Senior Policy Officer (Strong Communities)
- Full time
- £27,810 – £30,000
- Edinburgh*
- Closing 30th June 2021
- Advertised from 16th June 2021
- Salary commensurate with experience. 35 hours per week. Permanent
Role
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 organisations across Scotland, all operating as independent charities in their own right, and generally focusing on providing support directly to clients. Each of these organisations is a member of Citizens Advice Scotland. Also providing significant added value are the national elements of the service run out of Citizens Advice Scotland, such as the Extra Help Unit. 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.
The Senior Policy Officer (Strong Communities) will be responsible for independent delivery of projects within the Citizens Advice Scotland Impact Workplan.
The team currently covers a wide range of issues including access to justice, telecoms and postal policy. This role will have a primary focus on access to justice issues although the post holder may be required to work on other areas relevant to the team’s remit as appropriate.
You will have experience of analysing policy documents, writing reports and influencing external policy/decision making. You will also have an ability to effectively interpret and analyse quantitative and qualitative data and have excellent communication and stakeholder management skills. Relevant legal qualifications or experience of justice policy, regulatory affairs, or consumer advocacy in Scotland would also be advantageous in this role, although this is not a necessity.
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.
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.
*This role is normally based in our Edinburgh office. As a result of the COVID-19 crisis, all Citizens Advice Scotland staff are currently working from home and we would therefore expect the successful candidate would be required to work from home initially. Re-opening our offices will be carefully planned and managed in accordance with the latest Scottish Government guidance and public health advice. Candidates should be prepared to work from home initially, but be aware that attendance at the normal office base will be required in future. We are currently reviewing our home working policy in response to the COVID-19 crisis and ongoing opportunities to work from home can be discussed with the successful candidate at offer stage.
Employee benefits
Citizens Advice Scotland offers excellent terms and conditions, including a total of 40 days leave (including public holidays) and a pension scheme with an 8% employer contribution. We have a flexitime scheme which enables our employees to work flexibly in line with organisational requirements, and as an inclusive employer we are happy to consider other flexible working arrangements where appropriate.
Application notes
Closing date: 30 June 2021
Interviews: 20 – 22 July 2021
To apply for this role, please send completed copies of the Personal Details Form, along with your current CV to: recruitment@cas.org.uk
In addition, we ask you to provide a short written statement (maximum of 2 pages) with examples which demonstrate how you meet the requirements of the post, as set out in the job description and person specification.
You can find all necessary forms below or on our website: cas.org.uk/vacancies/senior-policy-officer-strong-communities-citizens-advice-scotland-0
Equality & Diversity Monitoring
To help Citizens Advice Scotland monitor equality and diversity statistics please return the Equality & Diversity Monitoring Form separate from your other application documents by emailing it to: equalitymonitoring@cas.org.uk
About the employer
Citizens Advice Scotland is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
The Scottish Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux – Citizens Advice Scotland. Scottish charity (SC016637) and company limited by guarantee (89892)
Downloads
Investing in Communities is a Scottish Government funded joint initiative of Midlothian Voluntary Action, Volunteer Midlothian and Dalkeith Citizens Advice Bureau that aims to improve the health, wellbeing and resilience of people in the Central Dalkeith and Woodburn areas through information, advice, learning and practical action.
The postholder is responsible for collaborating with partner organisations to develop, deliver and evaluate actions to achieve project aims. In particular, this includes advice and information provision for those in or at risk of financial hardship and building skills and knowledge of local people so they can make informed life and financial decisions.
Up to date understanding of Scottish and UK benefits system and experience of providing advice and information (paid or unpaid) to people experiencing disadvantage are essential. Postholder must hold City and Guilds Level 3 Energy Awareness Award, or be willing to work towards this as part of the role.
Our Activity Centres provide innovative and person-centred services and support to veterans struggling with sight loss. This job exists in order to provide tailored support to veterans carrying out woodworking projects. You will work alongside the veterans to identify abilities, share ideas and plan projects within the activity Centre. You will ensure that the support provided is person-centred, tailored to their needs and is the right support for them. You will support the leadership team to coordinate and manage the activities provided within and from the Activity Centre which will support the overall wellbeing of the veterans and their families. You will work closely with colleagues across the organisation and external stakeholders to ensure that veterans can access the relevant support.
About us
We're one of Scotland's oldest charities - for more than two centuries, we've been supporting and empowering people with sight loss to live fulfilling lives. We're proud of all we've achieved in the past - but we have our sights set firmly on the future.
We're determined that no-one should face sight loss alone. We're committed to improving, diversifying and growing our services to make sure we can reach many more people with sight loss - when and where they need us.
Care & Support Workers (older people)
- Full time or Part time
- £22,621 – £23,438
- Glasgow, Edinburgh, Galashiels, Girvan, Fife, Inverness, Stornoway, Duns and more
- Closing 29th April 2024
The Supported Housing Worker role requires assisting in the management of the development thus ensuring the tenants are able to enjoy an acceptable standard of living in an environment which is clean, safe and friendly. You will be responsible for overseeing the wellbeing of the tenants and for assisting them in maintaining their independence.
As Housing Care Worker your role will involve working with our tenants to ensure they receive the support and personal care identified in their care plans. You will directly support tenants in their homes by providing individual advice, practical housing support assistance and personal care.
Both roles are to ensure that we are able to offer the best service to our tenants and make it possible for our tenants to continue enjoying as much independent living as they’re able.
As well as a competitive annual salary, our valued team also benefits from:
- competitive hourly rates of £10.50 - £10.88 per hour
- guaranteed rota hours working between 7.30am & 10pm
- generous annual leave entitlement
- a choice of pension scheme with employer contributions
- flexible working policies
- access to extensive paid training and development opportunities
- a supportive and inclusive culture.
We also have opportunities with our Trust Staff Agency - for employees who want to work across different locations, in various roles, with highly flexible hours to suit family commitments - it's a great opportunity with the same training and development that our other roles benefit from.
Previous experience working in social care or the housing sector would be an advantage but this is not always necessary. Our ideal candidate is someone with enthusiasm, a caring nature and willingness to learn as full training, support and ongoing development will be provided.
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The Cost of Living crisis is unprecedented in social history and continues to have a devastating impact on the lives of many Stirling citizens. The need for advice, information and crisis intervention support around money, debt, shortages of fuel and food is huge and continues to grow.
The Cost of Living Support Worker is responsible for supporting volunteer advisers deal with the increase in casework / demand due to Cost of Living drivers.
The post holder will increase volunteer advisors capacity to deal with cost of living driven enquiries & support the main Bureau volunteer led generalist service to deal with the increased volume of enquiries.
The post holder will act as support and mentor to both office-based and remotely enabled advice volunteers ensuring they have the necessary support to deal with enquires effectively and efficiently.
General Responsibilities
- To act as the main point of contact and mentor for all advice volunteers seeking casework/advice support on Cost of Living driven enquiries
- To support bureau based & remotely enabled volunteers to assist in the delivery of the core advice service.
- To provide advice support for remote & bureau based volunteer workers particularly in relation to complex/crisis Cost of Living crises driven client enquiries.
- Provide advice for maximising income & support volunteer advisers in the provision of advice & assist people maximise their income by accessing such support as is available to them (e.g. benefits and grants).
- Provide advice & support volunteer advisers in the provision of advice for managing debt. Helping people identify their options and strategies, enabling them to get control of their borrowings or removing the burden of debt entirely.
- To undertake supervisory roles within the office – e.g. 2nd tier technical support on complex Cost of Living driven enquiries
- To communicate frequently with volunteer advisers to ensure they are satisfied, well-placed and any concerns are addressed.
- To help ensure the purpose of the Stirling CAB, its actions, policies, procedures and the role of the volunteer is clearly communicated, understood and implemented.
- To help represent and present the views of volunteers and volunteering related matters to senior management.
- Help ensure that the required monthly CAB statistics are provided to the Deputy Manager
- To carry out any other reasonable task requested by CAB management or required by the Board of trustees.
Accountability
- Provide written reports to monthly supervision sessions with Deputy Manager
- Attend annual appraisal
- Attend Annual General Meeting and quarterly reviews of role with CEO
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