Social Policy Officer – welfare and pensions

Please find enclosed:

  • Role Profile
  • Person Specification
  • Terms and Conditions

ROLE PROFILE

Job title:Social Policy Officer – welfare and pensions

Date: September 2012

Band: / Professional/Specialist
Proficient salary: / Up to £36,366 plus £3,520London Allowance
Location: / London
Reporting to: / Head of Welfare Policy
Role purpose: /
  • To identify and promote the interests of clients with policy makers and service providers in the policy areas of welfare benefits and pensions
  • Develop and promote Citizens Advice policies on public policy issues in the policy areas of welfare benefits and pensions
  • Contribute to the development of social policy work within the Citizens Advice service.

Key accountabilities / Key elements/tasks / % time
1. National policy work / Identify and analyse problems experienced by CAB clients through analysis of CAB evidence on a rolling basis and individual surveys of bureaux and their clients.
Develop Citizens Advice policy in these specific areas
Develop strategies for taking forward specific policy objectives in these policy areas.
Promote Citizens Advice policyin order to achieve change, representing Citizens Advice to a wide variety of external bodies and key players and by a variety of means.
Develop and maintain effective relationships with policy makers, parliamentarians,officials and service providers in order to influence policy and practice and achieve change.
Maintain knowledge and awareness of external policy developments and maintain effective contacts with and knowledge about the concerns of other organisations.
Identify and take opportunities for promoting Citizens Advice policy concerns.
Form effective alliances and work with other organisations where it is in the best interests of CAB clients and Citizens Advice policy to do so.
Represent Citizens Advice on external bodies and working groups inthe policy areas within the policy officer’s remit.
Evaluate the impact of Citizens Advice social policy work and brief Senior Managers, the Chief Executive and Trustees as appropriate. / 40
2. Production of reports, briefings and responses to consultation papers / Produce high quality high impact written reports with policy proposals for change based on CAB client evidence.
Produce high quality high impact briefings and reports on CAB evidence as required for a variety of internal and external audiences.
Produce briefings as required for Senior Managers, Directors and Trustees.
Draft responses to external consultation exercises in the areas of welfarebenefits and pensions.
Contribute articles to ‘Evidence’ journal as required. / 30
3. Development of Social Policy work within the CAB service / Provide regular contributions to the Social Policy Bulletin.
Attend meetings of regional or countySocial Policy Groups and brief Groups on the Citizens Advice policy work.
Provide advice to bureaux on effective social policy work on welfarebenefits and pension issuesvia the Bulletin, individual correspondence, campaign packs and oral briefings.
Contribute to the planning and organisation of the Annual Conference, the Social Policy Conference or any other conferences organised by Citizens Advice, and organise meetings and events for both, aimed at promoting and developing Social Policy work within the service. / 5
4. Contribute to the achievement of corporate objectives and business plans / Contribute to planning of and participate in Citizens Advice events designed to promote the CAB service.
Prepare reports on Citizens Advice policy for internal Committees, Trustees and other groups as required by senior managers.
Contribute to the development of corporate plans
Contribute to the development and monitoring of the Corporate and Business Plans. / 5
5. Team working / Attend and participate in Team, Departmental and Divisional meetings.
Maintain effective liaison with colleagues in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland / 5
6. Equality and diversity / Ensure policy is developed which incorporates Citizens Advice equality and diversity policies and challenges discrimination.
Keep informed about and maintain liaison with special interest groups within the CAB Service. / 5
7. Staff supervision / Supervise administrative staff and volunteers undertaking specific tasks relating to policy projects. / 5
8. General / Deputise for senior managers on request. / 5
PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

  1. A sound knowledge and understanding of policy issuesconcerning the following areas:
  • the welfare benefit system
  • Older people’s benefits & pensions

And a willingness to work on all these areas andany other welfare policy issue as required

  1. A sound understanding of governmental policy makingprocesses
  1. An understanding of parliamentary legislative processes.
  1. Proven ability to plan and implement policy work which influences Government and other policy makers at a national level.
  1. Proven ability to communicate clearly, concisely and persuasively both orally and in writing, with a variety of audiences.
  1. Ability to undertake radio and TVinterviews.
  1. Demonstrable knowledge of how to use and apply qualitative and quantitative methodologies to social policy research.
  1. Proven ability to use IT packages, including word processing, spreadsheets and database packages and the ability to use email and to maintain an electronic diary.
  1. Good team working skills: Ability to work within and across teams
  1. Willingness and ability to undertake some travel throughout the UK and to work occasional unsocial hours, sometimes involving overnight stays.
  1. Track record of commitment to equality and the positive value of diversity
  1. The ability to commit to and work within the aims, principles and policies of the CAB service

All the criteria will be tested at the interview. In addition criteria1, 2, 4and 5, will be tested in a task at interview.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

  1. PROFICIENT SALARY: Up to £36,366 plus £3,520 London Allowance

Appointment may be at an initial salary level (90 or 95% of the proficient salary) or at the proficient salary, depending upon skills and abilities as assessed during the recruitment process.

2.ANNUAL/TOTAL LEAVE

Annual leave is 26 days pro rata per annum from 1st January to 31st December, plus 4 fixed days (normally over Christmas and New Year). Additionally, there is Long Service Leave of 1-5 days after 3-7 years service.

3.PENSION SCHEME

Citizens Advice provides a Group Stakeholder scheme. Further details of this scheme will be provided to the successful applicant at offer and contract stage.

4.LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT

Citizens Advice has a co-ordinated staff training and development strategy. This will mean that training for your current job, and future career developments relevant to Citizens Advice will be provided and you will be encouraged to take an active role.

5.INTEREST FREE LOANS

Interest-free loans are available to purchase season tickets for travel, and for career development purposes. If you are a designated essential car user, interest-free car loans are also available.

6.SALARY SACRIFICE SCHEMES

Citizens Advice offers childcare vouchers and operates a Cycle to Work scheme which provide a tax-efficient method for employees to pay for childcare or purchase a bicycle for commuting to work.

7.REMOVAL AND RELOCATION EXPENSES

Individuals appointed to permanent posts (i.e. excluding fixed term contracts) in Citizens Advice are eligible for reimbursement of up to £500 to cover costs associated with relocation and removal. Please ask for a copy of the full policy to check your eligibility.

8.CRIMINAL RECORDS BUREAU (CRB) CHECKS

Some Citizens Advice positions may require the successful candidate to undergo a CRB check. Further details can be obtained by contacting Human Resources on 0207 833 7021.

9.EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY

Citizens Advice recognises the positive value of diversity, promotes equality and challenges unfair discrimination. We recognise people with different backgrounds, skills, attitudes and experiences bring fresh ideas and perceptions, and we wish to encourage and harness these differences to make our services more relevant and approachable. Citizens Advice will not discriminate or tolerate discriminatory behaviour on the grounds of race, colour, sex, transgender, disability, nationality, national or ethnic origin, religion or belief, marital/partnership or family status, sexual orientation, age, social class, educational background, employment status, working pattern, trade union membership or any other irrelevant factor in any aspect of employment.

Our values include a commitment to equality and fairness, and to valuing each other. All our employees are expected to have read and understood our Equality and Diversity Policy and to ensure they behave in accordance with its principles. Breaches of the policy may lead to disciplinary action.

10. DIGNITY AT WORK

Citizens Advice is committed to providing a culture in which all staff value each other and are able to work together to their full potential in an inclusive environment free from harassment, bullying and other unacceptable forms of behaviour. Unacceptable behaviour in the workplace will be actively dealt with, all complaints will be taken seriously, confidentiality will be respected and victimisation of those that raise complaints will not be tolerated.

Our values include commitments to work together and value each other - all our employees are expected to have read and understood our Dignity at Work Policy and to ensure they behave in accordance with its principles. All staff are responsible for helping to create and maintain a positive and inclusive working environment free from bullying and harassment. All managers have a particular responsibility for ensuring a supportive and inclusive working environment in which dignity at work is actively promoted.

11.PROBATIONARY POLICY

New appointments are subject to a six months probationary period. Performance is reviewed after three months and again after six months. At the end of the probationary period the outcome of the assessment may be confirmation of post; notice of dismissal; or at Citizens Advice’s discretion, an extension of the probationary period by a further three months.

12.POLITICAL IMPARTIALITY

An important part of the principle of impartiality is that Citizens Advice staff are seen to be upholding the principle of party political impartiality. To avoid possible misunderstanding or possible conflicts of interest guidelines have been established on staff taking part in party political activities. More information on this and a copy of the guidelines is available from the HR Division, telephone 0207 833 7021. If you currently hold, or are intending to stand for local or national party political office, we will expect you to tell us about this if shortlisted for interview.

13.LOCATION

London

14.EMPLOYMENT STATUS

Permanent

15.FLEXIBILITY

Our roles are open to discussion about flexible working, which may include arrangements such as part-time working, formalised flexitime, fixed (non-standard) working hours, working from home and job-sharing.

16.HOME WORKING POLICY

If you are contracted to work from home, you will be required to provide a suitable work area which is available for long term use and which can accommodate a standard size workstation, plus any other work equipment likely to be required to do your job.

17.HOURS OF WORK36.25

Citizens Advice is an operating name of The National Association of the Citizens Advice Bureaux.