Close the Gap values diversity in our workforce and particularly encourages applications from disabled people and racially minoritised people, who are current underrepresented in our team.

Flexible working options are available for this role, and we’re open to jobshare applications.

Role purpose

To effectively communicate Close the Gap’s work in innovative, authoritative, and accessible ways to our key audiences – employers, policymakers, women, trade unions and wider civil society. To develop and implement Close the Gap’s communications strategy, helping to create new and engaging approaches to promote our work. A key part of this role is co-ordinating Close the Gap’s social media channels and websites, to promote our products and services to employers and build Close the Gap’s brand recognition.

About you

We’re looking for an experienced communications professional who understands how to craft effective messaging that can motivate action on gender inequality. You’ll have great ideas on how to expand the reach of our work and be able to effectively market our products and services to key stakeholders. You’ll be able to create tailored content for our different audiences, and communicate complex information in accessible and engaging ways.

You’ll be a core part of our team, who’s proactive about getting things done, and willing to take the lead on key projects.

Organisation profile

Close the Gap is Scotland’s expert policy advocacy organisation working on women’s labour market participation. Our vision is for a Scotland where all women have a good working life. We do this by working strategically with policymakers, employers and unions to influence and enable action that will address the causes of the gender pay gap.

An Investor In People Gold Award Holder

Innovation, creativity and staff engagement are at the heart of everything we do, as it ensures that we are providing our customers with a high-quality service.

As a Scottish charity, we are working to ensure that as many people as possible can benefit from high-quality advice services when and where they need it.

We are looking for individuals who care. Driven to deliver the best service for individuals who need reassurance and advice.

Role Purpose:

You will be at the forefront of delivering a highly accredited service to the citizens of Scotland and the UK by telephone, webchat and Facebook.

You will ensure the provision of quality advice and information across all channels.

You will have the ability to establish the issues the customer is having, explore and understand the individuals needs and circumstances and then give them expert and trusted advice, helping them more forward with their concerns.

Person Specification:

You MUST have previous contact centre experience

Able to demonstrate commitment in previous roles

Dedicated and hard working

Ability and willingness to learn

Reliability

Good communicator

Good listener

Caring

Desirable

• Knowledge and experience of working within the DEBT sector.

• Certification in MATRICS - debt advice training programme

Remuneration:

In return, we offer a competitive salary for a 4-day week within the sector. We also offer 30.5 days annual leave (38 pro rata), 8% pension contribution, death in service insurance. We also provide free coffee/tea from the local coffee shop as well as free food on a Mondays and Fridays.

Benefits:

• Bereavement leave

• Company events

• Cycle to work scheme

• Discounted or free food

• Enhanced maternity leave

• Life insurance

• Sick pay

Schedule:

• Day shift

• Monday to Friday

• No weekends

Work Location: In person

Experience: Debt sector: 1 year (required)

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: £21,032.04-£23,068.56 per year

Schedule: Monday to Friday

Application question(s):

Lomond & Argyll Advocacy Service are seeking a recovery advocate on the Isle of Bute to join our team.

Your core mission will be to offer people information about their rights and services and to assist them in seeking to have their voices heard and their wishes respected.

Lomond and Argyll Advocacy service are looking for a person who has Lived Experience of problematic alcohol or substance use, either;

• personally and in recovery
• Awareness through a family member or close friend
• Working knowledge of substance and alcohol dependency issues

This is a part time post, and will focus on continuing to improve access to independent advocacy and other local supports for people impacted by problematic alcohol or substance use. The post will also provide rights based peer advocacy in line with the Scottish Governments Strategy: Rights, Respect and Recovery.

This will be achieved by:

• undertaking relevant learning and development on a Rights Based Approach in Independent Advocacy
• working with individuals in line with the Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance
• working within the aims of LAAS
• managing your workload efficiently in accordance with the policies and procedures of LAAS
• working as an individual, but also as part of a team
• developing your skills by identifying opportunities for learning
• promoting and raising awareness of LAAS and its work across Argyll and Bute with a focus on ensuring awareness within services and communities on the Isle of Bute.
• Uploading information, maintaining files on joint virtual working space
• Sending and receiving emails and using a range of digital platforms’
• delivering rights based independent advocacy
• monitoring progress towards specific project targets and outcomes
• using and developing existing networking techniques to create links with appropriate individuals and groups (statutory and voluntary) to raise awareness of Independent Advocacy
• supporting LAAS to develop and deliver learning opportunities

This post requires the successful candidate to apply for membership of the PVG Scheme.

Flexible hours to be worked between 9-5 Monday to Friday. Ability to work from home within area however the ability to travel in the locality is essential.

REPORTS TO: Advocacy Practice Lead

Organization: Lomond and Argyll Advocacy Service have been delivering advocacy services to people in West Dunbartonshire and Argyll and Bute council areas for over 20 years. Initially focusing on those with a statutory need

for Advocacy under the Mental Health Care and Treatment Act and further supporting adults with a learning disability and people in the local community, our service has grown to cover a wide range of individual need, including specialist services supporting those challenged by addiction and those recently liberated from prison

Purpose of the Post: Practice Leads perform a key first line manager and leadership role for Lomond and Argyll Advocacy Service whilst still taking responsibility for a case load and direct service provision. The postholder takes responsibility for leading a small team of Advocacy workers, suitable to the hours and location of the post. Taking responsibility in conjunction with the Operations Manager, for supervision, case work allocation and prioritisation, leave, sickness absence, health and safety, expenses/ resources and case work, this post offers direct support and leadership to the advocacy workers and volunteers (where applicable).

Post Holder will also deliver high quality advocacy services in addition to their leadership and management role.

Main Responsibilities

• To lead, supervise, direct and support Advocacy Workers and Volunteers. To ensure one to one supervision, staff appraisal, development, training, sickness management, the use of resources and expenses and appropriate practice while supporting Advocacy Workers to provide a high-quality advocacy service.
• To ensure Advocacy Workers are aware of and follow Lomond and Argyll Advocacy Service Policies and Procedures and conform to the tenets of the Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance. To conduct return to work interviews and first line grievance, disciplinary or complaint investigation supported by the Operational Manager. To be responsible for the health and safety, work practice and day to day support of a small team of advocacy workers.
• To hold a case load and deliver direct advocacy support to vulnerable adults in their area (and beyond as agreed). This will from the majority of your working time and involve attending case conferences, meeting with individuals. Offering information and seeking their views in order that they are heard.
• You will meet with a range of Health, Social care and other services as part of your role to publicise your role as and advocate, the role of advocacy and to develop networks to support your and your local advocates, networks for individuals .
• To directly support and guide Volunteer Advocates and Advocacy Workers and / or recovery or justice workers or other advocacy workers in their day to day practice and to take responsibility for the relevant areas of the allocation and priority system, recording of case notes, diary management, safe working, practice and quality audits and service evaluation and lone working practices and compliance with LAAS policy and procedure.
• Alongside the Operational Manager and CEO, take forward the recruitment of and co-ordinate, supervise and support the work of volunteer advocates and advocacy workers across Lomond and Argyll Advocacy Service.
• To assist the Operational manager and CEO in the development of practice and policy and the Leadership of Lomond and Argyll Advocacy Service, taking responsibility for or contributing to workstreams, project work, training, preparation of bids or applications for grant funding, presentations to external organisations and forum and collegiate working with other organisations.
• To deputise for the Operational Manager as appropriate and to form positive relationships with key stakeholders and external partners, dealing with enquiries, complaints and raising issues as appropriate.
• To contribute to the development of funding and service applications and to ensure the delivery of services which comply with the terms of our funding
• To raise awareness of independent advocacy and promote the use of advocacy services among service users, carers and statutory, voluntary and community groups through the provision of information, presentations and publications and other media and mechanisms.
• To implement and monitor the performance and quality measures agreed by the organisation and ensure that high standards are maintained.
• To ensure that accurate and confidential records are maintained in line with the policies and procedures set out by the organisation.
• To identify training needs and assist in the development, arrangement and deliver of appropriate training courses.
• To undertake direct advocacy casework, often more complex cases, on a day to day basis across any client group.
• To participate in and on occasion lead staff meetings and other meetings as required.
• To offer support, guidance and leadership to staff across the organisation including in the absence of colleagues/ allocated line manager
• To attend and participate in or develop and provide training sessions as required.
• Any other tasks consistent with the remit of the post.

Flexible hours to be worked between 9-5 Monday to Friday. Ability to work from home within area however the ability to travel in the locality is essential.