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.

Could you be part of something different? We have an exciting opportunity for a motivated and enthusiastic individual to use their gifts, skills and experience to make a difference to the lives of the people in our parishes and communities.

We are looking for someone to work with individual congregations, to help them to negotiate transitions at key points in congregational life following long ministries, ministerial ill health, conflict, or other challenges. Working across the presbyteries of Clyde, Forth valley and Clydesdale, Glasgow and South West, you will address the issues identified by congregations, presbyteries and Faith Action using worship, pastoral care, workshops.

The Robertson Trust are looking for a Learning Officer for a 12-month fixed term contract to cover maternity leave, to help us to make a real difference to reducing poverty and trauma in Scotland. If you would like to be part of one of Scotland’s biggest independent funders, with the clear aim of tackling poverty and trauma, this role could be for you.

We want to see a Scotland where everyone is valued and able to flourish. Over the next decade, we have committed to use all of our tools and resources to work with others to reduce poverty and trauma across four themes:

• Education pathways
• Emotional wellbeing and relationships
• Financial security
• Work pathways

The Role

The role of a Learning Officer is to assist in the creation, use and sharing of knowledge and learning internally and externally in order to:

• Support our understanding of the world we are operating in
• Help us to understand the value and impact of our work
• Enable us to plan, deliver and review work effectively
• Work in collaboration with colleagues to inform and influence policy and practice (our own and others)

A full job description is attached.

The person

We are looking for someone with a good understanding and technical knowledge of qualitative and quantitative methods of evaluation and research. Ideally, you will have experience of working with teams to use learning to inform decision-making and continuous improvement.

We encourage applications from people with lived or learned experience of poverty and trauma in Scotland. You will be providing learning support across the Trust’s different themes and should feel comfortable working across different projects and topics at the same time.

It is important that you work confidently using your own initiative whilst prioritising conflicting priorities and building relationships and networks to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.

Benefits

• Salary £35,875
• 35 days holiday per calendar year, inclusive of public holidays
• Pension - 10% employer contribution or 14% if employee contribution is 7%
• Private healthcare
• Annual Travel Pass Loan
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to work scheme

The Robertson Trust is testing approaches to hybrid working. Applications for flexible working will be considered.

EARS is an independent advocacy provider – our mission is to ensure that people’s voices are heard, and their rights are respected.

This is an office-based post. The majority of the working hours will be spent working in Local communities, with the people who seek your support, and working from the West Lothian office to join meetings, record notes and compile reports. Mileage expenses are reimbursed for travel within work.