Digital Skills Officer
MILTON KEYNES CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
Milton Keynes
Full-time
Listed today
Digital Skills Officer Citizens Advice Milton Keynes Job Description Job Title Location Digital Skills Officer (DSO) Skills Centre Centre:MK, 2nd Floor, 24 Silbury Arcade, Milton Keynes MK9 3ES and Outreach Locations where appropriate Reports to Works for Us Team Manager Band 4 Main Purpose of the Post: Many of the local and national services that our clients need have been, or are being, moved online. The rate at which this is happening has increased dramatically since the onset of the pandemic in 2020. This can disadvantage people who do not have the necessary knowledge, skills, or technology to access and use online services. It can also act as a barrier to people moving into employment or progressing further within a chosen job or career. A pivotal role within our Employability Service (Works for Us) the Digital Skills Officer (DSO) will support our clients to overcome the anxiety or fear of using technology and the internet and help them to get online safely and securely. Working with our Digital Skills Lead (DSL) , the DSO will act as a guide to our clients, coaching them to carry out a range of activities online to solve their problems. The post holder will be responsible for delivering those learning outcomes relating to digital skills, that are associated with a number of local partnerships we have with other voluntary and statutory services. This will be achieved through one-to-one sessions with clients and smaller classroom-based courses for groups of 6 – 8 people. Duties and Responsibilities: • To provide practical support to clients in relation to improving their digital skills and guide them to access and use digital services effectively. For example, this may include helping clients to: o Obtain information on the internet o Make a claim for Universal Credit o Access Universal Credit work journals o Register for the Home Swapper service o Complete online forms o Set up and use an email account o Conduct a job search and apply for jobs online o Create and upload documents to the internet o Use the internet to manage money, including online banking and price comparison sites o Understand internet safety • To carry out a personalised ‘needs analysis’ to inform how best to support each client to improve their digital skills. September 2024 Digital Skills Officer Citizens Advice Milton Keynes • To evaluate clients’ competence in relevant digital skills and in ways that will inform assessment and successful achievement of learning outcomes for different projects. Service Delivery Through delivery of face-to-face appointments and group sessions the DSO will: • Support clients who lack digital skills to establish a ‘digital footprint’ i.e., setting up email accounts, tutorials on how to use a computer, uploading documents or sending emails. • Help clients to understand the basics of digital technology, including how to identify what system is being used, what internet browser to use, search engines, and how to use a mouse, keyboard, computer, or smart phone. • Help clients to apply for Universal Credit and other benefits online and support them to manage their benefit account online. • Help clients to look for employment opportunities advertised online. • To develop and implement an appropriate mix of formal and informal learning activities, tailoring many activities to the client’s own needs and circumstances. • Evaluate the effectiveness of training programs and learning outcomes ensuring that they fulfill the digital literacy needs of Works for Us / Citizens Advice clients. Other duties and responsibilities • Attend local forums, conferences, and meetings to promote the Digital Skills service as and when required. • Promote the Digital Skills service within Works for Us / Citizens Advice and work with the DSL and other colleagues to ensure that appropriate referrals are made to it from other parts of the organisation. • To support the DSL to develop and design training and other materials such as handouts, manuals, and exercises , that support the improvement of digital skills. • Use IT Suite computers and other devices in line with our Information Risk Policy; for example: installing updates, removing personal data left by users, adding relevant links, and ensuring the availability of essential resources to support learning. • Collaborate closely with the WfU Team Manager and DSL to assess, refine, and expand the Digital Skills Support program. • Contribute valuable insights and ideas to enhance the program's effectiveness and relevance. • Engage in ongoing training on digital learning platforms to stay current with changes and best practices, sharing learnt knowledge with clients to support their independent learning. September 2024 Digital Skills Officer Citizens Advice Milton Keynes • Capture and record statistical and monitoring information on outcomes, service delivery and general performance of the Digital Skills Service. • Support agreed local and national research and campaigns. • Carry out such other duties as may from time to time be required. September 2024