Job Description

Job Title:Support Officer - Scotland

Responsible to:Helpline and Information Manager

Hours:21 hours per week

Location:Home Based

Special Conditions:Travel including some evening and weekend working

Background

There are over 500,000 people in the UK today who have had meningitis and every year more than 8,000 babies, children and adults contract either bacterial or viral meningitis. 1 in 10 who contract bacterial meningitis sadly die, and a further 1 in 3 are left with lifelong after-effects.

The largest meningitis organisation in the world, Meningitis Now is a bold, brave and influential charity making a real difference in the UK. With our beneficiaries and supporters at the heart of everything we do, our vision is simple - to stop lives being devastated by meningitis and rebuild the lives of those affected by meningitis in the UK – and we do this through research, awareness and support.

The people we help every day and those who support us in return, inspire us to provide the best supporter care that we can, which is why we are committed to putting our supporters first and ensure anyone who is in contact with Meningitis Now, feel engaged, respected and valued.

To deliver our vision, we have to provide the support that people need, when and where they need it, and to ensure effective education of the general public, health professionals and other people who are involved in any way with meningitis or people affected by it. And we need to increase the capacity of the organisation through the effective development & management of volunteers.

The Support Officer will be responsible for facilitating the provision of support and services in the community to facilitate the supported journey. They will also be responsible for volunteer engagement and development – as part of the supported and/or supporter journey – increasing the capacity of the organisation across all aspects of its work.

Job Purpose

  • Provision of tailored support and information to people affected by meningitis including face to face, telephone and online as part of the supported journey
  • Introduce engagement in volunteering and/or fundraising as part of the supported journey where appropriate
  • Support the development & training of volunteers in aspects such as peer support, awareness raising and raising the profile of the charity in the community
  • Encourage and support the development of community groups
  • Support central initiatives being delivered at community level through staff and volunteers including profile raising with health & social care professionals and awareness campaigns
  • Work closely with other members of the Research & Support Team to deliver effective, well organised and well attended support events
  • Build relationships with relevant third parties to help delivery of departmental and organisational objectives
  • Support the generation of funds through helping with applications, encouraging supporter/volunteer involvement and promoting fundraising events/activities

Area covered – Scotland

Relationships

Internally

  • Reports to the Helpline and Information Manager
  • Works with all members of the Research & SupportTeam
  • Works closely with the Fundraising & Communications Teams
  • Liaises with all staff across the Charity

Externally

  • Liaises with representatives of partner organisations
  • Liaises with health, social care and education professionals as required
  • Liaises with beneficiaries, volunteers and supporters

Duties and Responsibilities

Support

  • Provide appropriate support to referred beneficiaries and ensure appropriate ongoingcontact as they progress on their supported journey
  • Access services for beneficiaries as required
  • Share knowledge and information of partner organisations with beneficiaries, building relationships with local representatives of partners
  • Effectively train and utilise volunteers to provide peer support as part of a supported journey, including enabling people with personal experience to meet in groups
  • Support the delivery of the programme of support events, encouraging individuals and families to come along, and helping with marketing the events to a wider audience than those already in contact
  • Develop relationships/partnerships with relevant community and health organisations as part of the overall partnership programme

Volunteer & Community Development

  • Work with those affected by meningitis to develop their ability to raise awareness of the disease and provide peer support in their community
  • Assist with the recruitment, training and support of volunteers
  • Support the development of community groups where appropriate
  • Support the Futures Builders Programme and rapid response to cases in a community to grow the profile of the organisation and the number of people engaged with it
  • Help to identify opportunities for generating income through community supporters, organisations and the wider community
  • Where appropriate, promote local and national fundraising initiatives to beneficiaries, supporters and organisations
  • Assist with local fundraising initiatives when required

Awareness

  • Deliver awareness presentations/training to identified professional audiences
  • Support the training and development of volunteers to deliver awareness sessions
  • Identify volunteers to undertake awareness activities as required
  • Assist with the promotion of the organisation’s education and support services to healthcare professionals and the wider community
  • Support the introduction and uptake of meningitis vaccines into the childhood immunisation programme, through the provision of information to the general public

Communications/Marketing

  • Liaise with the Communications Team and others to promote the work of Meningitis Now and to respond to local cases through various media
  • Act as Meningitis Now’s spokesperson as required
  • Contribute to the development and effective use of the digital media platform
  • Engage and support beneficiaries to share their own experience of meningitis to raise awareness of the disease, its after-effects and the organisation’s work

Administration

  • Operate within procedural guidelines for all support provision
  • Maintain accurate records for all organisation activity and file safely in line with procedures/policies
  • Provide reports and attend meetings as required
  • Liaise directly with fundraising regarding beneficiaries who may be working with both support and fundraising staff
  • Support and promote national and regional organisation activities
  • Ensure that all relevant Child/Vulnerable Adult Protection procedures are adhered to
  • Ensure all financial, administration, human resources and technology systems are adhered to and implemented

Personal Specification

Essential experience

  • Minimum of 2yrs+ social care/healthcare/community outreach experience
  • Experience of working across different agencies such as health, social work and education
  • Experience of working with children, individuals and families in need of support
  • Experience of supporting and motivating beneficiaries, supporters and volunteers
  • Experience of working on cross organisational projects
  • Experience of supporting the development and delivery of education/training programmes

Essential knowledge

  • Knowledge of the systems and services available to individuals and families across the designated area
  • Knowledge of relevant codes of practice/child protection/vulnerable adult protection procedures

Essential skills

  • Ability to communicate, both verbally and written, sensitively and effectively with a diverse range of individuals/organisations
  • Excellent service delivery and relationship management
  • Excellent organisation/administrative and prioritising skills
  • Excellent presentation and public speaking skills
  • Strong self motivator/ability to support/motivate others
  • Accuracy and attention to detail
  • Ability to use Microsoft Office suite
  • Demonstrable diplomacy and ability to work in confidence
  • Able to work on own initiative/ability to identify opportunities
  • Negotiating and influencing skills with all manner of stakeholders
  • Strong team worker, leadership and interpersonal skills
  • Demonstrable time management skills and ability to work to multiple deadlines.

Desirable selection criteria

  • Experience of working within the charity/voluntary sector
  • Awareness of the issues facing individuals affected by meningitis
  • Experience of the development, delivery and monitoring of annual plans, outputs and outcomes
  • Experience of project management
  • Experience of e technology/donor databases
  • Membership of relevant professional body
  • Experience of working with the media

Other requirements

  • Commitment to the goals and values of Meningitis Now
  • Full driving licence and must have access to a car for work purposes and be able to travel throughout the region as necessary
  • Some out of hours working, travel and attendance at appropriate events when required

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