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Energy Debt Adviser
- Part time
- £27,519 pro-rata
- On site: Location Flexible (bases in Helensburgh, Lochgilphead, and Oban) Expected travel throughout Argyll & Bute
- Closing 15th August 2025
- Advertised from 5th August 2025
- 17.5 hours per week. Fixed-term contract until 31st March 2026 (with possible extension).
Role
The ABCAB Energy Debt Project has developed in response to the ongoing fuel crisis experienced in the UK in recent years and is set to continue as a measure to address the high levels of fuel poverty and debt in this locality.
The project is promoted through the ABCAB common channels to encourage members of our communities to engage with their Bureau for advice and support with their own specific concerns.
The support offered includes advocacy for clients with ongoing supplier issues; assistance with fuel debt through credit vouchers, grant funding, and repayment negotiation; energy efficiency + carbon reduction advice with home improvement grant advice; and referral to partner agencies where appropriate.
The project also takes a proactive approach to promoting energy efficiency and fuel stability by delivering outreach events to community groups which provides essential information on understanding domestic energy usage and costs.
The direct beneficiaries of the project are residents of the Argyll & Bute communities who are struggling to fund, manage or fully understand their fuel costs and energy usage, those seeking to improve the energy efficiency of their home, and those facing a breakdown of communication with their utility supplier.
The Energy Debt Project is open to all with a focus on vulnerable consumers including:
- Older People
- People with Disabilities
- Low Income Families
- Families with Young Children
- People in Fuel Poverty People in Hard to Heat Homes
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide impartial and verified energy advice to clients of the Argyll & Bute Bureau, with additional holistic advice in accordance with CAB principles;
- Complete casework required for those clients with short-term fuel crisis or long-term fuel poverty to assist in resolving utility debt, including: completing the debt process + producing CFS; acting as advocate for clients in repayment negotiation with suppliers; arranging fuel vouchers for short-term need; sourcing and completing funding applications to relive long-term debt;
- Complete casework required for clients presenting problems with their utility supplier; acting as advocate for the client in negotiation with the supplier; raising formal complaints with suppliers where resolutions have not been reached;
- Complete casework required for clients with significant supplier complaints who seek to escalate a dispute to the energy Ombudsman;
- Promote engagement with local and national energy support schemes such as ALI Energy, Home Energy Scotland, HEEPS and ECO4 / ECO Flex, to ensure clients receive thorough solutions for fuel poverty and energy efficiency issues;
- Raise Social Policy cases where incidences of poor practice, unfairness, or negligence occur;
- Provide consultancy support to build the energy advice capacity of the Generalist CAB advisers and to assist partner agencies;
- Actively engage with stakeholder groups including Ofgem, Energy Action Scotland, Argyll & Bute Energy Efficiency Forum, Energy Saving Trust, and Money Advice Scotland;
- Undergo a continuous programme of learning to maintain a high standard of in-depth and current knowledge regarding energy efficiency and carbon reduction; domestic energy supply and systems; the energy industry market; energy debt and energy efficiency grants; non-regulated alternative fuel use; domestic fuel rights and supplier License Conditions;
Report and review of utiity debt cases within Bureau to manage target numbers required for funded energy projects
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. A 4 day working week is in operation and a wellbeing approach is undertaken. Argyll and Bute Citizens Advice Bureau is an inclusive employer considering flexible working arrangements where appropriate.
Application notes
Please contact the Bureau Manager for an application pack:
By telephone 01546 60 5550
By email recruitment@abcab.org.uk
Closing date for applications is Friday 15th August, 12 midday
Please note that the post is subject to the disclosure of criminal history information.
About the employer
Argyll and Bute Citizens Advice Bureau is committed to equal opportunities both in service provision and employment. We are an accredited advice provider with bot Citizens Advice Scotland and Scottish National Standards for Information and Advice Providers (SNSIAPS)
Charity number: SC030477
Charity name: Argyll and Bute Citizens Advice Bureau
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Charity Manager – Community Hub, Gym, Bunkhouse & Social Housing
- Full time
- £30,000
- Hybrid: Whithorn, Dumfries & Galloway
- Closing 4th January 2026
All Roads Lead to Whithorn SCIO is seeking an experienced, motivated Charity Manager to lead the next stage of growth for our newly refurbished community hall, gym, luxury bunkhouse and small portfolio of social housing. This is a rare opportunity to shape a high-quality rural community hub and asset that creates new opportunities for Whithorn and the wider Machars.
The trustees are determined to appoint the right person and can offer flexibility in how the role is structured for a candidate with the skills and track record we need. We will also consider an interim Charity Manager arrangement for the right person. Hybrid working (part hall-based, part home-based) is possible, and for candidates from further afield we can offer overnight accommodation in our on-site bunkhouse as part of the package.
About the role
The Charity Manager will have overall responsibility for strategic, financial and operational management across:
- Whithorn’s community hall and activity space
- The on-site gym
- The luxury bunkhouse
- A small number of social housing properties
- Wider community projects and development activity
Key responsibilities include:
- Strategic leadership – Working with trustees to develop, implement and review the charity’s strategy, turning ideas into deliverable plans and projects.
- Funding and opportunity sourcing – Identifying opportunities, leading high-quality grant applications, developing relationships with funders and partners, and building new income streams linked to the hall, gym, bunkhouse and housing. Proven experience in grant and opportunity sourcing is essential.
- Financial oversight – Working with our external bookkeeper to review reports, approve payments, monitor budgets and cashflow, lead annual budgeting and provide clear financial updates to the Board. Oversight of VAT, HMRC and payroll through external providers.
- Governance and compliance – Ensuring policies and procedures (health & safety, safeguarding, GDPR, insurance, housing compliance) are up to date and followed.
- People and operations – Line-managing the Facilities, Gym & Bunkhouse Coordinator and a casual Community & Hospitality Support Worker, supporting volunteers and ensuring smooth day-to-day operations across all sites.
- External relations – Acting as an ambassador for the charity with community members, partners, funders and visitors; promoting the facilities and the Whithorn area as a destination.
About you
You will bring:
- Proven experience in charity, community or social enterprise management.
- A strong track record of successful grant and opportunity sourcing (must-have).
- Confidence with budgets and financial information, and experience working with finance/admin support.
- Good understanding of governance, health & safety, safeguarding and GDPR.
- Experience line-managing staff and/or volunteers.
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with a hands-on, problem-solving approach.
Experience in housing management, community facilities, tourism, accommodation or rural regeneration would be an advantage but is not essential.
Working arrangements
We are committed to getting the right person in post and can offer:
- Hybrid working (hall-based and home-based) by agreement.
- Consideration of an interim Charity Manager arrangement for suitably skilled candidates.
- Overnight bunkhouse accommodation for candidates travelling from further afield where needed.
Whithorn is a beautiful rural area with rich heritage, stunning landscapes and a growing reputation for cycling, walking and cultural tourism. This role is ideal for someone who wants to make a tangible difference by turning a high-quality physical resource into a vibrant, sustainable hub of community life and opportunity.
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Do you have the skills and motivation to be part of an innovative team of advocacy workers?
At The Advocacy Project, we pride ourselves on being a great place to work and put the people we support at the centre of everything we do.
We provide independent advocacy for adults across Glasgow and East Renfrewshire. We are driven by our values which are fairness, independence, inclusion, and resilience. We offer our staff a generous package of salary, pension, dynamic working, annual leave, CPD, and a wellbeing package.
This is a fieldwork role based across Glasgow and East Renfrewshire, with approximately 70% of time spent on direct advocacy interactions and 30% spent on other related tasks.
Informal enquiries about the Advocacy Worker vacancies can be directed to:
Shaun McWilliams – Operations Director
This post aims to provide practical money and debt advice to people struggling with their finances, supporting them to solve their debt, maximise their income and help them achieve financial stability. This holistic advice will be independent, free, impartial and confidential and delivered to Association standards and will address underlying issues of poverty facing many of the residents living in Bellshill.
Income Maximisation Worker for Families
- Part time
- £32,323 pro-rata
- On site: Penicuik
- Closing 12th January 2026
An experienced adviser is required to improve the financial circumstances of the families supported by Hawthorn Children and Family Centre and Midlothian’s Family Wellbeing Service to improve the outcomes for the children.
The project will work with and receive referrals from Hawthorn Children and Family Centre and the Family Wellbeing Service team members. The worker will link with mental health projects, family support and Penicuik CAB’s specialist debt worker to develop a wraparound service to increase household income and improve the quality of life for the family.
Working closely with other project workers the post holder will provide awareness raising sessions with the Hawthorn Centre staff, Family Wellbeing team members and any other agencies, as appropriate.
Based at the Penicuik CAB, Hawthorn Children and Family Centre and working at any centres deemed appropriate, the worker will provide help and assistance with checking benefit entitlement, completing benefit applications and challenging benefit decisions. The work will also include income maximisation, budgeting advice, utilities and some assistance with debt issues (including housing debt).
A working knowledge and understanding of welfare benefits and good interpersonal skills are essential. The post holder will be responsible for developing and delivering the service to meet the needs of the families.
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