The Fostering Network

THE FOSTERING NETWORK

Improving the lives of children and young people in foster care.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job title: Temporary Information Officer

Accountable to: Information Manager

Objectives: To provide an information service for staff and members through an enquiry service and foster care resource centre; to maintain and develop information systems to ensure the enquiry service and resource centre meet the needs of their users whilst promoting the strategic goals of the Fostering Network and good practice in foster care.

Hours: 18 per week

Location: 87 Blackfriars Road, London SE1

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Provide an information service for staff and members of the Fostering Network

1.1 Ensure that a consistent and reliable information service is delivered to staff, members, prospective foster carers and other parties where appropriate, responding to enquiries by phone, email, web form, post and in person 1.2 Ensure responses to enquiries are timely, promote good practice in foster care and promote the services and work of the Fostering Network where possible

2. Acquire and process information resources

2.1 Process appropriate online and offline publications for inclusion in the resource centre 2.2 Ensure resources are catalogued on the library management system 2.3 Manage journal subscriptions, processing and circulation to staff

3. Maintaining and developing systems for information storage and delivery

3.1 Work with the information manager to ensure the information service complies with the relevant laws concerning data protection, copyright, intellectual property, and privacy

4. Service development

4.1 Record and present statistical information that helps demonstrate the impact of the information service, and helps the Fostering Network develop its services

5. Management of resources

5.1 Monitor expenditure against budgets set

6. General 6.1 Ensure that all materials and messages promote equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice 8.2 Work as part of the External Affairs Division, contributing to meetings and the development of the division’s work 8.3 Any other duties as requested by the Information Manager or Director of External Affairs

7. Additional duties

It is the nature of the organisation that tasks and responsibilities are in many circumstances unpredictable and varied. All employees are therefore expected to work in a flexible way when the occasion arises and undertake tasks that are not specifically covered in their job description. TEMPORARY INFORMATION OFFICER - PERSON SPECIFICATION

Skills and abilities:

1 Excellent written and verbal communication skills 2 Excellent reference interview skills 3 Ability to communicate with people from a range of backgrounds 4 Excellent attention to detail 5 Analytical skills for collating statistics and identifying relevant information 6 Excellent desk research and information retrieval skills 7 Proven ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team 8 Excellent use of email, word processing, and other office applications 9 Natural aptitude for working in databases 10 Excellent time management, prioritising and organisational skills 11 Ability to pick up new systems and subject areas quickly

Knowledge and experience:

12 Good understanding of information storage systems including databases 13 Good understanding of information management principles 14 Experienced in searching a wide range of resources and filtering out relevant information 15 Knowledge of foster care issues desirable 16 Experience of editing websites desirable

Attitudes:

17 Motivated by the needs of users 18 Commitment to equality issues and adapting working practices as necessary to ensure compliance with anti-discriminatory policies 19 Commitment to the development of the most appropriate and effective information systems

Temporary Information Officer Additional Information

Pay and conditions of service

Grade The Fostering Network Band 3

Salary £26,054 (gross) pro rata per annum or £501.12 (gross) pro rata per week.

Annual Leave 25 days pro rata

Probationary period One calendar month

Notice period One week

Hours of work 18 per week

Season Ticket Loan An interest free season ticket loan is available to all staff immediately.

Trade Union The Fostering Network recognises the trade union Unite and members of staff can join if they wish