Benefits Advice Officer - No Experience Required


Company:	Navigate
Salary:	£26,228 to £29,007 a year
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Devon
Working pattern:	Field-based
Job type:	Contract
Posting date:	27 Aug 2026
Closing date:	11 Sept 2026

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Summary

About Navigate CIO

Navigate is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) and registered charity providing free, impartial and confidential money, debt and benefits advice, alongside financial education and money management support, across Devon and Somerset. We specialise in supporting people who may face barriers to accessing mainstream advice services, including those experiencing poor physical or mental health, disability, rural or social isolation, digital exclusion, low confidence or complex financial circumstances. Our person-centred approach means taking support to people where they need it, including through home visits and community-based delivery. We work in partnership with a range of voluntary, statutory and community organisations to provide accessible, joined-up support that helps people improve their financial stability and wellbeing.

About the Transitions Project

Transitions is a long-established partnership project delivered by Navigate, Encompass Southwest and West Devon CVS, with funding from The National Lottery Community Fund. The project supports people across West Devon and Torridge who are experiencing financial hardship and may face multiple barriers to accessing advice and support. By bringing together specialist money and benefits advice with strong local partnerships and community connections, Transitions provides flexible, person-centred support designed around individual circumstances. As a Benefits Adviser, you will work as part of this wider partnership, helping ensure clients receive coordinated support and can access the services they need.

At Navigate, we value our people and are committed to investing in our staff and volunteers, providing the training, support and development they need to grow in their roles and make a meaningful difference.

Join Our Team and Help Transform Lives!

We are looking for a compassionate and motivated Benefits Adviser to join our Transitions team, providing personalised benefits advice and support to people in their own homes and communities across West Devon and Torridge. You will help people understand and access the benefits they are entitled to, maximise their household income and navigate what can often be complex and challenging benefit processes. Many of the people we support face barriers to accessing mainstream services, so the ability to build trust, listen and provide patient, practical support is at the heart of this role.

We are looking for someone with strong communication and interpersonal skills, a person-centred approach and a genuine commitment to supporting people experiencing vulnerability or financial hardship. Previous benefits advice experience would be an advantage, but we also welcome applications from people with transferable skills and the right values and aptitude to develop in the role. Full training, support and opportunities for professional development will be provided.

About the Role

Working as part of the Transitions Project, you will provide specialist, person-centred benefits advice to people in their own homes and community settings across West Devon and Torridge.

Many of the people we support experience barriers that make it difficult for them to access mainstream advice services, including poor physical or mental health, disability, rural isolation, digital exclusion, low confidence and complex personal circumstances. You will take advice directly to clients, providing the time, flexibility and practical support they need to understand and access their benefit entitlements.

You will complete comprehensive benefit checks, support clients to make and manage claims, identify opportunities to maximise household income and help resolve benefit-related problems. This may include supporting clients with challenging decisions, mandatory reconsiderations and appeals, as well as liaising and advocating with the DWP, local authorities and other agencies.

The role involves regular lone working and travel to clients' homes, so you will need to be confident working independently while remaining closely connected to the wider Transitions team.

This is a rewarding role with the opportunity to make a tangible difference to the financial stability and wellbeing of people who may otherwise struggle to access the support they need.

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