Job Title: Independent Gender Violence Advocate (IGVA)
Location: The Gaia Centre, Lambeth
Salary: £14,850.68 per annum, inlcuding London weighting if applicable
Contract type: Part Time, Permanent
Hours: 18.75 hours per week (working days to be discussed)
We want kind and empathic people to work at Refuge, who believe in equality, diversity, and inclusion, are experts in their area of knowledge, want to make a positive difference and improve the lives of the women and children we support.
The independent gender violence advocate 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 post holder will empower survivors by providing them with emotional, practical and personal welfare support. 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.
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, and practical options that might increase their safety.
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 30 April 2026
Interview Date: 11 May 2026
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
At Community Connections Lewisham we are passionate about helping Lewisham residents (aged 18+) improve their health and wellbeing through discovering what exists in their own community, and becoming more able to access it. We aim to tackle the problems of social isolation and loneliness by using a person-centred approach. This means we recognise that each person we support has their own unique story, with their own particular challenges, needs, and personal goals.
Partnership Coordinators are the face of the Community Connections Lewisham team. They provide valuable support to both clients and professionals by running the phoneline, giving guidance and advice on a wide range of topics by referring or signposting to relevant services that are available in the community. They play a crucial role in the triaging, coordination and effective administration of the entire Community Connections project and acting as a front door service to the rest of the voluntary sector.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.