Refugee Welcome Officer

Refugee Welcome Officer
Canterbury
£24,752 pa pro rata plus excellent benefits (FTE £30,940)
28 hours per week
Fixed-term contract for three years

The Refugee Welcome Officer is an exciting and unique role, supporting groups across the county who engage with the Social Justice Network to take part in the Afghan Welcome Project. You will assist with group formation, volunteer recruitment, training and provide ongoing mentoring to ensure their success.

As Refugee Welcome Officer you will work closely with the groups, local authorities, the Home Office, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and other key stakeholders to source suitable housing, matching families to accommodation whilst ensuring compliance.

You will build and maintain effective relationships with local agencies, councils, community groups and other sponsors to facilitate resettlement and share best practices, as well as taking the lead for coordinating recruitment and training and support for volunteers. You will also maintain DBS checks, training records and provide ongoing supervision and guidance.

In addition, you will assist with grant applications, fundraising initiatives, marketing and awareness-raising through social media, newsletters, events and community presentations.

You will have a strong passion for supporting resettled families and enabling local communities to be welcoming and inclusive. You will have experience working with volunteers, community groups or charitable organisations, and preferably experience supporting vulnerable individuals or families, including refugees or asylum seekers.

Knowledge of housing processes, private tenancies, and local support services is important, as are excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills. You should be confident influencing, negotiating and problem-solving in complex situations.

Experience of delivering training and supporting volunteer development, a full, clean UK driving licence and access to a vehicle and a willingness to travel within Kent, London and the Southeast is essential.

The Canterbury Diocesan Board of Finance employs this role on behalf of the Social Justice Network (SJN), a UK-based charity that works to promote social justice, inclusion, and support for vulnerable communities. One of SJN’s key initiatives is the Afghan Welcome Project, which supports the resettlement of Afghan families across Kent, London, and the Southeast of England. The project works in partnership with government bodies, local authorities, charitable organisations, and community groups to ensure refugee families are safely housed, supported, and integrated into their local communities.

The aim of the Social Justice Network is to bring people together. Issues of low income, debt, lack of skills, poor mental health, forced displacement and isolation are complex and closely interlinking, trapping communities and individuals in a web of poverty. Our vision is to see all churches, in every community, coming together to tackle these issues through action, prayer and giving.

Our Kent Refugee Programmes are dedicated to supporting individuals and families rebuilding their lives after forced displacement. We offer a range of services including Welcome Hubs, Arts and Wellbeing activities, ESOL classes, employment support, and casework. Our approach centres on fostering long-term, meaningful connections with local communities, helping restore a sense of stability, dignity, and belonging. 

We aim to deliver work through innovative partnerships with other charities, voluntary organisations, and local authorities. We aim to improve access to resources, make local work more effective, and create a framework for others to respond to the social challenges in Kent.

Closing date: 1st December 2025, 11.59pm
Interviews 10th December, Canterbury