Benefits and Money Advisor

Overview

We are looking to recruit a Benefits and Money Advisor to work alongside the existing Advice team to make a real difference to people’s lives. Our service has expanded and developed, and we want an enthusiastic, driven and empathetic adviser to apply for our role. If you have life or professional experience of the benefits systems, this could be the role for you. Working in conjunction with our existing money advisers you will help to deliver a wide ranging and varied service, that supports some of the most vulnerable people in Lancashire.

This is an exciting role that delivers a great deal of job satisfaction through the real practical support it delivers to our service users. Training and Personal Development is key to the success and is constant in this role where needed.

We want someone with a proven track record in Benefits and Debt work and an ability to mentor and share best practice with other members of the team combined with the enthusiasm to learn, help and support both clients and colleagues is essential. The cost-of-living crisis has made your contribution to our team more valuable than ever so If you want to join a fabulous charity, be part of an enthusiastic team and help those who need it most then read on!

Please note this list is not exhaustive as there may be other tasks that require completion according to service user needs. In general, you should have:

• The ability to work as part of a team and on own initiative.
• The ability to motivate women to value their skills and abilities
• An understanding and commitment to the ethos of Lancashire Women
• An empathy with those suffering discrimination and disadvantage, together with a good understanding of professional boundaries. The Ability to mentor other people in the team and lead on new ideas.

Main Duties

• To offer face to face benefits, money, debt and energy advice, with clients to help with benefit issues , energy, budgeting and any debt.
• To discuss other LW services that may benefit the client i.e Handy women home visit or Talking therapies referral.
• To support and mentor other staff on project
• To have sessions that will include helpful energy and money saving ideas and refer where necessary for the Handy women home assessment.
• Attending networking and community events to promote the services of the Energy and Money Advice Team and educate people on matters such as energy-saving measures, local initiatives, the benefits of Smart Meter instillation and budgeting advice.
• To deliver workshops to service users to empower them to make positive energy/money saving decisions that can support both their immediate financial and mental wellbeing, whilst giving them the tools to deal more effectively with their long-term financial future.
• To manage personal caseloads and diaries effectively using SharePoint, Excel, Outlook and our CRM system to keep all client records updated in a timely manner and ensure that all relevant targets and objectives of the role, and wider team, are met. 

General Duties 

• To ensure that required standards of health and safety are maintained and that safeguarding issues are addressed appropriately.
• To work flexibly as and when required and support colleagues in the wider team to ensure that working relationships are maintained, workloads are managed effectively and ultimately that our service users are given the best possible advice and support that can be offered.
• Participate in organisational activities for example, team meetings, development days, etc.
• Treat all staff, volunteers and service users fairly.
• To uphold the policies and ethos of Lancashire Women at all times.

This job description is not intended to be exhaustive. The post-holder will be expected to adopt a flexible attitude to the duties which may have to be varied (after discussion with the post holder) subject to the needs of the service, and in keeping with the general profile of the post.

Person Specification

Criteria: Please don't be put off if you do not have ALL the necessary requirements - we can support an enthusiastic and willing candidate if we feel you have other qualities that will be valuable in the role!

• CERT in Money Advice Practice or life/professional experience in Benefit or Energy
• NEA energy efficiency qualification or willing to complete within the first 3 months of the role
• Experience working with vulnerable people
• Intermediate understanding of benefits
• Good everyday maths skills
• Excellent Microsoft Office Skills
• Good communication and people skills
• Well-organized and apt in problem-solving
• Attention to detail
• Own vehicle & Driving License
• DBS Checked (we will cover)
• Good knowledge of towns and places in Lancashire

Why work for us?

• A chance to work in a rewarding, ethical, and agile environment where everyday you are really making a difference to the lives of women and girls
• Person-centred wellbeing provision
• Employer Pension Scheme
• Flexible working/work-life balance
• Be involved in an organisation which put service users and co-design at the centre of all we do
• Access to health care plan
• Birthday Off