The Citizens Advice network in Scotland is the largest independent advice service in the country. Citizens Advice Scotland is a charity within this network – we act as a national organisation supporting and representing the service as a whole and the interests of citizens. At the heart of the network there are 59 individual citizens advice bureau across Scotland, all operating as independent charities in their own right, which focus on providing support and advice directly to clients. Each of these organisations is a member of Citizens Advice Scotland. We believe that every citizen should have access to free, impartial and confidential advice that helps them make informed decisions, whenever they need it and however, they choose to access it.

Our vision is for a Fairer Scotland where everyone has the advice and information they need to realise their rights, and that the barriers to accessing those rights are effectively challenged.

Our network services team help Citizens Advice Bureaux across all Scottish communities to be inspired by their actions, support them, and offer them guidance and opportunities for initiating social change and making improvements to their own communities through their services.

The team act as a bridge between bureaux and Citizens Advice Scotland and provide vital assistance in the distribution of key messages, the implementation of project co-design and production with bureaux and monitoring the progress of the bureaux.

This post provides a great opportunity for you to provide administration support to the team to deliver their core programme of work to the Citizens Advice Bureaux network. The aim of this programme is to build capacity across the Network. The programme consists of seven core areas from Governance, Volunteering and Net Zero and everything in between.

As an Administrator, you will also have opportunities to liaise with bureaux directly.

This role offers you the opportunity to work at the heart of supporting Scotland's largest independent advice network and to make an invaluable contribution to citizen’s lives.

Employee benefits

Citizens Advice Scotland offers excellent terms and conditions. We want our people to have a great work life balance and we have designed our working practices and benefits to support this. Here are some of things our employees benefit from: a 35-hour full time working week, 40 days annual leave, genuine flexibility in working hours with a flexi-time system, and blended/hybrid working opportunities for every role. For more details of some of the other benefits on offer to our employees, please see the section on employee benefits in the job pack.

Citizens Advice Scotland is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion. We offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies and flexible working arrangements to support all our staff. We are also committed to equality of opportunity for all and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

CAS provides options for blended working to allow employees to balance their time attending the office with time working from home. The number of days you will be able to work from home each week will be dependent on your job role and can be discussed as part of the recruitment process.

Background information

Clackmannanshire Citizens Advice Bureau, based in Alloa, is an independent and innovative advice organisation providing holistic advice to the residents of Clackmannanshire at the bureau premises and outreaches at various partner locations. We have been delivering a valuable, high level service to the community of Clackmannanshire for over 50 years, dealing with issues including benefits, debt, energy and housing. Last year we dealt with over 33,000 issues. We currently have 27 paid staff and 25 volunteers working to deliver the general advice service and our projects and as Board members.

All bureaux are members of Citizens Advice Scotland (the Scottish Association of CABx), and as such must meet specific conditions of membership related to standards of service and other matters. Each operates as an independent charity. This bureau is a limited company as well as a registered charity, governed by a board of directors/trustees.

We offer additional working benefits, such as 5% employer’s pension contribution, free membership of an employer health plan, annual performance related salary increases, a flexible working scheme, ability to buy and sell annual leave, an e-bike loan scheme and a retail perks scheme.

About the role

This is a new role which offers an exciting development opportunity for the right applicant. You will work as part of a dedicated team providing support to the finance and HR functions of the bureau. Working closely with the Finance and Personnel Officers you will ensure that we maintain high standards in administrative and financial processes. The Administration Officer will ensure that finance processes are accurate and that tasks are completed on time and that HR systems work effectively and staff and line managers are supported. The post holder will also assist with other resource management activities. This is an evolving role therefore responsibilities are expected to change as it develops.

We are looking for a self-motivated, conscientious individual who has attention to detail, excellent organisational skills and ability to act with confidentiality and discretion. They should be able to demonstrate relevant experience but training can be provided for a candidate with the required skills and attributes.

At Inverness, Badenoch & Strathspey CAB, we are a friendly team of over 70 employees and volunteers delivering a busy advice service to members of the public. We strive to deliver a good quality service that meets the needs of our clients in a non-judgemental and confidential manner. We aim for individuals not to suffer through not knowing or understanding their rights and responsibilities or not being aware of the services available to them. We provide advice and options to our clients so that they can make informed decisions and feel empowered to improve their personal circumstances.

Receptionist

You will be responsible for the smooth running of our reception area and ensuring that clients who contact the bureau receive excellent customer service which meets their individual needs. You will organise a small team of volunteer and paid receptionists and will ensure a consistent good quality service is achieved. You will help to implement policies and processes to ensure that the bureau is able to efficiently deliver an efficient advice service.

We are interested to hear from good team players who have experience of working in a similar environment and are confident in dealing with clients who may be vulnerable or have multiple needs. You will have a strong customer/client focus and treat everyone in a non-judgemental and respectful manner. You will be a good administrator who likes to be organised and plan ahead. You will be supported through an initial training programme and encouraged to continually develop throughout your time with us.

Applicants must be a law graduate or have equivalent qualifications, be enthusiastic and socially aware with excellent communication skills. The post requires the ability to provide a dedicated free legal advice service and in-court representation to CAB clients in Stornoway and Lochmaddy Sheriff Courts and to provide support and assistance to CAB clients on a variety of issues, including: benefit appeals, debt, mortgage repossession, rent arrears and eviction, consumer, and employment.

This is a demanding position and good organisational skills are essential, as is experience in advice work and knowledge of computer systems and their applications.

Current full driving licence is desirable with access to a vehicle. The successful applicant will be required to travel throughout the Western Isles.

The Western Isles is a wonderful place to live and work. It is a tranquil safe place with excellent schools, great leisure facilities, unique culture, wildlife and amazing scenery. To find out more about living and working in the Outer Hebrides visit visitouterhebrides.co.uk