Job Description

Job Title:Female Specialist money advisor

Fixed term contract funded for 2 years.

Location:Anawim, Balsall Heath, Birmingham

Section S7(2) (d & e) of Sex Discrimination Act applies

This post is exempted from Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974

Grade:SCP 28 - 30£24,876 – £26,713 per annum

Hours:37hrs per week - Job share considered

Responsible to:Operations Manager

Purpose:To offer proactive money advice to women with multiple and complex needs(the majority of whom are on benefits and often in crisis accommodation) using a mixtureof appointments, drop in sessions and group workshops.

Aim: To reduce the risk of offending and re-offending and to help women to manage their finances effectively and becomeself-reliant.

Anawim is a women’s community project working to the ‘One Stop Shop’ approach within the criminal justice system in partnership with Probation as well as vulnerable women referred from other agencies. The post holder must have a very approachable, non-judgemental demeanour and flexible attitude.

Main Duties and responsibilities:

1Offer specialist advice to women with pre booked appointments 2 days a week and drop-in appointments one day a week. Another two days will consist of follow up work, letters, submissions, applications, court attendance. The caseload will be around 250 per year.

2Run a weekly / twice weekly workshop on budgeting, money management, debt control, understanding benefits, income maximisation, compound interest and the dangers of high interest lending. Work with Monitoring Officer to develop tools to assess progress / knowledge and skills gained.

3Provide a full casework service, keeping accurate records and case files. Acting for the client where necessary by calculating, negotiating, drafting or writing letters and telephoning- negotiating with third parties as appropriate; ensuring income maximisation.

4Preparing and presenting cases to the appropriate statutory bodies, tribunals and courts. Assisting clients with other related problems where they are an integral part of their case and refer to other advisers or specialist agencies and maintain case records for the purpose of continuity of casework, information retrieval, and statistical monitoring and report preparation.

5Provide advice and assistance to Project staff across the whole range of money advice issues, ensuring they are operating within the legal framework of money advice and offering them training and support as required.

6Work with Researcher and Monitoring Officer to develop systems to capture data, progress and outcomes such as number of evictions prevented, women equipped, correct benefits claimed etc. Provide data from case records as and when required, including full case studies and related information. Contribute to annual evaluation report, funding applications and provide detailed information for cost/benefit analysis.

7Work with Project Director and Evaluations Officer to develop and refine inputs (advice provided, course content etc.) to improve Project outcomes.

8Draw up detailed financial statements to negotiate payment plans with both priority and non-priority creditors.

9Negotiate with landlords, bailiffs and other debt collectors, claim housing benefits, and make applications for housing being aware of under occupancy charges. Apply for grants for white goods.

10Have an awareness of women from other cultures who may have language and literacy difficulties.

11Offer preparation to the women and staff for the advent of universal credit and its implications. Be aware of other welfare reforms and their implications for clients.

12Explore the feasibility of setting up an in-house credit union and manage this.

13Offer employment and self-employment advice, complete in-work benefits calculator, assist with the setting up of social enterprise.

14Be up to date with the relevant current legislation, case law, policies and procedures related to money advice work. Reading relevant publications, undertaking continued professional development by attending appropriate training and local Money Advice Group meetings as necessary.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Job Title:Female Specialist Money Advisor

Location:Anawim – Balsall Heath, Birmingham

Area

/ Essential / Desirable / Method of Assessment

Qualifications

/ Certificate in money advice. / Accredited member of the Institute of Money Advisers
Experienced Debt Relief Order Intermediary.
Qualification in group training, such as PTLLS / A, I , D

Experience

/ Experience of giving specialist debt advice and welfare benefits and income maximisation advice to the public and delivering a full casework service, keeping complete case notes and records.
Work with women who are vulnerable due to their involvement in crime, drug or alcohol abuse who have also experienced domestic abuse, rape and sexual violence or exploitation.
Experience of working in a multiagency environment; liaising with agencies and colleagues across service boundaries e.g. health, housing, social care, third sector; to achieve the most effective outcomes for service users / Experience of developing and delivering money advice training/workshops to service users and colleagues. / A, I, R
Knowledge / An in depth knowledge of both debt and welfare benefits issues as demonstrated from work experience, recent training and relevant qualifications.
Knowledge of computer applications such as Microsoft Office, benefits calculators and debt advice software, with a willingness to use IT and other office technology (in line with development) to effectively carry out the duties of the post - using IT for statistical recording, record keeping and document production.
Knowledge of debt and benefits legislation. / A, I, R
Skills and abilities /

Ability to lead groups using various methods of delivery from flip chart, power point, digital interactive computer skills and ability to equip the women to use them

Good oral communication skills with the ability to explain complex information clearly. Effective writing skills with particular emphasis on record keeping, negotiating, representing and preparing reviews, reports and correspondence

Able to work on own initiative, self-motivate and to monitor and maintain own standards, managing and prioritising a full caseload. Able to work under pressure to deadlines
Able to develop and organise systems commensurate with the post
Able to deal effectively with challenging behaviours or situations and liaise with people at all levels.
Have a high regard for the importance of maintainingconfidentiality / A, I, R
Disposition / Personal Qualities /

Smart Appearance

Polite and welcoming Manner

Professional Approach

Open, trustworthy, honest / A, I, R
Other / Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service. (Requested by FHS if appointed)
Able to work within the Christian ethos of the organisation and respect its values. / A, I

Method of Assessment:

A = Application Form D = Documentation I = Interview T = Test/Exercise P = Presentation

R = Reference

P1066 Specialist Money Advisor July 2016