Job Title:Advocacy & Information Officer (2 year contract)

Location:Scotland – location t.b.c with successful candidate

Department:Campaigns, Care and Information

Responsible to:Senior Policy, Parliamentary & Campaigns Officer/Director of Campaigns, Care and Info

Responsible for:No direct reports but will supervise volunteers

Salary:£20,000

Main Purpose of Job:

1.Support people living with neuromuscular conditions requiring advocacy support; sharing information and advice where appropriate;

2.Working closely with the Scottish Muscle Network to supportinformation days and meetings with relevant stakeholders to ensure knowledge of neuromuscular conditions is improved;

3. Manage and grow local ‘Muscle Groups’, and similar support groups, engaging and supporting families living with muscle wasting conditions;

4. Gather and present data on services in Scotland such as muscle clinics, hydrotherapy pools and community teams; feeding into a new online ‘map of services’;

5. Recruit people living with the condition to become ‘Advocacy Ambassadors’; offering peer-to-peer advice and support

6. Ensure the work of the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign is well received in the Scottish parliament; working closely with the Cross Party Group on muscular dystrophy chaired by Jackie Bailie MSP.

Main areas of responsibility:

1. Support people living with neuromuscular conditions requiring advocacy support; sharing information and advice where appropriate;

  • Work closely with clinicians and Care Advisors to offer signposting and telephone support;
  • Support health professionals and clinicians and be a point of contact for any questions this group might have;
  • Ensure Muscular Dystrophy Campaign material is up to date in muscle centres and clinics across Scotland
  • If appropriate, to arrange regular advice sessions for people affected by muscle wasting conditions to answer questions on, for example, welfare entitlements, equipment provision, housing issues by writing supporting letter, liaising with social/welfare organisations and offering other advocacy support; working closely with the SMN
  • Develop a Scotland specific advocacy pack for people to use; working closely with Neuromuscular Care Advisors and health professionals.

2. Manage and lead local ‘Muscle Groups’, and similar support groups, engaging and supporting families and individuals living with muscle wasting conditions;

  • Manage and lead local ‘Muscle Groups’ and advise individuals and families affected by muscle wasting conditions on available services;
  • Running workshops on benefit and welfare changes; advocacy information and support
  • Arranging speakers from local community health and social care teams; on a range of issues such as disabled facilities grants and welfare changes
  • Issue regular reports and also support the meetings of the Scottish Council meetings every quarter

3.Gather and present data regarding services across Scotland; such as muscle clinics, hydrotherapy pools and community teams

  • Working closely with Neuromuscular Care Advisors and the Scottish Muscle Network, gather information on available services to be included as part of a new neuromuscular online ‘map of services’

4. Recruit people living with the condition to become ‘Advocacy Ambassadors’; offering peer-to-peer advice and support

  • Identify people with the condition and family members who will offer peer to peer support to others living with neuromuscular conditions
  • Support Ambassadors with opportunities for training; linking with our pro bono law firm in London
  • Develop a Scottish specific ‘Advocacy Pack’ to help vulnerable families access the services they need

6. Ensure the work of the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign is well received in the Scottish parliament; working closely with the Cross Party Group on muscular dystrophy chaired by Jackie Bailie MSP.

  • Work closely with the Policy and Campaigns team; to represent the work of the charity in the Scottish parliament;
  • Organise events in the parliament; briefing MSPs when necessary; identifying opportunities to promote the work of the charity;
  • Liaising with the Cross Party Group on muscular dystrophy in the Scottish parliament in taking forward key policy issues; such as access to care packages and independent living

Other:

  • To behave in accordance with the Charity’s values at all times
  • To prepareprogress reports for line manager and others as agreed
  • To attend monthly supervision sessions, team and project meetings as required
  • To undertake any other such tasks as requested by the line manager.

Education

A professional qualification in a care profession such as Nursing,
Social Work, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, etc. /

Desirable

Good standard of Education to degree level /

Essential

Experience

Some experience of casework, advocacy and promoting the rights of individuals /

Essential

Good understanding of policy issues relating to disability andNHS commissioning /

Desirable

Good understanding of current changes to welfare /

Desirable

Experience of training and/or group facilitation and public speaking /

Desirable

Some experience of working in partnership with other groups /

Essential

Knowledge of neuromuscular conditions /

Desirable

Knowledge of Data Protection and also relevant aspects of Health & Safety legislation /

Essential

Skills and Personal Qualities

Understanding of the issues and the needs of people with disabilities
/

Essential

Strong telephone skills – negotiation and understanding skills /

Essential

Able to represent the Charity in a professional manner at all times
/

Essential

IT literate (MS Office preferable) including an understanding of relationship databases and their use in information management
/

Essential

Good analytical skills and numerate /

Essential

Very good written and verbal communication skills
/

Essential

Able to work as effective member of a team /

Essential

Able to carry out office administration tasks as part of role /

Essential

Very good organisational and time management skills
/

Essential

Professional conduct at all times with a positive and flexible attitude
/

Essential

Able to offer appropriate emotional support to adults and children
/
Desirable

Details

Hours – 35 per week.
Holidays – 25 days

Evening and weekend activities involved – time off in lieu to be taken

E