Job Title: Assistant Director Activism & Advocacy
Location: Flexible - Home-based, Shelter Office-based, or combination with regular travel to London and other locations
Contract Type: Permanent Full Time
Salary: £78,414 per annum
Hours: 37.5 per week (pro-rata if part-time)
Leave: 30 days holiday per annum + Exceptional Benefits
Closing Date: 27th May 2024 at 23.30pm
About Shelter
A home is a fundamental human need, as essential as education or healthcare. Yet millions of people across Britain struggle on a daily basis with homelessness, bad housing conditions, soaring rents, discrimination, and the threat of eviction. So, we are striving for change, with individuals, in communities, across society, and leading the way to a safe home.
We need ambitious, best-in-class individuals who are passionate about our cause to join us at this exciting time. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.
At Shelter we are united by our purpose to defend the right to a safe home. Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. We believe that to win that fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement for change. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, fair, equitable and transparent.
We have committed to combat racism both within and outside Shelter and welcome you on our journey to becoming a truly anti-racist organisation.
About the Team
This role is part of the Communications, Policy, and Campaigns (CPC) team, which drives Shelter's ground-breaking campaigning efforts.
The CPC team leads initiatives advocating for social housing, renters' rights, and ending the housing emergency.
As our Assistant Director Activism & Advocacy, you'll work alongside other Assistant Directors, contributing to a collaborative, non-hierarchical decision-making environment.
About the Role
As Assistant Director Activism & Advocacy, you will provide strategic direction to the heads of Digital campaigning, Community Organising, Policy, Research, and Public Affairs teams.
You'll support the development of high-profile campaigns and drive continual improvement to achieve Shelter's strategic goals.
This role involves building strong relationships across Shelter, promoting collaboration, and acting as a spokesperson when required.
You'll need excellent political instincts, campaign experience, and the ability to oversee the production of high-quality policy and research.
About You
We're seeking candidates with experience in matrix management environments, senior leadership skills in project/change management, and a track record of impactful campaigning, policy, research, or public affairs activities.
You should demonstrate the Shelter Behaviours, including collaboration, prioritising diversity, enabling decision-making, creating change, openness to risk, and learning from experiences.
How to apply
You are required to submit a CV and a supporting statement. The supporting statement should include why you’re interested in the role and address the following 3 questions. The supporting statement should be no more than two A4 pages.
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Can you provide examples of your experience leading and implementing high-profile campaign strategies that have resulted in significant political impact, particularly in influencing complex policy decisions at the highest levels?
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Please provide an example of how you have successfully worked across different teams/departments and delivered on cross-organisational objectives?
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Considering Shelter's commitment to being an anti-racist organisation, can you outline how you would integrate anti-racism and equity principles into your leadership approach within the context of driving strategic change and delivering impactful activism and advocacy initiatives?
Please note any applications submitted without a supporting statement will not be considered.
Benefits
We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension, and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.
Shelter helps millions of people every year struggling with bad housing or homelessness through our advice, support, and legal services. And we campaign to make sure that, one day, no one will have to turn to us for help. We’re here so no one has to fight bad housing or homelessness on their own.
To find out more about the role and the benefits of working for Shelter please visit our website. Apply to be part of our team and be the change you want to see in society.
Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing, and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies.
Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
You will be working with children and families to provide trauma informed support with the aim of reducing trauma symptoms and rebuild relationships.
KEY RESPONSIBILITY
To work with children (aged 5 – 16) and their families to provide trauma informed support with the aim of reducing trauma symptoms, rebuilding relationships fractured by domestic abuse and helping the non-abusive parent to understand the impact of domestic abuse on their children so they are better able to support them.
DIRECT WORK WITH CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES
- To understand and assess the needs of children and families and devise a child-focused support plan
- To utilise evidence-based approaches to strengthen attachments and rebuilt relationships with the non-abusive parent that have been fractured as a result of domestic abuse
- To utilise trauma informed ways of working to reduce trauma symptoms and distress in children
- To work with families in order increase stability and reduce risk 5
- To assist the non-abusive parent / carer in their understanding of the impact of domestic abuse so that they can respond appropriately to the emotional needs of the children
- To attend and initiate mutli-agency meetings where required
- To ensure that children and families receive holistic support that is appropriate to their needs, including advocacy and referring to other services
- To deliver programmes of child-focused group work
- To understand risk and safeguarding issues and act appropriately in relation to risk at all times.
- To work within national, county and ESDAS guidelines, particularly in relation to good practice regarding children
- To provide written reports and case studies to senior management as and when required.
You will receive support and training and a competitive starting salary of £20,000 for a 28 hour week. Reduced hours may be possible by agreement. This is a two-year fixed term post with the possibility of becoming permanent after two years.
We are looking for someone who will work with professionalism, empathy and kindness, have knowledge of working with children and families who have experienced trauma due to abuse and have a trauma informed, child focused approach. Experience of working with complex family situations where there are safeguarding concerns with the ability to assess risk is required.
You will be based at our office in Redhill and you must be able to reliably commute to the office.
For further information (including a full Job Description and Person Specification) please read the Candidate Pack.
We follow NSPCC safer recruitment guidelines and we do not accept CVs, please complete the application form within the candidate pack
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
About Women in Prison
Women in Prison is a national, women-led, feminist organisation. We deliver front line support to women harmed by the criminal justice system, through our work in prisons, in the community and ‘through the prison gate’ as they resettle back into their communities. We also campaign for systems change that addresses the root causes of offending, reduces the harmful impact of prison, and creates workable, community-based alternatives to imprisonment.
Job Description:
Duties and Key Responsibilities:
- Client Care: provide high-quality, trauma-responsive advocacy and emotional and practical support to women in contact with, or at risk of being in contact with the criminal justice system
- Monitoring and Evaluation: accurately document all client interaction on Women in Prison’s case management database, working in line with Women in Prison’s case management policy at all times
- Communication: develop and utilise a variety of strategies to communicate effectively with women using our services, colleagues, external organisations, stakeholders and the general public