Project Description: To ensure the development and secure the sustainability of the NBAP and its provision of a quality, free, confidential, impartial and accessible advice service to all socially excluded and disadvantaged individuals within the local community in order to maximise their income levels and access all appropriate public service provision as their needs dictate.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Coordination of NBAP.
- Coordination of team building and NBAP staff development.
- Communicate effectively with individuals, groups, the media and all partners
- To oversee deliver and articulate and participative training sessions on advice and partnership issues.
- Coordinate the output of its partners in line with our advice strategy, business plan and funding we have received.
- Develop partnership service level agreements and oversee their implementation.
- Seek funding for advice workers in all partner groups beyond the period for which funding may already be secured.
- Inform and liaise with the North Belfast Community Action Unit on proposed purchase of goods and services that require consideration of Government procurement guidelines.
- Provision of a structured, focused advice service in LNBSS, LIA, The Vine Centre, Ardoyne and Tar Isteach.
- Administer and support the development of the proposed Advice Partnership.
- Support outreach structures that ensure the fullest possible contribution by partners and other community and voluntary groups to meeting the needs of deprived people in the area. This will include formal consultative arrangements with partners and other groups.
- Coordination of strategic development of NBAP.
- Coordination, oversight and development of IT systems and IT based recording systems
- Coordination, development, implementation and monitoring of quality assurance in line with best practice.
Strategic development of partnership policy
- Strategic collaboration of CARMA statistics from all partners for progress information.
- To maintain information services in accordance with the partnerships community development ethos, community relations, fair employment and equal opportunities policies.
Management
- Jointly supervise and support advice, legal advice, tribunal representation and information services in accordance with the partnerships community development ethos, community relations, fair employment and equal opportunities policies.
- Oversee and implement internal advice policy and procedures, including client confidentiality, grievance and complaints procedures, reporting directly to director;
- Responsible for development of sustainability plan in line with government initiatives and community.
- Ensure that a high quality service is provided which meets the standards set down by Advice NI and the Advice Services Alliance.
- Promote the advice service, identifying and highlighting needs and issues as they arise and extend advice access to groups and communities presently without provision.
- To participate and support staff in on-going caseloads (including tribunal) and providing cover as and when required during staff holidays, illnesses or other absences; (Strategic over development of partnership policy).
- Ensure that comprehensive and up-to-date confidential case records are maintained for all clients by staff, volunteers and that all follow up casework is promptly and effectively carried out; (Strategic collaboration of CARMA statistics from all parties for progressive information).
- Monitor, collate and publish relevant statistics on advice centre usage, benefit take-up and financial claw -backs achieved by the advice service and carry out periodic client profile and quality of life surveys.
- Prepare an annual evaluation report for the Annual General Meeting and provide all documentation as required by the centre’s funding bodies and when appropriate to relevant statutory/voluntary bodies.
- Ensure that the advice centre is affiliated to and an active participant in relevant umbrella organisations. E.g. Advice NI, Law centre.Staff/volunteers.
- Allocate and oversee the work of relevant advice centre staff and volunteers.
- Establish and maintain an effective framework for staff and volunteer induction, appraisal support and evaluation.
- Ensure all staff and volunteers undergo regular supervisor, annual appraisal and have individual training and development needs addressed.
Information
- Provide talks/workshops for local community groups/projects on request or to highlight specific benefits or issues on an annual basis.
- Actively participate in the social policy debate by contributing articles to relevant journals and magazines and preparing appropriate press releases and other documentation.
Planning & Finance
- Liaise with partners and Action Unit to ensure that the budget is managed efficiently and cost-effectively.
- Identify future staff, equipment and other resource needs and prepare appropriate development and fund-raising strategies for the advice centre.
- Liaise with other staff teams to facilitate the preparation of organisational development plans and strategic reviews.
Other duties
- Represent the organisation at seminars, meetings and conferences on advice matters.
- Prepare progress reports and other documentation as required by the Managing Director, funders and/or management committee.
- Attend team meetings, staff meetings and management committee meetings as required.
- Undertake any other reasonable duties consistent with the post and with the aims and objectives of the appropriate organisation.
- Undertake relevant training, which will enhance job performance.
- Responsible for identifying and sourcing additional funders.
Personal Specification
Essential
- At least 2 years experience of advice work including tribunal representation gained within the past 3 or 4 years.
- A recognized qualification in advice work and/or recognised training in Welfare Rights.
- A minimum of one year’s experience of project management including staff and resource management.
- Proven leadership and interpersonal skills.Desirable•Knowledge of health and social service provision.
- Knowledge of the local area.
- Community development/outreach work experience
- Access to own transport.
- Recognised welfare rights training qualification.
- Experience of community development and outreach work.
Duration:
This post is initially funded until 31st March 2008, subject to further funding (Subject to a 3 month probationary period)
Salary:
£23,859 - £25,437 p.a. (NJC point 29 – NJC point 31)
Hours of work:
37 hours per week
Holidays:
Postholder will be subject to the terms and conditions of employment of the organisation they will be based with.
LNBCC and LIA are registered charities supporting equal opportunities.
LNBCC and LIA operate a no smoking policy.
