Foodbank Advice Worker - Job Description & Person Specification

Job Description

Job Title: Foodbank Advice Worker

Reports to:  Foodbank Manager

Employed by:  The Bristol North West Foodbank Board of Trustees

Place of work:  The Bristol North West Foodbank Office and Outlets

The Bristol North West Foodbank is looking to employ a part-time advice worker to work with Foodbank clients at their point of accessing the Foodbank in our four Foodbank outlets in Avonmouth, Lawrence Weston, Hotwells and Henbury. Also, to provide a service of pre-bookable appointments outside of Foodbank  outlet opening times for Foodbank clients and others in need in the local community. 

The Bristol North West Foodbank is a Christian charity, linked to the Trussell Trust.  The Foodbank works in close partnership with local churches and operates under a Christian ethos.  Therefore, we would like the person to be sympathetic to this and be able to work within this ethos.

Advice Work

• Provide specialist advice to Foodbank clients and others in the community in the areas of welfare benefits, housing, debt, grant applications for clients, form filling, Universal Credit issues etc
• To signpost clients onto legal and specialist debt advice, eg. NBAC
• To assist the Foodbank Manager with signposting training for Foodbank Volunteers at New Volunteer training sessions.
• Attend our four Foodbank outlets whilst open to provide advice.
• To take calls and manage bookings from clients for advice appointments.
• Collect statistics on information and advice given at the Foodbank to supply to the Trussell Trust.

General

• Wear the uniform and name badge provided at all times when on company business
• Maintaining the high standards of conduct and behaviour expected by the charity
• Maintain & Comply with health and safety, safeguarding and data protection directives and procedures.
• Adhere to the company’s policy on the misuse of drugs or alcohol in the workplace
• Report to the Manager any personal difficulties that might affect the work or the company’s reputation
• Be accountable to the Foodbank Manager and Board of Trustees

Together with any other reasonable duties as specified by the Foodbank Manager and Trustees to support the work of the Charity.

Person Specification

Essential skills:

• Have up to date knowledge of welfare benefits, housing and signposting to debt advice.
• Having a heart and drive to want to make a difference to the clients you are meeting and treat each person with respect and care no matter what their background or situation.
• Be able to listen to the stories of people and be able to identify their needs for advice, counselling or support and to respond appropriately either yourself or by referring to other support locally.
• To work as part of a team alongside Foodbank Volunteers.
• To be able to communicate effectively in writing, person to person and on the telephone
• To have some general administrative skills and experience
• An ability to keep up to date with changes in the benefits and housing system
• An ability to work with complete discretion and confidentiality
• Be keen to learn and undergo training as necessary
• Ability to work well in an unsupervised environment

Desirable skills:

• Experience of providing advice to people from different neighbourhoods and backgrounds
• Experience of working within a Church and/or Charity environment

Personal Attributes

• Someone who is committed to the Christian ethos of the Charity
• Enthusiasm and reliability
• Honesty and Integrity
• Flexible, Approachable and adaptable
• Compassion and empathy for the people the Foodbank serves
• A good listener and encourager
• A good understanding of the work of Foodbanks across the UK

Terms and Conditions:

Hours:                         37 hours per week

Pattern

of work:          Mondays (Social Justice Hub)  9.30am-5pm  (7.5 hours)

Tuesdays (Social Justice Hub)  9.30am-5pm  (7.5 hours)

                        Wednesdays (Hotwells am SJH pm)  9am-4.30pm (7.5 hours)

Thursdays (Social Justice Hub)  9.30am-5pm (7.5 hours)

                        Fridays (Henbury am SJH pm)  9am – 4pm  (7 hours)

Salary:             15.18/hr @37hrs per week  (29,206.32 p.a. Gross)

Probationary Period:  3 months

Start of contract: TBC

Length of contract:  1 year