Advice Worker

Title:                           Advice Worker

Responsible To:         Head of Service

Location:                   2nd Floor Albany House, 73-75 Gt Victoria St, Belfast BT2 7AF.

Hours of Work:        35 Hours per week

Salary:                        £26,877.00 per annum

Duration:                   Permanent  

Purpose:

The post-holder will be a member of the Advice Worker team.  As an Advice Worker you offer a criminal injuries compensation service to assist victims of violent crime apply for compensation.    Your primary responsibilities will be the effective operation, support and case management of applicants applying to the scheme; supporting victims to complete Victim Personal Statements and for the promotion of these and other relevant Victim Support services. The post-holder is responsible for meeting with and representing clients at hearings, therefore travel around Northern Ireland will be required for which travel reimbursement is paid.

Qualifications:

• Achieved “A” level standard
•  Minimum of 2 years’ experience in a similar role as an Advice/Advocacy worker or related field.

OR

• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in a in a similar role as an Advice/Advocacy worker or related field

Skills and Experience:

Essential

• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build a rapport and work with empathy with a range of clients including those who are most vulnerable.
• Effective written & oral communication skills with particular emphasis on preparing accurate reports, reviews, submissions, advocacy and representation of client cases in a tribunal hearing setting.
• Experience of interpreting and explaining legislation, official documents/letters to clients as well as a wide range of other relevant data in a concise and understanding manner
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office packages and use of organisational information systems and applications

In addition, the post holder must have

• an ability to prioritise their own workload to meet key deadlines and targets.
• an ability to work accurately with a range of confidential, sensitive, and complex information in a time sensitive manner.
• an ability to effectively meet the mobility requirements of the post

Desirable

• Sound knowledge of the Northern Ireland Criminal Justice sector
• Knowledge of the Northern Ireland Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme would be advantageous
• Knowledge of the Victim Support NI or the issues affecting Victims of Crime in Northern Ireland would be advantageous
• Experience of Social Security/Welfare or Advice Tribunal representation

Additional requirements:

• The post holder will be required to demonstrate the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the post. Victim Support NI is aware that some persons with disabilities may not be able to hold a driving license.  If this is the case, please demonstrate how you can fulfil the mobility requirements for the post for which you are applying.