Address
Form of work
SalaryThe Advice and Advocacy Manager will help us identify those in welfare, health, wellbeing, employment, housing and/or food crises who have had unresolved issues over a prolonged period and provide support for them to overcome their immediate crises and work towards longer term stability.
The Advice and Advocacy Manager will:
Planning, Business Development, Stakeholder Management and Service Delivery
Represent and promote SCH and the Advice and Advocacy Service across partner networks.
Develop effective partner relationships with referral agencies across Southwark, and to refer/ signpost cases onto external agencies and/ or refer internally to relevant SCH services/ projects/ activities as appropriate.
Develop and manage other strategic advice and information projects on topics connected to SCH’s priorities.
Be committed to ongoing training, personal and professional development.
- Ensure the provision of timely, legally correct responses to the queries that SCH receives and ensure that they are appropriate to the needs of service users, including regularly reviewing the work of our Advice and Advocacy Team.
- Manage and develop successful service, projects and activities and coordination of best practice service delivery.
Monitor performance, service delivery and data collection against budgets, targets, key performance indicators and requirements.
Secure and develop effective relationships with guests (service users) partner agencies, referral agencies, stakeholders, staff, and volunteers to ensure a seamless handover of new contacts to the operational team, to ensure delivery of service from SCH is high quality and seen as unified from first contact to delivery in collaboration with Service Manager.
Governance, Strategy, Leadership and Management
Line manage the Advice and Advocacy teams.
Enhance team members' performance, learning, development and well-being through supervision, appraisals, and training.
Arrange and Facilitate Team, Review, Training Sessions, Workshops , Presentations and Project meetings and produce progress reports, papers, agendas and minutes.
Manage and develop successful service projects and activities and coordinate best practice service delivery.
Develop and implement strategic delivery plans.
Ensure appropriate systems are maintained for recording, statistics, follow up and quality standards.
Work with the Senior Leadership Team and Management Team to ensure the number of volunteers meets the demands of the service and that advice services are delivered efficiently and effectively.
Lead on safeguarding, working with other leads, CEO and Safeguarding Trustee to ensure the safe delivery of services.
Monitor performance, service delivery and data collection against budgets, targets, key performance indicators and service requirements.
- Engage and contribute to the SLT to ensure effective leadership and management across the Organisation; advice, reports and support for the Board to fulfil its responsibilities; and action to implement Board decisions, including budget and financial management .
Policies and Procedures:
Ensure that policies, procedures and systems, supporting work plans and rotas are developed and followed in line with SCH requirements. Specifically, those policies and procedures relating to operational delivery, health and safety, personal development, safeguarding and inclusion and diversity to enable effective and safe operation of the service and successful development of staff and volunteers.
Research, analyse and interpret relevant policies, legislation and programmes related to the sector.
Administration and Reporting
Review and implement outcome measures for the work of the SCH team, including an annual survey of clients.
Supporting with report writing and bids, service reviews and development as well as other service-related projects.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Proven record of success in a senior management role, ideally within a Community Sector Organisation with proven leadership/line management experience.
Experience in managing, developing and overseeing Support, Information Advice and Guidance services.
Qualifications, Training or Relevant experience in IAG, Welfare Benefits, Housing , Immigration , Employment , Law or similar.
Clear communication skills and excellent listening skills, face to face and on the phone or email.
- Ability to troubleshoot difficult situations, and deal with them calmly, efficiently and effectively.
Writing skills – produce reports, bids, policy documents, as well as the ability to write succinct documents on complex areas
Knowledge of food security/poverty issues in the UK and working with diverse communities
Ability to identify, attract and manage talented employees/freelancers/volunteers.
Extensive knowledge of small business management techniques (with support from the Board and CEO).
Knowledge of developing and delivering projects relating to Social Change and Social Justice
Willingness to undertake further training and commitment to the concept of continuous improvement of procedures and practices.
Knowledge of best practice for lone working, data protection and safeguarding adults.
Ability to recognise and work within the boundaries of the role, including confidentiality, and the working protocols between agencies.
Strong sense of self, and ability to set and maintain boundaries and lead by example.
- Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and others.
Experience of Financial Management including setting and managing budgets.
Experience in organising, developing and facilitating work-based training/ development programmes, for individuals, staff members / volunteers and Workshops for service users and partners
Experience of Health and Safety Procedures and writing Risk Assessments / GDPR Regulations.
Knowledge of safeguarding policies and procedures, including child protection and vulnerable adult support.
Proficiency in using relevant software for record-keeping and report generation.
An understanding of Social Change and Social Justice and a general interest in the wellbeing of others
