Refugee community advocate jobs

This is an exciting opportunity for a creative and adaptable individual.  This person will develop and deliver outstanding communications that brings people into the movement to improve the rights of people seeking sanctuary.  By doing this they will create positive change and increase the number of individuals donating to the cause.

We particularly welcome applications from people who have personal experience of the asylum system and migration. To support all applicants, a preparation session will be offered by the New Beginnings team at Voluntary Action Sheffield.

For further information about our work please visit our website.

To Apply 

To apply, please submit the following:

1. A covering letter (no more than 2 pages long).  In this letter:

• Say why you are applying for the job.

• Tell us how you meet the job requirements detailed in the person specification. Give practical examples of what you have done that meets the requirements.

2. A brief summary of the work and volunteering you have done or a short CV.

3. Name, phone number, and email addresses of two references, at least one of whom can comment on recent work or volunteer experience.

A free preparation session will be run by the New Beginnings team at Voluntary Action Sheffield.  This will be open to anyone applying for the role to learn a bit more about the job and get support with their application.  This session will run on the week commencing 2nd June at The Sanctuary - (exact date and time tbc).

Closing date for applications is Sunday 15th June at 5pm. 

Interviews will be held on Monday 23rd June.

BACKGROUND

Over the past 80 years, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) has developed unparalleled expertise in responding to emergencies and helping uprooted communities to rebuild. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC’s mission is to help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. The IRC is on the ground in more than 40 countries, providing emergency relief and rebuilding lives in the wake of disaster. The IRC is committed to a culture of bold leadership, innovation in all aspects of our work, creative partnerships and, most crucially, accountability to those we serve.

IRC UK
IRC UK is part of the IRC global network, which has its global headquarters in New York. Our team in the UK works to raise profile, deliver policy and practice change, and increase funding to help restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Since 2021, IRC UK has also provided integration services directly to refugees in the UK a programme that is rapidly growing.

In Europe, the IRC currently operates in the UK, Sweden, Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, Greece, Poland, Serbia and Ukraine.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The P&C Director manages the HR teams across the IRC UK, Switzerland, Belgium and Sweden, and is accountable for effective HR service delivery, HR compliance and continuous improvement within the scope of the People & Culture department to cultivate the desired culture, talent practices, and investments to deliver on our people strategy. This position plays pivotal role in fostering a positive, inclusive and high-performing workplace culture that aligns with IRC’s values through exceptional communication skills. They are deeply committed to achieving operational excellence and modelling the values of an engaging and respectful workplace where everyone can be at their best.

Reporting into the Regional Director, P&C Europe and collaborating closely with colleagues across Global People & Culture, the role provides insights supporting the implementation of People & Culture priorities across the 300+ IRC colleagues in the UK, Switzerland, Belgium and Sweden as determined by the respective country Executive Directors and the Regional Director P&C Europe.

As a member of the UK Senior Management Team (SMT) the role also supports the delivery of these priorities, and serves as an advisor and coach with a keen focus on building leadership competencies and organizational effectiveness.  The role is also part of the global P&C community to participate and stay informed of global change initiatives and to shape or adapt them to IRC UK’s culture and regulatory environment.

This role supports the UK Executive Director in managing the relationship with the UK Trade Union, Unite, including quarterly meetings with Union Representatives and ensuring smooth consultation and negotiation on matters where relevant including the annual salary review, restructures and complex employee relations matters. The post holder has an excellent understanding of Union relations and rights, working collaborative to ensure compliance and the bets outcomes for IRC UK and employees within the bounds of what is possible in the organisation.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. P&C Strategic Leadership and Management (~25%)

· Serve as a strategic advisor to the local HR Managers, Executive Directors, and UK Senior Management Team (SMT) on succession planning, providing key insights to facilitate future leadership transitions.

· Act as a thought partner to the SMT, offering strategic guidance on People & Culture (P&C), and organizational culture/values to align with the mission and goals.

· Supervise and be a supportive leader to approximately 5-7 P&C staff within the UK, Belgium, Swizterland, and Sweden HR Team, ensuring the leadership and management of direct reports are handled with excellence.  Accountable for the overall quality and effectiveness of the P&C team, actively monitoring progress against established goals.

· Take the lead on conducting talent dialogues, recommending development opportunities, and coaching on conducting high-quality conversations during performance reviews.

· Serve as an advocate for Employee Wellbeing, Employee Engagement, and Safeguarding priorities and role model safe, inclusive, and caring leadership standards.

· Provide constructive feedback and guidance on career paths and professional development for the P&C team and IRC staff; establish a culture of continuous learning opportunities.

· Partner with peers to facilitate the workforce planning, including, managing workforce adjustments, such as staff reductions, or scale up, including organizational design work, in partnership with senior management teams, the Regional Director, People & Culture Europe and Global People & Culture Partners, ensuring these actions comply with local legal requirements and IRC's country and Global policies while minimizing risks and supporting affected staff.

· Support management through coaching, development, tools and guidance to build a team of skilled, committed, and motivated staff, ready to advance in their career.

· Manage the UK HR budget with support from colleagues in FP&A for planning, budgeting and reforecasting of expenditure.

· Prepare reporting to the UK Board of Trustees, including presentation to the full Board and People and Culture Committee.

2. Manage HR Service Delivery and Core Operations (~40%)

· Oversee the creation and tracking of P&C objectives, ensuring alignment with organizational goals including but not limited to providing support and contributions to the design and implementation of global shared solutions models that deliver meaningful outcomes and service improvements.

· Actively engage in proposal design and grant review meetings, providing expert advice on organizational structure, position scoping, demographic and staffing analysis to build a robust P&C foundation that supports high program quality.

· Drive informed decision making by using data to support people and culture functions, ensuring all data reporting requirements, including to the UK Board and reporting as required for UK programmes donors are delivered accurately and in a timely manner.

· Oversee end-to-end P&C activities across the employee lifecycle, including onboarding and exits, payroll, benefits, contract management, performance management, workforce reporting, and year-round staff communications to ensure high-quality outcomes aligned with organizational standards and strategic objectives.

· Ensure the development and implementation of high-quality, context-specific improvement plans and practices in areas such as recruitment, compensation and benefits, employee relations, onboarding, offboarding, contract management, learning and development, performance management, leave management, code of conduct compliance, legal compliance, HR Information Systems, coordination of policy development and implementation, etc.

· Advise supervisors on appropriate disciplinary actions, serve as an impartial mediator in disciplinary proceedings, and oversee follow-up measures to ensure fairness, compliance with employment laws, and adherence to labor regulations.

3. Workplace Culture (~15%)

· Promote initiatives that enhance the employee experience, team engagement, inclusion, and cohesion fostering an environment conducive to continuous learning and honest dialogue.

· Foster a healthy organizational culture. Oversee the integration of IRC’s Values, People Manager Standards, and Employee Success Factors throughout the employee lifecycle.

· Safeguarding:  promote best practice through the integration of safeguarding considerations in hiring, recruitment and onboarding practices, ensuring that all IRC employees receive orientation to IRC's Safeguarding Policy and expectations.

· Ensure that the IRC Way and information on reporting channels are sign-posted in all IRC office locations.

· Partner with IRC’s global Ethics, Compliance and Global Employee Relations investigations to promote safe, healthy and respectful workplaces.

· With the support of the  Duty of Care colleagues and Regional Director People & Culture Europe, provide guidance and support for all staff-related duty of care initiatives, and critical incident response is delivered according to organizational standards.

· Ensure strong connectivity and communication among P&C staff to foster a cohesive team environment.

· Actively participate in and support staff meetings to foster a collaborative work environment.

4. Collaborate with the Union (~15%)

· Working with the UK Executive Director, maintain a positive working relationship with the UK Trade Union representatives, Unite.

· Negotiate and consult with the Trade Union, facilitating the quarterly Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) meetings and ensuring a good relationship is maintained and progress is made with key priorities including introduction of new policies, policy updates and salary review negotiations.

· Develop and manage union engagement and communication plans aimed at maintaining a healthy and empowering office environment that promotes open, honest, and productive communication.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

• Indirect reporting to Europe Regional P&C Director
• Partners with UK Executive Director and the UK SMT
• Manages the UK HR Operations Manager, UK HR staff, and the heads of HR in Switzerland, Belgium and Sweden
• Collaborates with Trade Union Representatives
• Oversees contracts with Employees and External consultants and vendors
• Collaborates with Global P&C team members at all levels
• Collaborates with senior managers across the organisation

PERSON SPECIFICATIONS

· CIPD qualified with experience of complex HR processes in the UK including restructures, TUPE and employee relations.**

· Significant experience in an HR leadership role, with broad knowledge and experience across the spectrum of People & Culture responsibilities.**

· Strong teamwork approach with quality interpersonal and analytical skills who can work seamlessly in a global matrix organization.

· Experience working in a complex international matrix organsiation a plus.

· Strong knowledge of UK employment law, with experience of advising and influencing senior leaders.**

· Experience of working with Trade Unions on a range of matters.**

· People management experience.**

· High level of confidentiality and tact.

· High level of service orientation and excellent intercultural communication skills.

· Ability to work under pressure, manage and prioritize competing priorities from different stakeholders.

· Ability to drive manage projects with a high degree of subject matter complexity and a high number of stakeholders independently

· Willingness to take on a high level of responsibility and independence in day-to-day work.

As the first Head of Operations, you will provide strategic oversight, work with staff to translate our strategy into actionable, measurable plans for efficient and effective work, which will enhance the impact for people in immigration detention.  Your management of the team’s operations will support our growth, resilience, and sustainability.

For futher information see the Application Pack

What they say about Medical Justice;

“What Medical Justice did was absolutely remarkable. They sent two specialists to see me in Harmondsworth and they did the most amazingly thorough job documenting all my scars. Then I got my medico-legal report which was over 40 pages long. They did thorough, professional work – there is nothing more that they could have done and ultimately this work got me out of detention.” – former detained person and Medical Justice client

“[Medical Justice] has strong characteristics and a highly respected reputation. It is regarded as principled, expert and evidence-based, tenacious in its casework and policy work, fierce and ferocious when needed and brave in the way it speaks truth to power.” – fellow non-governmental organisation

“Medical Justice has an outsized impact for its size – it is highly effective and the team is absolutely terrific, which is all the more impressive in the difficult political context.” – Medical Justice funder

Informal online information sessions

An opportunity to ask questions about Medical Justice and its work as well as about the Head of Operations role ;

12.30-1.30pm Thursday 22nd May

12.30-1.30 Thursday 5th June

*Please note - interviews for this role will be held on Thursday 5th and Friday 6th June

Job specification

Team: Fundraising

Location: Hybrid – at our office (Argon House, Argon Mews, London SW6 1BJ) and remotely at home. Required to be in the office at least 2 days per week, including Wednesdays (all-staff office day)

Duration: Permanent (with six months’ probation)

Reporting to: Senior Fundraising Manager

Hours of work: 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Salary: £29,060 - £32,700 depending on experience

Overview of the role

As the Fundraising Officer, you will play a key role in delivering a range of fundraising appeals and our individual and regular giving programmes. This position also provides plenty of variety and the opportunity to support and develop skills across several income streams. The Fundraising Officer will work collaboratively with the Fundraising and Communications teams and closely with the Senior Fundraising Managers.

 What you will do as part of our team

Fundraising activities

Individual Giving

· Manage the regular giving programme by implementing a rolling 12-month plan of meaningful touchpoints to deepen relationships

· Develop and implement a plan to encourage increased giving and recruit new regular donors with personalised cultivation and stewardship

· Maximise engagement and retention of individual supporters (giving at a lower to mid level) by prompt thanking, excellent stewardship and building effective donor journeys

Fundraising Appeals

· Manage Glass Door’s direct marketing appeals including our flagship annual Christmas appeal – taking the lead on the direct mail and email campaign

· Lead on content development, and implementation of donor segmentation based on giving history, preferences, and engagement levels

· Work closely with the Communications Team to deliver a robust communication plan – actively taking part in the case studies, content creation and digital campaign plans (social media and website)

· Create and implement a follow-up communication plan to thank donors and provide updates on the impact of their contributions

· Undertake evaluations of each appeal’s performance metrics and donor responses to refine future appeals

Fundraising support

· Monitor the Fundraising inbox and respond promptly to ad-hoc queries from individual donors or prospects

· Support the Senior Fundraising Managers with research into current and prospective donors, and compile information to support funding applications and reports

· Thank and steward in-memoriam gifts

· Support the wider team at events e.g. Sleep Out, Christmas Carols and other supporter events

· Opportunity in due course to work towards managing a small portfolio of trusts, foundations and other grant-making bodies which would involve drafting applications and meeting reporting requirements (depending on interest and aptitude)

Fundraising Administration

· Create and update donor records as required on Access Charity CRM database , ensuring relevant records are kept up to date, accurate and consistent at all times.

· Work with Finance and the Income Processing Assistant to ensure accurate and timely processing of donations, including scanning cheques, coding bank transfers and web donations, entering details in the CRM database, banking cash, setting up Direct Debits and acknowledging/thanking donors via email or post.

· Ensure all fundraising activity is compliant with relevant charity and statutory legislation, and the Fundraising Code of Practice

Person specification

Essential

Knowledge and Experience

· Demonstrable experience in a fundraising role

· Understanding and experience of developing and stewarding supporter relationships

· Experience of project management

· Experience of using a fundraising database to segment and select data, produce reports and analyse information

· Experience of copywriting to produce fundraising letters and other materials

Skills and aptitudes

· Strong research, analysis and numeracy skills

· Excellent attention to detail, taking pride in work at all times

· Excellent verbal and written communication skills with a professional telephone manner and the ability to adapt style appropriately

· Ability to work under pressure, manage time effectively and prioritise a varied workload

· Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with a wide range of people from a variety of different backgrounds

· Competent IT skills in standard Microsoft packages (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook) and CRM/supporter databases

Personal attributes

· A confident self-starter with a positive approach who takes the initiative to get things done

· Highly organised with an ability to prioritise and work independently through a calendar of deadlines and goals

· Able to work collaboratively within a team, as well as with different colleagues from across an organisation

· Being compassionate, insightful and sympathetic to the challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness with a passion to help improve their lives

· Willingness to work flexible hours occasionally, for example at evenings and weekends

Desirable

· Experience of project managing direct marketing activities and campaigns.

· Experience of working with Mailchimp and Access Charity CRM

· An interest in developing skills and securing income from trusts and foundations