Re: Temporary Trainee Products and Technology Assistant (Trainee Grade Scheme – TGS – 50 week fixed term contract) - Job Ref 8118
Thank you for your interest in the above position. I am pleased that you are interested in working for RNIB, which achieves such a tremendous amount for blind and partially sighted people.
Our application pack consists of:
· an application form
· a job description and person specification
· our values and behaviours
· an equal opportunities monitoring form
This pack can also be made available to you in large print, Grade 1 or Grade 2 braille, or on disk or tape. Please feel free to ask us if you would prefer to receive it in one of these alternative formats.
If you have a disability and would like assistance in filling in the form then please contact me at least three days before the closing date for the role and we shall be glad to help you.
We only accept CVs from applicants whose disability makes it difficult to complete an application form. All applicants however need to address the specific information we have asked for in the job advert.
Please read the guidance notes on the careers page of our website before filling in the application form as you may find this helpful when completing the form.
The closing date for completed applications is 2pm on 16 April 2015
We will hold interviews on 1 May 2015
If you are able to, please complete and return your application form and the equal opportunities monitoring form by email to .
However we will accept braille, audio, disk, typed and handwritten applications sent to HR Administrator, RNIB, Human Resources, 105 Judd Street, London WC1H 9NE.
We want to ensure that as much of our resources as possible go towards supporting people with sight loss and therefore we do not normally contact unsuccessful applicants individually. If you have not heard from us within three weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. However, we would encourage you to apply for other suitable roles.
Once again, thank you for your interest in this vacancy and for working for the Royal National Institute of Blind People.
Rupert Garvey
Assistant HR Business Partner (Resourcing)
0207 391 2257
RNIB Job description
Job title: Temporary Trainee Products and Technology Assistant
Job level cluster: Support / Delivery
Job level: S3
Group: RNIB Countries
Section: RNIB Northern Ireland
Unit: Products and Technology
Location: Victoria House, 15-17 Gloucester Street, Belfast
Reports to: UK Employment Development Officer / Products and Technology Manager
Trainee Grade Scheme
This post is part of the RNIB Trainee Grade Scheme (TGS) that aims to provide unemployed blind and partially sighted people with paid work experience and support to progress on to permanent employment. Funding for this post has been provided by L'Occitane who kindly donated 100% of the proceeds from sales of their "Honey scented candle" to support blind and partially sighted people into employment.
To be eligible to apply, you need to be unemployed and either blind or partially sighted. Previous trainees and ex-RNIB staff need not apply.
The position is a fixed term contract of 50 weeks (that cannot be extended) and trainees will be subject to normal RNIB personnel policies / procedures. It is expected that trainees will undertake training related to their own development needs up to a maximum of one day a week.
Purpose of job
To support the provision of information and advice about resources for blind and partially sighted people both face-to-face and over the phone, and to support the demonstration and sale of equipment to customers in the Resource Centre.
Impact:
No line management responsibility
Financial responsibility:
No budget responsibility
Decision making responsibility:
Role well defined with recurrent work, limited timeframes and limited freedom to act
Main accountabilities
1. To meet and greet people as they come into the RNIB Belfast office and shop, providing information and advice on products and services available through RNIB Group and external agencies.
2. To handle cash / electronic payments and to use the cash register.
3. Carry out day to day procedures for receiving visitors, including signing in and out and issuing badges.
4. To acquire and use knowledge of all products on display and to be aware of commercially available products that would be of use to people with sight problems.
5. To provide administrative support to the shop team.
6. To assist with return and repair of faulty shop stock.
7. To assist in maintaining the shop and reception as a welcoming place for customers with displays that are kept clean, tidy and up to date.
8. To assist with audit processes and stock takes of all products.
9. To assist with the delivery of accessible technology training on iPads, smartphones and ebook readers.
10. To assist in the delivery of products talks and demonstrations to groups within the shop and on location outside.
11. To undertake any other reasonable duties appropriate to the post.
12. To adhere to all RNIB policies and procedures
Person specification
All criteria are essential unless otherwise stated
1. Specialist knowledge, skills and experience
1.1 Knowledge of issues faced by blind and partially sighted people and the products and services available to assist them.
1.2 Experience of working in a customer-facing role, not necessarily gained in a working environment.
1.3 Experience of demonstrating products or activities to customers, not necessarily gained in a working environment
1.4 Ability to use standard office software package for example, Excel, Outlook, Word and the Internet, to produce appropriate correspondence
Desirable
1.5 Experience of using a cash register.
2. Team working skills
2.1 Ability to interact with customers and colleagues in a sensitive and diplomatic manner, with a helpful and friendly disposition
2.2 Ability to quickly build rapport and easily establish relationships with customers and colleagues
3. Problem solving and creative skills
3.1 Able to take responsibility for own actions and make decisions without referring to others in appropriate situations.
3.2 Ability to remain calm and controlled under pressure
4. Communication skills
Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing adapting style to suit the audience
5. Equal opportunities
Able to understand and demonstrate a commitment to RNIB's Equal Opportunities Policy and to ensure all tasks are consistent with the Equal Opportunities Policy. This includes all staff activities and their interface with the general public.
6. Special conditions
6.1 A willingness and flexibility to work outside regular hours occasionally as necessary.
6.2 A willingness to learn and to put into practice the skills required to fulfil RNIB Group's See it Right campaign
Behaviours
Deliver results
· Shows Commitment to continuous personal learning and development which supports the delivery of outstanding service.
Engage customers
· Prepared to go the extra mile to exceed customer expectations.
Engage others
· Builds and sustains strong support relationships with colleagues and customers and others which engenders trust and respect and contributes to team and organisation’s profile and reputation.
Set direction
· Demonstrates awareness of commercial and financial considerations.
· Identifies opportunities for innovation and creativity which contribute to team’s goals and continued success.
· Cooperates and is open to possibilities of change, responds positively to change and considers ways to implement and adapt to change.
Lead and inspire
· Shows willingness to take responsibility for own action.
· Remains calm and focused under pressure.
· Displays resilience and takes a rational approach.
Personal impact
· Communicates clearly, concisely, accurately and appropriately to the audience.