Vacancies

Join us at Southend in Sight

Administrative Support Intern

Thomas Pocklington Trust (TPT) and RNIB are collaborating with charities in the sight loss sector to create new opportunities for blind and partially sighted people to find employment through the Get Set Progress Internship programme.  Southend in Sight is delighted to be offering an internship as part of the Get Set Progress scheme.

Our purpose at Southend in Sight is to offer friendly support, practical advice and fun social events to ensure that those living with sight loss can continue to lead independent, fulfilling and active lives.

What are the benefits of a Get Set Progress internship for me?

As part of your 9-month internship, you will be part of a large cohort of fellow interns and gain the following:

  • Obtain valuable work experience within the charity sector
  • Technology support (Including Microsoft Office) and upskilling opportunities
  • Online and in-person training and development opportunities
  • Opportunity to present and network with Senior leaders within the Sight Loss Sector
  • Opportunities to build relationships with fellow interns
  • A personal mentor offering support, advice and guidance throughout your internship
  • Help deliver positive changes for people with sight loss

As part of the GSP Internship programme, you will also be enrolled on the TPT Works For Me Employment Programme, where you will gain bespoke employment support, guidance and advice from the TPT Employment Team, some of the skills that you will receive support and guidance around include:

  • CV writing
  • Job searching
  • Cover letter and speculative letter writing
  • Application form writing
  • Interview techniques

The Works For Me team will also continue to support you in finding valuable employment after your time on the GSP internship programme has ended.

Job description

Role: Administrative Support Intern

Department: Organisation-wide

Reporting to: Fundraising & Communications Manager/CEO

Location: Hybrid, Southend in Sight Westcliff on Sea office

Salary: Based on Living Wage Foundation rates (location dependent)

Contract type: Fixed Term nine months, 28 hours (4 days) per week.

Job Specification Information

Job purpose – Overview of the role:

The Administration Intern will be supported to build on existing skills, develop new skills, and gain real life experience working alongside, staff and volunteers. The post is a new role to support the growing needs of the charity and will help to ensure the smooth operation of the services we offer through day-to-day office administration.

Key areas of responsibility

  1. Meeting and greeting clients at our Centre in a friendly and professional manner.
  2. Answering the telephone, dealing with any immediate queries and passing on messages to the relevant member of staff.
  3. Making calls to clients who are part of our Talk and Support scheme or who may need an initial assessment by our Sight Loss Advice Team.
  4. Sending letters on behalf of the team to clients, suppliers and others.
  5. Monitoring our “info” email account, replying to messages and passing on queries to the relevant member of staff.
  6. Setting up diary dates for staff meetings and other relevant meetings between staff and external people.
  7. Carrying out talks with the Community Coordinator, helping the charity to engage with the local community.
  8. Ordering stationery and other office supplies required by the team on a regular basis.
  9. Using and updating our Salesforce database with client and survey information.
  10. Attending social activities and assisting the Community Engagement Officer when required.
  11. Offering advice and guidance (once trained) to people dropping into our Centre.

Person specification – essential criteria:

The successful applicant will possess the following:

  • Lived experience of sight loss.
  • A willingness to learn new and develop skills to help them join or rejoin the workforce.
  • A keen interest in making a difference to local blind and partially sighted people.
  • Be committed to a 9 month internship programme, including training.
  • This post has a Genuine Occupational Requirement that the successful applicant be a person who is blind or partially sighted, in line with The Equality Act 2010.
  • Willingness to travel to the TPT Hub in London for intern developments throughout the course of the internship programme.
  • Having NOT previously undertaken the Get Set Progress internship programme.

What to do next

If you are interested in applying for the above vacancy, please send your CV and a covering letter explaining why we should employ you as an intern to: catherine@southendinsight.org.uk or give us a call on 01702 342131.

Closing date:

11 December 2023

About Southend in Sight:

Southend in Sight is a charitable incorporated organisation who’s objective and aim is to support blind and partially sighted individuals to achieve lasting positive changes in their lives. For this reason, we are actively seeking applications from all backgrounds including blind and partially sighted individuals, and people who have lived experience of sight loss.

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