Post: Welfare Rights Support Worker
Organisation: Benefits and Work Publishing Ltd
Hours: 20 per week
Salary: £14,285 (£25,000 pro rata)
Location: home-based
Deadline: 12 July 2013
Welfare Rights Support Worker
An exciting opportunity has arisen to become part of the team at Benefits and Work.
Established for more than a decade, we have well in excess of a million unique visitors a year and a fortnightly mailing list of more than 135,000 claimants and professionals. Working on the site provides an opportunity to improve the lives of thousands of people, both through providing accurate benefits information and maintaining a safe space where being a claimant is not a source of shame or fear.
You will be responsible for helping keep our benefits information updated, producing new information and writing up-to-the-minute news stories. You’ll also provide support to our volunteer moderators and reply to non-benefits related emails.
You’ll be working from home, generally doing 5 x 4 hour shifts on weekdays between 9am and 1pm, though there may be some flexibility in this regard to accommodate other commitments you might have.
To apply, please email a current CV adapted to show how you meet the person specification, to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the subject heading ‘Welfare Rights Support Worker’.
In addition, please attach a document containing a maximum of 750 words on ways in which you would like to see the service provided by Benefits and Work improve and expand.
Essential criteria
Skills
Excellent written communication skills
Excellent computer literacy
Good online social skills
Self-motivated
Well organised
Ability to work effectively from home
Excellent time management
Willingness to engage in regular remote supervision and personal supervision where necessary
Experience
3 years recent experience of providing welfare benefits information or advice on an employed or self-employed basis.
Experience of representing at tribunals
Experience of meeting deadlines
Experience of producing written information for use by a wide audience
Knowledge
Comprehensive knowledge of welfare benefits legislation
Clear understanding of ongoing changes to benefits legislation
Ability to demonstrate an understanding of the impact of welfare benefits legislative and policy changes on sick and disabled claimants.
Job description
We are looking for a new member of staff who will share our sense of loyalty, long-term commitment and common purpose. In return, you will have the opportunity to help to improve the lives of thousands of people through providing accurate benefits news and information and the chance to help shape the future of the site.
Although working from home, you will be part of a varied online team of paid employees, freelances and volunteers.
You will be responsible for helping keep our benefits information updated, producing new information and writing up-to-the-minute news stories. You’ll also provide support to our volunteer moderators and reply to non-benefits related emails.
You may also be asked to undertake any other work consistent with the post – but only within your contracted hours.
You’ll be working 5 x 4 hour shifts on weekdays between 9am and 1pm, though there may be some flexibility in this regard to accommodate other commitments you might have.
