336 Advocates jobs

IGVA, Southwark, SE London

Salary: £30,248.40 FTE, rising with experience

Location: Southwark

Hours: 35hrs/week. Jobholders work with colleagues to cover core service hours of 8:00 am to 6:00pm, Monday to Friday.

Be part of something new. Be a voice. Build change.

We are recruiting motivated, value-driven advocates to join a new, innovative community-based Gender-Based Abuse service in Southwark. This is not a traditional domestic abuse role, you will support people of all genders affected by gender-based abuse and help shape a service built around prevention, creativity, and community voice. The ethos of the service is to ensure that we are front facing and out in the community to meet clients in spaces that are safe and accessible, as well as our offices.

The Role

The IGVA role involves supporting women, men, and individuals affected by violence against women and girls (VAWG), including domestic abuse, sexual violence, stalking, harassment, coercive control, and other forms of gender-based violence. The role requires building trust, assessing risk, advocating for survivors, and delivering trauma-informed, survivor-centred support to people from Southwark's diverse communities.

You will work directly with people in community settings, carrying out risk and needs assessments, creating safety plans, and using trauma-informed and coaching approaches. You’ll be part of a fast-paced, dynamic team working in new and flexible ways.

As this is a community-based role, candidates will need to be flexible, confident working across different settings, and be able to provide clients with engaging and approachable support.

Southwark is one of London’s most vibrant and culturally diverse boroughs. We are committed to building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and particularly welcome applications from people from Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic communities.

Some experience in VAWG, domestic abuse, sexual violence, safeguarding, or working with young people is essential, but your mindset, values, and reliability matter most. Full training and support will be provided.

How to apply

1 – Download a copy of our standard application form.

2 – Return a completed copy to the email address or by post to the address on the form.

3 – Include a covering letter explaining how you meet the Person Specification for the role and answering the following question.

----------------

In no more than 500 words, please tell us:

1. How would you build trust and engagement with someone who is hesitant to access support because they have previously had a negative experience with services?

2. How would you ensure your support is trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and tailored to the individual's needs without making assumptions about their experiences or circumstances?

3. What skills, experience, or personal qualities would you bring to this role, and how would you use them to support survivors from Southwark's diverse communities?

Please include at least one specific example from your work, volunteering, education, or other relevant experience that demonstrates your approach. Tell us what you did, what you learned, and how this would influence your practice as an IGVA.

We are interested in your approach, what you have learned from your experiences, and how you would apply this in the role. Please anonymise any examples involving other people.

-------------

The job description and person specification for the IGVA role is available on our website.

Applications without both a completed application form and covering letter will not be accepted.

Deadline for applications is midnight, Thursday 26th November.

Interviews will be held on Monday, 9th December 2026.

Candidates will be asked to complete a short-written test on the day of interview.

Bede works with children and adults at risk of harm, and we have Safer Recruitment policies and procedures in place to ensure that they are protected from abuse. These roles are subject to an enhanced DBS check.

This post is open to women only as this is considered to be a Genuine Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9, Part 1, of the Equality Act (2010).