Independent advocate jobs in london

We are seeking a Manager  of ISVA for our Advocacy service. If you are an experienced ISVA looking for a rewarding new role and overseeing the Advocacy serviceRespond has an exciting opportunity for you.    

The Advocacy Services Manager has responsibility for managing and developing Respond’s advocacy services for young people and adults with learning disabilities, autism or both who have experienced trauma and abuse. The postholder works alongside the Psychotherapist services manager to deliver best practice services as well as improving practice across the advocacy sector. 

Job Title: Housing Independent Gender Violence Advocate (Housing IGVA)

Location: The GAIA Centre (Lambeth, London)
Salary: £28,857.12 per annum (Inclusive of London Weighting, which may not be applicable depending on your home location and any agreed permanent homeworking arrangement)
Contract type: Full time, Permanent

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

The Housing Independent Gender Violence Advocate (IGVA) will be embedded within borough housing teams to facilitate the dual working that will ensure that survivors’ safety and housing needs are met. This includes:

· Close working relationships with Housing colleagues 

· Provision of specialist knowledge relating to DA for Housing Officers and Homelessness Teams to draw on 

· Specialist support for survivors at the moment of crisis 

· Provision of advocacy; supporting survivors to access safe accommodation 

· Ongoing support from the IGVA from wider DA service, including access to group clinical supervision, casework management meetings, reflective practice sessions, one-to-one supervision from service manager 

The Housing IGVA will work closely with victims of gender-based violence from the point of crisis, to provide high quality independent advocacy and support to survivors of gender-based violence at the highest risk and their children. The role will be part of increasing the ability of partner agencies to recognise, reject and respond appropriately and safely to all forms of gender-based violence (including domestic violence, sexual, financial and emotional abuse, female genital mutilation, forced marriage and honour-based violence).

The job involves working within a multi-agency framework consisting of the MARAC and local partnership protocols and procedures that prioritise the safety of survivors. The job involves informing survivors of the full range of civil, criminal, housing and practical options that might increase their safety. The post holder will empower survivors by providing them with emotional, practical and personal welfare support especially around complex housing needs.

The job involves ensuring that women are provided with a safe, supportive and welcoming environment, enabling them to access their rights, make decisions and increase their life options.

This post is restricted to women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.

Closing Date: 09:00am 26 August 2025

Interview Date: 4 and 5 September 2025

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 are looking for an Advocate to join our team in Bedfordshire. We are seeking applicants who have transferable skills, a willingness to learn and a desire to help those in need of support.

The role may involve advocating for our autistic clients and those with learning disabilities to undergo care and treatment reviews. Therefore, if you have personal lived experience in this regard—whether through your own journey or supporting a family member—it would be advantageous.

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 the role

We have an exciting opportunity for an Advocate to join our team covering Bedfordshire. Your role will require you to travel to locations such as clients’ homes, hospitals, care homes and within community settings across the area to meet with clients and professionals. You will be home based for administration; therefore, access to reliable transport five days a week and a reliable home internet connection are essential.

About you

Desirably you will have some experience of working in advocacy, or 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. Advocates are expected to be willing to gain, or to already hold, the Level 3 Award in Independent Advocacy Practice with disciplines suitable for the role they work in.

Benefits  

· 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time colleagues) rising to 30 days upon 5 years’ service

· 5% employer pension & minimum 3% employee contribution

· Salary sacrifices pension scheme

· Separate Life Assurance Cover (equivalent of two times your annual salary)

· Staff discount scheme including retail discounts, entertainment, holidays, gym membership etc

· 24/7 Employee Assistance programme

· Access to remote counselling service

· Paid Disability Leave

· Paid compassionate Leave

· Home Working Allowance 

Support with continuous professional development  

Access to Clifton Strengths Coaching for development 

Personal Development Plans

How are staff supported to work remotely?  

VoiceAbility has a small number of offices. Employees including Team Leaders are homebased for Administration and meetings will be held online as well as in person in the relevant community.

When you need to travel for work, expenses will be paid (mileage or public transport costs). 

VoiceAbility offers the usual regular manager one to ones, Staff forums and communities of practice depending on role. Team meetings with a mix of virtual and in person approach. 

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 by clicking the apply button on this page and follow the instructions to create an account on our website.

Important Dates:

Closing date for applications: 5pm 29 August 2025, however, VoiceAbility reserve the right to withdraw this vacancy before this date.

 Interview dates: 2 & 3 September 2025

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.

Hint: you can use work, personal and/or voluntary experiences, and examples to tell us why you should be our next Advocate.

Want to know more about VoiceAbility and the role?

Please visit our website.We look forward to hearing from you.

We are recruiting for a Housing Advocate to join our team in Hertfordshire; the scope on this job involves….

Job Title: Housing Advocate

Location: Hertfordshire
Salary: £28.857.12 per annum
Contract type: Full-time, Permanent

Hours: 37.5

This is a new and exciting role in Refuge, the post holder will be embedded within district borough housing teams to facilitate dual working that will ensure that survivors’ safety and housing needs are met. The housing advocate will be collocated within the council offices of their designated area to help facilitate:

• Close working relationships with Housing colleagues
• Provision of specialist knowledge relating to DA for Housing Officers and Homelessness Teams to draw on
• Specialist support for survivors at the moment of crisis
• Provision of advocacy; supporting survivors to access safe accommodation
• Joint working with the IDVA or Domestic Abuse Outreach services to ensure all the survivors’ needs are met.

This recognises that many survivors will approach Housing at moments of crisis, when they are either considering fleeing, or have already fled.

The housing advocate will carry a caseload of survivors that require additional support. They will work closely with survivors of domestic abuse from the point of crisis, to provide high quality independent advocacy around housing needs.

They will empower survivors by providing them with emotional, practical and individual safety support. They will ensure that survivors are provided with a safe, supportive and welcoming environment, enabling them to access their rights, make decisions and increase their life options.

As part of this role, you will be required to participate in an out-of-hours on call rota. 

This post is restricted to women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies. 

Closing date: 9.00am on 11 August 2025

Interview date: 26 August 2025

Benefits

Refuge offers a variety of exciting opportunities to learn, develop and grow in your career. We recognise the value everyone brings to the organisation to achieve our aims and are dedicated to developing and rewarding our staff. More details of our benefits can be found in Job Information Pack.

Be Part of Something Bigger: Join the Suzy Lamplugh Trust and Help Shape Safer Communities

Are you passionate about making a real, lasting difference in people's lives? Do you have the resilience, empathy, and adaptability to support victims and help drive real change?

If you thrive in an innovative, collaborative, and learning-focused environment, this could be the perfect opportunity for you.
For nearly 40 years, the Suzy Lamplugh Trust has been at the forefront of personal safety, standing up for victims, influencing national policy, and raising awareness to creat safer, more confident communities. 
From launching award-winning services to being a trusted voice in national media, our work has real visibility, real credibility, and real impact.  When you join us, your work doesn't disappear into the background it makes headlines, shapes policy, and changes lives.

We're Hiring: Advocates - London Stalking Support Service, Stalking Threat Assessment Centre and National Advocacy
In partnership with MOPAC, this specialist role is your chance to support victims of stalking with expert advice and advocacy for London, all while hlping to shape a trauma-informed, survivor-led approach that leads the sector.  The Stalking Threat Assessment centre is a multi-agency partnership involving the Metropolitan Police, NHS mental health services and Probation services to effectively manage stalking perpetrators and support victims.  Advocates within this team are co-located within the STAC unit, minimum one day a week.

You will be:

• Part of a respected, mission-driven team
• Contributing to a legacy of nearly four decades of meaningful impact
• Part of a strong culture of learning, support, and inclusivity
• Working in a space where your voice matters, and your work truly counts

Initially office-based (London) for 3 months to support a meaningful induction, moving to a blended working model (40% office / 60% home). While London-based candidates are ideal, we'll consider applicants from nearby areas too.

What we offer in return:

In return for our staff’s commitment and dedication, we offer a range of Company Benefits:

• Hybrid working (minimum 40% in the office and agile working enabled to work from home) after 3 monts
• Flexitime Policy 
• 28 days annual leave (which increases after 3 and 5 years to a maximum of 33 days pro rata) + public holiday
• Special leave for life events, such as 1 day off for moving house and a paid day off for your birthday
• Pension scheme with 5% employer contribution 
• Health & Wellbeing App with access to advice, counselling, support and a wide range of discounts 
• Occupational Sick Pay (which increases after 3 years)
• Cycle to Work scheme (cycle racks on site) 
• Interest-free travel loan for annual season ticket 
• Regular all-staff off-site meetings and events

Hours: 35 per week
Contract: Permanent
Salary: £30,135

Deadline: 11th August end of day
First Interviews to take place Wednesday 20th August, Friday 22nd August

Victim Support are looking for a full-time Victims Advocate to work on our Anti-Social Behaviour Project based in the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea.

This role is working full time 37.5 hours per week and is offered on a fixed term basis until the end of March 2026.

Do you want to make a difference every day? Do you want to contribute to change & improvement for those who need it?

Do you have resilience & adaptability? Can you work effectively with a focus on customer service and care?

If yes, then we'd love to hear from you…

What we offer:

At Victim Support we believe in attracting & retaining the best people and offer a competitive rewards & benefits package including:

• Flexible working options including hybrid working
• 28 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays, rising to 33 days plus Bank Holidays
• An extra day off for your birthday & options to buy or sell annual leave
• Pension with 5% employer contribution
• Enhanced sick pay allowances, maternity & paternity payments
• High Street, retail, holiday, gym, entertainment & leisure discounts
• Access to our financial wellbeing hub & salary deducted finance
• Employee assistance programme & wellbeing support
• Access to EDI networks and colleague cafes
• Cycle to work scheme & season ticket loans
• Ongoing training & support with opportunities for career development & progression

About the Role:

This role is based in the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea. As a Victim Advocate you will:

• Support victims of Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) and Hate Crime.
• Collaborate with funders and partners to ensure optimal outcomes for victims.
• Provide specialist advocacy for victims with both complex and non-complex needs.
• Assist vulnerable, high-risk, and repeat victims of ASB.
• Engage in community work, liaise with the commissioner, and attend face-to-face appointments.
• Attend the monthly ASB MARAC (JAG) Meeting.

You will need:

• Experience working with vulnerable individuals and those affected by ASB and crime.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office for data recording and reporting.

Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for further details.

About Us:

Victim Support (VS) is an independent charity providing a range of specialist services to people who have been affected by crime across England and Wales. We work towards a world where there are fewer victims but who have stronger rights, better support and a real influence in the Criminal Justice System. Everyone at VS is driven by our Vision Ambitions and Values to play their part in making a difference for those who experience crime and traumatic events. Working for VS gives you the opportunity to play a key role in a national charity providing high quality services to victims and witnesses and being a vital force for change.

Victim Support are committed to recruiting with care and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Background checks and Disclosed Barring Service checks may be required.

Victim Support strives to represent the diverse communities we serve and are passionate about creating an environment where all staff and volunteers feel respected and heard. Being a diverse organisation with an inclusive culture is integral to us being able to meet our aim of ensuring that anyone who is a victim of crime gets the support they need.

As part of our commitment to the Race at Work Charter we particularly welcome applicants from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. VS is also a Disability Confident Employer and we provide a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for candidates that are disabled and meet all essential criteria for a role.

If you have a disability, a learning difficulty such as dyslexia or a medical condition which you believe may affect your performance during any aspect of our selection process, we'll be happy to make reasonable adjustments to enable you to perform at your best.

How to apply:

To apply for this role please follow the link below to the Jobs page on our website and complete the application form demonstrating how you meet the essential shortlisting criteria.

We look forward to hearing from you.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, if we receive enough suitable applications to take forward to interview prior to the published closing date.

If you have already registered & started an application, then we will contact you to advise of the amended closing date wherever possible.

Join the award-winning Independent Society of Musicians in Central London as Director of Legal Services
Full Time and Permanent – Circa £70K depending on experience

The award-winning ISM is the dynamic, change making professional body representing musicians. With a current membership of over 11,000, the ISM is known for its legal support to its members covering a range of issues from intellectual property and employment disputes to contracts. We are also known for our campaigning work on issues from discrimination to Brexit and AI which can cross over into legal services.

The ISM is now looking for a Director of Legal Services to manage a critical part of how we support our members: namely our legal services. You will be managing our brilliant in-house team of lawyers as well as our external associated suppliers. You will also advise the ISM on business related legal issues, ensure policies and procedures are kept up to date and work closely with the External Affairs team particularly on areas which have a legal element such as the Employment Rights Bill.

The provision of legal advice to our members is a core part of what the ISM offers and it is vital that we deliver gold standard legal services, responding to the needs of our professional musician membership. You will be an excellent but practical lawyer able to manage a great team as well as suppliers and contractors. You will be proactive with strong problem-solving skills, great drafting and oral skills, keen attention to detail and good emotional intelligence.

You will be joining a professional staff team who are based in Bayswater, London. The role is full time, of which at least three days will be in the office.

For a full job description for this role please visit the vacancy section of the ISM's website where you will also find details of where to send your CV and covering letter.

Closing date is Monday 18th August at 9.30am. Interviews will take place face- to-face and applications generated by AI will not be considered.

Youth Realities is a youth and survivor-led charity based in Barnet, addressing teenage relationship abuse through creative education and specialist, survivor-centred support.

Youth Realities aims to: 

• Reduce abuse within teenage relationships 

• Increase awareness of teenage relationship abuse through education

• Empower young people’s personal development & growth

• Provide advocacy and trusted support for young survivors

Our vision is a world where young people live free from relationship abuse and violence. Our mission is to end relationships abuse by working with young people to provide specialist spaces for prevention, intervention and healing.

Job Title: Experienced Associate Independent Investigating Officers (IOs) for Stage 2 Complaints (This role sits within our Independent Person for Complaints (IPC) service)

Contract: Associate

Hours: Variable, according to demand for services/caseload and role in investigation

Salary: £25.25 per hour

Location: Associate Independent Investigating Officers for Complaints primarily work from home. Some travel may be required as part of an investigation – location will vary according to the referral received from the Local Authority. Cases will be allocated to Associate IOs living locally to the referring authority, wherever possible.

About Coram

Coram is committed to improving the lives of the UK’s most vulnerable children and young people.

We support children and young people from birth to independence, creating a change that lasts a lifetime.

Coram is the UK’s oldest children’s charity, founded by Thomas Coram in London, helping vulnerable children and young people since 1739. Today, the Coram group helps more than one million children, young people, families and professionals every year by providing access to the skills and opportunities they need to thrive.

About the role

We are seeking additional experienced Associate Independent Investigating Officers (IO) for Complaints, to increase our capacity to respond to referrals from Local Authorities to provide an independent element to the formal Stage 2 investigations under the Children Act 1989.

The IO will lead investigations, and will give the complainant (who may be a child, young person or adult) the opportunity to express their view, ensure the child or young person’s rights and best interests are at the centre of the investigation and that the investigation/review process is open and transparent. They write a report on the investigation/review, which is submitted to the referring agency.

The Job Description document sets out the expectations for an Associate Independent Person for Complaints (IPC) who is approved by Coram Voice. IPCs are independent, freelance and responsible for their own work. Nevertheless, IPCs are accountable to the organisation for their professional standards and are expected to comply with Coram Voice Code of Ethics and Practice Guidelines.

Please note: the nature of associate work means that we cannot guarantee a regular amount of work, and complaints will be allocated dependent on the associate’s availability, location and the needs and demands of the individual case. Investigation work takes place Monday to Friday within working hours. This position is not suitable for applicants who already work or have commitments more than two days within the working week.

To apply for this role, please click on the 'apply now' button below to complete the application.

Closing date: Please note this is a rolling recruitment campaign

Interview date: TBC

Coram is an equal opportunities employer and we believe a diverse workforce enables us to improve the services to the children and families we help. We are genuinely committed to encouraging candidates from all sections of the community we seek to support. This includes those from, Asian, African, Caribbean and other minority ethnic backgrounds, those that identify as LGBTQ+, those with disabilities, those with lived experience of care, those with neuro-diversity, and those from other groups who are underrepresented at Coram.

If applicants feel comfortable, we would encourage them to draw on lived experience as well as professional experience in their personal statement as part of their application.

We are committed to the safeguarding of children and where appropriate will require the successful applicant to undertake a check from the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Registered Charity No. 312278.

Protect, the UK’s leading whistleblowing charity, is looking for an exceptional public-spirited Policy & Advocacy Officer, who will lead our anti-corruption work. The role is currently funded by the Joffe Charitable Trust. The role is 3 days (22.5hours) per week; can be spread over 3-5 days.  

The role is London based with hybrid and remote working options & occasional travel to Westminster. 

The role will entail proactively looking for advocacy opportunities and working with the Policy Team in Protect to progress important public policies, which further the protection of whistleblowers, support safe speaking up and tackle corruption in the UK. 

For 30 years we have provided legal advice to whistleblowers, campaigned for better legal protection for whistleblowing and supported organisations to create effective whistleblowing systems. With the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) turning their focus to whistleblowing, there could not be a more exciting time to join the anti-corruption fight.

We are looking for someone who is self-motivated, ambitious and a team player. The ideal candidate is a great communicator, with exceptional networking and stakeholder engagement skills. Those applying should have a degree in a relevant subject and work experience in a relevant field. Past or present experience working in Government, Parliament or for a regulator is highly desirable. 

Protect offers a range of benefits to those that work for the charity including 30 days (pro rata) annual leave, a sabbatical scheme after 5 years service, and enhanced maternity/paternity/adoption/shared parental leave. 

About Us
The National Landscapes Association represents and supports the UK’s National Landscapes (Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty) – places where we want nature and people to flourish together. These living, protected landscapes are vital to the UK’s nature recovery, climate resilience, sustainable farming and wellbeing.

We work collaboratively and inclusively to ensure these treasured places are protected, restored, and accessible to all. Our policy work is central to this mission – and we’re looking for a proficient and motivated individual to help shape and drive it forward.

About the Role
As Policy & Advocacy Officer, you’ll be a core member of our dynamic policy team, helping to influence positive change at the heart of environmental, planning, and community policy in the UK. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who thrives on creating and communicating impactful policy positions, can build strategic relationships, and wants to make a real difference.

You’ll work across a broad range of issues – including agriculture and land management, planning and sustainable development, wellbeing and recreation and access and engagement – supporting National Landscape teams to engage effectively in national debates and policy processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Policy research & analysis: monitor emerging policy trends, conduct research and analysis, and develop robust evidence-based positions across key topics.
• Strategic advocacy: Help design and deliver targeted advocacy strategies; draft position papers, consultation responses and policy briefs.
• Stakeholder engagement: Build and maintain trusted relationships with government officials, partner organisations and local teams.
• Communication & outreach: Translate complex issues into clear, compelling messages for internal and external audiences, contribute to communication strategies and represent the organisation at external meetings.
• Monitoring & evaluation: Track policy impact and advocacy initiative progress, providing updates and insight to the Head of Policy & Advocacy.

See the role description for more information.

Why Join Us?
At the National Landscapes Association, you’ll be part of a passionate and forward-thinking team making a meaningful impact. You’ll gain exposure to a wide range of high-profile policy issues, work alongside experts across the UK, and help shape the future of our most valued landscapes.

Reports to: Refuge Services Manager
Hours of work: full-time (37.5 hours per week)
Location: Slough (on-site)
Salary: Band 5, £28,000 – £30,000 per annum dependent upon experience.
Contract: Permanent
Holidays: 25 days + Bank Holidays + 1 day for birthday
Deadline: Applications will be reviewed on receipt on a rolling basis. Please apply as soon as possible.

Requirements: Relevant experience, living in close proximity to Slough, must have valid driving license to drive people carrier
Benefits:

· 25 days annual leave per annum (+ bank holidays), plus up to 5 days additional leave for length of service.

· Birthday off + 1 ‘charity day’ day agreed by the trustees for all staff (usually last working day before 25 December)

· Christmas closure days given as additional leave (subject to annual Board agreement)

· Fully-funded IDVA training

· Access to benefit platform for a wide range of discounts on everyday spends plus gym discounts.

· Access to private healthcare scheme

· Holiday buyback scheme

Overview

The Dash Charity is looking for a Refuge IDVA to join its dedicated refuge services team.

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a local domestic abuse charity with a huge influence and reach. For almost 50 years The Dash Charity has been supporting individuals and families experiencing domestic abuse, empowering women, men and children to recognise the tactics of abuse, break the cycle, and take back control of their lives.

We were one of the first charities in the UK to be awarded Leading Lights status for our Advocacy and Outreach Services by SafeLives, and pioneered healthy relationships workshops in schools over a decade ago.

We run three refuges that offer a sanctuary to women and children escaping violence and abuse, offering specialist children’s support and one to one support for women.

Key responsibilities:

• Identify and assess the risks and support needs of refuge clients using an evidence-based risk identification checklist.

• Manage a caseload of clients ensuring each client receives a quality and consistent service and support individual to their needs and risks.

• Support the empowerment of the client and assist them in recognising the features and dynamics of domestic abuse present in their situation, and help them regain control of their lives.

• To ensure that information is shared within data protection guidelines to ensure a co-ordinated approach is taken to understand client need/risk and support appropriately.

• To work in accordance with the Refuge Services Case Management Policy ensuring that all client records and casework are to the required audited standard as per the case management policy.

• To maintain accurate, professional and confidential case management records and databases and ensure all monitoring and evaluation records/tools are completed in a timely and accurate manner.

• To understand any grant, funder or contractual requirements pertaining to the funding of the individual post, ensuring data and outcomes are gathered to inform periodic reporting as and when required. To contribute to the preparation of any grant/contract reporting as required.

• Support colleagues and partner agencies, through awareness raising and institutional advocacy, in order to provide the best possible service for victims of domestic abuse.

• To fully keep up to date with relevant legislation and sector updates.

• To work with a strong multi agency focus liaising with other agencies and professionals both internally and externally to ensure client’s needs are met.

• Support clients through the criminal justice system.

• Support clients with options of civil remedies and child contact options.

• Ensure intake paperwork is completed and individual support plan in place, including advising women on terms of occupation of safe house.

• Role model, mentor and support students and volunteers assisting with intervention of clients to support the Refuge IDVA role.

• Ensure that meaningful involvement of clients is central to all activities, applying equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory policies and ensuring rights to privacy and confidentiality.

• Ensure clients are clear about their rights and obligations whilst receiving our service.

• Complete 2 weekly keyworking sessions to identify individual client support needs and create an individual support plan for all refuge clients.

• To support clients in accessing medical treatment, legal, housing and debt advice. Attend appointments with clients as required.

• Ensure the Safelives RIC is reviewed 6 weeks after intake to refuge or immediately if an incident occurs.

• To complete a Housing Benefit application for all new clients and submit to SBC within 48 hours of intake.

• To update DAIU when a client arrives and leaves refuge.

• Ensure client rents are collected weekly, rent card completed and the Finance team are updated.

• To facilitate monthly resident meetings, complete meeting minutes and any actions arising from the meeting.

• To complete weekly H&S checks and update RST manager accordingly.

General duties:

· To operate within clear professional and confidentiality boundaries and to work within The Dash Charity code of conduct.

· Ensure clients are clear about their rights and obligations whilst receiving support.

· Check email daily and respond to urgent requests

· Review workload daily and prioritise accordingly

· Ensure that meaningful involvement of clients is central to all activities, applying equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory policies and ensuring rights to privacy and confidentiality.

· Contribute to the development and review of The Dash Charity policies and procedures.

· Remain up-to-date and compliant with all organisational procedures policies and professional codes of conduct and uphold standards of best practice.

JCWI are looking for an Advocacy and Communications Director

Location | London N7 and flexible hybrid working
Reports to | Executive Director
Direct Reports:   | Advocacy and Communications Team (currently 4 members)

Who we are

The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI) is an independent charity established in 1967. For over 57 years, we have promoted our vision of a society in which people can live safely and are treated with equal dignity and respect, regardless of where they are from or how they came to the UK. To achieve this, we provide legal advice, representation and holistic support to migrants experiencing injustice, poverty, and discrimination; we undertake parliamentary advocacy and expert policy analysis; we speak out and challenge damaging and discriminatory media narratives about immigration; we use law as a tool of resistance;  we work in solidarity with migrants and grassroots groups, and we build campaigns that work towards a fairer approach in immigration and asylum law and policy. We root all aspects of our work in humanity, compassion, anti-oppression and anti-racist values, taking an approach that radically challenges the way that things are to build a new and better world for migrants.

Role purpose

This is a new role, where the director will bring together the work of the Advocacy and the Communications teams to lead JCWI's campaigns. The Director leads JCWI’s campaigns and community organising; policy and parliamentary advocacy; working in alignment with directly impacted communities and partners within and beyond the migration sector. The Director builds and maintains strong relationships with key stakeholders, and ensures the organisation’s collective expertise influences political debates and the public narrative on migrants’ rights and racial justice.

The role provides strategic leadership for JCWI’s campaigns to drive forward positive change for migrant rights in an increasingly hostile political climate, and supports a wide range of work building campaigns, coalitions and networks to advance migrant justice, ensuring that JCWI is a generous and collaborative partner, working in solidarity with all groups, including grassroots and community groups, unions, faith groups and NGOs.

The Director provides line management and strategic leadership to the Advocacy and Communications Team, overseeing the direction of the team, overseeing the teams' work and ensuring close, collaborative working relationships across all teams.

The Director is a lead spokesperson for the organisation, representing JCWI and our values at public forums, in the media and within coalitions. They will set the narrative and agenda for public discourse on migrant rights and border reform, lead the organisation’s long-term digital outreach and engagement work and support the team to create compelling and accessible content, driving traffic to our digital channels and converting this into successful supporter and donor recruitment and engagement strategies. They maintain the visibility of JCWI and its messages and protect & promote JCWI’s reputation as a leading voice in the discourse on migration, rights, and racial justice in the UK.

JCWI has a proud history of leadership from racialised people and people with lived experience of the immigration system, and therefore we strongly encourage applications from people with lived experience of the immigration system and are representative of the communities we work with.

Leadership

• Anti-oppression: Ensure that JCWI’s work remains situated within a wider movement against racism and oppression, and that our strategies better centre and support grassroots and community groups and people directly impacted by border violence, by maintaining and building strong relationships with migrant-led and racial justice organisations  

• Senior Leadership: Collaborate with other members of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) to deliver the organisation’s five-year strategy, ensuring we live our core values

• Strategic Leadership: Support the Advocacy and Communications Team to develop, implement and review effective strategies for all policy, advocacy, campaigning, and community organising work. These strategies will cohere with JCWI’s legal work, and aptly respond to an evolving political landscape, by knowing which levers to pull when in order to build power and influence
• Line management: Support all direct reports with regards to well-being and development, through one-to-one supervision, guidance and long-term work planning, ensuring staff have autonomy over their work, with their skills, expertise and strengths valued, and embodying a non-hierarchical approach to line management

• Positive culture: Embody and embed a positive and healthy working culture within the Advocacy and Communications Team and across the organisation, which includes fostering a safe space for learning and growth, maintaining a positive work-life balance and collaborative work ethos

• Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning: Work with the Grants Manager to develop and maintain improved Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning systems, set targets and measure outputs within the Advocacy and Communications Team which cohere with the organisation as a whole and our collective strategic objectives.

• Collaboration: Maintain and foster strong intra and inter-departmental relationships at every level, ensuring collaboration and open communication to deliver our organisational objectives

• Spokesperson: Represent the organisation as a lead spokesperson in public forums, in coalitions, on broadcast, and in print media

• Team development: Support the Team to grow through continuous investment in training, learning, and development, with people from racialised and marginalised backgrounds meaningfully supported against any structural barriers they may face. Manage recruitment for the Advocacy and Communications Team, encouraging better representation at JCWI, including increasing the number of people from racialised and marginalised backgrounds, especially those with lived experience of the immigration system

• Financial planning: Work with the Operations Team to ensure the budget for JCWI’s advocacy work is effectively planned for and managed, and that the team is appropriately resourced 

Policy, Advocacy and Campaigns Work

• Lead on JCWI’s core campaigns, driving forward policy, advocacy, and campaigns outputs, and ensuring the campaigns centre the views and experiences of people with lived experience

• Lead on JCWI’s ‘reactive’ policy, advocacy and campaigning work in response to an ever-changing and increasingly hostile political landscape, representing JCWI in coalitions and developing sound policy and political analysis on key threats facing migrant communities, including but not limited to: refugee rights, human rights protection, the hostile environment, Windrush, digital justice, detention, and family reunion.

• Represent JCWI at meetings and events with key decision makers, including parliamentarians, policymakers and other organisations in the sector, to make the case for policy change, influence narratives, and hold those in power to account in solidarity with communities at the sharpest end of UK immigration controls 

• Work closely with the Legal Directors and wider team to ensure our casework and outreach informs JCWI’s advocacy work, and to together identify opportunities for public-interest litigation relevant to JCWI’s campaign priorities 

• Ensure JCWI’s Lived Experience Strategy is embedded into the Advocacy and Communications Team’s ways of working and oversee the implementation of the Strategy across JCWI with the support and collaboration of the whole organisation.

Public Campaigns, Outreach and Engagement Work

• Lead, develop, implement, and review effective strategies for communication and engagement work across traditional, digital and paid media
• Support a proactive, safe culture that identifies, creates, and jumps at opportunities to increase JCWI’s impact
• Work with the Communications team to ensure their input is incorporated into organisational strategy and ensure communications strategies support both strategic campaigns and broader organisational objectives
• Support our traditional press and digital engagement work to ensure JCWI is at the forefront of public discourse on migrant rights and border reform
• Work closely with the Legal Directors and wider team to ensure our casework and outreach informs our external communications
• Grow and engage JCWI’s audiences, ensuring a consistent tone of voice and brand across outputs and channels and influencing public discourse in support of flagship campaigns
• Set quantifiable targets and have a strong understanding of reporting, evaluation and measurement of comms outputs.
• Ensure the voices of JCWI’s service users, our grassroots partners and community-based campaigners with lived experience of the sharpest end of the border regime/immigration controls borders are elevated and supported.
• Provide oversight on written and multimedia outputs, including comments, pitches, editorials and digital content, reviewing and quality assuring for sign-off, and ensuring spokespeople are well trained and well briefed before engaging with the media
• Support reactive or ‘breaking news’ work and ensure rotas (including out-of-hours rotas) for media and press are well managed

Person Specification – Advocacy and Communications Director

The ideal candidate has experience:

• In a management or leadership role (essential)
• Developing and implementing campaigns on migrants’ rights, racial or social justice issues (essential)  
• Working with complex policy issues in a highly politicised setting (essential)
• Engaging both digital and traditional media in a strategic way for campaigns or public narrative change (essential)
• Developing and implementing long-term, strategic plans which are rooted in firm values and visions (essential)
• Working collaboratively and building strong relationships with individuals and coalitions (essential)   
• Working meaningfully with communities and people who have lived experience of oppression (essential)
• Lived experience of the immigration system, or from a racialised or marginalised background (desirable)
• Working in immigration, asylum, and/or human rights law (desirable) or willingness and ability to learn (essential)
• Developing, supporting, or implementing plans for supporter recruitment & mobilisation (desirable)

NB: experience may be in a paid or unpaid capacity, and includes work undertaken in a range of organisational forms, which includes but is not limited to non-profit organisations, political campaigns, trade unions, community and grassroots groups, and organising movements

The ideal candidate is:

• Committed to defending and furthering the rights of all people who move, and embodies wider anti-oppressive values and practices, including anti-racism, queer and trans liberation, gender justice, class solidarity, and the importance of an intersectional approach to social justice 
• Recognises the value of legal representation when used as a tool of resistance, and is committed to legal aid as fundamental to access to justice
• Someone who proactively collaborates with others and nurtures and develops relationships both internally and externally, seeing the value in the diversity of skills and methodologies that drive organisations and campaigns forwards  
• A strategic thinker who is politically astute, has an advanced understanding of the political landscape as it relates to migrants’ rights and racial justice and can identify threats and harness opportunities when working on politically contentious issues  
• A relationship-builder, able to support their Team and the organisation by building and maintaining relationships with external partners, including with key media
• Creative and innovative, and eager to encourage and support others’ creativity  
• A person who comfortably deals with new and complex information, digesting this quickly and simplifying nuanced policy or legal issues for a range of audiences 
• An excellent written and verbal communicator, able to produce written outputs and review or edit drafts for quality, consistency and accessibility, and also represent the organisation at key events, meetings and in the media clearly and persuasively
   

How to apply
Please submit your CV and a covering letter (no longer than 2 A4 pages) which outlines your suitability for the role as set out in the job description and how you meet the person specification above, via our website.

DEADLINE:  
Submission of CV and covering letter  | 11.30pm 28th August