At a Glance
- Tasks: Help people access benefits and financial support while building meaningful relationships.
- Company: Join a compassionate team at Maggie's Centre in West London.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, and tailored development opportunities.
- Other info: Enjoy a friendly workplace with great perks and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while working in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Degree or equivalent experience with 2+ years in welfare benefits advice.
The predicted salary is between 36778 - 43973 £ per year.
Benefits Advisor - West London
Application Deadline
Department
Programme
Employment Type
Full Time
Location
West London Centre
Reporting To
Sinead Cope
Compensation
Description
As Benefits Advisor, you will advise and assist people to access available benefits and other sources of financial help.
This support may be provided on a 'drop in' basis and through a programme of booked appointments.
You will be responsible for liaising with other statutory and voluntary bodies as required.
You will also have responsibility for creating the conditions for maintaining ongoing relationships with people accessing the centre, and in collaboration with colleagues for enabling people to access all aspects of Maggie's programme to ensure ongoing and effective cancer support.
Please note that interviews will be held on Wednesday 12th August in Maggie's West London.
Key responsibilities
- Provide comprehensive advice on benefits using a variety of different mechanisms.
- Assist in the completion of benefits claims, maximising an individual's income.
- Promote and develop benefits advice as a component of Maggie's programme including participation in teaching and training programmes.
- Recording and maintaining up to date records and reporting of activity data in relation to own activity as required by Maggie's policies and procedures.
- Maintain up to date knowledge of relevant external agencies, signposting where appropriate and being able to develop beneficial working relationships.
- Responsible for recording data in relation to their own work in accordance with Maggie's policies and procedures, and will contribute to Maggie's programme of annual audit, centre review and triennial review.
- Follow up claims for disability benefits and any further benefits triggered by an award.
- Negotiate with statutory bodies, ensuring that people are supported through this process.
- Ensure that centre visitors feel welcome and valued as individuals, and that they feel their concerns have been heard and understood; creating the conditions for ongoing relationships with other members of the team facilitating exploration of what Maggie's programme may have to offer.
- Contribute to raising awareness of and enabling access to Maggie's Centres.
- Contribute to centre specific or other specific audits as required.
- Support Maggies Centre Head in ensuring that Maggie's environment is maintained as a welcoming atmosphere.
- Participate in staff support sessions, meetings with the Centre Head and supervision meetings, and staff training as required.
- Maintenance of statistical information and accurate case records.
- Administration and follow up to benefits advice and the submission of claims.
- Assist Maggie's Centre Head with centre administration as required.
- Occasional overnight stays and some travel will be required along with some evening and unsociable hours working
Skills, knowledge and expertise
- Degree educated in a relevant field or equivalent experience.
- At least 2 year's experience in providing welfare benefits and money advice.
- The ability to think about and understand health related concerns within the wider context of an individual's life experience, family and social context.
- A warm, empathetic manner with excellent communication and listening skills.
- Able to write clear and concise reports.
- Job benefits
- You'll spend time at one of our incredible centres to experience our programme of support and see first hand the difference we can make.
- A structured orientation week will cover everything you need to get settled in your new role.
- Holiday entitlement that helps you create a manageable work life balance.
- Generous sick leave cover.
- A supportive and friendly working environment.
- Tailored learning and development opportunities.
- Kitchen facilities with free tea, coffee and fruit bowl.
- Workplace pension and free financial advice from an independent financial advisor to help you plan for your future.
- Option to keep a pre-existing NHS pension if eligible.
- Travel and cycle loans.
- Eye test expenses and money towards glasses.
- Enhanced maternity pay.
- Our buddy system links you with a colleague to give you extra support in your first few months.
- Facilitated stress management courses and access to our clinical psychologists for support.
Benefits Advisor - West London employer: Maggie's
Maggie's is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee development and well-being. As the North & North Wales Regional Fundraising Lead, you will have the opportunity to lead a passionate team while making a meaningful impact in the community through innovative fundraising initiatives. With generous benefits such as sick leave and tailored growth opportunities, Maggie's fosters an environment where employees can thrive both personally and professionally.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Benefits Advisor - West London
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Maggie's.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Maggie's.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Maggie's.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Maggie's. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Benefits Advisor - West London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Maggie's. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Benefits Advisor - West London, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Maggie's
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Maggie's. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
