Financial Adviser jobs in Cardiff

About the role

Thank you for your interest in working at Citizens Advice West Somerset (CAWS). This job pack should give you everything you need to know to apply for this role and what it means to work at Citizens Advice West Somerset.

In this pack you’ll find:

The purpose of the role

Our Values

Overview of the of the Citizens Advice service

About Citizens Advice West Somerset

The role profile and person specification

After reading this job pack, if you would like to proceed with an application please email admin@citizensadvicewestsomerset.org.uk. You will be asked to complete a Personal Statement detailing how your skills and experience fit each of the Person Specification Criteria outlined in this job profile by 21th April 2025.

We value diversity, promote equality and challenge discrimination. We encourage and welcome applications from suitably skilled candidates from all backgrounds. Members of the recruitment panel will consider information you provide against the person specification for the role to decide whether you will be shortlisted for an interview.

Purpose of the role

• To deliver advice by telephone and face to face to residents of the area that used to be called West Somerset providing comprehensive and full range of money/debt advice in line with Financial Conduct Authority regulation and Debt Advice Quality Framework.
• To deliver money advice support across Citizens Advice West Somerset (CAWS) staff and volunteers.
• To promote and develop good money/debt advice practice within CAWS.
• To promote and deliver the money advice service of the organisation by attending outreach locations and clients’ homes where required.

Our values

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.

Four things you should know about us.

• We’re local and we’re national. We have 1 office which looks after 60 parishes in the West of Somerset.
• We’re here for everyone. Our advice helps people solve problems and our advocacy helps fix problems in society. Whatever the problem, we won’t turn people away.
• We’re listened to - and we make a difference. Our trusted brand and the quality of our research mean we make a real impact on behalf of the people who rely on us.
• The Citizens Advice service is made up of Citizens Advice - the national charity - and a network of around 300 local Citizens Advice members.

What we give our staff

• Fantastic opportunities to launch and develop careers in the voluntary sector developing a wealth of useful knowledge, skills and experience.
• An organisation that is committed to its employees, valuing their knowledge, well-being, creativity and flexibility
• A pension scheme with an employer contribution
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Flexible working

Role profile

• Money Advice Delivery
• Full time 37.5 hours per week or 22.5 hours per week, part time considered.
• Provide comprehensive debt/money advice in line with the Financial Conduct Authority regulations including the Consumer Duty, and Debt Advice Quality Framework
• Provide advice in income maximisation, benefits, budgeting, financial capability and housing.
• Complete Debt Relief Orders on behalf of clients (if accredited)
• Use your interpersonal skills to explore, listen and understand complex problems as they affect each individual and tailor approach to advice accordingly.
• Provide a clear plan of action and follow-up on actions relating to cases as appropriate.
• Identify and escalate serious problems, including safeguarding, appropriately.
• Ability to work on own initiative as well as within a team.
• Support clients in via telephone and outreach venues.
• Commit to ongoing training/development.
• Maintain detailed case records for the purpose of continuity of advice, information retrieval, statistical monitoring and report preparation.
• Complete the required training to comply with quality assurance processes.
• To carry out community outreach projects .

Research and campaigns.

• Support our research and campaigns work through various channels including case studies, data collection and client consent.
• Assist with Research and campaigns work by providing information about clients’ circumstances through the appropriate channel.
• Keep up to date with research and campaign issues and ensure research and campaigns is promoted and integrated in a way relevant to the role.
• Professional development
• Keep up to date with legislation, policies and procedures and undertake appropriate training.
• Keep up to date with Citizens Advice aims, principles and procedures and ensure these are followed.
• Read relevant publications.
• Attend relevant internal and external meetings as agreed with the line manager.
• Prepare for and attend supervision sessions/team meetings/staff meetings as appropriate.

Administration

• Use telephony and IT equipment for multichannel delivery of advice services.
• Use IT software for statistical recording of information relating to research and campaigns and funding requirements, record keeping and document production.
• Ensure that all work conforms to the organisation’s systems and procedures.
• Carry out any other tasks that may be within the scope of the post to ensure the effective delivery and development of CAWS advice service.
• Attend events to promote the services of the organisation (out of office hours on occasion)
• Abide by health and safety guidelines and share responsibility for own safety and that of colleagues.
• Create a positive working environment which equality and diversity are professionally managed, dignity at work is upheld and staff can do their best.

Person specification

Essential

• Hold an up-to-date Generalist Adviser certificate (Citizens Advice or equivalent)
• Proven ability to interview clients using sensitive listening and questioning skills to get to the root of issues and empower clients, whilst maintaining structure and control of meetings
• Knowledge of multiple enquiry areas (i.e. debt, benefits, housing, employment, financial capability)
• Ability to research, analyse and interpret complex information and produce and present clear reports verbally and in writing.
• Ability to understand statistics and check accuracy of calculations.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Ability to make use of telephony and IT systems to deliver service.
• Ability and willingness to work as part of a team.
• A commitment to continuous professional development, including a willingness to develop knowledge and skills in advice topics.
• Ability to commit to and work with the aims, principles and policies of the Citizens Advice service.
• A good up to date understanding of equality and diversity and its application to the provision of advice.
• Ability to prioritise own work to meet deadlines and manage workload.
• Accredited money/debt adviser (either Citizens Advice training, Wiser Adviser (IMA) training or equivalent)

Other requirements

• Car insurance that covers occasional business use
• To take up this post you must have the right to work in the UK. Please note that Citizens Advice does not hold a sponsor licence and, therefore, cannot issue certificates of sponsorship under the points-based system.

Criminal Convictions

• Having a criminal record will not necessarily bar you from working for Citizens Advice– much will depend on the type of job you have applied for and the background and circumstances of your offence.
• For some posts, an offer of employment will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. If this applies to the post for which you are applying, this will be noted in the application pack.
• Please note in your Personal Statement whether you have you had any previous convictions not regarded as spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. If so, please provide details of the offence and the date of conviction.

Qualifications

• Driving Licence

Job Type: Permanent

Pay: £25,350.00-£27,300.00 per year

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Minehead TA24 5NW

Application deadline: 21/04/2025
Reference ID: QDA125