Roxburgh and Berwickshire CAB is an independent charity providing advice, information and support to people across our community. We are a friendly team of staff and volunteers working over 4 locations (Eyemouth, Duns, Kelso, and Hawick) delivering a busy advice service. We strive to deliver a good quality service that meets the needs of our clients in a non-judgemental and confidential manner. We aim for individuals not to suffer through not knowing or understanding their rights and responsibilities or not being aware of the services available to them. We provide advice and options to our clients so that they can make informed decision and feel empowered to improve their personal circumstance.

Job description:

To ensure the provision and development of quality advice, information and representation on statutory benefits and other social welfare matters in the Scottish Borders.

Key Responsibilities

• Interview clients over the phone, and face-to-face to gather relevant information about their circumstances and identify the areas they require assistance with.

• Research advice areas to identify possible options for the client.

• Improving access to benefit entitlements and maximising income.

• Provide representation for clients at social security first tier tribunals.

• Provide support and guidance on complex cases to CAB staff and volunteers.

• Run outreach sessions across Roxburgh and Berwickshire to enable our clients to access advice within their local community.

• Identify social policy issues to feedback to the wider network to help benefit both local and national social policy campaigns.

• Negotiate with third parties on the client’s behalf to resolve issues they are facing, for example, with employers, benefit agencies, and landlords, etc.

• Coordinate with other specialist advisors and projects within the Citizens Advice Bureau network to ensure clients receive support with complex issues.

• Keep comprehensive records of casework which meet audit requirements, including use of CASTLE case recording system.

• Identify areas for personal development and proactively explore training opportunities to continue your own personal development.

• Keep up to date on relevant legislation and case law relevant to the role.

• Carry out case checking responsibilities to help ensure cases are meeting audit requirements.

• Uphold the principles of Roxburgh and Berwickshire CAB at all times.

This list is not exhaustive, and you will be expected to carry out any other reasonable duties as requested by the operations coordinator or the bureau manager.

Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) are Scotland’s leading advice charity. They support a network of Citizens Advice Bureaux, all operating as independent charities, to deliver frontline advice services in almost 300 locations.

The charity is driven by the strong belief that every person in Scotland should have access to free, impartial and confidential advice to help them make well-informed decisions. CAS looks at the problems we can all face at times and campaign for change where it is needed most. Their support and advice is available to all and is of particularly benefit to some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.

The Chair of the Board will lead a team of trustees dedicated to making a positive difference to the lives of people across Scotland. Crucial to ensuring the organisation fulfils its purpose by providing strategic leadership, the Chair leads the Board in offering support and constructive challenge to the Executive team, enabling CAS to successfully achieve its ambitions.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing leadership to the Board ensuring trustees fulfill their governance responsibilities.

• Inspiring and supporting the CEO and Executive team to deliver on strategic priorities.

• Fostering excellent relationships with members, Scotland’s network of 58 Citizens Advice Bureaux, at a governance level.

• Working closely with the CEO and Executive team to ensure that this network remains at all times well-positioned and forward looking in a challenging political and economic environment.

• Fulfilling a highly visible ambassadorial role for CAS, helping to further develop its profile and representation with government, other organisations and multiple stakeholders.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a highly experienced leader with a background in public, corporate and/or the charity sector, to drive impact at scale. Providing stewardship in the implementation of the CAS Strategy 2025- 2030 will make a real difference to so many peoples lives.

The Chair will gain unique insight into the social and economic issues in society and play an extremely fulfilling role in addressing these. A structured training programme will be provided to support development and enable the CAS Chair to excel in this role.

This is a voluntary, non-remunerated position and will require a time commitment of approximately two to four days per month.

About the Opportunity

Citizens Advice & Rights Fife (CARF) is seeking a committed and dedicated individual to join its Board of Directors as a Trustee. This is a rewarding voluntary role, contributing to strong governance, strategic oversight, and support for the Chief Executive as CARF continues to deliver vital advice services across Fife.

Full details — including responsibilities, skills and experience required, time commitment, and the application process — are contained inour Recruitment Brochure.

Download the full recruitmentbrochure here.