***THIS JOB VACANCY HAS NOW CLOSED***
Contract: Permanent, full time
Hours: Working 37 hours per week
Location: Office based in Aylesford with flexibility to travel across South East
Salary: £35-38,000 per annum, dependent upon experience
Closing Date: Friday 30 November 2018 (at close of business)
Main Purpose of Job:
The Welfare, Community and Outreach Manager (The Welfare Manager) is a demanding role responsible for the development and well-being of all veterans living on the RBLI Village. The role is particularly suited to dynamic candidates with a strong management and leadership profile from within the British Armed forces or within military charitable or armed forces welfare support organisations.
The Welfare Manager will lead key aspects of the development and delivery of RBLI Veteran Outreach programmes, initially across the south-east of England, but likely to expand nationally. The incumbent will lead Welfare Team of c18 staff (permanent and volunteer) supporting RBLI’s multi-generational community, delivering an expanding range of projects and services. The role demands practical hands-on delivery and also requires the incumbent to have highly developed management and leadership skills.
The successful applicant will demonstrate strategic vision and the ability to deliver programmes and individual welfare support at the front-line operational level. A high degree of analytical skill, backed by strong written and verbal briefing skills will be essential in the support and development of welfare and business cases. Fiscal and business management aspects of the role will include evaluating and monitoring the overall service to report to management, funders, commissioners and regulators as appropriate.
The Welfare manager will link with the SMT and strategic planners and will provide direct input to the funding and fund management of the overall welfare service, short and long term, with particular and immediate focus upon STEP-IN
The incumbent will provide daily management of and, where necessary, leadership for key groups of vulnerable RBLI residents: this is a challenging component of the role requiring a firm, fair yet compassionate approach and management style.
The Welfare Team provides information, advice, practical support and advocacy to Service Users (veterans, their dependants, people with disabilities and those who are otherwise disadvantaged). Services are delivered in a variety of settings but predominantly on the Royal British Legion Village, Aylesford, where the Welfare Manager will be based.
The Welfare Manager will lead the Team to enable Service Users to access appropriate information and support that will serve to improve their independence and overall quality of life. The Welfare Manager will lead the STEP-IN programme and coordinate other programmes for Veterans to deliver increased self-determination and confidence. This will be through the provision of individually tailored in-house or third party wrap-around welfare, healthcare, community engagement, employment and accommodation services, delivered to those who reside with, work for, or otherwise engage with RBLI.
The incumbent will lead all aspects of Safeguarding across the Welfare Team, Veterans, Service Users and Beneficiaries following the RBLI safeguarding policy and process.
Overview of the Role:
RBLI is well-known, locally and nationally, as a charity dedicated to providing training, accommodation, welfare support, care and employment opportunities to the Veteran and Armed Forces Community. RBLI also provides similar services to those disadvantaged by injury, disability, a health condition or social welfare needs.
RBLI provides a wide variety of housing for veterans and entitled dependants, as well as employment opportunities and support programmes to enable veterans to find or return to work.
The Welfare team operates across the RBLI on and off the RBLI Village with developing Outreach programmes and significant connectivity with local and national service providers including the military, clinical, mental health, rehabilitation and other services support charities and services.
The Welfare Manager is responsible for the successful leadership and delivery of RBLI’s combined and complex range of community and welfare support including the key responsibilities detailed below.
Personal Attributes:
- A collaborative, determined yet resilient leader, team player and supporter
- Leads by personal example
- Rational, logical, analytical
- Personable positive manner
- Empathetic: approachable with an inclusive approach
- Objective but understanding
- Diplomatic but realistic: able to ‘tell things how they are’ in an appropriate context
- Demonstrates great attention to detail
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Diligent
- Financially astute
- Able to work on own initiative with only ‘light touch’ direction and guidance
- Able to communicate effectively with a wide range of people, minors and adults, those with disabilities, families and professionals
Skills and Experience Required:
Essential –
- Minimum 5 years in a relevant senior management and leadership role e.g. British military, service charity or armed forces welfare
- Understand the British and commonwealth military mind-set and be able to lead a community of veterans dealing with a range of life-changing challenges
- Deep understanding of training, education, and welfare support within the UK armed services and supporting charities
- Outstanding motivational and mentoring skills
- Outstanding business management skills including business performance management, business forecasting and support to fundraising campaigns
- Practical experience and understanding of disabilities and barriers faced by individuals
- Clear understanding of relevant legislation and best practice such as confidentiality, safeguarding vulnerable adults. Ability to work within this framework
- An ability to produce clear and succinct written and verbal briefings working to tight deadlines
- Demonstrated ability to use IT equipment and windows based computer programmes for recording, monitoring and communication purposes
- Knowledge health and adult social care provision
- Knowledge of welfare and health care plans
- In depth understanding of The Care Act
- Appropriate DBS Check clearance
- Full, clean UK driving licence
- Ability to travel independently to visit beneficiaries and further afield to represent RBLI
- Ability to work flexible hours (at the request of RBLI) including occasional evening and weekend work
Highly Desirable –
- Experience in a leadership role in a community or care setting
- Experience of working within or in support of the serving Armed Forces Community
- Practical experience working with or in support of Armed Forces Veterans
- Broad knowledge of civil and service welfare services and charities and the support that can be accessed through them
- Strong track record of training, education and /or motivational programme delivery
- NEBOSH Gen Cert or IOSH (Managing Safely)
- Safeguarding Level 3 Award or higher (training can be provided)
CPD:
The successful application will be supported to undertake CPD to achieve Level 3 certification and, eventually, Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care (or appropriate equivalent)
Benefits:
RBLI offer 25 days holiday per annum pro rata, a Group Flexible Retirement Plan and Life Assurance.
If you wish to be considered for the above role, forward your CV and covering letter including a supporting statement to recruitment@rbli.co.uk.
* RBLI reserves the right to remove a vacancy at any time prior to the published closing date.
RBLI is an equal opportunities employer.
