Would you like to join MATRICS and be part of the team that have very recently written and published the Debt Advice handbook for Scotland?

If you understand the Scottish legal system, court procedures and debt recovery and you are a good communicator with experience of delivering money advice at level 111 this could be the role for you.

As a Money Advice Consultant, you would be providing a second tier consultancy service to money advisers on issues covering Consumer Credit law, Sequestration and Statutory Scottish debt solutions. You would enjoy the opportunity of designing and developing – and delivering - training materials for e-learning and face to face courses providing a learning pathway through Matrics Learn to embed the Scottish National Standards for money advice and ensure the provision of high quality money advice across Scotland.

Employee benefits

Citizens Advice Scotland offers excellent terms and conditions. We want our people to have a great work life balance and we have designed our working practices and benefits to support this. Here are some of things our employees benefit from: a 35-hour full time working week, 40 days annual leave, genuine flexibility in working hours with a flexi-time system, and hybrid working opportunities for every role.

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.

CAS provides options for hybrid working to allow employees to balance their time attending the office with time working from home. The number of days you will be able to work from home each week will be dependent on your job role and can be discussed as part of the recruitment process.

Help us support communities in East Lothian with quality advice.

Who we are

East Lothian Advice Consortium Ltd (ELAC) is a company limited by guarantee without share capital which has contracted with East Lothian Council (ELC) for the provision of advice services in East Lothian. These advice services are delivered by way of sub-contracts between ELAC and Haddington Citizens Advice Bureau (HCAB) and Musselburgh Citizens Advice Bureau (MCAB). They are both independent charities that provide free, impartial, and confidential information and advice services in East Lothian. We offer support on issues ranging from debt, benefits, and welfare rights to consumer rights, finances, and budgeting support.

Our services are available to everyone in our local communities. We aim to make them as accessible as possible by promoting equality and diversity and by challenging discrimination.

Who are we looking for?

We currently have a small but strong Board of Directors with diverse professional expertise. We are seeking a new Chair who can lead ELAC through a period of new contract delivery and support the Bureaux with quarterly meetings with ELC, ensuring we provide the most relevant and accessible advice services possible in terms of the contract.

The role offers the opportunity to a make a central and strategic contribution to supporting the people of East Lothian with a range of pressing advice issues. Our work at HCAB and MCAB also makes a fundamental contribution to the campaigns and advocacy work of Citizens Advice Scotland on behalf of the full network of CABs.

To support these outcomes, we plan for a minimum 3-month induction period during which the successful candidate will shadow the current Chair and get to know our organisation in detail as a Director. Once fully in post as Chair from August 2025, you will be further supported by our experienced members.

We welcome applications from candidates with experience of organisational leadership who feel passionate about our work, regardless of professional background. We are looking for candidates with a sound understanding of (third sector) governance, financial acumen, and experience contributing to or leading boards.

The Chair will:

• be independent of any of the Providers
• provide leadership and ensure the ELAC Board monitors and delivers the Advice Services Contract on behalf of East Lothian Council.
• effectively chair ELAC meetings with the power of a casting vote where allowed by the Articles of the Company.
• act as the key representative and liaison for ELAC and ensure an effective relationship is maintained between the ELAC Board, the Providers and the Council.
• work with ELAC and the Delivery Management Team to organise quarterly ELAC meetings, an AGM and any additional meetings, training or strategic planning events as required by ELAC.
• represent the ELAC Board at meetings or events as required/available.
• participate and/or lead in dispute resolution where issues or disputes arise between any of the parties

Time committment

The expected commitment for the Chair is approximately 30 hours per quarter, incorporating flexibility to work around a full-time working schedule. Board and ELC meetings are each held 4 times a year, normally two weeks apart.

Meetings are held online.

To provide clients with holistic advice covering debt, income maximisation, energy. This will include preparation of financial statements, explanation of debt options and assistance to access these options. The role will require the ability to interact with clients over the telephone, face to face and using digital channels to provide advice.

Ongoing training will be provided however you should be someone who can demonstrate experience of working with clients who are experiencing multiple and complex issues and who can provide advice sensitively and with confidence to clients.

In addition to managing a caseload you may also be required to work on a duty rota for dealing with initial money advice contacts and for covering outreach services as required, as well as providing 2nd-tier support to other advisers within the Bureau.

You should have an understanding of the effects of financial difficulties and financial hardship on our clients. You should be an excellent team player with a desire to progress with training to meet the standards required.

The Citizens Advice Bureau in West Lothian have an exciting opportunity for a Money Advice Caseworker to join our highly successful team. A considerable knowledge of money advice, benefits and associated legislation is essential, as is excellent communication, training and interpersonal skills. You will provide a full range of debt advice and an opportunity to empower clients through face-to-face, telephone, and digital communication channels, acting for clients where necessary to provide positive outcomes.

The role will encompass providing information, advice and representation to our clients and supporting key professionals. The post will be based in the CAB office in Livingston, although the service may be delivered in various locations throughout West Lothian.