Crisis is the national charity for people experiencing homelessness. We have embarked on our 10-year strategy for ending homelessness. We know it is not inevitable. We know together we can end it.
Location: Based in our London office (working from home is an option in line with Crisis’ Hybrid Working policy)
About the role
As the Data Protection and Compliance Officer, you will deliver the data protection and compliance agenda at Crisis, ensuring a risk-based approach in line with applicable laws including the Data Protection Act 2018, UK General Data Protection Regulation and the Privacy and E-Communications Regulation in respect of marketing compliance.
You’ll work right across the organisation, from supporting our client facing regional centres in effective information sharing to help end someone’s homelessness, to working with Crisis’ transformation programme to help improve the governance and safekeeping of corporate and personal records. It is a hugely varied and busy role where you can switch from interacting with members of the public, our clients on rights issues to advising on police disclosure requests.
This is an exciting time to join Crisis and to be part of the new Compliance, Risk and Governance Team, influencing the privacy and data protection agenda for 2025-26. You would be an integral part of this small, yet influential team supporting the organisation to meet its legal obligations, understand its regulation requirements, and foster best practice.
About you
To be successful in this role you will have:
- Extensive knowledge of UK Data Protection law including an understanding of marketing legislation (PECR)
- A pragmatic, risk-based approach to advising internal teams on compliance activities
- The ability to translate data protection law into everyday terms and actions
- An understanding of information security and its interdependency with data protection requirements
- The ability to prioritise and work effectively with various departments.
- A values-based approach to how data is utilised, ensuring that it is not only lawful but fair, meeting the reasonable expectations of the people whose data Crisis is entrusted to protect.
You may have experience in, data protection, information governance or legal services provision in the not-for-profit, private or public sector.
Please see the full Job Pack linked below, for a full list of requirements for this role. We realise that long lists of criteria can be daunting, and you may not want to apply for a role unless you feel 100% qualified. However, if you feel you have relevant examples to answer the screening questions, we encourage you to apply.
We believe diversity is a strength, and our aim is to make sure that Crisis truly reflects the communities we serve. We are actively working towards our organisation being a place where everyone can thrive and make their best contribution to our mission of ending homelessness for good. We know that the more perspectives, voices, and experiences we can bring to this work, the better. We particularly welcome applications from people who have lived experience of homelessness, and people from all marginalised groups, communities, and backgrounds.
Working at Crisis
Our values, Bold, Impactful, Collaborative and Equitable, are at the heart of everything we do as we continue in our mission to end homelessness.
Our staff, members and volunteers are vital to getting the right government policies in place, providing breakthrough services, and building a supportive community. We’ll lead by example to nurture a positive and ambitious workplace guided by ending homelessness.
As a member of the team, you will have access to a wide range of employee benefits including:
- A competitive salary. Please note our salaries are fixed to counter inequity and we do not negotiate at offer stage.
- Interest free loans for travel season ticket, cycle to work, and deposit to secure a tenancy.
- Pension scheme with an employer contribution of 8.5%
- 28 days’ annual leave (pro rata) which increases with service to 31 days and the option to purchase up to 10 additional days leave.
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, shared parental, and adoption pay.
- Flexible working around the core hours 10am-4pm
- Wellbeing Leave to be used flexibly
- And more! (Full list of benefits available on website)
Alongside our excellent staff benefits, we will support your ongoing development to build your skills, experience, and career.
When you join us, you will have the opportunity to join our staff diversity networks, which aim to champion issues across the organisation, enable staff to be their authentic and best selves and contribute to making Crisis a truly diverse organisation.
How do I apply?
Please click on the 'Apply for Job' button below. Our shortlisting process is anonymised as part of our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We do not ask for CVs, instead we ask you complete the work history section and answer the screening questions for us to be able to assess you fairly and objectively. At least two members of staff score all applications.
Closing date: Sunday 15 June 2025 23:55
Interview process: Competency-based interview
Interview date and location: Tuesday 24 June 2025 via Microsoft Teams
Registered Charity 
501 - 1000
Thank you!
This is an exciting opportunity to steer Asylum Aid at an important time in its 30-year existence. As Executive Director you will be responsible for delivering on our strategy for impact. You will oversee our work to increase access to expert, trauma-informed legal representation to those in the asylum, trafficking and statelessness systems and lead our policy and strategic legal work to achieve systemic change that contributes towards our vision.
You will line manage the Director of Legal Casework to oversee the provision of supportive and enabling leadership to Asylum Aid caseworkers so that they can continue to deliver high quality expert advice in complex cases, while being supported in their professional development and wellbeing. You will also manage and develop the work of our welfare advice team within the Westminster Advice Services Partnership and beyond, and work collaboratively with colleagues in the sector to build capacity and increase our impact.
The ideal candidate, who may be legally qualified, will have experience of leadership in the charity/NGO sector and a sound understanding of the asylum, human rights and trafficking processes in the UK and the legal frameworks which govern the protection of refugees, survivors of trafficking and stateless people, and of the role of law in achieving system change.
We are looking for someone who is strategically minded and passionate about providing supportive and inclusive leadership to our expert team. You will be committed to our objectives and to the role which expert legal representation plays in enabling people in need of protection in the UK to obtain it.
As is the nature of this sector, the role may be exposed to a high volume of traumatic and distressing material and, whilst they will be supported by the Helen Bamber Foundation Group CEO and surrounding team, the candidate should also be able to demonstrate knowledge of good self-care principles in an intense work environment and dissemination of those principles to junior members of the team.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Leadership and strategy
·Be responsible, with the support of the Helen Bamber Foundation Group CEO, for the development, implementation and monitoring of Asylum Aid’s organisational strategy
·Provide leadership and strategic direction at Asylum Aid in accordance with its aims and objectives, with the support of the Director of Legal Casework
·Act as external spokesperson for Asylum Aid, maintaining and strengthening Asylum Aid’s position as a leader in the refugee rights, statelessness and legal aid sectors;
·Work collaboratively with others in the sector to promote and strengthen Asylum Aid’s work, identify and establish potential partnerships, with the support of the Director of Legal Casework;
·Work collaboratively with the Helen Bamber Foundation Group CEO and Executive Leadership team to drive the implementation of the Group strategic framework;
·Ensure that all reporting and monitoring requirements are met to support fundraising, contract compliance and monitoring strategic impact;
·Support the cross collaboration of the Asylum Aid team with the Helen Bamber Foundation team and play an active part in the management of the Helen Bamber Foundation Group.
Governance
·Act as the Data Protection Supervisor with responsibility for data protection and cyber security within Asylum Aid
·Together with the Helen Bamber Foundation Group CEO and designated safeguarding leads, be responsible for child and adult safeguarding within Asylum Aid
·In collaboration with the Director of Legal Casework, ensure compliance by Asylum Aid with all legal and regulatory obligations, including the Legal Aid Agency contract, the Immigration Advice Authority and Solicitors Regulation Authority;
·Lead on the preparation and presentation of quarterly reports on Asylum Aid’s activities, strategy and risks to the Asylum Aid Board, the Finance and Fundraising Committee and the People and Governance Committee;
·Lead on the preparation of the Trustees’ annual report and ensure that monitoring and evaluation systems are adequate to enable reporting on Asylum Aid’s activities and impact.
Management and Supervision
·Responsible for line management of the Director of Legal Casework and Welfare Advice service coordinator, and other team supervisors as required;
·Together with the Group Director of People, responsible for Human Resources and implementation of the People Strategy within Asylum Aid, including development and implementation of HR policies and procedures;
·Together with the Director of Legal Casework and team supervisors, drive the effective management and supervision of the Asylum Aid team and ensure that they comply with relevant professional standards and accreditation;
·Foster a supportive and inclusive team culture at Asylum Aid in which each member feels valued and supported to develop professionally and to perform to the best of their ability;
·Ensure the team’s well-being and that self-care practices are established and work in tandem with the Director of Legal Casework and supervisors to ensure trauma-informed ways of working.
Policy & Strategic Legal Work
·Together with the Group Director of Policy, identify policy priorities and coordinate the preparation of evidence and briefings drawing on Asylum Aid’s experience and expertise to influence system change;
·Build and maintain relationships and partnerships with sector colleagues to support joint strategic engagement including policy advocacy and strategic legal work;
·Work closely with the Director of Legal Casework and team supervisors to drive changes in the UK asylum, trafficking and statelessness systems through strategic legal work.
Finance & Fundraising
·Work closely with the CEO and the Helen Bamber Foundation Group Finance Team to set and manage budget(s) and general financial matters for Asylum Aid
·Together with the Director of Legal Casework and the Group Finance Team, establish systems for monitoring legal aid Work In Progress and billing, and securing casework income including legal aid, and inter partes income from judicial review cases;
·Work closely with the Helen Bamber Foundation Group Fundraising and Communications Team to secure funding for Asylum Aid from a range of sources including trusts and foundations, corporate philanthropy and major donors;
·Ensure that Legal Aid and other income is maximised, and targets are achieved.
Other duties
·Manage the recruitment and supervision of volunteers where necessary in collaboration with the Helen Bamber Foundation Group Volunteers Coordinator;
·Support the Helen Bamber Foundation Group Facilities team to ensure the smooth running of the office and that the facilities meet the needs of Asylum Aid;
·Work outside normal office hours as required and travel in order to carry out the responsibilities of the post.
·To undertake any task that may be requested from time to time that may be consistent with the nature and scope of this post.
Essential Experience, Skills and Knowledge
•Experience of running a small to medium sized charity/legal NGO and/or legal department within the NGO sector (or other equivalent senior management role);
•Demonstrable experience of managing and leading a successful team and the ability to manage a growing team with mixed roles from team supervisors to administrative support staff, working co-operatively with colleagues to maintain transparency and effective working relationships within the team;
•Strong communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with people from a wide range of backgrounds
•Strong understanding of good governance including legal, regulatory and financial responsibilities;
•Ability to work with a range of stakeholders from trustees to external partners;
•Experience of leading and/or participating in organisational strategic planning;
·Experience of legal policy work within the human rights field and /or of strategic litigation, whether as an NGO claimant or legal representative;
•Experience of managing diverse funding sources and setting and implementing budgets;
•Experience of working in a service delivery partnership with other organisations;
•Experience of fundraising, especially grants from trusts and foundations;
•Sound working knowledge of the law and policy as it relates to immigration, asylum, human rights and modern slavery/trafficking;
•Demonstrable understanding of the asylum and human rights sector in the UK;
•An understanding of the barriers migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers face regarding access to legal advice, reasons why they may become destitute and why this makes it more difficult to access advice and support; and
•The passion for working empathetically and supportively with migrants, refugees, stateless people and asylum seekers.
Desirable Experience
·Experience of managing the delivery of frontline casework with people in the asylum or trafficking systems
·Experience of tendering for and delivering publicly funded contracts e.g. LAA or local authority funding;
·Working knowledge of Legal Aid Agency contracts, including the delivery of casework and billing under a legal aid contract in the immigration and asylum category and/or the public law category;
How to apply
The first stage is to complete on our online application form on our website by 9am on 23 June 2025.
The website form will ask you to:
1.Upload a short covering letter. Please tell us why the position appeals to you, and how your relevant skills and experience, including any voluntary experience and lived experience, matches the listed responsibilities and person specification. Please also state in your covering letter when you would be available to start the role.
2.Upload your current CV
3.Complete an online Equal Opportunities monitoring form – completion of this form will help us ensure that our recruitment procedures operate in such a way as to provide genuine equality of opportunity. The questions are entirely optional, and this information will not be available to members of the selection panel.
For an informal conversation about the post before applying, please contact Alison Pickup, the current Executive Director.
Selection Process
We anticipate that we will invite candidates to an initial online interview on Wednesday 3rd July 2025, followed by shortlisted candidates attending in-person interviews at our office in Old Street on Wednesday 9 July 2025.
We regret that we can only respond to applicants who make it to the interview stage.
We offer a guaranteed initial interview for refugees, stateless people and others with lived experience of forced migration, provided that they meet at least 50% of the essential criteria.
Eligibility
Please note that the successful candidate must have the right to work in the UK (as a small charity we do not have the capacity to sponsor work visas).
Successful candidates will also be subject to a basic DBS check. If appointed, you will also be required to give your consent to the charity to receive regular updates on your criminal records status throughout your employment and to disclose any relevant convictions incurred during your time with us.
Adjustments
We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we’ll always endeavour to be as accommodating as possible. If you require a different format of the application form, such as large print or Word format, or if you would like to discuss any specific requirements, please get in touch with us.
EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
Our commitment to principles of equity, diversity and inclusion is an integral part of our approach to our clients, our volunteers and our staff, and we are an equal opportunities and Living Wage employer.
We are committed to attracting and recruiting diverse candidates because we are keen to make sure that our staff, trustees, volunteers and ambassadors reflect the communities we serve and the wider community we work in.
We genuinely welcome and encourage applications from candidates from a range of backgrounds, especially people of colour, people with disabilities, people from low socio-economic backgrounds, refugees, stateless people and others with lived experience of forced migration or trauma and of the housing and welfare system, who are under-represented in our organisation.
We recognise and value the role of lived experience in meeting the needs of our clients and acknowledge the under-representation of people with lived experience of forced migration and statelessness in the advice sector. We value experience gained overseas as well as in the UK.
We are also proud to be a member of the Experts by Experience Employment Network which aims to increase representation of people with lived experience in the charitable sector.
If you are an expert by experience (a refugee or a migrant with direct, first-hand experience of issues and challenges of the UK asylum or immigration system), you can ask for an independent and confidential support for your job application from the Experts by Experience Employment Network and access other information and resources which may help in preparing your job application.
Please complete the form on their website to request support and they will confirm if they can match you with a mentor to support your application.
