The ME Association is a national charity that supports, informs, campaigns, and invests in biomedical research for people with the neurological disease myalgic encephalopathy also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).
We are seeking a Welfare Benefits Adviser whose main responsibility would be to write and maintain the guides and leaflets that are provided by the charity to help people with ME/CFS and their carers navigate the welfare systems in the UK.
Ideally you would have experience in a similar role and be up to date with the various benefits systems including social care. In particular, the application, review and appeals processes for Personal Independence Payment and ESA/Universal Credit, but also in regard to other benefits that might apply to people with ME/CFS and the people who care for them.
Personal or familial experience of the medical condition would be useful, as the information that we publish needs to be tailored to the special needs of those with ME/CFS.
We would want you to begin by completing a review and update of the guides and leaflets we currently offer and to make suggestions for new material where necessary. Once the review has been completed you would be required to provide updates as and when changes are made to the benefits systems.
We would need at least an annual review of each guide and leaflet, and you would also be involved in writing any associated blogs for the website or articles for ME Essential members magazine.
Finally, we would like you to be involved in helping to train and provide written information to the volunteers who maintain the ME Connect telephone helpline, and to be on hand as someone we can call on should it be necessary.
The role will not involve giving benefits advice to individuals, but we may on occasion reach out to you for help answering complex questions from the patient and carer communities.
- You would be working from home. Employment will be on a self-employed contractual basis. Payment at a commensurate rate to be negotiated.
- The initial review of current guides and leaflets might require 10 hours a week in the beginning until it is complete, but subsequent work could be as little as 2 hours a week or less depending on the work that is needed which could simply be of a monitoring nature.
We think this role might appeal to someone who is working freelance in the welfare sector or who is currently advising in a similar capacity for another charity or organisation and has the necessary experience, and/or to someone with ME/CFS who has the experience and who feels they can now take on this part-time flexible working arrangement.
What to do next
Briefly explain (in no more than 200 words) why you are the best person for this role and send with a summary C.V. to: russell.fleming@meassociation.org.uk
- Please title your application: MEA Welfare Benefits Adviser
- The deadline is Wednesday, 07 July, at 5.00pm
We look forward to hearing from you and wish you the best of luck!
The ME Association is committed to a policy of equal opportunities for all whatever their gender, ethnicity, age, or other attribute, and encourage all to apply.