Citizens Advice Tendring is looking for an experienced, empathetic and highly organised Community Team Lead, to support the delivery of our outreach services across the district. This is a rewarding operational leadership role, leading a team of staff and volunteers who provide advice and support to local residents over the phone and in community settings. You will play a key role in ensuring our service remains accessible, well organised and responsive to local need.

This is a hands-on role combining coordination, people management and community engagement. You will:

· Coordinate outreach rotas and ensure sessions are staffed

· Line manage staff and support volunteers

· Support recruitment, induction and training of new volunteers

· Build relationships with outreach venues and community partners

· Monitor service delivery and support the team to deliver high quality advice services

· Attend networking events and represent the organisation locally

It’s an exciting time to join the team and this role comes with the responsibility to grow and develop our advice services, making meaningful progress towards the strategic aims below –

· to build accessible advice in the heart of communities,

· to empower people to manage their problems

· to increase skills and employability of local people,

· to build a support network for the benefit of mutual clients in local communities.

We are looking for someone who:

· Has experience supervising or leading a team (staff and/or volunteers)

· Has experience coordinating services, rotas or operational delivery

· Has experience working in a charity, advice or community setting

· Understands the issues affecting our clients, such as housing, debt, health, employment and benefits

· Is highly organised and able to manage competing priorities

· Has strong communication and interpersonal skills

· Has a non-judgemental, respectful and inclusive approach

· Is committed to confidentiality, safeguarding and professional boundaries

Why Work for Us? We provide:

· A supportive, inclusive and values-driven working environment

· A tailored induction and training plan

· Opportunities for professional development

· The opportunity to make a real difference to people’s lives in Tendring

If you are interested in this opportunity and would like a copy of the Job Description and Application Form, please email: hr@cabtendring.org.uk

Job title: Community Team Lead

Contract term: Fixed term – 2nd April 2029

Reporting to: Chief Officer

Salary: Full time salary £29,775 /Actual salary £25,521

Hours: 30 hours per week (Monday to Thursday) (Hours to be agreed with the Manager and subject to change to meet business needs)

Employer’s Pension Contribution: 3%

Employee’s Pension Contribution: 5%

Purpose of the role: To lead the operational delivery of outreach advice services across Tendring, ensuring effective coordination, high-quality service delivery, and strong support for staff and volunteers. To support new volunteers through induction to advice qualification status.

Location: Different locations – outreaches across the district, Clacton office and some home working

Closing date: 30th April 2026 – we are actively interviewing and so reserve the right to close earlier if the right candidate is found.

Community Team Lead - Citizens Advice Tendring

Key Information:

FTE Annual Salary: £29,775 per annum

Annual Actual Salary: £25,521 per annum

Grade: SUP G5

Hours of Work: 30 hours per week Monday to Thursday, hours to be arranged with line manager but may change according to outreach.

Location: CAT Clacton offices and outreach locations as required

Reporting to: Chief Officer

Reports: Community Outreach Advisers, Volunteers

Role Purpose

· To deliver the outcomes of the Community Outreach Projects, monitoring objectives and targets

· Lead and support a team of staff and volunteer advisers working across our outreach services

· Coordinate outreach rotas and ensure consistent service delivery

· Build and maintain relationships with outreach venues and partners

· Support trainees and volunteers through induction and development up to qualification

· Represent the organisation through networking and community engagement

· To monitor performance and provide regular updates and reports to the Chief Office

Job Description

1. Service delivery and coordination

· Coordinate outreach sessions across multiple venues

· Ensure rotas are planned, covered and responsive to service demand

· Address gaps in provision and respond to operational challenges

· Support consistent, high-quality advice delivery aligned to Citizens Advice standards

· Monitor outreach performance, session attendance and outcomes, and report on delivery against targets

2. Line management and team leadership

· Line manage staff and volunteer advisers, appropriate to their level of competence

· Provide supervision, guidance and regular communication

· Foster a positive, inclusive and supportive team culture

· Monitor wellbeing, performance and development needs

· Support recruitment and retention of volunteers and staff

· Act appropriately on safeguarding concerns and follow organisational safeguarding procedures.

3. Training and development

· Support induction of new staff and volunteers

· Help trainees progress towards adviser competence

· Provide ongoing support, feedback and encouragement

· Work with colleagues to identify and meet training and development needs for staff, volunteers and self.

· Keep up to date with legislation, case law, policies and procedures relating to advice and undertake appropriate training.

4. Partnership and outreach development

· Build and maintain relationships with outreach venues and partners

· Act as a key contact for outreach locations

· Attend community events and networking opportunities

· Promote Citizens Advice services within the community

5. General responsibilities

· Work within Citizens Advice aims, principles and policies

· Uphold confidentiality, safeguarding and data protection standards

· Contribute to continuous improvement of services

· Undertake additional duties appropriate to the role

Values

All staff are expected to carry out their work in line with organisation’s values of:

We’re inventive. We’re not afraid of trying new things and learn by getting things wrong. We question every idea to make it better and we change when things aren’t working.

We’re generous. We work together, sharing knowledge and experience to solve problems. We tell it like it is and respect everyone.

We’re responsible. We do what we say we’ll do and keep our promises. We remember that we work for a charity and use our resources effectively.

General statement included in all job descriptions

· Maintain and uphold the good name and reputation of Citizens Advice Tendring and wider organisation.

· Be flexible to carry out any other tasks which may be within the scope of the post to ensure the effective delivery and development of the changing service demands.

· All staff are expected to be aware of and comply with the policies, processes and procedures of the charity.

· All staff to abide by health and safety guidelines and share responsibility for own safely and that of colleagues.

Person Specification

The successful person will meet the following shortlisting criteria:

Essential experience

· Experience of supervising staff performance.

· Coordinating services, rotas or operational delivery

· Supporting people to learn and develop in a role

· Working in a client-facing or community-based environment

· Building relationships with partners or stakeholders

Essential skills and abilities

· Strong organisational and planning skills

· Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

· Ability to motivate and support others

· Ability to manage competing priorities and respond to change

· Good IT and administrative skills – Microsoft Office

· Ability to learn and use bespoke Citizens Advice systems

· Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Desirable

· Experience within Citizens Advice or an advice setting

· Knowledge of advice quality standards or case management systems

· Experience in training others

· Good knowledge of issues facing residents – housing, health, debt, benefits etc

· Experience of outreach or community-based service delivery

· Experience of networking or partnership working

· Experience working with volunteers

Qualifications

· Although desirable there is no requirement to have the Certificate in Generalist Advice because this role does not deliver advice directly. However, there must be willingness to complete this within the first 12 months, to have a clear understanding of the necessary minimum training of advisers

· It is desirable that you hold any qualification in advice or subjects that may cover our work: benefits, employment, debt, housing

Knowledge and understanding

· Understanding of confidentiality and professional boundaries

· Awareness of safeguarding principles

· Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion

· Understanding of challenges facing people in local communities

To be assessed during interview:

Knowledge, skills and experience

· Good awareness of local issues such as benefits, debt and housing.

· Understanding of working within a quality-assured advice environment (e.g., AQS or similar)

· Good oral and written communication skills, including the ability to listen effectively and understand the needs of others

· Good interpersonal skills

· Great problem solving and organisation skills

· Ability to review reports and provide relevant updates to the Chief Officer and / or funder

Personal Qualities:

· Ability and willingness to work as part of a team

· Ability to lead by example, demonstrating the values and expectations of the service

· A commitment to continuing professional development of self and others

· A commitment to delivering exceptional client care, with an awareness that our clients are at the heart of everything that we do

· Accuracy and attention to detail

· Ability to monitor and maintain own standards

· Able to enjoy the challenge of a varied workload

· An ability to work systematically using time efficiently

· Ability to travel throughout the area – many outreaches are not easily accessible via public transport

· Flexible approach and willingness to work as part of a team.

Citizens Advice Tendring is looking for a qualified, empathetic, and committed adviser to join our team as a Foodbank Adviser, working in partnership with The Trussell Trust and CPAG.

This is a rewarding role supporting people who access food banks to maximise their welfare benefit entitlement, improve their financial situation, and reduce their reliance on emergency food support. You will provide income maximisation and debt-related advice, support client wellbeing, and play a key role in achieving meaningful financial outcomes for individuals and families.

What We Are Looking For

· Citizens Advice Certificate in Generalist Advice (Skillbook records and supporting evidence will be requested)

· A qualified adviser with at least 12 months’ relevant experience

· A strong commitment to confidentiality, data protection, and professional boundaries

· A non-judgemental, respectful, and inclusive approach

· Ability to communicate clearly and sensitively with people in vulnerable circumstances

· Strong attention to detail and an understanding of how individual interactions reflect on the organisation

The successful applicant will receive a tailored induction plan to support them at the start of this role. If you are interested in this opportunity and would like a copy of the Job Description and Application Form, please email: hr@cabtendring.org.uk

Job title: Foodbank Adviser

Contract term: Fixed term – 18 months

Reporting to: Chief Officer

Salary: Full time salary £26,390 / Actual salary £18,096

Hours: 24 hours per week (Monday to Thursday) (Days and hours to be agreed with the Manager and subject to change to meet business needs)

Employer’s Pension Contribution: 3%

Employee’s Pension Contribution: 5%

Purpose of the role: To support people who access food banks to maximise their welfare benefit entitlement, improve their financial situation, and reduce their reliance on emergency food support.

Location: Hybrid – Clacton Foodbank, office / remote

Closing date: 10th April 2026

Key Information:

FTE Annual Salary: £26,390

Actual (Pro Rata) Salary: £18,096

Hours of Work: 24 hours per week (4 days per week – Monday to Thursday) (Days and hours to be agreed with the Manager and subject to change to meet business needs)

Location: Hybrid – Clacton Foodbank, office/remote

Reporting to: Chief Officer

Interview Date: Actively recruiting

Role Purpose

The key aim of this role is to support The Trussell Trust and CPAG in ensuring that people accessing food banks receive their full welfare benefit entitlement, helping to improve their financial resilience and reduce reliance on emergency food support.

This role is suited to a qualified welfare benefits adviser who brings an empathic, non-judgemental approach, strong attention to detail, and a commitment to supporting people facing financial hardship.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

· Provide income maximisation and welfare benefits advice to individuals accessing food bank support

· Identify and address issues affecting benefit entitlement and income stability

· Support clients to improve their overall financial situation and wellbeing

· Deliver debt advice, and make referrals to specialist debt services where appropriate

· Reduce clients’ ongoing need for food bank support through effective advice and advocacy

· Contribute to quarterly monitoring and reporting, including:

• Anticipated financial outcomes

• Follow-up reporting on actual outcomes achieved

Advice and Support Areas

Advice and casework will typically include, but is not limited to:

· Benefit sanctions

· Benefit Cap issues

· Universal Credit problems and delays

· Disability benefit entitlements (including PIP, ESA, and related benefits)

· Mandatory Reconsiderations and Appeals

· Housing concerns

Teamwork & Supervision

· Attend regular staff meetings and supervisions.

· Work collaboratively with paid staff and volunteers across the service.

Training & Development

· Undertake training relevant to the role, including quality assurance processes.

· Identify and pursue own professional development needs.

Other Duties

· Uphold the good name and reputation of Citizens Advice Tendring.

· Comply with all organisational policies and procedures, including data protection, confidentiality, health and safety, dignity at work, and political impartiality.

· Remain flexible to carry out other reasonable tasks within the scope of the role to support changing service needs.

Person Specification

Skills and Experience

· Hold the Citizens Advice Certificate in Generalist Advice (If achieved, Skillbook records and other supporting evidence will be requested)

· Be a qualified adviser with at least 12 months’ demonstrable, relevant experience providing welfare benefits and/or generalist advice

· Ability to manage a varied caseload, prioritising work effectively while maintaining high standards of accuracy and compliance

· Strong attention to detail, particularly in relation to benefit calculations, evidence gathering, and case recording

Values and Behaviours

· Demonstrates a strong commitment to confidentiality, data protection, and maintaining professional boundaries

· Approaches all clients and colleagues in a non-judgemental, respectful, and inclusive manner

· Communicates clearly, sensitively, and effectively, particularly when supporting people in vulnerable situations

· Understands the wider context of the role, recognising how individual actions and interactions reflect on the organisation

· Builds and maintains positive, professional relationships with partners and stakeholders, consistently upholding the organisation’s values and reputation

Support and Development Provided

· We are committed to ensuring you are well supported in your role. You will receive:

· CAT supervisor support, including regular supervision and case discussion

· Access to the CPAG Helpline and a range of CPAG training opportunities

· Citizens Advice support with case write-ups specific to this project

· Citizens Advice and Trussell Trust guidance and support to ensure effective and accurate quarterly reporting, including anticipated and actual financial outcomes

What We Offer

· Citizens Advice Tendring Benefits include:

· Flexible working arrangements

· Annual leave entitlement of 25 days per year, plus public/bank holidays (pro rata for part-time staff)

· Access to a pension scheme

Our Values

At Citizens Advice, we expect all staff to work in line with our values:

· Inventive: We try new ideas, learn from mistakes, and adapt when things aren’t working.

· Generous: We work together, share knowledge, and respect everyone.

· Responsible: We do what we say we’ll do, use resources effectively, and remember we work for a charity.