Advocacy Jobs
Job title: Farsi speaking Counsellor/Psychotherapist/Psychologist
Salary: £32,076 (pro-rata)
Hours of work: 2 days (p/w)
Duration of contract: 1 year
Accountable to: Senior Counselling Psychologist
About IKWRO
IKWRO –Women’s Rights Organisation (IKWRO) is an award-winning charity founded (as the Iranian and Kurdish Women’s Rights Organisation) in 2002. IKWRO is a registered charity which provides advice and support to Middle Eastern, North African and Afghan women and girls living in the UK, who have experienced, or are at risk of all forms of “honour” based abuse, including; forced marriage, child marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM), or domestic abuse.
We work with women and girls of all ages, including lesbian women, bisexual women and trans women. We offer services in Kurdish, Farsi, Arabic, Dari, Pashto, Turkish and English. IKWRO offers free advice, advocacy and counselling services and operates a refuge which provides safe accommodation and specialist support to single women at risk of “honour” based abuse, forced marriage and domestic abuse.
IKWRO also provides training for women and girls to help them understand their rights in the UK. In partnership with other organisations, we assist survivors of abuse with accessing English language classes and education, training and employment opportunities.
As well as supporting women and girls directly, we offer advice and training for professionals from the statutory and voluntary sectors, to better understand the needs of the women and girls we represent, the types of abuse they experience and to provide best practice prevention and support services.
We campaign to increase awareness and improve laws and policies to tackle all forms of “honour” based abuse and harmful practices including; forced marriage, child marriage, marital captivity, female genital mutilation, virginity testing and hymenoplasty, discrimination by sharia courts and to push for better laws and policies to protect women’s and girl’s rights.
Job Summary
The post-holder will help Farsi speaking women who have experienced Forced Marriage, Female Genital Mutilation and “Honour” Based Violence. Working in a confidential setting, counsellors listen attentively to their clients and offer them the time, empathy and respect they need to express their own feelings, to help them overcome their problems and to make appropriate changes to their life.
The post holder must be BACP or UKCP accredited (or equivalent e.g. HCPC) or training to achieve these accreditation
Main Duties and Responsibilities
- Establishing a relationship of trust and respect with clients;
- To undertake high quality direct (assessment and therapeutic) and indirect (consultative, advisory and evaluative) specialist psychological interventions; making autonomous clinical decisions about own professional practice.
- Develops treatment and guidance methods and give guidance using a variety of therapy and counselling techniques;
- To formulate and implement plans of specialist psychological treatment or management of clients’ mental health problems based on an appropriate multi-factorial understanding of the client’s problems and current evidence-based best practice, taking into account the current NICE guidelines.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Fundraising Officer
Hours of Work: 3 days a week, 21 hours a week
Salary: £40,221 (pro-rata)
Duration of Contract: 1 years - renewable subject to funding
Accountable to: Executive Director
About IKWRO
IKWRO –Women’s Rights Organisation (IKWRO) is an award-winning charity founded (as the Iranian and Kurdish Women’s Rights Organisation) in 2002. IKWRO is a registered charity which provides advice and support to Middle Eastern, North African and Afghan women and girls living in the UK, who have experienced, or are at risk of all forms of “honour” based abuse, including; forced marriage, child marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM), or domestic abuse.
We work with women and girls of all ages, including lesbian women, bisexual women and trans women. We offer services in Kurdish, Farsi, Arabic, Dari, Pashto, Turkish and English. IKWRO offers free advice, advocacy and counselling services and operates a refuge which provides safe accommodation and specialist support to single women at risk of “honour” based abuse, forced marriage and domestic abuse.
IKWRO also provides training for women and girls to help them understand their rights in the UK. In partnership with other organisations, we assist survivors of abuse with accessing English language classes and education, training and employment opportunities.
As well as supporting women and girls directly, we offer advice and training for professionals from the statutory and voluntary sectors, to better understand the needs of the women and girls we represent, the types of abuse they experience and to provide best practice prevention and support services.
We campaign to increase awareness and improve laws and policies to tackle all forms of “honour” based abuse and harmful practices including; forced marriage, child marriage, marital captivity, female genital mutilation, virginity testing and hymenoplasty, discrimination by sharia courts and to push for better laws and policies to protect women’s and girl’s rights.
Purpose of Job
The Fundraising Officer will work as part of the Fundraising and Marketing team and will be responsible for:
• Nurturing relationships with existing and prospective donors
• Sustaining and developing our group of individual and community-based supporters.
• Growing income, including regular giving, donations, appeals, legacy giving, community groups and other fundraising activities.
We are looking for a strong communicator with some experience of fundraising who is keen to develop their career in this area.
This post can be undertaken on a hybrid working basis with some days home-working and some days working in IKWRO’s offices.
The post holder will be flexible and skilled, with an essential interest in and experience of working with migrant and refugee clients, many of whom have additional complex needs. You will work closely with our immigration caseworker manager to provide one-to-one specialist immigration advice and casework to migrant and refugee clients in Brighton & Hove and across East and West Sussex in the areas of immigration & asylum up to OISC L2. We actively welcome applications from those with lived and relevant experience – please see the job description and person specification.
We are currently the only free, Level 2-accredited, year-round provider of out-of-scope immigration advice on the South Coast, and increasing local immigration capacity is critical to address growing demand and changing demographics in the region. Our current core caseload is largely non-EEA nationals whose immigration cases are out of scope of legal aid. However we are also seeing and will continue to see new arrivals and emerging needs in the region including Afghans resettled under the ARAP and ACRS schemes, Sudanese evacuees, EEA nationals who still have not registered for pre-settled or settled status, and an increasing number of both newly arrived and established asylum seekers placed in emergency (‘contingency’) and dispersal Home Office accommodation.
The balance of time spent between different client groups and cases will therefore need to be responsive to the changes we see in the city and region. Many of our clients also have complex additional needs including health and homelessness and the post holder will be expected to liaise closely with our generalist caseworkers and external providers to ensure that people’s holistic needs are met.
You will work as part of a small, supportive advice and casework team that also includes two generalist advice caseworkers, an employability caseworker, a groupwork facilitator and four dedicated resettlement caseworkers who are supporting newly resettled refugee families mainly from Syria and Afghanistan.
Regular supervision and support and in-house and on-the-job training will be provided, as well as external training on specific issues where needed. However you will need to be ready to step immediately into a busy advice environment with the necessary confidence, skills and knowledge to begin to deliver advice and casework and pick up an existing caseload.
Ideally you will already be OISC L2-accredited, but if only L1-accredited you must be willing to work towards accreditation within the 6-month probationary period.
Postholders will need to have the right to work in the UK.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
The Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) is a ground-breaking alliance of companies, trade unions, and voluntary organizations working together to improve the lives of workers in international supply chains. ETI’s vision is of a world of work that protects human rights, ensures dignity for all, provides opportunity, and is free of exploitation and abuse.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Collective Action Officer role to provide administrative and program support to the Collective Action team to enable the effective delivery of agreed work plans – coordinating the organization of sector and thematic meetings, undertaking research, and supporting the maintenance of the CRM, the project management system, and the relevant aspects of the community platform.
We are seeking a proactive and detail-oriented individual with a strong administrative background, adept at seamlessly managing multiple workstreams within a dynamic office environment. Your expertise should extend to nurturing relationships with diverse stakeholders, adeptly providing project management support through CRM systems, and proficiently organizing both in-person and online events, ideally with proficiency in Office 365.
Our ideal candidate possesses:
- Proven track record of thriving in an office environment characterized by multiple work streams and fast-paced teams.
- Demonstrated ability in managing relationships with a diverse array of stakeholders, including companies, NGOs, and trade unions.
- Experience providing administrative and project management support, proficiently utilizing CRM systems.
- Proficiency in organizing both in-person and online events.
- Familiarity and adeptness with the Office 365 suite.
- Strong background in conducting research, analysis, and composing reports.
- Passionate about and knowledgeable in sustainability and human rights issues.
- Exceptional organizational and administrative skills.
- Effective interpersonal and relationship-building capabilities.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Self-motivated and proactive in approach.
This is a part-time (4 days/week) hybrid post with a salary of between £35,699 - £39,295 plus benefits.
Why join ETI?
- Great people and meaningful mission.
- 25 days annual leave + 8 Bank Holidays + office closed over Christmas = 36 days.
- Compassionate leave – 5 days at full pay.
- Time off for dependents – 4 days at full pay.
- 3 Volunteering days at full pay.
- 4 study leave days at full pay.
- Flexible working hours – no core hours and flexible working arrangements from day 1.
- London location (Oval).
- Employee Assistance Programme.
- 7% Pension Contribution.
- Enhanced maternity (90% pay for first 20 weeks) and paternity leave (full pay for 6 weeks).
- Staff Union Representatives.
- Mental Health Champions.
- Casual dress code.
- Season ticket loan.
- Cycle to work.
- Bi-weekly yoga.
- Staff monthly social.
Closing date for applications: 16th May 2024, 12 midnight (GMT)
Flexible working arrangements will be considered.
ETI is an equal opportunities employer. We invest in diversity, ensure equality, and encourage expression. We have a zero-tolerance policy for harassment, bias, or discrimination towards applicants and employees.
Want to join us for the ride? Let’s do this right – together.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Job purpose and key responsibilities
We are looking for a Programme Officer for our new Women Lead in Emergencies team to help us to achieve our ambition for women’s equal and meaningful participation and leadership in humanitarian and nexus programming.
You’ll support the team to deliver efficient and responsive global technical services for the confederation by managing information and administrative systems for the Women Lead in Emergences global workstream. You will coordinate with CARE offices and Women Lead project teams to keep global information updated. You will provide logistical support to CARE’s Women Lead in Emergencies Community of Practice and work with other team members to produce and curate content for our internal knowledge platforms. As this is a global team, in addition to English, you will be comfortable working in one other of the CARE global languages (Arabic, French and/or Spanish).
Why work for us?
It’s a great time to join both CARE International UK and the global Women Lead in Emergencies team as we embark on an exciting period of growth and change. CARE International UK has a new Chief Executive and a refreshed Vision 2030 strategy focused on Local and Women’s Leadership, Humanitarian Action and Climate Justice. You will be joining the Women Lead in Emergencies team at an exciting time as we expand the team to scale up our Women Lead programming with CARE offices around the world.
About you
We are looking for a programme officer who is committed to women’s rights and gender equality and is excited to learn ‘on-the-job’ in a supportive environment. You will have excellent information technology, communication and organisational skills and a good eye for detail. As this is a new role and global team, you will be motivated by working with others to set up new systems and relationships.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Job purpose and key responsibilities
We are looking for a Deputy Team Leader to help us to achieve our ambition for women’s equal and meaningful participation and leadership in humanitarian and nexus programming.
As member of the global Women Lead in Emergencies team, you’ll provide high-quality and responsive technical services to the CARE confederation and partners. You will work closely with the Team Leader to deliver the Women Lead in Emergencies’ strategy and workplans, including leading on the Women Lead in Emergencies Community of Practice and MEAL function, and providing direct technical assistance to CARE offices and partners on all aspects of their Women Lead programming.
Why work for us?
It’s a great time to join both CARE International UK and the global Women Lead in Emergencies team as we embark on an exciting period of growth and change. CARE International UK has a new Chief Executive and a refreshed Vision 2030 strategy focused on Local and Women’s Leadership, Humanitarian Action and Climate Justice. You will be joining the Women Lead in Emergencies team at an exciting time as we expand the team to scale up our Women Lead programming with CARE offices around the world.
About you
We’re looking for an experienced technical advisor with expertise in gender, governance, and monitoring, evaluation and learning, and practical experience of working in humanitarian and crisis-affected settings. You will be a feminist with experience of working with women-led organisations. You will be excited by the prospect of becoming a specialist in the CARE Women Lead model (if you’re not already) and working flexibly with project teams and community-based women’s groups in diverse contexts to adapt the approach to their needs.
As this is both a new role and team, you will enjoy collaborating with others to build and test new systems and ways of working. As this is a global team, in addition to English, you will be comfortable working in one other of the CARE global languages (Arabic, French and/or Spanish).
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Are you looking for a job where you will be supported to gain skills and qualifications?
Searching for a role where your qualities and expertise will make a real difference to people’s lives?
Hoping for a varied, interesting workload as part of a friendly, supportive team?
A bit about us
We are an independent, Human Rights based charity and one of the UK’s largest providers of advocacy, advocacy-related and Healthwatch services who make sure people are heard when it matters most.
At The Advocacy People we have a team of amazing and dedicated staff who provide high-quality, confidential, independent advocacy services, supporting clients, often vulnerable and/or excluded, in having a say about issues that are important to them and decisions that are being made about their lives.
For more information about advocacy and what we do, please go to our website.
We are looking to recruit a permanent multi-skilled advocate, working 37 hours per week, to join our busy and dynamic Kent, London & Sussex multi- disciplinary team, starting salary £23,314 per annum.
About the role
For this exciting multi-disciplinary role, we are looking for someone with a particular interest in Independent Care Act Advocacy, supporting clients in your locality.
To find out more about the role, please take a look at the Job description attached to the advert on our website, Job Vacancies page, where you will also find information about our attractive benefits package.
What we need from you
We are looking for someone with the creativity and enthusiasm to support people in difficult circumstances, ideally with experience in a health or social care. If you haven’t got advocacy qualifications it’s not a problem, we will provide the required training. You’ll be mainly working from home but will also need to engage with your colleagues and external people in a variety of community settings and via MS Teams.
As this role is home based with regular travel across the region, you must have access to both a stable home broadband service, a clean driving licence and your own transport as well as flexibility with working hours. We also need you to live either in Kent or surrounding counties.
What happens next
If we sound like an organisation you would like to work for, please click on the link for further information, including the Job Description/Person specification, and to start your application. Or if already there, apply today!
All applicants invited to interview will need to bring evidence (photographic where possible) of their right to work in the UK. New employee start dates will only be confirmed once relevant checks, including enhanced DBS clearance, and 2 satisfactory references have been received.
Closing Date: 5pm 24th May 2024
Interview Date: To be confirmed
Interview venue: Microsoft Teams
If you would like to discuss the role further, please contact Emma Bates or Lauren Fernandez.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Other info: hybrid role, homebased with travel across East Kent
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Transformation Cornwall is a small and entrepreneurial faith based charity that supports and develops social projects run by communities, churches and faith based organisations.
We operate as a ‘brokerage’ and ‘signposting’ agency to support people turn their ideas into reality. Our expertise is in organisational networking, information sharing, idea generation and connecting communities, funders and sector experts together, to increase capacity for social action.
The Operations Director is responsible for all aspects of the development and running of the charity.
This post requires a high level of self-motivation and imagination, together with a passion for faith based social action.
Proven people management and organisational skills are essential, together with an in-depth knowledge of the voluntary and grant funding sectors and the ability to help community groups turn ideas into impactful projects.
Full job description and person specification can be found on our website. To apply send you CV, Cover letter and Monitoring Form.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Do you want to work with a leading advocacy charity organisation supporting those in need?
Do you have experience of working or volunteering in welfare, support or health and social care and are looking for a new challenge?
Are you keen to make a difference to people who want to be heard?
Then come and join us here at VoiceAbility.
We have an exciting opportunity for an Advocate to join our team covering Manchester. Your role will require you to travel to locations such as hospitals and care homes across the area to meet with clients and professionals and be home based for administration; therefore, a suitable home internet connection is essential.
About us
VoiceAbility is an independent charity and one of the UK’s largest providers of advocacy and involvement services. We deliver a wide range of service contracts funded by local authorities, health trusts and other voluntary and private sector organisations.
We’ve been supporting people to have their say in decisions about their health, care, and wellbeing for over 40 years. We make sure people are heard when it matters most. For more information on what Advocacy is and the services offered then please visit our website.
About you
Desirably you will have some experience of working as an Advocate, providing welfare, supporting, or caring for Adults or young people who have support needs, ideally for those with a variety of communication needs, mental ill health, physical health issues, or barriers to accessing education and support.
You should have worked or volunteered in health, social care, welfare, support services, education or young person’s services, or advice and guidance.
How will you make a difference?
You will be responsible for ensuring the individual’s wishes, feelings, beliefs, needs, and values are met to create positive outcomes for the people you support.
You will support people to speak up for themselves and grow in confidence, equip them to understand and exercise their rights and options, and will assist them in the decision-making process relating to their care, treatment, and support.
You will work resourcefully and collaboratively with the individuals you support. You’ll be creative in your approach to empower our clients by ensuring you meaningfully explain people’s options and rights to them. You’ll support individuals to fully participate in decisions affecting them and will make sure they have their voices heard.
Professional Development?
You will have plenty of opportunities to enhance your professional abilities and you will make a real difference every day. As this is a 6-month FTC the successful candidate, if not already an Advocate, will not be enrolled on the level 3 Independent Advocacy Practice qualification.
Benefits:
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28 days annual leave plus bank holidays, pro-rata
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5% employer pension & 3% employee contribution
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Salary sacrifice pension scheme
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Separate Life Assurance Cover
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Staff discount scheme including retail discounts, entertainment, holidays etc
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Discounted Gym Membership; Employee Assistance programme
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Supportive working environment fostering a good work/life balance
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Support with continuous professional development
Equality and Diversity
VoiceAbility believes in fostering an inclusive workplace which welcomes, values and celebrates the diversity of its staff and partners, treats all on a basis of equality and encourages all to meet their maximum potential.
VoiceAbility are a Disability Confident employer, any applicant that identifies themselves as having a disability and can demonstrate that they meet all the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview. If you need to apply in a different way, please contact us for further options.
How to apply
To apply for this role please sign up for a recruitment account on our webpage. Follow the instructions to create your account, upload your CV, and complete our short application form.
Important Dates:
Closing date for applications; midnight on 10 May 2024.
Don’t forget to read the person specification so you can tell us about yourself and how your skills, abilities and experiences match the criteria outlined in the person specification.
We look forward to hearing from you.
NB:
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If you don't already hold the Independent Advocacy Practice qualification, and you are successful in your application, it is a requirement that you complete the core element within 12 months of commencing the training. VoiceAbility will fund this training.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Role Title: OISC Level 2 Immigration Advisor
Shropshire Supports Refugees (SSR) is a charitable organisation dedicated to supporting refugees and marginalised migrants who have come to live in Shropshire.
Our mission is to create a welcoming and inclusive community by offering practical help, resources and emotional support to those in need. With a staff team of fifteen and fifty dedicated volunteers, we are committed to making a positive impact on the lives of those we serve.
Location: Shrewsbury and locations around Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin
Hours: 37.5 hrs per week
Reports to: CEO
Salary: £31,200 - 2yr fixed term contract
Main Responsibilities:
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Conduct initial consultations with clients to assess their immigration needs and eligibility
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Provide comprehensive advice on various immigration matters, including visa applications, settlement, asylum claims, and appeals within OISC level 2 guidelines
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Maintain accurate records and case files, ensuring compliance with data protection regulations
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Build and maintain strong relationships with clients
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Advocate on behalf of clients by telephone, letter and email with appropriate agencies
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Keep up-to-date with changes in immigration laws and policies and provide training to colleagues as necessary
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Attend training events relating to asylum and immigration
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To supervise OISC level 1 colleagues
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Undertake other tasks within the organisation as required
Person Specification:
Essential:
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OISC Level 2 accreditation is essential
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Previous experience working as an Immigration Advisor or similar role within the immigration sector
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In-depth knowledge of UK immigration laws, policies, and procedures
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Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport with clients from diverse backgrounds
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Strong time management with the ability to work to strict deadlines
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Knowledge and understanding of the voluntary sector
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Excellent attention to detail and organisational skills
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Excellent communication skills, both written and oral
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Ability to work independently and manage a caseload effectively
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Proficiency in the Microsoft suite
Desirable:
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Fluency in additional languages
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Experience of Salesforce CRM
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Full driving licence
Our mission is to make people escaping war poverty and persecution feel welcome supported and help them to become their best selves
Kent Refugee Action Network are looking for an exceptional individual to join KRAN’s senior management and be the full-time lead on advocacy and support, managing a team to deliver effectively for our service users.
Role Summary
You will lead KRAN’s strategic direction and delivery of a variety of advocacy and support services, ensuring safe and effective operation through your Advocacy and Support Team.
The team offers a range of services and interventions to support and empower young refugees and asylum seekers. Services include casework, mentoring partnerships, volunteer support, wellbeing activities, Youth Ambassadors and engagement. A central goal is to amplify the voice of young people with lived experiences.
As a member of KRAN’s senior management team, you will work with service users and the wider team to help shape the overall direction of KRAN, attuned to the evolving needs of young people and sector developments, while deputising for the CEO as necessary.
The deadline for applications is 5pm, Monday 27 May 2024.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
ABOUT THE EUROPEAN LEGAL SUPPORT CENTRE
ELSC is an initiative of the Palestinian NGO Network, comprising 200 Palestinian civil society organisations, developed in response to the widespread repression in Europe of advocacy for Palestinian rights. Founded in January 2019, we provide free legal advice and assistance to individuals who face unjust smears, disciplinary investigations, criminal sanctions and other repressive measures aimed at shrinking the space for Palestinian rights advocacy in mainland Europe and Britain. Some of our public legal wins in Britain of the past four years can be read here: https://elsc.support/our-work-in-the-uk.
We are “movement lawyers”. In every case we take on, we are accountable not only to the individual client but also to our civil society partners in Britain; and we work hand in hand with local stakeholders in the movement, from trade unions to civil liberties groups. We aim to defend and empower the movement to organise for justice without fear of repression.
ABOUT THE ROLE
The Associate Solicitor will lead our legal team in Britain and oversee our cases in England and Wales.
The role requires a qualified solicitor with experience of running litigious cases. Our main practice areas in Britain are: (i) public law and human rights; (ii) employment and discrimination and (iii) defamation law. The post-holder will have particular expertise in one of these areas. Our cases also involve data rights, freedom of information, criminal law, actions against the police, charity law, education law, international humanitarian law, and immigration issues.
The post holder will manage a growing team that consists of a Legal Officer and a Junior Legal Officer. In addition, our country teams have advocacy and communication officers and researchers who monitor anti-Palestinian racism.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Duties and Responsibilities
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Oversee all litigious and advisory casework in Britain alongside our junior legal staff and legal network. Provide expert legal advice and representation, to individual clients and movement partners.
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Manage our legal officers, providing training and feedback to them as appropriate. Collaborate closely with our legal network of solicitors and counsel with the goal of strengthening the wider movement.
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Develop and advance new legal strategies for challenging state and non-state repression of advocacy for Palestine in consultation with our legal network, national partners and experts.
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Support the development of effective advocacy campaigns to increase the impact of litigation outside the courtroom.
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Support ELSC’s outreach and public engagement initiatives.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Required experience, knowledge and skills
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3 years + post-qualified experience (PQE) and admitted to practise as a solicitor in England and Wales.
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Experience leading on a variety of contentious and non-contentious matters, particularly in public, employment and/or defamation law.
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Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to provide clear and concise legal advice on complex issues in a comprehensible and appropriate format.
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An ability to engage with the law critically and develop strategies that serve broader political objectives. Track record of collaborating well with other lawyers, academics and civil society organisations.
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Excellent client care skills, particularly in relation to vulnerable or marginalised clients.
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Experience in a role which requires coordination of multiple projects and/or workstreams concurrently, and the ability to manage relationship with partner organisations, coalitions and counsel.
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High level of English-language proficiency.
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Commitment to the Palestinian liberation and solidarity movement.
Desirable experience, skills and knowledge
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Dual-qualified in Scotland and/or Northern Ireland.
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Ideal candidate will already have LAA Supervisor status or meet the requirements to do so
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Experience working with campaigning and advocacy organisations.
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Experience with management and organisational development.
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Understanding of and experience working with a variety of local, national, and international jurisdictions, including those governed by common law or civil law.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
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Demonstrate a commitment and sensitivity to the ELSC aims and objectives
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Commitment to anti-racism, anti-discriminatory practice and equal opportunities.
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Willingness to travel and work occasional unsocial hours as required.
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Abide by all organisational policies, codes of conduct and practices and legal requirements.
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Treat with confidentiality any personal, private, or sensitive information about individual organisations, clients, donors and supporters, staff, and projects.
We welcome and encourage applicants from all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, LGBT or relationship status, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion and belief, sex, or social class. We particularly welcome applications from Palestinians and those who identify as part of the Palestinian diaspora.
ELSC recognises that applicants from marginalised communities are less likely to apply for jobs if they do not fulfil every single qualification. We encourage you to consider applying even if you do not meet every attribute listed. Our priority is to find the right candidate for the position.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
About RLS
RLS is a UK charity and a non-profit company in Greece (AMKE).
Refugee Legal Support works in solidarity with people who migrate. We operate in the UK, France and Greece, promoting and protecting rights through legal support, casework, litigation, engagement, training and partnerships. We advocate for safe migration and oppose discriminatory immigration systems and policies.
RLS has held a legal aid contract in the UK since 2023.
About the Afghan Pro Bono Initiative (APBI)
The Afghan Pro Bono Initiative is a specialist casework project delivered by RLS with funding and pro bono assistance from 14 leading commercial law firms. It is a project delivered in partnership with SPI.
Firm pro bono lawyers are trained and supervised by the project’s two full-time supervising lawyers so that they can then assist with legal casework.
APBI has two core components. The team delivers legal information and support to and within the Afghan community, working together with the Community Engagement and Research Lead to ensure wide access. While the project also provides high quality legal representation in a range of cases for this community. This includes family reunion, the ARAP scheme, the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme and others.
APBI then aims to respond to the increased need for legal information, advice and representation of Afghan nationals and their family members forced to seek protection and reunion with family in the United Kingdom following the Taliban takeover. The project is now going into its 3rd year, and won the Most Effective Pro Bono Partnership Award at the Law Works Pro Bono Awards in 2022 as well as being nominated and commended for numerous other awards in 2022 and 2023.
The casework of this project feeds into strategic research, policy and advocacy efforts to make existing ‘safe’ routes to protection (in particular refugee family reunion and resettlement schemes) more accessible and effective, advocate for their expansion and defend the fundamental rights of people on the move by influencing policy and decision making.
Litigation arising out of the project is actively pursued (where eligible) under RLS’s legal aid contract to push for better decision-making, secure results for individuals and pursue improvements in the relevant law, policy and practices.
RLS recognise that pro bono legal work is always an adjunct to, and not a substitute for, an adequate system of publicly funded legal services.
Key responsibilities and objectives
The post holder will be a staff member of Refugee Legal Support. They will be a participant within the Afghan Pro Bono Initiative project team, which comprises two lawyers (the other being at SPI), a coordinator and a Community Engagement and Research Lead in addition to the volunteer lawyers from the individual commercial firm partners.
Key responsibilities
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Manage a small caseload and provide high quality legal advice and representation to clients;
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Supervise the work of volunteer pro bono commercial lawyers on cases;
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Deliver training to pro bono commercial lawyers;
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Ensure that all legal work is promptly and accurate recorded on RLS’s case management system and keep relevant time recording;
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Develop and disseminate relevant information on legal developments in this area for relevant stakeholders, including both the Afghan Community and building the capacity of other practitioners;
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Work in close collaboration with the other project Lawyer/s to develop and share experiences and best practice in relation to all aspects of casework (legal, evidential and procedural) and relevant internal processes;
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Work in close collaboration with the Legal Director, Programmes Manager and Coordinator to ensure that appropriate steps to achieve the aims and objectives of the project are taken, including ensuring that relevant data is obtained and assisting with the timely completion of the project Operational Plan/s;
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Work in close collaboration with the APBI Coordinator and Programmes Manager to contribute to the production of materials such as project periodic reports, information on emerging and strategic issues in relation to ‘safe’ routes for use in advocacy, content for newsletters, social media posts and articles to raise awareness of the project and its aims and outputs;
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Participate in, and contribute to, RLS’s monitoring, evaluation and learning framework;
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Be an active member of the RLS team participating in team meetings at both the UK and International level: engaging in a collegiate and collaborative environment that includes participating in the development of a new and exciting legal organisation;
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Be an active and collaborative member of the APBI Project team together with the other Lawyer/s, Coordinator and Community Engagement and Research Lead;
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Work in close collaboration with the Community Engagement and Research Lead to contribute to the production of information sheets and other materials to disseminate to the Afghan community/ies;
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Maintain accurate and confidential records in line with GDPR;
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Adhere to RLS safeguarding policies and procedures at all times.
Person Specification
Essential
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Be either a member of the Bar, a solicitor and accredited to IAAS Senior caseworker level, accredited to IAAS Senior caseworker level, or OISC accredited to Level 3;
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Experience of asylum casework;
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Experience of refugee family reunion procedures and applications, including applications outside of the Immigration Rules reliant on Article 8 ECHR and other human rights provisions;
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Experience of online immigration applications;
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Demonstrable knowledge of legal aid provision and ECF applications;
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Demonstrable supervision experience;
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Experience of and commitment to working in a collaborative way on legal cases;
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Good verbal and written communication skills in English;
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Strong organisational skills, including the ability to prioritise work and meet deadlines;
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Strong attention to detail, responsiveness, reliability and dependability;
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Strong interpersonal and relationship management skills and an ability to deal professionally and collaboratively with both legal and not-for-profit stakeholders;
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Computer literacy;
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Right to reside and work in the UK;
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Enjoy working with a small team in a flexible and fast-paced environment, as well as being an independent self-starter able to work with a high degree of autonomy;
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Have a strong commitment to upholding the human rights of asylum seekers, migrants, and refugees;
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Commitment to the aims of the project and the values of RLS.
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The successful candidate will be required to obtain an enhanced DBS certificate (we cover the cost). However, a criminal record is not a barrier to the role.
Desirable
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Those with lived experience of navigating immigration systems are strongly encouraged to apply and will be favourable considered;
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Experience of legal aid casework;
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Experience of conducting immigration appeals and/or public law litigation;
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Experience of supervising commercial lawyers in a pro bono project setting;
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Experience of preparing and delivering training;
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Interest in collaborating with non-legal colleagues to bring about systemic change;
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Working knowledge of Dari and/or Pashto.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.