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: Actively recruiting

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.