Money Guidance Officer

Rooted Finance is a pioneering specialist debt and financial inclusion charity based in London. We’re committed to making money and debt advice accessible for everyone. The people we work with come from all walks of life, and so do we. We employ advisers from all backgrounds, not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because we are the communities we serve. We provide quality debt and money advice services to help clients manage their finances and debts, protect their essential services, and safeguard their income and priority needs. Our services have never been more needed in an uncertain financial environment.

Rooted Finance is expanding its team and is looking for a full-time Money Guidance Officer. This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic and supportive team at a pivotal moment in our growth. We are looking for someone who enjoys providing first-class client satisfaction and support service. You will work closely with our Advice team to ensure clients are accessing support through engagement activities and that they are able to progress their debt advice journey smoothly.

The post-holder will need to be comfortable interacting with a variety of audiences – advisers, clients, and partner organisations, and enjoy supporting people to progress through their advice journey. You will have strong administrative, research, and data skills, excellent communication and critical-thinking skills, and should be flexible and capable of working independently and as part of a team. The post holder will be part of a small team and need to be a proven self-starter. The team language is English, and Rooted Finance is an Equal Opportunities employer.

Job Description

• Salary: £28,000
• Hours: 35 Hours per week
• Benefits: 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, day of leave on your birthday, additional day of leave for each year of service up to 35 days, 3% pension contribution stakeholder pension, £200 home-office equipment allowance, Costco membership, Employee Assistance Programme, hybrid and flexible working arrangements available and agreed according to business needs.
• Contract: Permanent/Fixed Term (subject to funding)
• Location: Rooted Finance delivers primarily an in-person service; the postholder will be required to attend outreach locations/RF office. Hybrid arrangement with remote working will be incorporated where possible based on business demands.

Purpose of the Job

Rooted Finance provides client-focused and impact-driven services. The ability to provide first-class advisory and casework services that impact individuals and the communities they live in is fundamental to the way in which Rooted Finance provides transparent and evidence-based services. RF is looking for a proven self-starter to support our advice services and preventative initiatives. You’ll be passionate about working with people and committed to delivering a high-quality community engagement and support programme.

You’ll be adept at delivering comprehensive support to individuals within diverse community settings. You will be confident in working with community members to grow and develop projects to reach isolated individuals. Working flexibly across dates (including occasional weekend working), times, and locations, responding to project and community needs as required.

The successful candidate will have excellent interpersonal skills and be able to work flexibly with clients. You will be meticulous in your work, especially when supporting clients and maintaining case records for continuity of ongoing support. You will be trained and expected to keep up to date with regards to legislation, case law, and policy changes relating to debt and a working knowledge of welfare benefits as directed by Line Manager.

Training and Development

Rooted Finance will provide internal and external training as appropriate. Continued professional development is fundamental to the values of Rooted Finance in building capacity amongst its team members.

Reporting

The post holder will report directly to the Advice Manager of Rooted Finance.

Role Requirements

This role aims to address the additional barriers and needs faced by overindebted individuals, ensuring they are supported in navigating these challenges and can focus on the debt advice process effectively. As a Money Engagement Officer, you will work across our various community partners, delivering money mentoring support and income maximisation services to local communities with the aim of promoting financial resilience and wellbeing.

You will also assist in collecting essential documents and information for advisers to progress their cases. You will maintain accurate client and project records and contribute/support Manager(s) with effective project monitoring and reporting. You will capture learning to share with project stakeholders to help inform Rooted Finance’s wider approach to financial inclusion services.

Key functions and impact of the role will include:

• Outreach and Engagement: Actively engage overindebted individuals through various outreach initiatives such as community events, workshops, and partnerships with local organisations to raise awareness about debt advice to encourage individuals to seek help early and facilitate this through practical 121 support.
• Support and Guidance: Provide ongoing support needs to keep people with money worries engaged in the debt advice journey.
• Referral and Collaboration: Foster a cohesive relationship to build partnerships and collaborate with debt advice services, community organisations, and other stakeholders to facilitate referrals and ensure a seamless transition into debt advice services.
• Empowerment and Education: Equip our service users by providing ‘digestible’ financial education, coaching, and advocacy to help them make informed decisions, improve their financial literacy, and build long-term financial resilience.
• Data Collection and Reporting: Maintain accurate records of all outcomes, advocacy, and support provided to all individuals, diligently record outcomes to track the effectiveness of the triage process and measure the impact of the engagement efforts on increasing access to debt advice and other services.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Work closely with RF advice team in identifying clients’ needs to implement a holistic approach to supporting individuals.
• Manage a joint caseload with debt advisers to ensure successful engagement in the debt advice journey, monitor progress, and maintain diligent records across all systems.
• Deliver both 121 and group sessions to build individuals’ financial knowledge and resilience.
• Increase the visibility and awareness of the advice services through external events and roadshows.
• Develop and maintain good working relationships with clients to facilitate engagement in the debt advice journey.
• Identify aftercare support to help individuals increase their ability around ongoing financial capability and literacy skills.
• Provide one-to-one/group sessions to encourage and increase engagement in the debt advice service.
• Ensure all project monitoring requirements are adhered to and all learning is captured and recorded in a timely manner.
• Actively participate in team meetings and work with colleagues and beneficiaries to further develop the project.
• Maintain effective communication between colleagues, stakeholders, and beneficiaries at all times.

Person Specifications

Qualification

• Desirable: Educated to a degree standard or equivalent.
• Essential: Relevant professional qualification (i.e. CMA Connect Money Mentor training) or equivalent gained through experience.

Skills

• Desirable: Excellent understanding of the principles and current best practice in debt, financial capability, and financial inclusion.
• Essential: Knowledge and understanding of the welfare benefit system and experience of advising customers on benefits.

Experience

• Desirable: Experience of supporting and guiding junior team members (volunteer/trainee team members).
• Essential: Experience of working directly in a community setting such as adult health and social care, learning support, or information and advice settings.

This role will be subject to an enhanced DBS check. Rooted Finance is registered with the Information Commissioner's Office and will process your personal data in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation and Data Protection Act 2018.