Jobs in Mid Argyll, Argyll and Bute

Argyll & Bute Citizens Advice Bureau (ABCAB) is excited to invite applications from the diverse communities across the region for two new Trustees on our Board of Directors to support the strategic direction and development of the Bureau.

The Bureau is an independent charity that provides free, impartial, and confidential information and advice services across the 2,676 square miles and 26 islands of Argyll & Bute. We offer support on issues ranging from Debt, Benefits, and Welfare rights to Energy, Patient rights, and also Armed Service Advice provision.

The Board are seeking applications from individuals representing the diversity of the Argyll area and are particularly interested in those with skills and experience with working in the Third Sector; working locally and dealing with local issues as well as those with qualified skills in areas such as IT, Business Management and Development, Charity Law, Project Management, Fundraising, Human Resources, Public Relations, Marketing and Strategic Development.

We encourage applications from groups that are under-represented on charity boards, and would welcome approaches from people who have lived experience of issues facing our clients. We particularly would like to hear from people from Black, Asian, or other minority ethnic communities, as well as young and disabled people. You do not need to have board experience to apply, we will support you with tailored training based on your level of experience.

The ideal candidates will be committed to service excellence, raising standards and continuous improvement. They must also embrace bureau values and show a commitment to wider role activity to improve the quality of life of local people in the community.

The Board currently meets bi-monthly and members will also be expected to participate in projects and attend training when required.

The Board of Directors are responsible for:

• Ensuring that good quality advice is given to the public, including ensuring that Citizens Advice Scotland’s membership standards are met
• Deciding what the bureau should aim for, including input into business planning and budgeting
• Controlling the finances of the bureau
• Overseeing the recruitment and selection, management support and training of all paid staff
• Appraising and supporting the Bureau Manager
• Promoting the image of the bureau
• Ensuring that the bureau fully meets its legal obligations under charity, employment and (if relevant) Company Law
• Dealing with complaints about the service

Candidates should be 18 or over and either live or work in our operating area (Argyll & Bute)

What are the benefits to you?

• The role is unpaid, however incurred expenses are reimbursed (e.g. travel, childcare)
• Induction and training tailored to you needs
• Opportunities to make strategic decisions and develop new skills
• Opportunities to network with senior professionals
• Influence to shape innovative projects and highlight public policy issues
• Contribute to supporting the people & communities of Argyll & Bute with a range of pressing advice issues

The number of places we can offer and the geography this programme will be available in, is entirely dependent on funding.

Applications are being accepted Scotland wide, but are particularly welcome from people living in the following areas where the project has previously been or is currently being funded:

Argyll and Bute, Borders, Glasgow, East Ayrshire, Edinburgh, Highland, Inverclyde, Fife, & North Lanarkshire

Do you have lived/living experience of drug and / or alcohol problems?

Are you at the stage in your life where you are ready for employment in the drug and alcohol field?

At SDF, we support, train, and prepare people with personal lived and living experience of their own substance use, to enter the drug, alcohol, and wider social care workforce.

We do this by supporting you through an intensive programme of formal learning and paid work placements.

At SDF, we believe your experience of drug and / or alcohol problems is a strength and the perspective you will offer as a trainee will be valued.

We will provide:

· access to a programme of quality assured training from our specialist workforce development teams.

· a fully funded SVQ level 2 in Social Services and Healthcare with our SQA Learning Centre.

· intensive support, this extends to IT and includes a device to use, we will also provide access to a confidential Employee Assistance programme

We will also provide a salary: £12,192 over the 39 week duration of the course

As a Trainee with SDF, you will learn how to support people who are currently experiencing drug and alcohol problems. You will be supported to use your own experience alongside professional training during a nine-month paid work placement in one of our local partner agencies.

The qualification we will support you to achieve is the industry standard for working in the drug, alcohol and wider health and social care field, and will open up long term employment opportunities for you.

You will also connect with and become part of a tight-knit group of peers and future friends who will be on the programme with you. Alongside your Co-ordinator, they will support you every step of the way.

We offer a monthly salary and a fixed term contract of 30 hours per week for 39 weeks. You will be offered paid study time in these hours, to support you to complete your SVQ.

If you are interested in developing a career in the drug, alcohol, and wider social care field, you have personal lived or living experience of your own substance use, and you feel ready for employment, we would love to hear from you.

Please come along to one of our online information sessions which will be held on the following dates:

- 10th November 1-3pm (Online via Zoom)

- 14th November 10.30-12.30pm (Glasgow – venue TBC)

- 20th November 10.30-12.30pm (Edinburgh – venue TBC)

- 29th November 10.30-12.30 (Online via Zoom)

These sessions will allow you to get answers to any questions you may have around the programme and will be an opportunity for you to meet the Project Support Team prior to applying.

Please email Marieb@sdf.org.uk to register your interest in attending one of the sessions.

If you cannot attend the information sessions and want an informal chat about the project, please contact 0141 221 1175 and we will arrange for a member of our team to call you back.