Financial Inclusion Officer - INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY

Vacancy Information

Hourly rate of pay: £20.41 - £22.74

Days and Hours of Work:
Monday - Friday, 09:00-17:00
Flexi time is applicable, and starting and finishing times are flexible.
To start asap.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced, enthusiastic Financial Inclusion Officer to work within the Revenues Service. This post is based in John Muir House, Haddington. Home working is a possibility after training. IT equipment will be provided.

The post is a senior position within the Financial Inclusion Team. The successful candidate will have an impressive understanding of the UK and Scottish Social Security system. They will have experience of advising and supporting people, from making claims all the way through to appeal representation at HM Courts & Tribunal Service. They are required to be pro-active and engage with information sources to keep their knowledge of all benefits and advice strategies relevant. They are responsible for feeding this information back into the team. They are responsible for supporting Financial Inclusion Advisers with complex cases and offering shadowing and learning opportunities. The Financial Inclusion Officer will peer review casework in relation to Scottish Standards. The successful candidate will be aware of external influences which could impact on service demand and delivery. They will assist the Team leader in developing short- and long-term goals and strategies. They will also have an active role collaborating with the Team Leader to obtain Scottish Standards.

The successful candidate will help to reduce poverty and inequalities through the delivery of an efficient and effective financial inclusion service and will help to build financial resilience within our communities, collaborating closely with other Council services and external agencies to deliver a joined-up approach.

The successful candidate must be initiative-taking and demonstrate experience and ability working within a client-driven/welfare environment. Experience of income maximisation is essential. Excellent people skills and the ability to deal sensitively with customers facing significant changes in their life is essential.

The successful candidate will have excellent communication, organisational and negotiation skills and be able to work remotely in an effective way, using Microsoft Office applications and other Council IT systems.

Home Working Consideration
Applications for homeworking or hybrid working will be considered for this post, subject to a trial period and in accordance with East Lothian Council’s Home Working and Worksmart Policies which can be found here. Home or Hybrid working options can be discussed with candidates invited for interview. All applicants must live in the UK and will be expected to attend Council offices from time to time as required.

INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY
This post is open only to current employees of East Lothian Council (this includes agency/casual/locum staff who are currently undertaking work for us). 

Job Details

As part of the Council’s Financial Inclusion team, the Jobholder is responsible for the delivery of an effective and efficient Financial Inclusion service by providing information and advice to East Lothian residents.

The main purpose of the role is to carry out benefit checks, advise on entitlement, encourage take up, assist with benefit applications, liaise with DWP and other agencies, and prepare for and represent customers at Mandatory Reconsideration and Appeals Tribunals.

Please download the Job Outline/Person Specification (available under 'Job Attachments') for the full range of tasks and duties associated with this job. You will need to refer to these in order to complete the application form. You must ensure you meet every 'essential' criteria stated on the Person Specification to be considered for interview.

The ‘East Lothian Way’– values and behaviours we expect our employees to demonstrate in their everyday work. Should you be invited to interview, you may be asked questions based on these behaviours. Please refer to the document via the link to familiarise yourself with them.

Job Requirements

Relevant Qualifications
Educated to Degree Level or equivalent in one of the Social Sciences or Law and/or able to demonstrate equivalent knowledge, skills and competencies gained through relevant experience with:-
- Knowledge of Social Security Legislation and Case Law and how to apply it to case work.
- Ability to analyse complicated documents and produce written reports summarising essential criteria.
- Ability to give oral submissions in a Tribunal setting and respond to Tribunal questioning.

Driving Licence
As the duties of this role require you to effectively travel to successfully undertake the full remit of the role, you must hold a current driving licence and have access to a vehicle.*
(*Where a disability precludes you from obtaining a driving licence, ELC will take into account its responsibility to make reasonable adjustments to allow for your disability.)

PVG Membership
This post is considered as Regulated Work with vulnerable children and/or protected adults, as specified in the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007.

All preferred candidates for posts carrying out regulated work with these groups will be required to become a PVG Scheme member, or undergo a PVG Scheme update if they are already a member, prior to any formal offer of employment being made by East Lothian Council.

Please note: PVG member’s records are constantly updated with any new vetting information that arises. Any information that is disclosed on a PVG membership or update check, if relevant to the post being applied for, will be discussed with the applicant and investigated prior to any formal offer being made.

Please note:
If you have spent more than 3 months working or living outwith the UK in the last 5 years then you will be required to present a copy of an overseas criminal record check. Details of how to apply and contact details can be found on the GOV.UK website.

Additional Information

For additional East Lothian Council employment information please click on the following link: www.eastlothian.gov.uk/nonteachinginfo

If you have any difficulties creating an account on MyJobScotland or applying for this post please contact the MyJobScotland support team via this link https://www.myjobscotland.gov.uk/contact-us.

If you require further information about this vacancy, please call 01620 827868, or email us on recruitment@eastlothian.gov.uk

Please note: We do not accept CV's (either electronically or by mail). All our vacancies must be applied for by fully completing the on-line application form. Although there is an ‘import data from my CV’ function on MyJobScotland, this only imports very limited data and should not be relied upon to complete the application form.