***THIS JOB VACANCY HAS NOW CLOSED***
Compensation Advocacy and Support Officer
Location: Working from home (with monthly trip to London and occasional visits to Royal Navy units in UK).
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer.
Salary: £35,000 + generous pension and leave allowance.
Job Type: 2-year fixed term contract.
Application Deadline: 14 November 2024.
About Us: The White Ensign Association is a charity dedicated to supporting the Royal Navy community. We provide essential support to serving personnel, veterans and their families across a spectrum of financial, employment and life administration matters. As we undergo transformative growth, we are seeking a second Compensation Advocacy and Support Officer (CASO) to meet the increasing demand from our beneficiaries for assistance in relation to the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS).
Job Summary: The successful candidate will work alongside our existing CASO to support those serving and veteran members of the Royal Navy who wish to make claims under the AFCS or its predecessor, the War Pensions Scheme (WPS). The ideal candidate will have strong communication skills, a keen eye for legislative and evidential detail and a passion to serve the Royal Navy community.
Key Responsibilities
Management of AFCS/WPS cases:
- The provision of information and guidance regarding entitlement on allowances, awards and pensions under the AFCS and WPS.
- Guidance on assessment issues and entitlement to reviews under the AFCS and WPS.
- Guidance on ‘right of appeal’ and ‘grounds for appeal’ in AFCS and WPS cases.
- Assistance to claimants/appellants in the research and submission of evidence in support of claims, reviews, appeals and tribunals.
- Oversee and advise on communication between beneficiaries and DBS Veterans UK.
- Provide advocacy at tribunal when appeals are heard.
- Act as the Appointed Person for those beneficiaries who are unable due to illness or infirmity to deal with DBS Veterans UK themselves.
- Caseload management of up to 50 cases simultaneously.
- Maintain current knowledge of all legislation relating to WPS and AFCS.
Stakeholder Engagement:
- Act as a naval charity sector representative on the Tribunal User Group forum.
- The provision of general briefing material and information on AFCS and WPS.
- The development and maintenance of a network with those law firms that are competent in litigation involving MOD cases and pro bono work.
- The provision of information and guidance to generalist caseworkers working in the Naval environment and the development of close working relationships with providers of similar programmes within the Armed Forces charity sector.
Qualifications:
Essential:
- Highly developed organisational, administrative and communication skills (both written and verbal), including an ability to keep up to date records.
- To be a highly motivated self-starter.
- To have the ability to listen and gain the confidence of others.
- Experience of, or the ability, to work in small teams or remotely for long periods.
- Strong advocacy skills.
- The ability to research, assimilate and apply complex legislation and evidence.
- Experience in, or understanding of, working in the wider Armed Forces and/or public sector environment.
- A natural confidence in dealing with stakeholders, including public sector and commercial organisations.
- Personal integrity and a passion for the Royal Navy community and the mission of the White Ensign Association.
- Proficiency in the use of the Microsoft Office suite.
- Hold a UK driving licence and be prepared to undertake national travel.
Desirable:
- Previous charity or not-for-profit experience.
- An understanding of, or experience in, the legal or legislative environment.
- An understanding of the standards and burdens of proof.
- Current or recent experience of the Royal Navy operational environment and/or military personnel terms and conditions of service.
How to Apply: Interested candidates should submit a covering letter and CV to reach the CEO, Stuart Wright, at stuart.wright@whiteensign.co.uk by 14 November 2024. Please include “CASO Application” in the subject line.
If you feel that you may not meet all the requirements, we’d still love to chat – finding the right fit is essential to us! To find out more about what the role entails, do please contact our existing CASO, Mrs Leigh Rhodes, either by phone on 0782-788-5515 or by email at: leigh.rhodes@whiteensign.co.uk
