Job Description

Title:Money & Debt Adviser

Salary:£18,361.21 per annum

Hours:30 hours per week (9.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Thursday)

Contract:To 31 October 2018 (covering maternity leave)

Responsible to:Co-ordinator, North Belfast Advice Partnership

Job Purpose:

The postholder will be responsible for providing a money & debt advice service, using a range of delivery models,

to assist clients in debt and provide them with the knowledge and skills to budget their household income more

effectively.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Complete the debt advice process with clients through face to face interviews, telephone advice, outreach and home visits as deemed appropriate
  • Identify and deal appropriately with emergency and immediate intervention cases
  • Negotiate with creditors and debt collection companies and deal with a range of debt related issues including secured and unsecured loans, credit cards, personal loans and bank loans
  • Explore and provide a range of debt resolution options and strategies to clients and offer clients the choice of those most suitable to their circumstances and needs including bankruptcy, individual voluntary arrangements and debt management plans
  • Use effective and appropriate referral mechanisms
  • Comply with good practice guidelines and in particular the OFT Debt Management Guidelines when providing debt advice provision and long-term support to debt clients
  • Contribute to the development and implementation of a promotional strategy relating to the debt advice service
  • Use Advice Pro for recording and reporting on formal and non-formal debt remedies and repossessions as well as client details
  • Identify, record and follow up on potential social policy issues and participate in any debt related policy work the Centre considers appropriate
  • Operate effective feedback systems from clients
  • Attend monthly adviser forums and participate in quality assurance
  • Provide support in conjunction with other workers and provide training and information to appropriate groups on aspects of the NBAP’s debt advice work
  • Provide information on budgeting skills for clients and other groups
  • Represent the Centre on appropriate outside bodies and co-operate with other relevant agencies in the promotion of money/debt advice within Northern Ireland
  • Use new technology following appropriate training and where technology is available
  • Attend any training sessions, seminars, discussions, considered necessary and identify and personal advice training needs
  • Prepare reports as directed by the NBAP Coordinator on the work undertaken for evaluation and funding purposes.
  • Attend NBAP staff and NBAP Advisor meetings
  • Carry out general clerical duties such as typing, word processing, photocopying, filing and handling of post.
  • Undertake any other tasks as may be required by the NBAP Coordinator

Personnel Specification

Job Title: Money & Debt Adviser

Criteria / Essential / Desirable / Assessed By:
Qualifications/
Attainments /
  • Completed Law Centre of NIACAB adviser training
  • Completed Wiser Adviser training at Generalist Level
/
  • Completed Wiser Adviser training at Skilled Level
/ A/P
Relevant Experience /
  • At least 1 year’s experience of a similar role, in a paid or unpaid capacity, gained in the last 3 years
  • Experience of negotiating with creditors
/ A/I
Knowledge /
  • Understanding of confidentiality
/
  • Knowledge of the benefits system, and relevant legislation
/ A/I
Skills /
  • Good standard of literacy and numeracy
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Ability to manage and prioritise an ongoing caseload, and meeting associated deadlines
  • Experience of case recording work on behalf of clients
  • Ability to understand complex information, and to work with accuracy and attention to detail
/
  • Word processing qualification
  • Research Skills
  • Report Writing
/ A/I
Personal Attributes /
  • Friendly and approachable manner
  • A sympathetic, non-judgemental attitude towards service users
  • Confidence in dealing with creditors and others
  • Commitment to the aims and values of the service
  • Ability to work on own initiative, and organize own work
/ A/I
Other

Key:A = ApplicationI = InterviewE = ExerciseP = Proof of Qualification