Grade: / Band 6
Responsible to: / Monkey Project Manager
Period of Employment / Fixed term contract to November 2018
An essential car user allowance is provided for this role
Role Purpose
The Monkey project is a partnership of housing and voluntary sector organisations which supports tenants with better access to finance, fuel and furniture services. The lead body for the Monkey project is livin Housing.
Monkey is one of a number of organisations delivering services in Tyne and Wear as part of the Wise Steps project.
Wise Steps helps people in Tyne and Wear to transform their lives with funding from the Big Lottery Fund and the European Social Fund. The project provides one to one specialist support to help people take positive steps towards work. Wise Steps is a partnership of local organisations led by the Wise Group which aims to increase job prospects and improve wellbeing.
The Monkey money mentorswill provide specialist financial capability support to people referred to them by Wise Steps coaching partners. Support will be delivered primarily at one to one interviews with group sessions being delivered as needed.
Money mentors will be managed remotely and will be expected to use personal initiative, time management and organisational skills to deliver the service effectively.
Key to the success of this role will be your ability to build strong working relationships with Wise Steps coaching and specialist partners, including others delivering financial inclusion support.
Funding from the ESF is closely monitored and post holders will need to exercise high levels of care and precision to ensure compliance with our funders’ requirements.
The money mentors will be located in the offices of partner organisations based in Tyne and Wear. Extensive travel in Tyne and Wear is expected and occasional meetings at livin’s offices in Spennymoor.
Duties
Engage with participants of the Wise Steps programme to build financial resilience, particularly in relation to access to finance, fuel and furniture services
Develop a one to one budgeting support programme with participants to help with day to day financial management and planning. This will involve using a range of strategies to save money and maximise income
Deliver services to people in their homes or in community venues in locations in Newcastle, Sunderland, Gateshead, North Tyneside and South Tyneside.
Providefuel advice includingprice comparisons and switching;applications for grants and discounts; fuel economy measures
Identify and access low cost furniture options and support access to appropriate, affordable, financial products and services such as bank accounts, credit union products and insurance
Identify customers requiring in-depth debt or benefits advice to ensure cross referrals to Citizens Advice
Build excellent working relationships with staff from other coaching and specialist Wise Steps partners to facilitate effective referrals
Research, produce and disseminate information about affordable furniture options available in Tyne and Wear
Deliver engaging information briefingsor training sessions to partnership staff and to groups of participants on money management topics
Attend events and meetings to promote the project with staff, stakeholders and the wider community (occasional attendance out of hours may be necessary)
Achieve specified service targets and standards as outlined by the Monkey project manager
Maintain and ensure all monitoring and recording systems relating to the Wise Steps programme are kept accurate and up to date at all times in line with the requirements of the European Social Fund
Liaise with Wise Group staff to ensure high quality service and project evidence is provided as agreed e.g. quality, compliance and assurance
Ensure adherence to confidentiality and data protection policies and good practice
Ensure that health and safety requirements are complied with, particularly with regards to lone working and ensuring own safety
Deal with any matters that arise in relation to safeguarding adults at risk, children and young people in accordance with livin’s policies and procedures
Adopt a flexible working approach to align with the person’s needs
The main duties and responsibilities of the post outlined above cannot fully define the existing or future activities that the post holder will be responsible for. At any time of substantial change in the operating environment, these may vary without materially affecting either the character or level of responsibility
Experience
- At least two years’ experience of providing face to face support or advice on topics such as money guidance / budgeting, debt, welfare benefits or fuel advice
- Experience of working with and understanding the needs of people on low incomes
- Experience of developing and delivering training or information sessions to groups
- Experience of working in a partnership project
- Experience of promotional and networking activities and of building relationships with external organisations and staff
- Experience of working with minimum supervision or of working remotely
- Experience of maintaining electronic records with a high degree of compliance and accuracy
Knowledge/Skills
- Understanding of financial inclusion policies and the impact these have on individuals
- Working knowledge of welfare benefits and/or debt advice
- Good written and oral communication skills and the ability to listen effectively
- Ability to motivate and engage participants
- Excellent organisational and administrative skills
- Strongwritten and verbal communication skills
- Confident using IT systems
- Ability to work on own initiative or with others on tasks with minimum supervision
- Ability to respect confidentiality
- Commitment and ability to work effectively as part of a team
Education/Qualifications
4 GCSEs (or equivalent) at Grade C or above
Higher National Diploma (HND) or equivalent level of qualification in a relevant discipline.
Full driving licence and access to a vehicle