(with a focus/background in homelessness/accommodation work)
Office based with occasional home working
Professional and Primary Roles and Responsibilities
As a Welfare and Grants Officer, you will play a crucial role in our organisation by being part of a small team that acts as the first point of contact for individuals seeking financial and non-financial welfare related assistance through our 0800 phone number and website referral form. You will make holistic assessments of need and consider grant requests under the guidance of the Welfare and Grants Manager, making informed decisions on awards and amounts, with an individual grant authority of £2,500.
Your empathetic nature will be essential as you offer support to those in significant distress, identify their needs, and signpost them to suitable alternative agencies when necessary. You will liaise with case working organisations to ensure grant applications are completed accurately and promptly, and provide ongoing support to promote positive outcomes.
Additionally, you will update the Case Recording System with detailed information on the cases you handle and maintain positive relationships with other charities and stakeholders. Your role will also involve assisting in the collation of statistics and performing other tasks to ensure the timely delivery of benevolence and casework.
Due to the welfare nature of this role, you will be required to engage in conversations regarding suicidal ideation. Key responsibilities include recognising warning signs, providing appropriate support, and making necessary referrals. This aspect of the role is critical, and comprehensive training will be provided.
- Accountability: Report to the Welfare and Grants Manager.
- Enquiries: Be one of the first points of contact for welfare and grant enquiries via the 0800 phone number.
- Holistic Assessment: Engage in conversations to develop a comprehensive, holistic assessment of needs. This will be crucial in determining which of our delivery pillars should be engaged to provide the necessary support.
- Grant Assessment: Under the guidance of the Welfare and Grants Manager, assess a caseload of grant requests, making decisions on awards and amounts.
- Grant Authority: Responsible for an individual grant authority of £2,500.
- Identification: Identify individuals that need to be brought to the attention of the Welfare and Grants Manager and/or other Health and Wellbeing team members.
- Support: Offer an empathetic ear to people in distress and identify areas of need.
- Signposting: Identify suitable alternative agencies and signpost when required.
- Liaison: Work with case working organisations to ensure grant applications are completed accurately and timely.
- Ongoing Support: Provide ongoing support to promote positive outcomes.
- Case Recording: Update the Case Recording System with full details of any cases you are working on.
- Relationships: Create and maintain positive relationships with other charities and external stakeholders.
- Deputising: Deputise for the Welfare and Grants Manager during annual leave or other engagements.
- Statistics: Occasionally assist in collating various statistics pertaining to team delivery.
- Other Tasks: Perform other tasks as needed to ensure the appropriate and timely delivery of benevolence and casework.
Soft Skills
For the role of Welfare and Grant Officer, the following soft skills would be highly beneficial:
- Empathy: The ability to understand and share the feelings of others, crucial for offering support to individuals in distress.
- Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills to effectively liaise with clients, colleagues, and external stakeholders.
- Active Listening: Paying full attention to what others are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, and asking questions as appropriate.
- Problem-Solving: The ability to identify issues and find effective solutions, especially when assessing grant requests and supporting individuals.
- Time Management: Efficiently managing one’s time to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
- Attention to Detail: Ensuring accuracy in case recording and grant assessments.
- Adaptability: Being flexible and open to change, especially when deputising for the Welfare and Grants Manager or handling unexpected situations.
- Interpersonal Skills: Building and maintaining positive relationships with clients, colleagues, and external partners.
- Judgement: Making sound decisions and demonstrating integrity and honesty in all actions.
- Resilience: The ability to cope with challenging situations and maintain a positive attitude.
These soft skills will help ensure success in the role and contribute to the overall effectiveness of the team.
Professional Knowledge, Skills, and Qualifications
Essential:
- GCSE/Level 2 Maths and English.
- Previous experience dealing with vulnerable/at-risk people.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Teams.
Desirable:
- Understanding of the wider welfare system.
- Grant making experience.
- Understanding of the Royal Marines.
- Experience in the charitable sector.
- Experience of working with individuals/families facing homelessness or with accommodation issues.
Personal Qualities
Essential:
- Honesty, integrity, and sound judgement.
- Independent thinker with the ability to communicate and justify their decision making.
- Analytical skills to make objective recommendations.
- Attention to detail and the ability to drive issues to successful conclusions.
- Organised, with the ability to prioritise and fulfil numerous tasks.
- Ability to work on own initiative.
- Effective negotiating and influencing skills.
- Passionate about the cause with a strong desire to help others.
Desirable:
- Flexible with working hours to support wider charity activities.
- Conscientious, flexible, and adaptable nature to integrate and contribute within a small team.
Benefits
- 30 Days Annual leave, plus bank holidays
- Non-Contributory Pension Scheme
- Gym Access
- Workplace pension and life assurance after qualifying period
- Employee assistance scheme
- Personal development scheme
- Access to charity healthcare scheme (at cost) after qualifying period
Additional Information
Due to the nature of the charity work, some weekend work may be requested. This will be pre-arranged and time off in lieu agreed prior.
If you are passionate about making a difference and have the skills and experience required, we would love to hear from you! Apply now to join our dedicated team at Whale Island, Portsmouth.
To apply, please send your CV with a covering letter explaining why you are the right fit for the role to [email protected].
If you would like an informal chat about the role, please email John Reed, Welfare and Grants Manager: [email protected]
Please note that no terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate on the grounds of a person’s gender, marital status, race, religion, colour, age, disability, or sexual orientation. Every candidate will be assessed only in accordance with their merits, qualifications, and ability to perform the duties of the job.
For further information or to express interest, please get in touch with the Employment & Education team via this email address or on 023 9298 1920.
RMA - The Royal Marines Charity promotes employment opportunities on behalf of multiple companies and share their adverts. Please note that no terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate on the grounds of a person's gender, marital status, race, religion, colour, age, disability or sexual orientation. Every candidate will be assessed only in accordance with their merits, qualifications and ability to perform the duties of the job.