Generalist Adviser x10
Want to help your community? Why not become a Volunteer Generalist Adviser with Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire?
The rewarding role would involve training to help with a vast range of problems. These include but are not limited to benefits, debt, housing and employment.
The charity is particularly keen to encourage applications from people with a diverse range of backgrounds. This is especially the case for people from BAME backgrounds who are currently under-represented.
The role would involve giving advice to clients both face-to-face and over the telephone.
Main duties and responsibilities may include:
- Interviewing clients, both face-to-face and on the telephone, letting the client explain their enquiry and helping the client to set priorities
- Finding, interpreting and communicating the relevant information and exploring options and implications in order that the client can come to a decision
- Acting, where necessary, on behalf of the client, negotiating, drafting or writing letters or making appropriate referrals
- Completing clear and accurate case records
- Recognising the root causes of problems and participating in taking appropriate action
- Keeping up to date on important issues by attending the appropriate training and by essential reading
- Attending team meetings
Personal skills and qualities needed to become a Volunteer Generalist Adviser:
- A commitment to the aims and principles of the service
- Excellent communication skills
- Being open and approachable
- Ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing
- Ability to sift through information and extract what is relevant
- Basic mathematical skills, including percentages
- Respect for views, values and cultures that are different to their own
- An understanding of why confidentiality is important
- Being open to using computers on a regular basis
- A positive attitude to self-development and assessment
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Ability to recognise their own limits and boundaries in the role
- Good IT skills essential – ability to use websites/ databases/ research information
Applicants should be IT competent and able to commit to two sessions per week for at least two years.
Training will be held over a full day – probably a Wednesday – each week starting in October 2025. There will be additional training time when new recruits can observe experienced advisers.
There will be opportunities to help out for a few sessions prior to training starting so that applicants can check the role is right for them.
To apply, please email Finance and Admin Manager Amanda Wood at bureau@sgloscab.cabnet.org.uk to ask for an application form.
