Director

At Refugee Action Kingston (RAK) we're dedicated to helping the successful integration of refugees and asylum seekers into the local community. With over three decades of experience, we provide a comprehensive range of services including welfare support, immigration and legal advice, education, counselling, and career guidance.

Our values

• Empathy: we put ourselves in the shoes of those we work with.
• Enterprise: we're innovative and resourceful in our approach to supporting refugees and asylum seekers.
• Empower: we strive to empower our clients, helping them achieve their aspirations.

Role overview: as the Director of RAK, you'll lead our organisation in supporting refugees and asylum seekers in South West London to lead fulfilled and independent lives. Proposals for hybrid working will be considered. Your responsibilities will include:

Strategic Leadership

• Developing and implementing annual plans aligned with our strategy, in collaboration with the Board of Trustees, to achieve desired outcomes.
• Maintaining efficient systems for the charity's operations, ensuring good governance and financial sustainability.
• Overseeing all aspects of organisational management including finances, resources, services, and communications, in cooperation with trustees.

Governance and Organisational Management

• Working closely with trustees to direct and deliver RAK's objectives according to the charity's strategy.
• Leading and supporting the RAK team to fulfil objectives, emphasising client needs, monitoring outcomes, and integrating learning into operations.
• Ensuring compliance with governance requirements, supporting board responsibilities, and contributing to trustee meetings and reporting.

Financial Management and Human Resources

• Ensuring effective financial management, leading finance and project management teams to maintain controls, preparing reports, and managing spending within budget.
• Developing organisational structure and processes for positive people and service management, adhering to legislation and quality standards.
• Fostering a healthy working culture that encourages staff and volunteers to excel, contribute ideas, and embrace diversity.

Fundraising

• Developing and executing RAK's fundraising strategy, exploring new avenues to diversify funding sources.
• Collaborating with the fundraising manager to cultivate relationships with funders, submitting funding bids, and providing reporting.
• Focus on growing unrestricted funds to reduce reliance on grants.

Advocacy and Influencing

• Cultivating strong relationships with stakeholders to amplify the impact of RAK's work.
• Advocating for the needs of our clients to local authorities, healthcare providers, and other relevant agencies.
• Maintaining an effective advice and advocacy service, meeting quality standards (AQS & OISC) and regulatory requirements.

General Duties

• Undertaking any other related duties as required and appropriate to the role.

Person Specification
Essential Criteria

1. Leadership and Change Management: proven track record of leading client-focused services, driving strategic development, and managing change effectively.
2. Project and Programme Management: experience in creating and delivering complex projects aligned with strategic objectives.
3. Fundraising Expertise: understanding of fundraising importance in the charitable sector, with a history of successful and innovative fundraising initiatives.
4. Digital Proficiency: ability to harness digital tools so that roles are carried out efficiently and competently.
5. Financial Management: track record of managing budgets and contracts effectively.
6. Analytical Skills: experience in complex report writing and data analysis.
7. Empathy and Inclusivity: ability to empathise with clients from diverse backgrounds and a commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace.
8. Team Leadership: excellent people skills, with the ability to empower and motivate staff and volunteers to operate effectively.
9. Partnership Building: strong ability to build partnerships, manage coalitions, and maintain positive relationships with stakeholders.
10. Communication Skills: excellent communication and persuasion skills, including experience in public speaking.
11. Governance Knowledge: understanding of governance principles in the voluntary or public sector.
12. Safeguarding: experience in leading on safeguarding and health and safety.

Desirable Criteria

1. Asylum System Knowledge: understanding or lived experience of the asylum system.
2. Policy and Advocacy: experience in asylum-related policy or advocacy work.
3. Commercial Awareness: experience in negotiating with statutory, local, or voluntary organisations/authorities.