Job title: Adviser

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Responsible to: Ask Us Anything Manager

Location: Elmwood Centre, 277 London Road, Mitcham CR4 3NT, also likely home working arrangements with frequent travel throughout the London Borough of Merton. A driver with access to own car is essential.

This role is funded by a grant from the City Bridge Trust

 Role Purpose:

The role will provide information and advice, including casework, in a wide field of subjects, including welfare benefits, housing, health, community care, and local services, to older adults (65+) across the London Borough of Merton. Despite the rapidly evolving situation due to Covid-19 we anticipate that the role will deliver support face to face at our centre, in client’s homes, on the phone and by email.

Summary of Duties:

1. To respond to enquiries, providing high quality information and advice to older adults across multiple channels including face to face, clinics, home visits and telephone
2. To explore the needs of older people holistically, identifying options and follow up actions
3. To perform benefit checks using our benefits calculation programme
4. To support clients with forms and applications for benefits and other relevant matters such as accessible transport schemes e.g. Blue Badge, Taxicard, Dial-a-Ride
5. To act as the client’s representative where required
6. To complete case records and follow up actions on our confidential database
7. To collect and report monitoring information
8. To work with the Ask Us Anything Manager to support and train volunteers
9. To liaise with external partner agencies in order to promote, develop and deliver the service
10. To deliver outreach work and support events as required

Person specification

Experience

1. At least 2 years’ experience of providing information and advice to the general public. Experience of face to face service delivery is desireable
2. Experience of researching information from written and digital sources
3. Experience of working with statutory (NHS, Local Authority, DWP etc.) & voluntary sector organisations
4. Experience of working in a team

Knowledge

1. Strong knowledge in at least one of the following: housing, health, community care, money and benefits. Knowledge of local services in Merton is useful but not essential
2. Understanding of the challenges faced by older people in accessing advice and information (sensory, cognitive, mobility etc.)
3. Willingness to undertake and update knowledge and skills with training

Skills

1. Strong communication skills with an ability to relate to people at all levels and from a variety of cultural backgrounds and those who may be vulnerable or distressed
2. Ability to work competently across organisational boundaries
3. Ability to organise your own work to ensure that priorities and deadlines are met
4. Strong numeracy skills
5. Ability to write clear, concise, and comprehensive case notes and letters
6. Excellent IT skills particularly Microsoft word, email, Internet, and management database, such as Charity Log
7. Proven ability to function well, and contribute to, teamwork

Other requirements

1. An enhanced criminal records bureau check will be required in this post
2. An ability to undertake home visits for housebound and older people requiring travel across the borough
3. Due to the nature of the role, a driver with own car is essential

Please read the Recruitment Pack for full details.

Victim Support is looking for full time and Part time victim focused Fraud Support Agents to join their day team in their busy National Contact Centre based in St Mellon's.

Victim Support (VS) is an independent charity for people affected by crime in England and Wales. We work towards a world where people affected by crime or traumatic events get the support they need and respect they deserve.

The main purpose of the role is to provide confidential information and support for victims who contact the call centre in relation to the Fraud support work with banks and financial institutions. You will also provide high quality, accessible and relevant telephone and Livechat support for victims of Fraud and enable users of the service to access further support and information, according to their needs and preferences. You will also be required to support the day team during busy periods on their sexual misconduct and bullying and harassment helpline.

To be successful in the role, you will have knowledge and understanding of relevant agencies and resources, the importance of confidentiality and safe working practice as well as the impact of fraud. You will be able to communicate effectively, verbally and in written form, including telephone skills. You will be able to deal sensitively with challenging and emotionally charged situations, demonstrating empathy and controlling your own emotions. You will also be able to demonstrate a strong customer services focus.

VS are committed to recruiting with care and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Background checks and Disclosed Barring Service checks will be required.

Victim Support offers competitive rewards and benefits including pension and life assurance, 25 days annual leave (pro-rata), voluntary benefits such as season ticket loans, and the opportunity to play a key role in a national charity providing world-class services to victims and witnesses and being a vital force for change.

Applications should be explicit enough to provide good evidence against the shortlisting criteria, which are marked in the person specification. In order to apply, please create a profile in our website (jobs section), complete and submit an online application form.

If the vacancy has not specified the essential criteria for shortlisting, please use this section to express how your experience and skills are relevant for the role. If you have the drive to make a difference within an organisation which makes a difference we look forward to hearing from you.

Victim Support are committed to recruiting with care and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Background checks and Disclosed Barring Service checks will be required.

Victim Support takes pride in being a diverse organisation, enriched by the participation of all individuals and communities. Diversity matters and we value it.

Victim Support is looking for full time and Part time victim focused Inbound Agents to join their day team in their busy National Contact Centre based in St Mellon's. This role is known as Independent Support and Information Advisors internally.

Victim Support (VS) is an independent charity for people affected by crime in England and Wales. We work towards a world where people affected by crime or traumatic events get the support they need and respect they deserve.

To be successful in the role, you will have knowledge and understanding of relevant agencies and resources, the importance of confidentiality and safe working practice as well as the impact of sexual misconduct and bullying and harassment in the workplace. You will be able to communicate effectively, verbally and in written form, including telephone skills. You will be able to deal sensitively with challenging and emotionally charged situations, demonstrating empathy and controlling your own emotions. You will also be able to demonstrate a strong customer services focus.

VS are committed to recruiting with care and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Background checks and Disclosed Barring Service checks will be required.

Victim Support offers competitive rewards and benefits including pension and life assurance, 25 days annual leave (pro-rata), voluntary benefits such as season ticket loans, and the opportunity to play a key role in a national charity providing world-class services to victims and witnesses and being a vital force for change.

Applications should be explicit enough to provide good evidence against the shortlisting criteria, which are marked in the person specification. In order to apply, please create a profile in our website (jobs section), complete and submit an online application form.

If the vacancy has not specified the essential criteria for shortlisting, please use this section to express how your experience and skills are relevant for the role. If you have the drive to make a difference within an organisation which makes a difference we look forward to hearing from you.

Victim Support are committed to recruiting with care and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Background checks and Disclosed Barring Service checks will be required.

Victim Support takes pride in being a diverse organisation, enriched by the participation of all individuals and communities. Diversity matters and we value it.

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Are you an experienced administrator with a flair for great customer service?

Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home are looking for a part time Supporter Care Administrator to work with the fundraising team to ensure top class customer service to our supporters and donors, ensuring an efficient and smooth back of house process to record and thank donations.

We are looking for someone who can work as a team player to provide administrative support around our fundraising events, fundraising products and support with income generation through the management of our collection can programme in the community.

In return you will be rewarded by working for an award winning organisation with a passion for animal welfare, office dogs and a friendly and supportive working environment with a focus of staff wellbeing and development.

To apply please download the job description and application form from our website and return to us by the deadline.

Are you an experienced administrator with strong database experience and a love for all things data?

Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home are looking for a part time Fundraising Database Administrator to work with the fundraising, communications and finance department to support with the smooth running of administrative processes for donations, events, campaigns and donor communications.

We are looking for someone who prides themselves on their accuracy, attention to detail and knack for being able to oversee the day to day management of a CRM system or database. We need a team player who can support a wide variety of projects, liaising with different team members throughout the working day.

In return you will be rewarded by working for an award winning organisation with a passion for animal welfare, office dogs and a friendly and supportive working environment with a focus of staff wellbeing and development.

To apply please download the job description and application form from our website and return to us by the deadline.

Youth Engagement Apprentice

Main Working Location: Denmark Road, Carshalton

Salary Range: Apprenticeship L3- £14,000

Permanent: 37 Hours per Week

Cognus Limited are looking for a Youth Engagement Apprentice who will be responsible for the welfare and engagement of young people engaged with the Sutton Music Service. 

This role will be responsible for the welfare and engagement of the young people at rehearsals, concerts, lessons and events, coordinating the smooth-running of Sutton Music Service ensembles, lessons and rehearsals and supporting the delivery of all Sutton Music Service concerts and largescale events.

A cheerful nature is essential as is previous experience of or an interest in working with young people and managing projects aimed at children and young people. 

Because of the nature of the service there will be some regular evening and weekend work and applicants must be happy working outside of normal working hours however the role will not involve lone working.  

A love of music is a must for this role although no formal music training is required.  Candidates must have a can-do attitude and be willing to support all aspects of the Sutton Music Service and able to travel to various venues across Sutton.  

The role will offer a Level 3 Business or Youth Apprenticeship depending on the successful candidate and Cognus will support all learning associated with this qualification.

Cognus Limited is about education. We believe there is no limit to learning and that learning is lifelong.  Since our creation in November 2016, we exist to support schools, families, children and young people to access education and enjoy learning.  Every child matters to us and we believe that access to education and learning is every child’s fundamental right.  We foresee every child and young person to achieve their full potential through education leading them to be our future leaders, professionals and economically active global citizens.  Our children and young people are our future and we believe that every child is worth fighting for regardless of their abilities, disabilities, colour, creed, race, religion or ethnic origin.

Cognus is committed to safeguarding and protecting the children and young people that it works with. As such, an offer of employment is subject to safer recruitment practices which includes an enhanced DBS check, two professional references acceptable to Cognus Limited, proof of qualifications, proof of immigration status, proof of personal address and employment history covering 5 years and, fitness to work with children (occupational health assessment). We have a range of policies and procedures in place which promote safeguarding and safer working practices across the organisation.

You will give us great commitment and in return we offer an excellent package including:

• Perkbox;
• Sovereign Health Care Cash Back Plan;
• Salary Apprenticeship L3- £14500 per annum;
• 28 days annual leave (inclusive of three between Xmas & New Year); 
• regular support and supervision;
• an excellent group of leaders as colleagues;
• excellent CPD opportunities;
• flexible working;
• workplace pension scheme

If you are interested and would like to be considered for this role, please apply with a CV and covering note (of no more than two sides, minimum font size 11) outlining your suitability. The deadline for receipt is midnight on Sunday 7th June 2020.

All offers of employment are subject to successful completion of recruitment formalities which includes an enhanced DBS check. These checks must have been completed prior to commencement of employment. We expect our staff to have due regard for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and to follow the child protection procedures adopted by the Company and the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board.

We have several other roles we are recruiting to at different levels within Cognus. Please get in touch for an informal conversation about these and other opportunities if you or anyone else you know may be interested in working with us.

Job Description

The post holder will be responsible for the following:

Community and Event Fundraising Support
• Act as Glass Door’s first point of contact for all community and event inquiries.
• Build and maintain relationships with community and event fundraisers, ensuring they are supported before, during and after their events.
• Register supporters and coordinate the sending of welcome packs, merchandise and thank you letters.
• Support on certain community fundraising, cultivation and stewardship events, including the annual Sleep Out and the annual supporter drinks reception.
• Draft copy for, update and create community and event fundraising pages on the Glass Door website and promotional emails which can be sent through the Glass Door mailing platform.
• Support with identifying new prospective community supporters and assist with the development and fulfilment of targeted approaches.

Work closely with theCommunications team to:
• Encourage fundraisers to share their fundraising stories for inclusion on social media and our website.
• Plan and deliver any marketing, press and social media requirements for events.
• Develop and implement the new Community Champions scheme.

Other Fundraising Support
• Assist the Fundraising Managers in the delivery of electronic and postal direct marketing appeals.
• Assist the Fundraising Managers in the development of an in memoriam and legacy giving scheme.
• Manage the process for monitoring, thanking and recognising donations in kind, working with colleagues across the organisation.

Fundraising Administration
• Manage the processing of donations, including scanning cheques, coding bank transfers and web donations, entering details in Donorflex database, banking cash, setting up Direct Debits, receiving in-kind donations and acknowledging/thanking donors via email or post.
• Create and update donor records on Donorflex, ensuring records are kept up to date, accurate and consistent at all times.
• Stay well informed of existing and new fundraising legislation and guidance from the Institute of Fundraising, ensure this is regularly communicated to the wider Fundraising team.
• Ensure all charity fundraising activity (including "in aid of" events) is compliant with relevant charity and statutory legislation and recognised code of practice.
Other
• Support the Fundraising Managers through conducting research into prospective corporate, individual and trust/foundation donors.
• Work alongside the Data Manager to develop and use the functions of the CRM system (Donorflex).

Person Specification

Essential
Personal Qualities
• Enthusiastic, engaging manner, with the confidence to talk to fundraisers and supporters.
• Empathetic attitude towards homeless and vulnerably-housed people.
• A confident self-starter who will hit the ground running.
• A team worker with an open, collaborative style and a practical, “can-do” approach.
• Commitment to our values of being welcoming; being open to all, without prejudice; compassionate; believing individuals can turn their lives around; and knowing we can have a bigger impact when we work together.
• Commitment to and understanding of the issues relating to equality of opportunity and the ability to implement change in this area.
• Ability to adhere to and implement Health & Safety, HR and operational policies.
• Willing to travel around London for occasional meetings and events including some evenings and weekends.
 

Qualifications and Experience
• Educated to degree level.
• Experience of using a fundraising database to segment and select data, produce reports and analyse information.
• Understanding and demonstrable experience of the use of social media, JustGiving and other online fundraising tools and platforms
• Experience of basic copywriting to produce fundraising letters.
 

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
• Competent IT skills in standard Microsoft packages: Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Outlook and supporter databases to maintain meticulous donor records and administration systems, in line with agreed protocols.
• Excellent organisational skills with strong attention to detail, especially record-keeping and electronic filing.
• Strong written English and numeracy skills.
• Good interpersonal and verbal communication skills, professional telephone manner.
• Able to forward plan and schedule workflows.
• Able to relate to and work with people from a range of backgrounds.
• Excellent time management skills; able to work proactively unsupervised and use own initiative.

Desirable
• Experience using Donorflex, Mailchimp and Eventbrite (or similar).
• Experience of assisting with fundraising and community events.
• Experience of working alongside and managing volunteers.
• Experience of managing community relationships such as schools, churches or challenge events.
• Understanding of data protection requirements including GDPR and the Fundraising Regulator’s Code of Fundraising Practice
• Fundraising qualification.
• Driving licence.

The Organisation

Russam is proud to be supporting Cranstoun with the search for their new Chief Executive.

Since 1969 Cranstoun has been making a difference by combining expertise with innovative approaches and putting people at the heart of everything they do. They deliver a wide range of services across England, including community-based and residential substance misuse services, supported housing, specialist services for young people, families and carers, and domestic abuse services. Cranstoun believe everyone should have the opportunity to live healthy, safe and happy lives.

The Role

This is a very exciting opportunity for someone who is passionate about Cranstoun’s work, with the ambition to drive the organisation forward to ensure they continue to provide excellent services, to more people, across more communities.

The new Chief will be instrumental in developing and delivering a new strategy for Cranstoun to strengthen their position in an increasingly competitive environment. They will also:

• Be responsible and accountable to the Board of Trustees for all Cranstoun’s activity, ensuring compliance with statutory, regulatory and charitable requirements
• Provide inspirational, accountable leadership and direction to all staff, in support of Cranstoun’s vision and values
• Act as Cranstoun’s ambassador, leading and managing all external relations activity, building Cranstoun’s voice, reputation and profile
• Develop and grow income generation capacity, proactively seeking to broaden the funding base

The Person

Cranstoun are looking for an inspiring and highly professional leader with great commercial awareness and communication skills. You should be open, honest and resilient. Above all, you should be committed to embedding the values of Cranstoun and have the public speaking ability to act as an excellent ambassador for the organisation. Other essential criteria includes:

• Proven track record of leading an organisation that is geographically dispersed
• Proven track record of creating and delivering an organisational growth strategy, demonstrating business acumen
• Track record of building success through partnerships, influence and diplomacy
• Demonstrable analytical acumen, able to analyse data to drive both performance and develop the organisation
• Experience of developing and maintaining relationships with a diverse range of clients, stakeholders and partners including other charities, businesses and funders
• Supporting a board of trustees - effectively engaging the skills and experience of trustees in the development of the organisations business strategy
• Implementing plans whilst managing a wide range of shorter-term operational demands and transformation
• Experience of leading digital transformation – ability to innovate, evaluate, strategize and implement digital responses to meet organisational needs
• Experience of leading effective change management programmes across a leadership team

Additional Information

For extensive information about Cranstoun, the Chief Executive role, and the person they are looking for, please download the Candidate Information Pack available on our website.

Timetable

Closing date for applications: Monday 22 June 2020

Preliminary interviews with Russam: Week commencing 29 June 2020

Final interview and informal meetings with Cranstoun: Week commencing 13 July 2020

How to Apply

To apply for this position please provide the following two pieces of information:

• A comprehensive CV, including details of your achievements in each role and details of two referees.
• A supporting statement, explaining how you believe your skills and experience match the requirements of the role, directly addressing the criteria as outlined in the person specification.

Are you interested in working for a Charitable Foundation that makes a difference to the lives of people of all ages and backgrounds?

Do you want to work for an organisation that positively looks to support causes that others might shy away from, tackling some of the most difficult social challenges in the UK today?

Do you have excellent Salesforce administrator-level skills, a flair for improving systems, a highly organised approach to your work, and enjoy communicating with a wide variety of people?

If so, we’d love you to join our committed Grants Team as our Grants and Digital Administrator!

Please note that whilst this role is being advertised as home based as well as within the City of London, this is in direct response to Covid-19 precautions. Any candidate would need to be able to (public health advice permitting) attend work in the office on a regular basis going forward. 

About the Leathersellers’ Company

As one of the oldest Livery Companies in the City of London, working for the Leathersellers’ Company Charitable Fund offers an exciting opportunity to discover more about England's heritage and history and to look to the future focusing on philanthropy and fellowship.

We donate around £3.4million each year to charities, schools and universities across the UK as well as supporting individual students. We support a broad range of activities from youth clubs to arts or singing in care homes; from helping refugees to homeless veterans and much more. Existing connections with six London schools, a number of universities, the armed forces and City groups have been built over decades (if not centuries) but we are also proud to hold open programmes to allow charities with no previous connection the opportunity of multi-year, core funding. We do not shy away from those tackling difficult social issues for the most vulnerable individuals in our society. The Leathersellers look to add value by not just providing funding but also making connections and sharing information as and when we can.

The Company has been an integral part of the City of London for almost 600 years. Working with us makes you a part of this rich history and key to its future.

About the role 

We’re looking for an enthusiastic team player, passionate about enabling our funding to have the most positive effect on communities around the UK, to join our committed Grants Team. The primary focus of the role will be to support the operational efficiency of the team as well as manage key communications with both internal and external stakeholders.

About the person

You will be a team player who can demonstrate excellent communication skills (written and verbal), Salesforce experience, initiative and the ability to be flexible, as you will be working in a busy office environment. You will be a quick learner and have a passion for continuous improvement, keen to contribute your ideas.

How to apply

If you would like to apply, please submit a CV and covering letter (up to two pages) outlining how you meet the skills and experience elements in the attached role specification and why you are a suitable candidate for the role. Applications must be received by 5pm on Tuesday 30th June in order to be considered. First round interviews will likely be held remotely in the following weeks, and a final interview in person after that.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
We offer an attractive package, including a pension contribution equal to 15% of gross annual salary and a 35-hour week. Due to Covid-19 we are currently working remotely and foresee this being part of our working arrangements for some time ahead. Any candidate would however need to be able to (public health advice permitting) to attend work in the office at the Leathersellers' Hall on a regular basis going forward.