At Citizens Advice Oxford, we provide free, independent impartial and confidential advice service to around 6,500 people each year, helping our clients find a way forward with a range of problems including accessing welfare benefits, managing debt, resolving employment, consumer, family relationship and housing issues.
We are an independent, local charity responding to our communities’ needs. We are also part of a network of around 300 local Citizens Advice charities, working together as members of the Citizens Advice national service – a national charity.
Our advice services are open to anyone, but many of our clients are some of the most disadvantaged people in the city. The pandemic has challenged all of us, but it has disproportionally affected our more vulnerable clients. Our rapid response to the lockdown, moving our teams and services onto a remote basis, has allowed us to continue our vital work throughout. In our future, we see our operating model offering a blended service of remote and in person advice.
We are seeking a new Chief Officer who will take the charity through this transformative moment, and then consolidate on this organisational development, so that in five years’ time we are a strong charity that continues to provide high quality advice to meet Oxford’s needs, and using our on-the-ground insight to influence policy for the better locally and nationally.
Key details:
Job title: Chief Officer
Salary: £42,000 - £46,000 pro-rata depending on experience
Hours: 4 – 5 days. Our FTE is 37 hours a week. Flexibility on days and hours.
Contract: This is a permanent position
Location: Primarily home-based, but with a regular presence within our service
The successful candidate will have:
Demonstrable experience of providing inspirational leadership to an organisation going through change, ideally gained at an organisation of comparable scale (c. 20-25 staff, 60 volunteers and a turnover of c. £0.75million);
The ability to commit to and work within the aims, principles and policies of Citizens Advice service;
A good up to date understanding of equality and diversity and its application to service delivery, business development and the recruitment and management of staff and volunteers;
A proven ability to devise and implement strategic development and resource plans, particularly in the area of service development, staff development and the management of change;
A demonstrable track record of financial management and budgetary control;;
An understanding of the voluntary sector and, in particular, knowledge of the strategic and policy environment in which the advice sector operates;
The ability to lead and contribute to a team, including the ability to prioritise work, identify and develop ideas and opportunities, delegate effectively, handle pressure, and take day-to-day decisions on the running of the organisation;
The capability of influencing external change and the ability to earn and maintain the trust of those people with whom the organisation deals, especially funding bodies and local authorities ;
A track record of successful income generation, through fundraising, commissioning and marketing activities.
Experience within the advice sector would be an advantage.
We encourage applicants who are from underrepresented groups with protected characteristics, as we value having a diverse pool of applicants to find the best candidate.
If you would like to receive an Information Pack for this role with details on how to apply, please send an expression of interest and (optional but appreciated) a CV or professional profile in confidence to our consultant, Jenny Hills at executive@harrishill.co.uk. For an informal and confidential conversation about this position, please contact Jenny at the above address with your number and suitable times to speak.
Closing date for applications: 9am, Monday 5th July 2021.
