has gone from strength to strength particularly over the past 5 years.

We are now looking to recruit a new Chair and additional Trustees with an range of skills and experience to support the direction of the organisation. Candidates skilled in Third Sector Leadership, Business Management, Finance, Marketing and Social Media, Charity Law, Social Care or Reablement would be of particular interest.

CRE welcome candidates who do not have Board experience as full induction and training will be provided.

As a Trustee, you will be responsible for the strategic direction, control and accountability of the Charity ensuring that its activities are in the interests of its beneficiaries. Trustees are also responsible for confirming the organisation complies with its governance, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations.

The board meets quarterly in Edinburgh (February, May, August and November), either face-to-face, via video chat, or as a hybrid of the two plus an additional AGM. Aside from the quarterly board meetings, additional time consideration is required to allow for reading of relevant papers, follow up on any action points, and attending occasional additional meetings, events, or strategy days. The average total time commitment is approximately 1-2 days per month for Trustees and 2-3 days per month for the Chair.

As a voluntary position, Trustees are not paid but travel and other expenses for attendance at meetings are reimbursed in line with CRE policy. As a local, inclusive charity we are keen this diversity continues to be reflected in our Board.

University of Strathclyde Student Association (‘Strath Union’) has been the beating heart of activity for students on the Strathclyde campus since 1964 and exists to connect all students to ensure everyone can thrive whilst studying at the University of Strathclyde.

Consistently ranked as the number one Student Union in Scotland, according to What Uni’s Student Choice Awards (WUSCA), we are currently one of ten Student Unions, across the UK, shortlisted for WUSCA’s 2024 Student Association of the Year and recently won both UK and Scottish NUS awards for overall employee satisfaction, liberation & equality and community and solidarity. As an organisation, we are bold, ambitious, and innovative much like the University and the 25,000+ students it supports.

The Strath Union Trustee Board is the ultimate legal decision-making body for the organisation, directing all the charity does, ensuring that it is financially sustainable and delivers against its core purpose of connecting students so everyone can thrive. The University has recently launched its 2030 strategy and working with our new Chief Executive you will directly support the development of Strath Union’s new strategic plan that will look to the next 5 years of growth and development.

Previous board experience is not a pre-requisite for this role, and we are focused on identifying new board members who are committed to our mission and organisational values. However, to complement the existing skills of our board members we want candidates who bring experience in one or more of the following areas of expertise:

· Governance, Risk or Compliance

· Public Affairs, Policy, or Public Relations

· IT and Digital Transformation

· Higher Education or the Voluntary sector

We want our Board to reflect the community we support and to enhance the diversity of our Board we would particularly like to hear from women and those identifying as women, people from minority ethnic backgrounds, people with disabilities and those with diverse sexualities or marginalised gender identities.

If you are excited by the opportunity to join an ambitious and award-winning organisation and share our passion to support and empower all Strathclyde students to unleash their potential and therefore thrive at university and beyond, we would welcome your application.