Welfare Reform Support Project - Welfare Reform Adviser (Ards & North Down) (X2) Ref. WRSP/01

With approximately £2.5 million funding from government, Citizens Advice and its partners will provide additional help and support for people affected by welfare reform changes, across all 11 council areas in Northern Ireland. 

The project will resource:

· 25 additional advisers across 29 local Citizens Advice offices employed by local Citizens Advice offices
· 12 additional advisers in other local advice offices employed by Advice NI
· 9 helpline advisers employed by Advice NI
· 3 specialist legal advisers employed by Law Centre (NI)
· Access to specialist services as appropriate

The Department will review the project after 18 months to ensure that it continues to meet requirements. This role is therefore for a fixed term period to 31 March 2018, with possibility of extension subject to funding.

Citizens Advice Northern Ireland is the lead partner in the Welfare Reform Advice Services Consortium, including Advice NI and Law Centre (NI), which is delivering this project on behalf of the Department for Communities.

The Departmental press release is online at: 
https://www.communities-ni.gov.uk/news/further-ps25million-package-support-frontline-advice-organisations-help-claimants-through-welfare devised to increase

Role

The successful applicant will play a key role in ensuring that the project objectives are achieved in accordance with the requirements of the Department for Communities. The successful applicant will be an employee of Citizens Advice Ards and North Down and will be subject to terms and conditions of employment as set out by Citizens Advice Ards and North Down.

The role will include travel across Northern Ireland as required in line with Citizens Advice roles of similar responsibility.