Citizens Advice and Rights Fife

Volunteer Social Policy Co-ordinator

Role Description

Role Title: / Volunteer Social Policy Co-ordinator
Responsible to: / Bureau Co-ordinator
Where: / Frontline office
Time commitment: / A commitment of at least three hours per week for a minimum of three months is preferred
Role description: / Social policy is challenging unfairness and working for change. All the work we do is built on a foundation of evidence based on our clients’ experiences. This evidence is used to provide reports, briefings for politicians and parliamentary committees, statutory and commercial organisations, responses to consultations and enquires and press releases and other media. Volunteer Social Policy Co-ordinators assist advisers to highlight the problems that clients have and press for changes to the way things are done.Social Policy Co-ordinatorsmay undertake a range of activities depending on the nature of the issues highlighted at any given time.
Main tasks: /
  • Completesocial policy feedback on CASTLE and forward details to Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS)
  • Give feedback to advisers regarding the outcome of any highlighted social policy issues
  • Provide input to local team meetings on social policy related informationand note local office concerns
  • Contribute to CARF-wide social policy meetings
  • Keep in touch with the Social Policy team at Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS)
  • Provide assistance to CAS with gathering local evidence for national research projects
  • Use the case recording system to provide additional evidence of client problems
  • Provide feedback to local service providers
  • Undertake local media and publicity work as directed
  • Keep up-to-date with social policy and organisational updates by reading AdviserNet news items, relevant publications, internal email communication and relevant online training

Required skills, qualities and experience /
  • Commitment to challenging injustice
  • Interest in current local and national social policy issues
  • Excellent computer literacy skills
  • Able to use standard software packages such as Microsoft Office
  • Proficient in the use of email and internet
  • Work well in teams
  • Able to use systems to gather and manage information
  • Able to share knowledge and experiences in training sessions and meetings
  • Able to present information in an appropriate format tailored to the audience
  • Open-minded and non-judgemental
  • Able to maintain confidentiality
  • Prepared to commit to one session per week
  • Willing to learn new skills

Training and support available: /
  • Induction training and policies relevant to the role
  • Completion of stage one of the Adviser Training Programme (ATP)
  • Individual instruction on the relevant tasks to be undertaken
  • Social Policy Co-ordinatorsshadow experienced volunteer Social Policy Co-ordinators
  • Support is provided by the Bureau Co-ordinator or other relevant advisers
  • A Volunteer Progress Review is held on an annual basis with supervision and support meetings held in accordance with the Volunteer Supervision and Support policy
  • Additional support may be provided by the Senior Bureau Co-ordinator and/or the Training and Volunteer Development Officer as well as other Social Policy Co-ordinators

Any other requirements /
  • Inform your Bureau Co-ordinator and/or Training and Volunteer Development Officer of any changes to circumstances that may affect your volunteering

Recruitment process: / Application form, interview and two references is required
Date role created: / 29/09//2014

Volunteer Social Policy Co-ordinator

Updated July 2015Review date: July 2016