Migrant jobs
Would you like to join an organisation that is striving for systemic change? We believe it is not enough to reform structures and systems which are foundationally discriminatory. We are calling for a complete overhaul, and for people with lived experience to lead that change.
Migration is one of the most hotly debated political topics with rapid policy changes shaping the lives of millions. We’re looking for a proactive and inspiring leader to join us as Interim Head of Policy and Communications.
In this vital role, you will champion our mission to create a just society for all migrants, ensuring those with lived experience are at the centre of our work and heard by policymakers and supporters alike. You will influence national policies, engage diverse stakeholders, from policymakers to grassroots groups, and build impactful communication campaigns.
Working closely with our CEO and as part of the Senior Leadership Team, you will help shape the strategic direction of our policy and communication efforts during this critical time.
The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in contributing to a vision for intersectional campaigns that call for systemic change, and for those with lived experience to lead the changes we need.
If you’re passionate about social justice, experienced in policy and advocacy, and a skilled communicator, we want to hear from you!
As a lived experience and values-led organisation, and diverse team, we are looking for candidates with a:
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Commitment to upholding the rights of ALL migrants
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Real vision as to how this can be done in the current political, social and economic climate
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A commitment to MRN's vision and values
The salary will be £43,817 per annum, pro-rata. In addition, MRN contributes up to 6% of salary to pensions. We are keen to have someone start in the role immediately.
Closing date for applications: 9am, 14 January 2026
Date for candidate interviews: 26 January 2026
We are a charity and campaigning organisation that stands in solidarity with all migrants in their fights for rights and justice.

The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Would you like to join an organisation that is striving for systemic change? We believe it is not enough to reform structures and systems which are foundationally discriminatory. We are calling for a complete overhaul, and for people with lived experience to lead that change.
If that appeals to you. We are seeking a Policy and Communications Officer to play a vital role in shaping public understanding of migration and influencing policy.
As part of our dedicated team, you will have the chance to make a real impact, engaging with diverse audiences and advocating for positive change. If you're motivated by social justice and have skills in policy engagement, digital campaigning, media, and stakeholder engagement, we want to hear from you.
The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in contributing to a vision for intersectional campaigns that call for systemic change, and for those with lived experience to be instrumental in these campaigns.
As a lived experience and values-led organisation, and diverse team, we are looking for candidates with a:
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Commitment to upholding the rights of ALL migrants
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Real vision as to how this can be done in the current political, social and economic climate
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A commitment to MRN's vision and values
The salary will be £32,414 per year. In addition, MRN contributes up to 6% of salary to pensions.
Closing date for applications: 9am, 14 January 2026
Date for candidate interviews: 22-23 January 2026
We are a charity and campaigning organisation that stands in solidarity with all migrants in their fights for rights and justice.

The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
The Opportunity:
As Operations and Impact Manager, you will provide the operational stability and strategic insight that enables our team to fight for equality for young migrants. By ensuring strong systems, financial health, and data-driven impact evaluation, you will help us deliver campaigns, advocacy, and support that change lives. Your work will empower We Belong to grow sustainably, remain accountable, and amplify the voices of young migrants across the UK.
Key Responsibilities:
·Lead organisational systems and operations to ensure smooth, efficient processes across finance, compliance, and team workflows.
·Drive impact and learning frameworks, embedding data-driven insights into strategy and reporting.
·Manage cross-team projects and fundraising pipelines, supporting timely delivery of proposals and reports.
·Support governance and strategic planning, preparing board papers and ensuring compliance.
·Line manage communications, ensuring campaigns and content reflect We Belong’s mission and values.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
The Migrant and Refugee Children’s Legal Unit at Islington Law Centre has a much-respected Immigration Team. We are a category 1 Legal Aid Immigration provider, and we have considerable experience across the range of immigration and asylum work, running cases at all levels of the Tribunal and Court system including the Administrative Court, the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. We wish to further develop our public law work and practice. The work would mainly involve Albanian cases coming through our Breaking the Chains project, alongside other work of the Unit.
We are an expanding practice and currently have ten solicitors and caseworkers working in immigration at the Law Centre. There are opportunities to work within a supportive team and to develop your areas of expertise. The candidate must be an experienced IAAS Senior Caseworker or Supervising Senior Caseworker.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Programme Manager (Part-time, 4 days/week — 12-month contract)
Start date: February 2026
Location: Hybrid (East London office + home working)
Salary: £35,490–£38,220 FTE (pro rata) + 3% pension
The Southeast and East Asian Centre (SEEAC) is a community-led CIC supporting East and Southeast Asian (ESEA) migrants and refugees in the UK. We work to build an equitable society where ESEA communities thrive.
We are seeking a Programme Manager to lead our programme team, deliver high-impact community services and advocacy projects, and strengthen partnerships across the sector. This role is central to coordinating multiple projects, managing staff, developing proposals, overseeing budgets, ensuring monitoring and evaluation, and representing SEEAC publicly with partners, media and stakeholders. The post works closely with the Executive Director and Partnership Development Manager, including on fundraising.
About you:
You bring 5+ years’ experience leading programme design, delivery, monitoring and reporting plus people management experience and strong communication, organisational and financial skills. You are confident engaging with diverse communities, funders and public audiences, and committed to safeguarding and data protection. Knowledge of issues affecting migrants and refugees (e.g., employment rights, discrimination, health inequality) and strong writing skills are essential. Experience with ESEA communities or other minoritised groups is highly desirable, as is lived experience of migration-related issues.
How to apply:
Apply via CharityJobs or directly on our website
Deadline: 7 January 2026 (23:59).
Interviews:
• Stage 1: Week of 12 January 2026 (online)
• Stage 2: Week of 19 January 2026 (in person, East London)
All offers are subject to references and DBS checks. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK; SEEAC cannot provide visa sponsorship.
SEEAC strives to work to make our society where Southeast and East Asian migrants and their communities are equal members of the UK society and enjoy
Post: Support and Integration Officer
Department: Support and Integration Team
Reports to: Support and Integration Team Leader
Contract: Permanent
Salary: £26 521 per annum
Hours: 37.5 hours a week
Working days: Monday to Friday 9:00 – 5:00
Location: Third Floor, Derwent House,42-46 Waterloo Rd, Wolverhampton, WV1 4XB
About ACH
Our vision is to empower refugees and migrants who reside in the UK to lead self-sufficient and ambitious lives. ACH is a social enterprise comprised of a diverse group of strategists and researchers led by lived experience. We provide tailored integration services that not only help individuals but also disrupt the systems that have entrenched inequalities in our society. We have a track record of delivering effective support services that give refugees and migrants the tools they need to succeed. In 2021 alone, we have helped 1000+ people to achieve their personal goals and lead fulfilling lives in their new country. By working with us at ACH, you will be supporting refugees and migrants to build a better, brighter future.
Purpose of job
The Support and Integration Officer are responsible for providing excellent standards of support, as well as quality information advice and guidance, to enable the resettlement and successful integration of refugees. This role is one of the main pillars of the service that ACH provides.
Key Responsibilities
Completing an initial Pre-Tenancy Assessment for each person referred to the service as well as developing a personalised plan of support for them ensuring that it is reviewed regularly
Giving advice and support on a range of issues including housing, finance, education, employment, health and immigration, as required.
Supporting people with budgeting / registering with care providers / creating social networks / advocacy/ volunteering / training / employment opportunities etc.
Making internal and external referrals to other services e.g. ACH / Careers and Enterprise or other relevant external agencies and referral partners as appropriate
Organising and attending group trips to local places of interest for our tenants
Developing links with external organisations or agencies to promote the needs of refugees and create opportunities for partnership working.
Effectively managing a designated caseload of tenants, as well as keeping accurate records and maintaining case files to a high standard.
Fully participating in team meeting, staff meetings, training sessions, supervision and any other relevant forum or communication processes.
Organising house meetings and visiting our tenants both at their properties and in the community
Making use of CRM Salesforce reports to improve case management
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
We will always stand by people standing up to an unjust immigration system. We provide a safe haven for people to rebuild their lives and our Immigration Manager role is a key part of that. Leading our biggest team, you will manage the delivery of our immigration advice projects and work with our Senior Legal Aid Advisor to oversee our legal aid contract.
Main Role:
- Manage and motivate the Immigration Team and supervise the client work.
- Manage and conduct a caseload of immigration advice and casework.
- Ensure that LRMN complies with all regulatory bodies including SRA, IAA, Legal Aid Agency and ICO
- To be responsible for the professional development of the Immigration team
Please see the job pack attached for additional information.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
The postholder will play a key role in strengthening national, regional and local responses to violence against women and girls (VAWG) affecting Black, minoritised and migrant women. They will design, develop and deliver a high-quality, influential training programme for statutory agencies, voluntary sector organisations and other key stakeholders on VAWG, including domestic abuse, harmful practices such as ‘honour’-based abuse, force marriage, and related forms of gender-based violence.
The role will have a particular focus on the intersections between VAWG, immigration and asylum systems, and no recourse to public funds (NRPF), ensuring that professional responses are rights-based, trauma-informed and grounded in an understanding of structural racism and gender inequality.
Working collaboratively with SBS colleagues, project partners and, where appropriate victim-survivor, the postholder will ensure that training is informed by lived experience and SBS’s long-standing specialist practice, contributing to improved policy, practice and outcomes for Black, minoritised and migrant women.
The postholder will also contribute to the wider work of SBS, supporting the organisation’s strategic objectives, feminist values and commitment to challenging violence against women and girls in all its forms.
Why work with Southall Black Sisters?
Southall Black Sisters is committed to providing a supportive working environment, where team members feel valued, empowered and safe. To that end, we provide an excellent package of employee benefits including:
- Generous annual leave entitlement
- Hybrid working
- Enhanced pension contribution
- Enhanced sick pay
- Subsidised public transport season ticket
- A comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme, including access to confidential support from MBACP therapists
- Clinical supervision with an MBACP therapist to explore issues arising from casework
- A focus on continued learning and development through accredited training delivered by experts in their field
- Organisation-wide away days
- Career development pathways and support
- The opportunity to learn and grow within an organisation renowned for inspiring political activism and campaigning successes
- Employer eye care scheme
To Apply
Submit a completed application form along with the optional equal opportunities monitoring form by the application deadline. Please do not send us your CV as this will not be considered.
Please note, incomplete applications will not be considered.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
The Youth Participation & Events Support (Internhsip) role is a twelve-month paid Internship to begin during March 2026, supported by the Jack Petchey Foundation, to support the planning and delivery of SLRA’s youth participation programme, regular activities and youth-led events.
Our youth services include advice and casework, a programme of positive activities and opportunities to work alongside other young people to influence the policies and practices that affect them through our Young Community Leaders Programme. We also support a group of young people to plan and deliver events. These events bring young migrants in London together to discuss issues that matter to them, celebrate achievements, build community and plan further actions and work together.
Our organisation
South London Refugee Association (SLRA) is a local charity supporting refugees, asylum seekers and other vulnerable migrants. Our mission is to ensure that migrants in South London are active participants with access to justice and opportunity, and we work alongside people as they build settled lives and positive futures. Our Youth Service provides support to around 350 young people each year. Support includes holistic youth casework, immigration advice, a weekly youth club, advice drop ins, a youth participation programme and regular trips and activities.
Jack Petchey Foundation
In this role, you will be part of the Jack Petchey Internship Programme with 18 other interns from different youth organisations in London and Essex. This development programme will involve attending a launch conference, four professional development workshops throughout the year and a celebration event at the end of the programme. You will receive an extra training bursary of £1,000 for approved training. You will also be matched with a mentor from another organisation to support you in your professional development. The Jack Petchey Internship Programme training and events will take place in person in London and you will be expected to take full part in this programme alongside your role at SLRA.
DEADLINE: 9am on Monday 26th January
To ensure that migrants live safely with access to justice and opportunity
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
The postholder will play a key role in advancing the communications, campaigns and public affairs work of Southall Black Sisters (SBS), strengthening the organisation’s public profile and amplifying its mission to end violence against women and girls (VAWG), particularly as it affects Black, minoritised and migrant women.
The role will support the development and delivery of strategic communications and campaigns that promote SBS’s services, policy priorities and advocacy work, with particular attention to immigration and no recourse to public funds (NRPF). Working collaboratively with SBS colleagues, project partners and, where appropriate, victim-survivors, the postholder will help ensure SBS’s communications are impactful, ethical and grounded in lived experience.
Through creative and strategic use of digital, media and public-facing platforms, the postholder will contribute to raising awareness, influencing public discourse and strengthening protections and rights for Black, minoritised and migrant victim-survivors.
Why work with Southall Black Sisters?
Southall Black Sisters is committed to providing a supportive working environment, where team members feel valued, empowered and safe. To that end, we provide an excellent package of employee benefits including:
- Generous annual leave entitlement
- Hybrid working
- Enhanced pension contribution
- Enhanced sick pay
- Subsidised public transport season ticket
- A comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme, including access to confidential support from MBACP therapists
- Clinical supervision with an MBACP therapist to explore issues arising from casework
- A focus on continued learning and development through accredited training delivered by experts in their field
- Organisation-wide away days
- Career development pathways and support
- The opportunity to learn and grow within an organisation renowned for inspiring political activism and campaigning successes
- Employer eye care scheme
To Apply
Submit a completed application form along with the optional equal opportunities monitoring form by the application deadline. Please do not send us your CV as this will not be considered.
Please note, incomplete applications will not be considered.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
AFRIL is recruiting for an experienced, dynamic Senior Caseworker to join our growing Casework Team. The successful candidate will provide advice and casework to asylum seekers, refugees and migrants in South East London on matters relating to housing and homelessness, welfare benefits, NRPF support, community care and asylum support. The candidate has the exciting opportunity to lead on the delivery of AFRIL's Casework Drop-in for asylum seekers and recently granted refugees, supported by a Caseworker and Outreach Volunteers. The post holder, if not already Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) accredited, will also be supported to obtain IAA Level 2 accreditation, to embed some immigration legal advice into their broader caseload.
AFRIL’s Casework Service also uses casework trends and data to work with community members in order to engage in policy and systemic change. Utilising casework and community co-production, the service has created sector wide resources on asylum support, engaged in strategic litigation and successfully influenced local, pan-London and national policy outcomes. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to feed into AFRIL's broader policy work, and develop local partnerships.
This is an exciting and integral role within a supportive and dynamic team, with strong opportunity for career development within AFRIL.
Please submit your CV and a cover letter – no more than two sides of A4 – detailing your motivation for applying and how you meet the person specification for the role by 23:00 on Sunday 4th January 2026.
We support asylum seekers, refugees and vulnerable migrants to lift themselves out of poverty and rebuild their lives in the heart of our community.



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Amplify Workers’ Voices!
Are you a creative, digitally savvy communicator passionate about social justice and workers’ rights? Do you thrive on storytelling, engaging audiences online, creating content that sparks real-world impact – and secretly enjoy crunching the numbers to see what works?
United Voices of the World,UVW, is looking for a Campaign Communicator to join our team and help amplify the voices of low-paid, precarious, and migrant workers in the UK.
Job Details
Location:
UVW Casa, 144 Cambridge Heath Road, London, E1 5QJ
Salary:
£31,200 per annum
Working Hours:
10:00am – 6:00pm
(7 hours per day, including a paid 1-hour lunch )
Annual Leave:
30 days annual leave + bank holidays
Other Benefits:
Generous parental leave and sick leave
Contract Type:
Permanent
Recruitment Dates
Closing Date:
12 January 2026
Interviews:
Week commencing 26 January 2026
Start Date:
23 February 2026
Who we are
UVW is a member-led, direct action, anti-racist, campaigning trade union and we exist to support and empower the most vulnerable groups of precarious, low-paid and migrant workers in the UK.
The Campaign Communications team plays a critical role in shaping our public profile, supporting workers to organise, holding bosses to account, mobilising support, and using digital platforms to tell the stories that matter most.
What You’ll Do
As a Campaign Communicator, you will:
- Develop & deliver campaign communications to support organising drives, strikes and campaigns.
- Support creative development: produce accessible visuals and champion our visual identity.
- Manage digital engagement: post content across social media, our website and monitor analytics to measure and improve reach.
- Create compelling content – videos, audio, images, and written stories – with a “workers’ stories first” approach.
- Supporting media relations: liaise with journalists, provide quotes, and package content to highlight campaigns.
- Build internal communications capacity: train members and staff in communications initiatives and identify opportunities to improve UVW’s digital presence.
- Monitor and respond to communications gaps, proactively proposing new ideas to strengthen campaign impact.
Who You Are
We’re looking for someone with:
- Strong knowledge of digital channels, social media management, and analytics.
- Excellent content creation skills, including audio/video editing and copywriting.
- Experience or knowledge of journalism, press offices, or campaign communications.
- Highly organised, detail-oriented, and able to work under tight deadlines.
- Flexibility and teamwork skills to operate across multiple projects.
- Commitment to trade unions and social justice.
Desirable Skills
- Knowledge of Spanish or other languages.
- Experience with trade union or community campaigning.
- Graduate-level education or professional training in communications.
Why Work with UVW?
This is a campaign communicator’s dream role – a chance to work directly with workers and help tell their stories. You’ll use every format – video, audio, written content – to engage and mobilise supporters, turning research and members’ insights into winning campaigns that amplify workers’ voices, denounce bad bosses and build solidarity across the UK and beyond.
Bring your creativity, digital expertise, and passion for justice to UVW. Help us tell the stories that matter, engage supporters, bring bosses to heel, and fight for dignity, equality, and respect.
We support low paid, precarious & migrant workers build power & solidarity in workplaces & communities through collective, legal and direct action.


Asylum Justice is the only charity in Wales - and one of very few in the UK - providing free legal advice and representation to people seeking asylum, refugees, and other migrants who are excluded from legal aid. Every day, we help people navigate a hostile system, challenge injustice, and secure safety for themselves and their families.
Demand for our services is higher than ever. In the past year alone, our caseload increased by nearly 50%, and we've taken on more complex, urgent cases - including supporting unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and people at immediate risk of destitution or deportation.
We’re now looking for a Funding Officer to join our small, committed team and help secure the resources we need to sustain and grow our work. This is a chance to make a tangible difference - not just in helping us meet income targets, but in strengthening access to justice for some of the most marginalised people in Wales.
The role is hybrid working (Cardiff office and remote working) but fully remote working may also be considered. We are open to compressed hours or part-time working (minimum 28 hours) for the right candidate. We also welcome applications from people interested in a job share arrangement.
About the role
This is a hands-on, varied role that combines fundraising, relationship management, and impact storytelling. You’ll work closely with our Legal Director and wider team to:
- Research and identify funding opportunities from trusts, foundations, and statutory sources
- Write compelling funding bids and reports that reflect our impact and values
- Maintain excellent relationships with funders and support project coordination with delivery partners
- Coordinate grant reporting and keep accurate records of income, spend, and deadlines
- Support internal monitoring and evaluation to strengthen our evidence base
- Help develop our approach to individual giving, fundraising events, and donor communications
We’re looking for someone who shares our commitment to justice and anti-racism, and who brings strong communication skills, attention to detail, and a collaborative approach.
Who we’re looking for
We don’t expect you to know everything from day one - we’re open to candidates with transferable skills from across the charity, campaigning, or community sectors. You might have experience as a fundraiser, grant writer, project officer, or in a policy/impact role where writing and relationship-building are key.
What matters most is that you're passionate about what we do, committed to equity and inclusion, and eager to learn and contribute.
What we offer
- A supportive, mission-driven team working in solidarity with people seeking asylum
- Flexibility around working days, location, and hours
- An organisational culture that prioritises wellbeing and psychological safety
- The chance to shape an ambitious and growing organisation at a pivotal time
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Overview
At Young Roots, we want to see a compassionate and welcoming society for young people seeking safety. We work alongside young refugees and asylum seekers in the UK, building trusted relationships, providing practical and emotional support and promoting young people’s rights and power.
Our youth clubs and casework are transformative for young refugees, allowing young people who have fled danger, experienced traumatic journeys, and are often here alone to find community and connection, a space to be a young person, and access support to address a range of practical challenges they face. We also draw on our evidence from working every day with young refugees and asylum seekers to call for change to the laws and policies which are harming young people.
About the role
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced practitioner with both youth work and casework experience to make a meaningful difference to the lives of young people in the UK asylum system. You will support young people aged 18-25, including those age-assessed as 18+, living in contingency and dispersal accommodation, helping them access social, emotional and practical support as they navigate the asylum system.
Working closely with Youth Welfare Caseworkers who hold more complex, long-term cases, you will provide early intervention and short-term casework support alongside consistent, relational youth work. You will also contribute to the ongoing monitoring, evaluation and reporting of the service, as required, helping to evidence impact and inform service development.
This role is primarily based in Brent, where you will coordinate the delivery of the Ahlan youth club with another Youth Welfare Officer and contribute to regular outreach to young people living in local hotels. You will help plan and deliver group sessions, trips and activities, creating safe, engaging and empowering spaces for young people. You will act as a trusted point of contact, building strong relationships, offering one-to-one support, and accompanying, referring and signposting young people to appropriate services, while working closely with colleagues to ensure safeguarding and wellbeing are prioritised.
You may also be required to support the delivery of our other Youth Welfare youth clubs in Croydon and King’s Cross, and some evening work may be required as part of the role. All work is delivered in line with Young Roots’ values, using a trauma-informed, asset-based and youth-led approach.
How to apply
Please submit your CV and a personal statement by the closing date outlining how you would be a great fit for the role.
Your personal statement should be no more than 800 words, answering the following questions:
- What is your motivation for working with Young Roots?
- What is your motivation for applying for this role specifically?
- What skills and experience would you bring that will enable you to be successful in this role?
Please ensure you refer to the minimum requirements on the person specification and provide examples to demonstrate how and where you meet the criteria.
You may submit your personal statement in writing or via video.
Please submit your application via CharityJobs.
Please note that Young Roots is closed from Wednesday, 24 December 2025, and will reopen on Monday, 5 January 2026. There may be a delay in getting back to you during this time.
No agencies, please.
Closing date: Midday on Monday, 5 January 2026
Interviews: week commencing Monday, 12 January 2026
Young Roots recognises the positive value of diversity, promotes equity and challenges discrimination. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, particularly those who face disadvantage in employment, such as people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQ+ individuals and people with disabilities. As an organisation that supports refugees, asylum seekers and migrants, we particularly welcome applications from people within these communities. We offer a guaranteed interview to candidates with lived experience of the asylum system and those with disabilities, where they meet the essential elements of the person specification. If aspects of the application process create barriers to you applying, or if you'd like any adjustments to the process, or an informal discussion or advice on your application, please get in touch. We would also like to alert you to organisations that support people from under-represented groups and can advise you on applying for this role - for example, Scope, Young Women’s Trust, and Experts by Experience.
Young Roots is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. We take this duty very seriously.
Our work is underpinned by policies and procedures which promote safe working practices. We have a training and supervision framework that everyone is expected to comply with, along with systems for monitoring, quality assurance, and collecting service user feedback. Upon joining, you will be expected to be part of this approach to safeguard our service users.
All posts are subject to safer recruitment protocols, which include vetting checks such as enhanced criminal records and barring, scrutiny of employment history, references, and other checks.
To view the job description for the role, please see the link above.
How to apply
Please submit your CV alongside a personal statement by the closing date, within our application form (in the Quick apply link below), outlining how you would be a great fit for the role.
Your personal statement should be no more than 800 words, answering the following questions:
1. What is your motivation for working with Young Roots?
2. What is your motivation for applying for this role specifically?
3. What skills and experience would you bring that will enable you to be successful in this role?
Please ensure you refer to the minimum requirements on the person specification and provide examples to demonstrate how and where you meet the criteria.
Working alongside young people seeking safety - building trust, providing practical and emotional support, and promoting their rights and power.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
This is an exciting opportunity to steer Asylum Aid at an important time in its 30-year existence. As Executive Director you will be responsible for delivering on our strategy for impact. You will oversee our work to increase access to expert, trauma-informed legal representation to those in the asylum, trafficking and statelessness systems and lead our policy and strategic legal work to achieve systemic change that contributes towards our vision.
You will line manage the Director of Legal Casework to oversee the provision of supportive and enabling leadership to Asylum Aid caseworkers so that they can continue to deliver high quality expert advice in complex cases, while being supported in their professional development and wellbeing. You will also manage and develop the work of our welfare advice team within the Westminster Advice Services Partnership and beyond, and work collaboratively with colleagues in the sector to build capacity and increase our impact.
The ideal candidate, who may be legally qualified, will have experience of leadership in the charity/NGO sector and a sound understanding of the asylum, human rights and trafficking processes in the UK and the legal frameworks which govern the protection of refugees, survivors of trafficking and stateless people, and of the role of law in achieving system change.
We are looking for someone who is strategically minded and passionate about providing supportive and inclusive leadership to our expert team. You will be committed to our objectives and to the role which expert legal representation plays in enabling people in need of protection in the UK to obtain it.
As is the nature of this sector, the role may be exposed to a high volume of traumatic and distressing material and, whilst they will be supported by the Helen Bamber Foundation Group CEO and surrounding team, the candidate should also be able to demonstrate knowledge of good self-care principles in an intense work environment and dissemination of those principles to junior members of the team.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Leadership and strategy
·Be responsible, with the support of the Helen Bamber Foundation Group CEO, for the development, implementation and monitoring of Asylum Aid’s organisational strategy
·Provide leadership and strategic direction at Asylum Aid in accordance with its aims and objectives, with the support of the Director of Legal Casework
·Act as external spokesperson for Asylum Aid, maintaining and strengthening Asylum Aid’s position as a leader in the refugee rights, statelessness and legal aid sectors;
·Work collaboratively with others in the sector to promote and strengthen Asylum Aid’s work, identify and establish potential partnerships, with the support of the Director of Legal Casework;
·Work collaboratively with the Helen Bamber Foundation Group CEO and Executive Leadership team to drive the implementation of the Group strategic framework;
·Ensure that all reporting and monitoring requirements are met to support fundraising, contract compliance and monitoring strategic impact;
·Support the cross collaboration of the Asylum Aid team with the Helen Bamber Foundation team and play an active part in the management of the Helen Bamber Foundation Group.
Governance
·Act as the Data Protection Supervisor with responsibility for data protection and cyber security within Asylum Aid
·Together with the Helen Bamber Foundation Group CEO and designated safeguarding leads, be responsible for child and adult safeguarding within Asylum Aid
·In collaboration with the Director of Legal Casework, ensure compliance by Asylum Aid with all legal and regulatory obligations, including the Legal Aid Agency contract, the Immigration Advice Authority and Solicitors Regulation Authority;
·Lead on the preparation and presentation of quarterly reports on Asylum Aid’s activities, strategy and risks to the Asylum Aid Board, the Finance and Fundraising Committee and the People and Governance Committee;
·Lead on the preparation of the Trustees’ annual report and ensure that monitoring and evaluation systems are adequate to enable reporting on Asylum Aid’s activities and impact.
Management and Supervision
·Responsible for line management of the Director of Legal Casework and Welfare Advice service coordinator, and other team supervisors as required;
·Together with the Group Director of People, responsible for Human Resources and implementation of the People Strategy within Asylum Aid, including development and implementation of HR policies and procedures;
·Together with the Director of Legal Casework and team supervisors, drive the effective management and supervision of the Asylum Aid team and ensure that they comply with relevant professional standards and accreditation;
·Foster a supportive and inclusive team culture at Asylum Aid in which each member feels valued and supported to develop professionally and to perform to the best of their ability;
·Ensure the team’s well-being and that self-care practices are established and work in tandem with the Director of Legal Casework and supervisors to ensure trauma-informed ways of working.
Policy & Strategic Legal Work
·Together with the Group Director of Policy, identify policy priorities and coordinate the preparation of evidence and briefings drawing on Asylum Aid’s experience and expertise to influence system change;
·Build and maintain relationships and partnerships with sector colleagues to support joint strategic engagement including policy advocacy and strategic legal work;
·Work closely with the Director of Legal Casework and team supervisors to drive changes in the UK asylum, trafficking and statelessness systems through strategic legal work.
Finance & Fundraising
·Work closely with the CEO and the Helen Bamber Foundation Group Finance Team to set and manage budget(s) and general financial matters for Asylum Aid
·Together with the Director of Legal Casework and the Group Finance Team, establish systems for monitoring legal aid Work In Progress and billing, and securing casework income including legal aid, and inter partes income from judicial review cases;
·Work closely with the Helen Bamber Foundation Group Fundraising and Communications Team to secure funding for Asylum Aid from a range of sources including trusts and foundations, corporate philanthropy and major donors;
·Ensure that Legal Aid and other income is maximised, and targets are achieved.
Other duties
·Manage the recruitment and supervision of volunteers where necessary in collaboration with the Helen Bamber Foundation Group Volunteers Coordinator;
·Support the Helen Bamber Foundation Group Facilities team to ensure the smooth running of the office and that the facilities meet the needs of Asylum Aid;
·Work outside normal office hours as required and travel in order to carry out the responsibilities of the post.
·To undertake any task that may be requested from time to time that may be consistent with the nature and scope of this post.
Essential Experience, Skills and Knowledge
•Experience of running a small to medium sized charity/legal NGO and/or legal department within the NGO sector (or other equivalent senior management role);
•Demonstrable experience of managing and leading a successful team and the ability to manage a growing team with mixed roles from team supervisors to administrative support staff, working co-operatively with colleagues to maintain transparency and effective working relationships within the team;
•Strong communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with people from a wide range of backgrounds
•Strong understanding of good governance including legal, regulatory and financial responsibilities;
•Ability to work with a range of stakeholders from trustees to external partners;
•Experience of leading and/or participating in organisational strategic planning;
·Experience of legal policy work within the human rights field and /or of strategic litigation, whether as an NGO claimant or legal representative;
•Experience of managing diverse funding sources and setting and implementing budgets;
•Experience of working in a service delivery partnership with other organisations;
•Experience of fundraising, especially grants from trusts and foundations;
•Sound working knowledge of the law and policy as it relates to immigration, asylum, human rights and modern slavery/trafficking;
•Demonstrable understanding of the asylum and human rights sector in the UK;
•An understanding of the barriers migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers face regarding access to legal advice, reasons why they may become destitute and why this makes it more difficult to access advice and support; and
•The passion for working empathetically and supportively with migrants, refugees, stateless people and asylum seekers.
Desirable Experience
·Experience of managing the delivery of frontline casework with people in the asylum or trafficking systems
·Experience of tendering for and delivering publicly funded contracts e.g. LAA or local authority funding;
·Working knowledge of Legal Aid Agency contracts, including the delivery of casework and billing under a legal aid contract in the immigration and asylum category and/or the public law category;
How to apply
The first stage is to complete on our online application form on our website by 10am on Monday 26th January 2026.
The website form will ask you to:
1.Upload a short covering letter. Please tell us why the position appeals to you, and how your relevant skills and experience, including any voluntary experience and lived experience, matches the listed responsibilities and person specification. Please also state in your covering letter when you would be available to start the role.
2.Upload your current CV
3.Complete an online Equal Opportunities monitoring form – completion of this form will help us ensure that our recruitment procedures operate in such a way as to provide genuine equality of opportunity. The questions are entirely optional, and this information will not be available to members of the selection panel.
For an informal conversation about the post before applying, please contact Alison Pickup, the current Executive Director.
Selection Process
We will invite candidates to an initial online interview on Tuesday 10th or Wednesday 11th February, followed by shortlisted candidates attending in-person interviews at our office in Old Street on Tuesday 24th or Wednesday 25th February.
We offer a guaranteed initial interview for refugees, stateless people and others with lived experience of forced migration, provided that they provide some evidence of relevant experience or skills in relation to the essential criteria.
We regret that we can only respond to applicants who make it to the interview stage.
Eligibility
Please note that the successful candidate must have the right to work in the UK (as a small charity we do not have the capacity to sponsor work visas).
Successful candidates will also be subject to a basic DBS check. If appointed, you will also be required to give your consent to the charity to receive regular updates on your criminal records status throughout your employment and to disclose any relevant convictions incurred during your time with us.
Adjustments
We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we’ll always endeavour to be as accommodating as possible. If you require a different format of the application form, such as large print or Word format, or if you would like to discuss any specific requirements, please get in touch with us.
EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
Our commitment to principles of equity, diversity and inclusion is an integral part of our approach to our clients, our volunteers and our staff, and we are an equal opportunities and Living Wage employer.
We are committed to attracting and recruiting diverse candidates because we are keen to make sure that our staff, trustees, volunteers and ambassadors reflect the communities we serve and the wider community we work in.
We genuinely welcome and encourage applications from candidates from a range of backgrounds, especially people of colour, people with disabilities, people from low socio-economic backgrounds, refugees, stateless people and others with lived experience of forced migration or trauma and of the housing and welfare system, who are under-represented in our organisation.
We recognise and value the role of lived experience in meeting the needs of our clients and acknowledge the under-representation of people with lived experience of forced migration and statelessness in the advice sector. We value experience gained overseas as well as in the UK.
We are also proud to be a member of the Experts by Experience Employment Network which aims to increase representation of people with lived experience in the charitable sector.
If you are an expert by experience (a refugee or a migrant with direct, first-hand experience of issues and challenges of the UK asylum or immigration system), you can ask for an independent and confidential support for your job application from the Experts by Experience Employment Network and access other information and resources which may help in preparing your job application.
Please complete the form on their website to request support and they will confirm if they can match you with a mentor to support your application.