Immigration program manager jobs

The Work Rights Centre is looking for a motivated solicitor or barrister to contribute to our growing employment rights programme by providing expert legal advice and casework, and supporting the wider development of the charity and our strategic goals.

This is an ideal opportunity for a candidate with a strong sense of justice, who values impact, teamwork, and the autonomy of working in a diverse and agile team. We can accommodate part-time, flexible and remote work, and offer 28 days of annual leave in addition to a winter holiday break. 

The role

You’ll provide excellent employment legal advice, and support the Head of Employment in supervising our two senior legal advisers. You’ll also use your expertise to create accessible public-facing legal information, deliver training to other advisers, and collaborate with colleagues in the policy team. This is a real opportunity to support vulnerable workers' individual and group claims, while contributing to systemic change.

About you

We seek a qualified solicitor or barrister who shares our mission to end in-work poverty by helping vulnerable workers find justice, and who has: 

• Two years of practising experience in the UK, with some experience in employment law;

• Experience of working in a legal team

• Excellent analytical skills with ability to conduct legal research

• Excellent case management skills

• Excellent client management skills

• Knowledge of, and empathy with, the backgrounds and experiences of migrants and other vulnerable workers.

Please download the job description for full responsibilities and complete person specifications.

How to apply

Please send your CV and Cover Letter by 21st June 2025  and don’t hesitate to reach out with any queries about this opportunity.

About us 

The Refugee Council is the nation’s refugee charity. Together with community groups, partners and volunteers, we help people who have escaped war and persecution to rebuild their lives, integrate into communities, and play their part in Britain. Born in the aftermath of World War II, our frontline services support over 14,000 refugees each year to find safety, get to know their neighbours, and enter education, training or work. We share our evidence and expertise with policymakers to help build integrated communities where everyone can contribute.

About the role 

This is a critical role that will work with the newly created Head of Media and Strategic Communications to help deliver an ambitious media strategy, which aims to help secure policy change, improve public attitudes and strengthen our new brand.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Create and deliver proactive media strategies to support fundraising, services, and policy work, securing coverage to engage target audiences and build the brand profile.
• Be a key member of a high-performing press office by building journalist relationships, handling media requests, drafting press materials, and supervising media volunteers.
• Monitor media coverage, maintain mailing lists, and distribute materials.
• Work with the Senior Stories and Content Officer to find compelling case studies and support refugees to share their stories.
• Produce social media content to inform and engage key audiences.
• Devise marketing plans to support services, influencing work, and brand building.
• Plan, produce, and review marketing and fundraising materials, ensuring quality, accuracy, and alignment with brand guidelines.

About you

You will have extensive experience in media and communications, having worked in a busy press office or PR agency. You are skilled at distilling complex issues into clear, consistent messaging for external audiences and have a proven track record of implementing media strategies across both traditional and digital platforms.

Staff benefits 

To reward our staff for the value they bring, we offer a variety of enhanced terms and conditions and a wide range of benefits, including: 

• Training & Development 
• Employee Assistance Programme 
• Pension Scheme 
• Work Life Balance Policies 
• Employer-Sponsored Volunteering 
• And more. 

Let’s work together to improve the lives of refugees in the UK - apply on our website today. 

Closing date: 11 June 2025.

Ensuring that the Refugee Council is an inclusive and accessible place to work is important to us. We want to enable people from different backgrounds to apply and thrive with us. We believe our recruitment process enables that and are also happy to make adjustments on request.

Are you a trusted Arabic-speaking adviser with strong community links? We’re looking for someone with experience, empathy, and an existing client base to help us launch a dedicated advice service for Arabic-speaking residents in West London.

You’ll lead on providing tailored advice and support to Arabic-speaking individuals and families, focusing on the most urgent needs in the community — from housing and welfare to digital skills and healthy living. This is a rare opportunity to shape a new bilingual service within a respected community organisation with a long track record of delivering high-quality support to racially minoritised groups.

Main duties:

 

· Deliver a bilingual advice, information and support service in Arabic and English to members of racially minoritised communities in Kensington and Chelsea and neighbouring boroughs, with a focus on housing, utilities, energy saving, welfare benefits, employability, healthy lifestyles, support for disabled people and carers, basic digital literacy skills, and related issues (NOT including medical, legal, or immigration-related advice)  

· Provide non-regulated money guidance (NOT including financial advice services regulated by the FCA) after appropriate training

· Signpost or refer clients to other service providers as appropriate

· Maintain individual files on all clients and all action taken, using Advice Pro software

· Undertake appropriate training

· Provide digital literacy training or support to service users through workshops and/or one-to-one instruction, after appropriate training

· Arrange and facilitate workshops for service users, where applicable

· Work cooperatively with other staff and volunteers

· Produce regular updates on work for the Director / Deputy Director and the Management Committee

· Participate in supervisions, performance appraisals, file reviews, and internal meetings

· Undertake other reasonable tasks as required

 

The Director of Finance & Governance is a key member of Helen Bamber Foundation’s Management Team and plays a pivotal role in designing and delivering the organisation’s strategy and approach. The role will lead the finance infrastructure of the organisation and prioritise enabling the organisation’s growth.  You will work in close collaboration with the CEO and other members of the Mangement Team to develop the capacity, capability and impetus of the organisation in achieving impact at scale through direct delivery, partnerships and systems change for survivors of torture and trafficking across the UK and globally.

Your priorities will include providing strategic leadership in developing and managing finance and leading on several governance systems and functions, as well as directly leading on specific strategic projects. You will contribute to the development and implementation of a strategy to secure the organisation’s  long-term financial health and growth, enabling us to deliver our vision and mission. Together with your Management Team colleagues, you will create an environment, culture, policies, processes and practices which ensure the Helen Bamber Foundation Group is an exemplary place to work.

The role of Director of Finance & Governance is critical to ensuring the Helen Bamber Foundation Group delivers its ambitious strategy to increase impact on all survivors of trafficking and torture.  It is an exciting time to be joining us and you will help ensure we build upon our success to date to increase impact and income.  We would like to hear from you, whatever your background. We do not believe that prior charity experience is necessary for this role, please do apply if you believe you have the skills, experience and confidence to make a financial and strategic contribution to our ambition to grow impact.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

Strategic leadership and management

Reporting to the CEO, and working closely with the Management Team and the Board, the Director of Finance & Governance will have responsibilities to:

• Work collaboratively with Management Team colleagues to provide operational leadership and development for the whole organisation, building our capacity and capability to deliver our strategy. 
• Work with the CEO to develop robust governance systems and infrastructure that will strengthen accountability, and support growth and deliver impact.
• Lead, manage and develop the Finance Team supported by the Senior Finance Manager.

• Conduct strategic financial planning to support the decision making of the Management team, Board sub-committees and the Board, and report to the Board as appropriate working with the Executive Team Assistant in this regard.

• Oversee and regularly review and update the organisational risk register, including financial and governance risks..
• Act as strategic lead on processes, systems development and internal controls.

Finance oversight and leadership

• Oversee all aspects of finance to enable effective day-to-day running of the Helen Bamber Foundation group and to support the continuous improvement of employee experience.
• Finalise annual financial statements/periodic financial reports (where required), and provide them to the CEO, Board and Board subcommittees for consideration and approval.
• Lead on the Helen Bamber Foundation Group audit process, working with the external auditors.
• Ensuring all statutory and non-statutory reporting requirements are met.
• Lead on budgeting and reforecasting across the organisation, supporting and challenging other teams to predict income and expenditure and make sound financial decisions, presenting to the Board and Board subcommittees.
• Support organisational planning by developing the systems to enable teams to model potential future work - e.g. costs of expansion of an existing programme or modelling potential new programmes and projects.
• Oversee the production of management accounting information, including internal monthly management accounts, quarterly reports for the Board, and financial reports for funders. Develop, maintain and monitor the financial systems of the organisation to ensure the accurate & timely production of these reports.
• Ensure compliance with agreements and contracts in relation to banks and external service providers.
• Monitor and report on the overall funding status, and ensure the timely reporting on grants is well supported.

• Support the preparation of applications for fundraising. Conduct financial analysis and review of existing and proposed strategic programmes, projects, and campaigns, contributing to decision making in this area.

• Oversee staff payroll, handling of petty cash and banking of donations, management of activity fees and credit control process.

Governance

• Work with the CEO and Executive Team Assistant to ensure that governance arrangements are fit-for-purpose, compliant and embody the spirit of partnership which defines the Helen Bamber Foundation Group.
• Support the Board and Board sub-committees, producing papers, and monitoring actions.
• Manage the organisational risk register including updating and monitoring of actions and Board discussions.
• Work with the Board to continue the development of outstanding governance policies and practices.
• Work with the CEO to develop and evolve the induction and training schedules for Trustees.
• Act in the capacity of Company Secretary.

Additional duties

• Act at all times as an ambassador for the Helen Bamber Foundation Group representing us at internal and external events.
• Perform any other task assigned by the CEO or Board.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

 Experience

• A relevant professional qualification in accountancy (CIMA, ACA, ACCA, CIPFA) or substantial relevant finance experience.
• Track record of achievement in a senior strategic-level financial management role.
• Demonstrable financial leadership and a thorough understanding of best practices in setting and managing budgets and oversight of day-to-day financial management.
• Experience of preparing financial statements, consolidated accounts and seeing through the audit process from start to finish, including dealing with external auditors.
• Proven track record of building, developing and managing teams.
• Demonstrable experience in working successfully as part of a senior leadership team.
• Experience of managing change and growth.
• Knowledge and experience of charity finance would be an advantage.
• Experience of operating at a senior level within a role which requires an organisation-wide, cross-functional perspective on issues, challenges and opportunities would be an advantage.

Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to build trust and respect internally and externally, including with trustees, partners and clients.
• Ability to demonstrate tact and diplomacy.
• Ability to work at pace and across multiple projects whilst maintaining exemplary accuracy and quality of work.
• Ability to demonstrate strategic management capability.
• Strong collaborative approach to team working and ability to lead and motivate staff teams and external stakeholders.
• Ability to produce high quality communications for a range of stakeholders including representing the charity as needed.
• Ability to think laterally and develop creative and innovative solutions.
• Advanced computer skills in MS Office programs, particularly Excel.
• Demonstrable commitment to the Helen Bamber Foundations Group’s core values.

APPLICATION PROCESS

The first stage is to complete on our online application form on our website by 9am on Monday 23rd June 2025

The website form will asked you to:

1. Upload a short covering letter. Please tell us why the position appeals to you, and how your skills and experience demonstrate your suitability for the role. 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.

SELECTION PROCESS

Longlisted candidates are scheduled to be invited to a short introductory online interview of 15 minutes on Monday 30th June 2025.

Shortlisted candidates are scheduled to be invited to interview on the 11th July 2025 and will be conducted either in person at our office or where needed via Zoom. 

As a Debt Advice Caseworker, you will provide high quality advice and casework services to our clients who call through to our national help desk. The role is fully telephone based, at our office in Stoke on Trent. The telephone lines are open from 9am-8pm Monday to Friday, and Saturday 9.30am-1pm. The role includes a variety of shift patterns in line with the requirements of the contract.

You will predominantly be advising clients on their debt issues over the phone, helping them to find solutions to their issues. No call is the same, and each client is given tailored advice dependent on their circumstances. The role is demanding, but  full training will be provided, and you will be, working as a part of an approachable and supportive team in a rewarding environment, allowing you to provide the best possible service to our clients.

Through your excellent communication skills and attention to detail, you will be able to deal with complex situations, provide accurate and detailed information, whilst achieving individual KPI’s and targets.

Flexibility is a key characteristic of all our posts and the post-holder may be asked to carry out other tasks consistent with the grade from time to time.

You will have:

1. Experience of delivering excellent customer service in a regulated environment such as banking, insurance or within a contact centre

2.  Some debt advice knowledge and some understanding of the current benefits system.

3. Proficient in the use of IT systems such as client management systems, Google Docs, Microsoft Word, Excel; and Outlook

4. Experience of achieving individual KPI’s and targets, whilst working in a challenging and fast paced environment

Benefits:

• Bereavement leave
• Smart casual dress
• Company pension scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Health & wellbeing programme
• Birthday leave after 3 months service
• Employer funded cash health plan

YMCA Lincolnshire is seeking a dynamic, compassionate and strategic Chief Executive to lead our organisation into its next chapter.

With a proud legacy of supporting vulnerable individuals and empowering communities, we are looking for a CEO who will bring both vision and action to enhance our impact and ensure our sustainability.

As CEO, you will be the driving force behind YMCA Lincolnshire’s mission—providing inclusive services rooted in Christian values to those who need it most.

Reporting to the Board of Trustees, you will shape and implement our strategic direction, lead a dedicated team, and ensure operational excellence across our services.

You’ll be the public face of the organisation, forging strong relationships across local, regional, and national networks—including across the YMCA federation and with YMCA England & Wales—and championing the voices of those we serve.

This is a rare opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of people across Lincolnshire.

If you’re ready to lead with heart, purpose and clarity—apply now and help shape a stronger, more inclusive future for our communities.

Assistant Finance Business Partner x 2

(SEO)

£41,055 - £44,415 (National)

+ £5,000 Accountancy Allowance or £2,500 Part Qualification Allowance

The Government Property Agency is the largest property holder in government, with more than £2.1 billion in property assets and over 50% of the government’s office estate. We are transforming the way the Civil Service works by creating great places to work, leading the largest commercial office programme in the UK, working towards halving carbon emissions from government offices, and achieving greater value for taxpayers. We are looking for innovative, solutions-focused people to join our team.

Representing the best covenant in the UK – His Majesty’s Government – we are leading ground-breaking programmes such as the Government Hubs Programme, Whitehall Campus Programme and Net Zero Programme, as well as delivering modern and cost-effective real estate service solutions.

Innovation and progress are at the heart of our behaviours. We foster a culture of lifelong learning, where curiosity and self-improvement are encouraged, and we’re dedicated to becoming a leading, inclusive employer both in the external market and throughout the Civil Service. Our strong emphasis on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) is not just about driving inclusion across our organisation, it is also about ensuring our services meet the needs of government departments and the civil servants who use our spaces.

Join our dynamic and diverse team that leads with purpose, improving sustainability, nurturing social value, driving inclusivity and flexibility, and kickstarting economic growth. We are driven by purpose, and you can be part of it too: where you make a meaningful impact; where you influence; where your voice really matters; where you help to shape our future direction.

We are recruiting for two positions into the Client & Corporate Services Finance department. These positions sit within their Digital and Technology divisions.

The responsibilities of the Assistant Finance Business Partner(s) will include:

· Producing management accounts for relevant budget holders

· Supporting contract management for Business Support, Digital, Tech, Finance and Client Solutions.

· Support the Corporate Directorates with Purchase Orders & Invoices

· Review and analysis of payroll and staff costs

· Preparing balance sheet reconciliations including accruals and prepayments

· Analysing financial performance to identify variances and ensuring transactions are accounted for correctly

· Preparing and processing journals

· Supporting internal and external audits

· Facilitating forecasting and reporting

· Identifying trends, risks and opportunities in the financial data

· Ensuring Record to Report principles are embedded within the GPA

· Producing financial reports for corporate stakeholders.

Key Skills & Experience

? Good experience of management accounting, ideally in a public sector context

? Desirable background in Digital, Commercial, Financial industries as either as a supplier or a client ? Desirable experience in project accounting which incudes P&L and Capital budgets (RDEL &

CDEL)

? Strong attention to detail and ability to analyse and interpret significant amounts of financial data

? Good experience of using Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, ideally including MRI Horizon and/or Microsoft Business Central

? Proficient using Microsoft Excel and/or Google Sheets, and Microsoft PowerBI

? Ability to communicate complex financial information to non-finance stakeholders

? Ability to work in a geographically dispersed team

For more information, please apply using the link, or contact Emma Fuller at our retained search agent, Robertson Bell.

The GPA is committed to representing the communities we serve by making Diversity, Equality and Inclusion part of everything we do. To ensure that we are always recruiting and retaining a diverse mix of talent, we are particularly inviting applications from candidates who are disabled, ethnically or gender diverse, and people who identify as being part of the LGBTQ+ community

Leeds Citizens Advice & Law Centre has been providing free and independent advice for more than 80 years, offering access to justice for people experiencing disadvantage or discrimination. In November 2024, we joined the Law Centres Network and have secured funding to expand our legal advice service.

We’re looking for a Solicitor or CILEx to supervise our housing advice team and legal aid contract. The team offers complex casework and representation to clients facing possession, eviction, serious disrepair and housing issues related to DAV and to anti-social behaviour. You will have 3 years’ PQE in housing law and be able to manage a wide range of cases, as well as experience of working under a legal aid contract, supervising caseworkers, and meeting targets.

Leeds Citizens Advice & Law Centre offers family friendly employment policies, 6.5% pension contribution and an Employee Assistance Programme. Hybrid working is available but this role will require at least 3 days per week in the office. Our modern offices are located in the city centre close to the combined courts and with excellent transport links.

If you’d like to join our friendly team working in an organisation that’s committed to social justice, you can find more information and application details on our website via the apply button.

Closing date for applications: 6 June 2025

Interviews: Applications will be reviewed as they arrive, and interviews may be conducted before the closing date. Therefore, early applications are strongly encouraged.

Location: London
Department: Big Issue Frontline
Contract type: Fixed Term Contract
Hours: 35
Salary: £25,207 per annum
 
Big Issue Changing Lives CIC is looking for an Support and Outreach Assistant to support the direct the direct delivery of services to individuals participating in Big Issue enterprises, including selling the Big Issue magazine. The core of the role is facilitating access for members of our Roma Communities to the Hand Up Service and other local services, resources and networks required to address the barriers they are facing to moving forwards out of poverty. Where local services and resources are not available you will also support the Outreach Team with the delivery of information, guidance and some direct interventions, such as training sessions, directly.
 
This is self-starter role in which you’ll be responsible for connecting with potential service users within the Roma community, introducing the service to them, sharing information from our Hand Up plus services and supporting them to engage with the core Hand Up service. You’ll be working within a small team of Outreach workers and will work to maintain a set of Service Standards which help maintain the quality of the service nationally.
 
The role is highly flexible and no two days are the same. You’ll bring your own experience and knowledge to the role, as well as your ability to speak Romanian. We will support you to build on that through an ongoing training and development programme which aims to ensure all Hand Up Service Team members have up to date, relevant, knowledge in key areas including housing, benefits, debt, immigration and more. In the course of a day, you’ll usually be working with service users across multiple of these issues and supporting engagement with a wide range of external agencies such as health services, local authorities, charities and more, to get access to services for those you are supporting.
 
Your main roles and responsibilities will be:

• Undertake phone and in person outreach to introduce the Hand Up service to Roma Big Issues vendors
• Delivery of direct intervention to Roma vendors using guidance and resources provided
• Join meetings with Roma Vendors and Outreach Workers to support with action planning and provision of support and guidance
• Support with translation and interpretation within your local team to enable accessibility of the service for Roma vendors
• Support the local Hand Up Service to build current knowledge of local and national agencies that can support Roma vendors
• Support the organisation and delivery with Roma Vendors of 1-2-1 and group training sessions and drop-ins
• Ensure that your work meets service standards and targets and complete surveys with vendors as required
• Involving Roma service users in the service design and delivery as local and national opportunities arise
• Adhere to all required policies and procedures including with regards to safeguarding, lone and safe working, case work management and expenses and finances
• Undertake any other duties as required by your manager (within reasonable expectations)

 
You need to be:
 

• Passionate about and committed to supporting those living in poverty
• Confident communicator face to face and on the phone in both Romanian and English, with ability to convey information clearly
• Able to build rapport with diverse individuals from the Roma community
• Knowledge and understanding of the challenges and inequalities that individuals from the Roma community may face in the UK
• Excellent time management and very organised, with the ability to complete tasks by agreed deadlines
• Good data entry skills
• Able to represent the organisation to other professionals and partner agencies
• Able to work with individuals in both one to one and group formats
• Able to follow guidelines and work within policies, seeking support from line manager as needed
• Willing to work in flexible locations including our community office, as well as visiting vendors at pitches and attending community meetings. This role is not suitable for home- based working.

 
Please use your cover letter to demonstrate how you meet each of the following requirements. We recommend addressing each requirement specifically within your application. Voluntary experience and lived experience are welcome as evidence of your relevant experience, knowledge and skills, as well as any work experience.
 
The role is offered as full time and fixed term until the 31st March 2026.
 
Salary and Benefits offered

• Salary of £25,207 per annum.
• Incremental holiday entitlement starting at 25 days per year plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part time staff) plus paid leave to care for a sick child or grandchild and a sick or elderly relation
• Company Sick Pay
• Enhanced contribution to our workplace pension
• Enhanced maternity pay
• Training and development opportunities including an open learning library and management training schemes
• Health benefits include life cover, a health cash plan scheme which provides access to counselling and a range of therapies
• Please note that we reserve the right to review and amend our staff benefits and they do not form part of any contract of employment
• Blue Light Card benefit scheme

 
Workplace details
 
This role is based at either our Big Issue office in Finsbury Park, London, but you will be mostly be working out and about within the community.
 
Closing date - 08 June 2025 (23:59pm). Please note that we may interview before the role is closed so please apply asap.
 
Big Issue Group is striving towards Equal Opportunities. We particularly welcome applications from those who are underrepresented in our sector, such as women in senior roles, and people with disabilities and from Black and Minority Ethnic communities.
 
Since 1991, The Big Issue has fought poverty by creating opportunities and supporting people to take control of their lives. Over time our organisation has grown and now The Big Issue Group consists of The Big Issue Company Ltd and Big Issue Invest Ltd (our social investment arm). In addition, we also have our sister charity The Big Issue Foundation.
 
REF-221620

Community Project Lead 

• Two-year fixed term, full-time (35 hours per week) or part-time (minimum 21 hours per week considered), £28,000 – £32,000 per annum depending on experience (pro rata if part-time)  
• Remote or office-based. Occasional visits to IPSEA’s office in Takeley or a London venue required. This role will also include frequent travel to meet with community partners. 

Do you have experience working with under-served communities and leading impactful outreach projects? Are you passionate about improving access to support for families of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)?

IPSEA is the leading charity in the field of SEND law in England, and we provide free and independent legal advice and support to families of children and young people with SEND. We also provide training on the SEND legal framework, and we influence policy at both a local and national level.

We are looking for an experienced and motivated Community Project Lead to join our team and lead the development of our advice services for under-served communities. This two-year, fixed-term role is a key part of our strategy to reach groups who may not traditionally engage with IPSEA’s support - including children and families with English as an additional language, cared-for children (children in care), migrant children, detained children, and Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities.

The project builds on a detailed scoping exercise we’ve recently completed, which involved working closely with a wide range of charities and organisations that support these communities. The resulting report outlines the barriers they face, and will form the foundation for this project and directly inform the work you will lead.

What you’ll do 

• Design and develop pilot advice services that are tailored to the needs of under-served communities, using findings from IPSEA’s research 

• Build and maintain strong relationships with community groups, charities and service providers to co-produce accessible services 

• Collaborate with IPSEA’s advice, legal and policy teams to address the barriers these communities face in accessing SEND legal advice 

• Contribute to and share outreach materials, training resources and toolkits to support families of under-served communities and empower local advocates 

• Plan and lead workshops, focus groups and community events to raise awareness, gather feedback and enhance service delivery 

• Monitor and report on project outcomes and impact, providing regular updates to IPSEA staff and stakeholders 

You can work remotely or from IPSEA’s office in Takeley, with frequent travel required for essential meetings and community engagement.

If you share our commitment to protecting, promoting, and upholding the rights of children and young people with SEND, and would like to use your skills to improve access to vital advice and support, we would love to hear from you.

Visit our website to download a recruitment pack and application form.

Closing date for applications: 9am on Monday 16 June 2025 
First-round interviews: Wednesday 25 June 2025 (London) 

Ready to use your creativity to make a difference? Join a national charity driving community wellbeing and real social change.
We’re looking for a passionate, hands-on communicator to lead marketing and fundraising at Self Help UK – helping us grow support, tell powerful stories, and connect with people who need us most.

BACKGROUND

For over thirty years, Asylum Aid has been providing legal representation to some of the most vulnerable people seeking asylum in the UK. Our welfare advice team provide generalist advice on welfare benefits, housing, asylum support and related issues to Westminster residents with refugee and migrant backgrounds who do not have English as a first language and who would otherwise be unable to access vital advice which enables them to avoid destitution, homelessness and food poverty. We deliver this advice as part of the Westminster Advice Services Partnership through a drop in and outreach at local community venues, and supported by local volunteers many of whom speak community languages.

The post of Appeals Support Advisor is a new post established with the benefit of a grant from Westminster City Council. The post holder will support clients with appeals and reconsideration requests in relation to welfare benefits and housing. This will allow us to provide a more comprehensive service for our clients, many of whom struggle to lodge appeals and reconsideration requests, and to gather evidence in support of their appeals without advice, due to language barriers.  The post holder will deliver advice in community languages, including with the assistance of interpreters, to local residents as part of our partnership work. Most of our clients are refugees, people seeking asylum and others with a refugee or migrant background. The Appeals Support Advisor will work with clients referred from Asylum Aid’s Information and Advice Service (including our weekly drop in) and from other partners in the local community. They will also provide training and supervision to the Generalist Advisor and our volunteers. External supervision will be arranged for the post holder.

The ideal candidate will be resident in or near to the City of Westminster and fluent in one or more community languages. In particular, fluency in one or more of the following is highly desirable: Arabic, Bengali, Farsi, Kurdish Sorani/ other Kurdish dialects, Somali, Amharic, Tigrinya.

As this is a new post delivering a specialist appeals and casework service from within our generalist advice team, it offers an exciting opportunity to set up and establish systems for the delivery of this service during the six month fixed term contract, including ensuring that case management processes are established which meet the requirements of our Lexcel quality mark and that clear referral procedures are established with the drop in service and our partners.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The post-holder will:

· Be part of a generalist advice service, with special emphasis on language support, as part of the Westminster Advice Services Partnership (WASP), a collaboration of advice agencies Asylum Aid, Westminster Citizens Advice, Age UK Westminster, and Deaf PLUS Westminster Advice Service.

· Provide specialist appeals casework and support to clients who do not speak English as a first language and need to challenge decisions, request  mandatory reconsiderations, internal housing reviews, lodge appeals in relation to welfare benefits and housing.

· Provide ongoing casework support up to the Tribunal stage, including helping clients to gather evidence in support of their mandatory reconsiderations and appeals and preparing for hearings (but not including representation at hearings)

· Where capacity allows, help to deliver generalist face to face and telephone advice and information, in a community language and English, to migrants and asylum seekers on issues related to welfare benefits, housing and asylum support in accordance with Asylum Aid’s contract within the WASP partnership, and taking responsibility for the quality of advice given.

· Provide training and supervision to the Generalist Advisor and to volunteers, supporting the development of their advice skills and ensuring the quality of advice delivered throughout the advice service.

· Maintain a high standard of electronic case records (using AdvicePro) for the purpose of continuity of casework, information retrieval, monitoring and evaluation of the service, and to help identify issues to be raised through policy advocacy.

· Ensure that all casework is conducted in accordance with the Lexcel quality standard, including by establishing case management procedures for the delivery of specialist advice which meet the Lexcel standard, and participate as required in annual Lexcel quality mark audits

· Attend external and in-house training organised by Asylum Aid and regular supervision sessions to develop and maintain the skills and knowledge required to help deliver a quality advice service, and to keep up to date with changes in welfare benefits, housing and asylum support law

· Cascade information, changes,  and developments in social welfare law, including learning from external training, to other staff and volunteers who assist with the delivery of the welfare advice service

· Work effectively with partners to provide a seamless service for clients, making and receiving referrals and maintain up to date information about other service providers for the purposes of referrals and signposting. 

· Be responsible for achieving relevant targets for quality and quantity set by the WASP coordinator

· Provide case studies and other information from the work of the advice service to support policy advocacy and strategic legal work in support of Asylum Aid’s vision of fair and dignified treatment of people seeking asylum, refugees and other vulnerable migrants 

· Carry out any other tasks within the scope of the post to ensure the effective delivery and development of the service.

The post holder will need to be able to travel to and within Westminster to deliver advice at outreach locations as well as at a drop-in in or around the Church Street Estate. Travel expenses will be paid to attend locations away from Asylum Aid’s office(s) and the main location of our drop-in service (currently the Church Street library).

Other duties:

• Respect for client confidentiality at all times in line with Asylum Aid’s confidentiality agreements and consent forms. 

• To attend staff meetings as required.

• To undertake other duties which are generally compatible with the functions of the post.

• To comply with the organisation’s policies and procedures, particularly those relating to safeguarding, health and safety, diversity, equity & inclusion, confidentiality and security, as set out in the Office Manual as well the policies of other relevant partner organisations.

Person Specification

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

· At least 12 months’ experience of supporting benefits appeals through to Tribunal stage and Housing Reviews

· At least 5 years’ experience of working face to face with clients to deliver generalist advice in different areas of law including welfare benefits and housing

· Knowledge on a range of issues on which advice may be sought including health and social care, housing and welfare benefits, including a thorough and up to date understanding of social security and welfare benefits legislation and policy  

· Experience of managing a case load

· Knowledge or ability to understand and use relevant legislation

· Have completed Advice UK’s Learning to Advise training or hold the Citizens Advice Generalist Adviser certificate or an equivalent qualification

· Be fluent in written and spoken English as well as a second language spoken by a substantial proportion of the Westminster population, ideally Arabic, Bengali, Farsi, Kurdish Sorani/ other Kurdish dialects, Somali, Amharic, Tigrinya (to a standard that enables accurate advice to be given in the language)

· Experience of working with interpreters in the delivery of advice

· Able to meet deadlines, work under pressure, meet performance targets and take responsibility for their work, while working flexibly within a team environment

· Able to relate to a wide cross section of clients in a non-judgmental way.

· Able to use a range of IT systems and packages confidently and competently to be able to support and encourage others in using online systems and resources to enable them to self-help.

· Able and willing to learn and assimilate new knowledge in a working environment.

· Able to give and receive feedback objectively and sensitively.

· Able and willing to work both on own initiative and as part of a team.

· Understanding of and commitment to the aims and principles of Asylum Aid service and commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

· Good understanding of the needs of migrants and asylum seekers and the issues and barriers that affect them in UK.

Desirable:

· Experience of specialist advice work, including appeals and mandatory reconsiderations

· Friendly, polite, and patient

· Experience of working under a relevant quality mark such as the Advice Quality Standard or Lexcel

· Understanding of the housing and other support available to people seeking asylum who do not have the right to work in the UK

· Experience of working with volunteers

· Experience of supervising other advisers, including volunteers  

· Demonstrable understanding of issues facing vulnerable clients whose English is not the first language and many with mental health problems.

· Lived or learned experience of the difficulties that migrants and refugee communities face when they have to deal with the UK welfare system

· Personal experience and/or Knowledge of the advice process and experience in the areas of either benefits, housing or debt.

· Experience of using interpersonal skills, including sensitive listening, and questioning skills to understand the needs of others,

· Ability to communicate with other organisations, housing, and welfare departments.

How to apply 

The first stage is to complete on our online application form on our website by 9am on 9 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.

Selection Process

We anticipate that we will invite candidates to an initial 15-minute online screening meeting week commencing 16 June 2025, followed by shortlisted candidates attending in-person interview week commencing 23 June 2025. We will also ask you to complete a short written task on the day.

We regret that we can only respond to applicants who make it to the interview stage.

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.

Can you help us to support new dads and dads-to-be?

We are recruiting a Dad Matters Coordinator to help us reach more families in Brent. This is a great opportunity for someone with parenting experience to support new dads at a critical time in their parenting journey.

The Dad Matters Coordinator will support dads with attachment and bonding, mental health and access to services. You will have the ability to work with professionals and healthcare services to ensure dads are engaged, supported and heard within clinical pathways. Additionally, you will help develop and run group sessions with dads and will be at the forefront of growing our volunteering opportunities.

No formal experience of healthcare, mental health services or children's services is required - you will just need the compassion and skills to enable dads to have those difficult conversations, and talk about how they’re really feeling.

We are looking for someone proactive who is keen to make a difference. Someone with good people-skills, who can build on our existing relationships in the borough. The work requires a regular presence in Brent for visibility, field-based community engagement and training.

We would love to speak to you if you're curious about the role but you're not quite sure whether it's right for you.

Do you want to support people with mental health issues in a moment of crisis?

Are you calm, non-judgemental and able to work effectively with people experiencing distress?

If you can embody our values of Hope, Courage, Togetherness, and Responsiveness, and want to help others build resilience and manage their wellbeing, we’d love to hear from you.

Job title: Group Facilitator (Flourish - Refugee and Asylum Seeker Service)
Reference Number: 285
Salary scale: £27,000 per annum, pro rata
Contracted hours: 30 hours per week, Part-Time
Contract length: Permanent
Working base: Hertfordshire Countywide
Reports to: Senior Groups Coordinator

About the Service

This service sits within our Complex Needs and Community Services and are informal drop-in group for Refugees and Asylum Seekers. The groups centre on improving the emotional wellbeing and mental health of refugees and asylum seekers, providing these individuals with a safe space to connect with peers. To help these individuals engage with diverse creative activities and develop their confidence and self-esteem whilst helping them integrate into Hertfordshire and the UK.

Service Objectives

• To provide advice, information, onward referral and holistic support to clients with mental ill health.
• Support to build social networks and reduce isolation whilst settling into the Hertfordshire community this includes building a sustainable and empowering peer support network and building confidence and self-esteem.
• To ensure that the safety and wellbeing of the client is monitored and reviewed regularly.
• To remain a source of independent support for all clients.
• Embed a person centred and solution focused approach in all aspects of the role.
• To work in a trauma informed way including awareness of the 6 principles of trauma informed practice, putting the clients emotional and practical needs at the forefront of this work.

Key Responsibilities:

• The purpose of this post is to promote and facilitate our Flourish peer support groups.
• To play an integral role in instilling HMN’s values through the Flourish refugee and asylum seeker service.
• Promoting and facilitating the Flourish groups
• To work as a team.
• To play a key part in the development and delivery of quality of support services.
• Planning and preparing for each weekly session, establishing the session aims, materials required and anticipated outcomes for people attending.
• Ensuring refugees and asylum seekers feel safe and supported within the group.
• Ensuring diversity across weekly sessions for service-users. 
• Liaising with translators and booking them where required to meet the needs of the groups.

We offer:

• Annual leave entitlement of 25 days per year pro rata, rising in increments to a max. of 29 days after 5 years employment (plus 8 days Bank Holidays)
• An additional day of leave each year for your birthday following completion of probation period.
• Ongoing training relevant to your role.
• An Employee Assistance Programme.
• Eligibility for blue light card.
• Health cover (after 6 months employment) – compensation payment for Optical, Dental, Chiropody and Therapy Treatments.

Being able to drive and having access to your own vehicle (or equivalent) is essential for this role.

Closing date for receipt of application: Ongoing until role is filled.
Interviews: Held on a rolling basis  
Please note: we reserve the right to close the post once we have reached maximum applications or filled the role.

Interested? 

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position. 

Equal Opportunities

We welcome applications from all suitably-qualified candidates, irrespective of gender, disability, marital or parental status, racial, ethnic or social origin, colour, religion, belief, or sexual orientation. In addition, during the various stages of recruitment, specific measures can be taken to ensure equal opportunities for candidates with disabilities or special needs.

Hertfordshire Mind Network is committed to the Disability Confident and Mindful Employer charters. We actively recruit staff who have a lived experience of mental ill health. We recognise and value the unique combination of skills, knowledge and perspective that employing people with a lived experience, at all levels across the organisation, brings. We create an environment where the sharing of experiences and vulnerabilities to support others and create positive change is welcomed and work towards breaking down the ‘them’ and ‘us’ culture. The organisation is committed to nurturing peer relationships that allow all staff to thrive.

No agencies please.