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

Argyll and Bute Citizens Advice Bureau, is an independent and innovative advice organisation providing holistic advice and support to local people.

The Citizens Advice network in Scotland is set to deliver a comprehensive, enhanced support service called Help to Claim. Since April 2019 Argyll and Bute Citizens Advice Bureau, has provided the advice and support people need to submit their claim for Universal Credit and support them through to their first payment.

Argyll and Bute Citizens Advice Bureau is looking for a client-focused individual with experience of providing specialist level advice, to join as a Help to Claim Adviser (Universal Credit) and to help ensure clients get the support they need. This includes supporting with online forms, the evidence required, and verifying their identity online using face-to-face and telephone advice.

The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate relevant recent experience and knowledge of the welfare benefit system including Universal Credit. Applicants should also demonstrate strong oral and written communication skills, be well organised and be proficient in using a range of IT tools to carry out their work, including case recording systems, Microsoft Office, benefit check programmes and be able to make and manage benefit claims.

Committed, results-driven and supportive to the needs of others, the successful applicant will be able to work both on their own initiative as well as part of a team and must be willing to follow and develop agreed procedures.

This is a unique opportunity to give citizens access to free, impartial and confidential advice helping them to make informed decisions, whenever they need it and however they choose to access it.

Employee benefits

Argyll and Bute Citizens Advice Bureau offers excellent terms and conditions, including a total of 25 days (pro rata) annual leave plus public holidays and a pension scheme with a 6% employer contribution (min. 1% employee contribution). Argyll and Bute Citizens Advice Bureau is an inclusive employer considering flexible working arrangements where appropriate.

We take wellbeing seriously and have regular opportunities for wellbeing lunches and networking to support resilience in the work place.

Pension Wise is the free and impartial UK government service that offers people guidance on their defined contribution pension options.

You’ll be part of a service that has helped over 300,000 people by providing valuable, life changing and impartial guidance giving them the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions about their options and obtain the best value from their pension. Working within our dedicated Pension Wise team, you’ll see positive and rewarding results for the people you help - Pension Wise is consistently rated very highly by service users.

You’ll be expected to supply accurate and relevant information and guidance on pension options and choices. Successful candidates will possess a good foundation knowledge of pensions law and practice, gained in a pensions role, as well as a thorough understanding of the range of pension products available to the UK consumer. You will also have a good understanding of the wider issues for those facing retirement and the ability to keep pace with changes to them.

This is an exciting opportunity within Argyll & Bute Citizens Advice Bureau, which is a free and impartial advice service that exists to ensure individuals do not suffer through ignorance of their rights and responsibilities. We seek to eradicate poverty and are now looking for the right person to support our goals as our new Welfare Rights Adviser. You will be part of a small but high hitting team that has worked to secure over £1.1million in client financial gain over the last year.

You will have proven experience of submitting applications, mandatory reconsiderations, appeals and be articulate and professional in your relations with clients, partners and external organisations.

Location is flexible throughout Argyll & Bute with home/remote working supported, however you will be required to travel at times so a driving licence and own transport is desirable mileage allowance within current HMRC guidance.