Refugee jobs in london

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

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.
In Europe, the IRC also has offices in Berlin, Bonn, Brussels, Geneva and Stockholm. 

The Purpose of the Role
IRC’s External Relations (ER) department brings together Fundraising, Communications and Policy & Advocacy functions. With the aim to raise money, awareness and influence for crisis-affected populations worldwide, the department combines knowledge and expertise across multiple national markets.  
 
The IRC fundraising teams are comprised of colleagues and teams working in the USA, UK, Germany, Sweden and Korea as well as emerging markets delivering direct marketing, content, account management, philanthropy, board liaison, corporate as well as trust and foundation partnerships to support IRC’s national fundraising strategies. 
 
The IRC’s private fundraising capability in the UK has grown significantly over the past five years. Ambitious growth plans are in place to deliver increasing income from the private sector as part of an exciting global External Relations strategy.  
 
The Director of UK Mass Markets is responsible for the leadership and direction of the Mass Markets team in the UK and for securing long-term sustainable income for the IRC through individual donor acquisition, retention and supporter care. You will lead and develop a high-performing team by growing mass marketing audiences and income, developing exciting and targeted campaigns, identifying opportunities for product, channel and audience diversification, and championing UX and a supporter centric fundraising model. The Director will also serve as a key partner to the UK Executive Director as they facilitate cross-team collaboration, accountability and success among all private fundraising teams in the UK (Philanthropy, Global Corporate Partnerships, Foundations & Trusts and Mass Markets). The Director will play a leadership role in IRC UK more widely as a member of the UK Senior Management Team (UKSMT). The UKSMT is collectively responsible for achieving the cross-functional goals of IRC UK’s strategy and actively fostering an inclusive workplace at IRC UK.
 
This role is responsible for:  
I.  Securing significant and sustainable funding in the UK for IRC’s work 
II.  Leading strategic activities that support IRC’s mass market fundraising presence including campaigns for the End-of-Year, World Refugee Day and emergencies

Scope and Authority 
This position has responsibility for delivering the UK Mass Market team strategy and targets and Supporter Care within the overarching Global Mass Markets strategy and UK Strategic Plan. 

Responsibility for Resources:
This post will have responsibility for three direct reports (1x Senior Acquisition Marketing Manager, 1 x Retention Marketing Manager, 1 x Donor Services Assistant) and a substantial expenditure budget. The role is part of the global Mass Markets team and is matrix managed by the Executive Director in the UK and the Global Vice President of Mass Markets.

Key Working Relationships
Internal:
•  Counterparts and senior leads in global Mass Markets team 
•  UK SMT: Directors of Strategy and Delivery, Communications, Advocacy, Philanthropy, Finance, People and Culture, Awards Management
•  Global peer-level team: Directors and Heads of Mass Markets for Korea, Germany, Sweden, USA and Global Mass Market Support Leads
•  Digital team members (UK and global) 
•  Global Creative Studio and Brand 
•  Senior Director for Retention
•  International Operations team, incl. data & analytics roles  

Key Accountabilities

·  Aligned to the overall Global External Relations Strategy, develop, implement, monitor and report on IRC UK’s fundraising and supporter engagement strategy. 
·  Lead fundraising campaigns (acquisition, retention, mid-level) that deliver unrestricted income to enable IRC’s work. Channels include e-mail, direct mail, inserts, Facebook advertising, new forms of social media, and adwords, as well as telemarketing etc.
·  Develop a supporter engagement programme that focusses on developing and deepening long-term relationships and drives retention rates.
·  Develop and deliver an innovation programme, ensuring fundraising products and activity are at the forefront of the UK sector and allow IRC to cut through to new audiences.
·  Deliver outstanding supporter services, ensuring supporter interactions are dealt with professionally and appropriately.
·  Contribute strongly to overall Global External Relations strategy and budget development during the budgeting and investment request process.  
·  Lead, inspire, develop and performance manage the UK Mass Markets team.
·  Ensure effective collaboration between the UK-based leads of the Foundations and Trusts, Global Corporate Partnerships, and Mass Markets teams, in executing comprehensive, aligned donor engagement strategies across the UK. 
·  Collaborate with other UK leaders on the UK Senior Management Team, holding collective accountability for achieving the goals of the UK strategy and advising on the wider management of IRC UK to support those goals.  
·  Reporting to the UK Board of Trustees, including presentations to the full Board and the External Relations Committee as required. 
·  Representing IRC in the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Fundraising Directors group.
·  Be the senior contact for all mass marketing partnerships with third party supplies.  
·  Act as senior voice in cross-market working groups and committees. 
·  Network and build external profile of the IRC UK Mass Markets team by attending relevant fundraising and sector events, and building other external stakeholder relationships. 
·  Input into effective risk management of mass marketing income by accurately assessing opportunities, threats, strengths and weaknesses on a regular basis, and iterating the programme based on results.  
·  Accurately forecast, monitor and report on income and expenditure budget lines. 
·  Keep up to date with sector developments in individual giving, digital fundraising to ensure IRC is at the forefront of fundraising developments. 
·  Work closely with Mass Markets team in other national markets (i.e. Korea, Germany, Sweden, US) and the International Operations team to ensure all engagement is coordinated, and where appropriate, synchronised.  

Skills, Knowledge and Qualifications:

·  Driven, motivated and proactive with a solutions-based attitude and resilient in the face of setbacks. 
·  Proven ability to manage, meet and monitor fundraising budgets and Key Performance Indicators. 
·  Excellent organisational skills, especially the ability to manage a complex, varied and substantial workload. 
·  Ability to understand legal frameworks and requirements, and implications of decisions in the best interest of the charity. 
·  Excellent verbal and written English and the ability to produce well designed and high-quality proposals and reports.
·  Institute of Fundraising, Cass or comparable qualifications would be an advantage.  

Experience:
·  Extensive experience of individual giving (or mass marketing) and digital fundraising and ideally, mid value and legacy giving, within a large or medium global charity, including a proven track record of both acquisition and retention.**  
·  Launching new channels and products with success. 
·  Comprehensive understanding and experience of audience and donor segmentation, analytical modelling such as LTV and use of insights to drive strategy and performance.** 
·  Experience and understanding of creative process and relationship with brand identity through different channels and audiences. 
·  Proven track record of success in a leadership, line management, recruitment, performance management and talent retention.**
·  Demonstrated history of being an empowering and supportive manager to front-line fundraisers.
·  Experience working for a centralised, international organisation would be a strong advantage.  
·  Experience using Salesforce an advantage.  

Criteria in the Person Specification marked with ** are the minimum criteria in line with our commitments under the Disability Confident Employer Scheme in the UK. 
UK based candidates who state that they have a disability and meet these criteria, will be invited to interview.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

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 England as part of the Resettlement Asylum and Integration (RAI) department.
In Europe, the IRC also has offices in Berlin, Bonn, Brussels, Geneva and Stockholm. 

The Purpose of the Role

The purpose of the Programme Finance Officer role is to provide financial and administrative support to ensure effective financial management of programmes and projects implemented in the UK. The postholder supports the Programme Finance Manager with budgeting, expenditure monitoring, and financial reporting, as well as performing key transactional tasks such as reviewing and processing invoices, verifying supporting documentation, preparing payment requests, and reconciling project accounts.

The postholder ensures financial accuracy, compliance with donor and organisational policies, and contributes to the timely delivery of high-quality programme financial information.

Scope and Authority 

•  Acts under the supervision of the Programme Finance Manager and in accordance with organisational financial policies and procedures.

•  Authorised to review and verify programme-related financial documents (e.g. invoices, expense claims, timesheets) for accuracy and compliance prior to submission for approval.

•  May prepare and process payment requests, journal entries, and financial reconciliations, subject to approval by the Programme Finance Manager.

•  Authorised to communicate with internal departments on financial matters within assigned programmes.

•  May represent the finance unit in meetings when delegated by the Programme Finance Manager.

Responsibility for Resources:

Financial Resources

Responsible for accurately processing and monitoring programme financial transactions, including reviewing invoices, expense claims, partner financial reports, and payment requests in line with approved budgets and financial policies. Supports the Programme Finance Manager in ensuring effective use of programme funds and adherence to donor and organisational financial requirements.

Information and Data

Responsible for maintaining accurate, up-to-date financial records, databases, and supporting documentation for all programme activities. Ensures confidentiality and integrity of financial data and compliance with data protection policies.

Human Resources

Responsible for providing financial guidance, training, and support to programme staff and implementing partners but has no direct line management responsibilities.

Key Working Relationships

o  Programme Finance Manager – direct supervisor; receives guidance and provides regular updates on financial matters.

o  Programme Managers – collaborates on budget monitoring, expenditure tracking, and financial reporting.

o  Programme Team – provides support on expense claims, invoices, client expenses, timesheets, chart of accounts and other responsible tasks.

o  Finance Team – works closely on transaction processing, reconciliations, and compliance with organisational financial procedures.

Key Accountabilities

Budgeting and Monitoring (45%)

•  Assist in the preparation of budgets 
•  Processing budgets and reforecasts into the finance system 
•  Prepare monthly Budget vs Actual reports for programme managers to identify under or overspending

Financial Management and Reporting  (25%)

•  Ensure accurate recording, monitoring, and reporting of programme finances by maintaining up-to-date and true financial records 
•  Month-end reconciliations to ensure accuracy within the accounts. 
•  Journal processing 
•  Support the Programme Finance Manager in producing timely and compliant financial reports for both internal and donor requirements.

Transactional Processes, Compliance and Training (20%)

•  To be a finance super-user to support colleagues in areas such as finance system queries, invoice processing, coding and staff expenses
•  Create step-by-step guidance notes 
•  Lead on finance-related staff training to promote compliance with organisational policies and donor regulations. 

General Administrative support (10%)

•  Tracking & disseminating client supplies and managing inventory for vouchers, SIM cards, laptops etc. 
•  Setting up new clients and Community Advisory Board members on Integra with supply chain and processing client reimbursements 
•  Supporting orders of programme supplies such as client and service provider handbook orders

Person Specification

Skills, Knowledge and Qualifications:

•  Accounting knowledge**
•  Excellent written and verbal communication skills**
•  Ability to use own initiative
•  Strong analytical skills and creative problem-solving skills
•  Advanced Microsoft Excel skills**
•  Excellent attention to detail; data driven
•  Ability to work both independently and with diverse teams in diverse locations**

Experience:

•  Minimum two years’ experience as a Finance Officer, specifically supporting programmes**
•  Experience in assisting with the completion of budgeting, reforecasting and reporting**
•  Experience in processing journals**
•  Experience working on complex excel spreadsheets**
•  Experience in collating and analysing data from systems**

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

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 England.
In Europe, the IRC also has offices in Berlin, Bonn, Brussels, Geneva and Stockholm. 

The Purpose of the Role

The HR Operations Manager has oversight of IRC UK’s onboarding processes, HR data, payroll, and wellbeing initiatives for approximately 200 UK-based staff.

The role exists to:
•  Lead Operational Delivery: Drive the implementation of the UK People & Culture (P&C) workplan, collaborating closely with European and global colleagues.
•  Ensure Excellence in HR Operations: Manage HR systems, processes, and compliance requirements to deliver a positive and seamless employee experience across IRC UK.

Key Working Relationships
•  All IRC UK-based staff and their line managers, both in the UK and globally
•  IRC global People & Culture colleagues
•  External suppliers, including pension providers, outsourced payroll provider, and benefits partners

Key Accountabilities

•  Lead HR Operations: Oversee and develop the HR Operations team’s core functions, including onboarding, HR administration, and payroll.
•  Safer Recruitment & Compliance: Act as IRC UK’s lead on Safer Recruitment processes and Right to Work requirements, including visa administration and advising on pre-travel preparations, security training, and medical requirements in line with IRC policies.
•  Payroll & Benefits Management: Oversee payroll and benefits administration, serving as the escalation point for HR and Finance colleagues, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
•  Customer-Focused Service: Ensure a high-quality, customer-focused approach to People Administration across all HR processes.
•  HR Systems & Data: Collaborate with colleagues to maintain and optimise HR systems, data management, and reporting capabilities.
•  Legal & Policy Compliance: Ensure operational compliance with UK employment law and internal policies across all HR activities.
•  Vendor Management: Manage relationships with external providers, including payroll, pension, and other benefits partners.
•  Information Governance: Implement robust data protection practices, ensuring secure handling, storage, and sharing of employee data in compliance with GDPR and other relevant legislation.
•  Audit & Continuous Improvement: Lead and coordinate HR Operations audit activities in collaboration with Finance and global teams, using audit outcomes to drive process improvements.
•  Project Delivery: Manage the implementation of projects aligned with the People & Culture workplan, including GEDI (Gender, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion) initiatives.
•  Employee Relations Administration: Coordinate and administer employee relations matters, including flexible working requests, probation reviews, and redundancy processes, directly managing when possible and escalating risks, for example related to disciplinaries or grievances as appropriate.

Person Specification

•  Passion for Humanitarian Work: Demonstrated commitment to working within the humanitarian sector and supporting IRC mission and values.
•  HR Leadership Experience: Significant experience in leading HR operations, ideally within the charity or non-profit sector.
•  Recruitment Onboarding Expertise: Proven ability to lead safer recruitment practices and deliver effective recruitment initiatives.
•  HR Systems Management: Experience in managing and optimising HR systems and processes to ensure accuracy, efficiency, and meaningful data reporting. Experience of Workday would be helpful. 
•  Leadership & Communication: Excellent leadership, project management, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
•  Process Improvement: Ability to apply process improvement methodologies to streamline workflows, enhance operational efficiency, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
•  Employment Law Knowledge: Up-to-date knowledge of UK employment law and regulatory requirements, ensuring compliance across payroll, contracts, policies, and employee entitlements.
•  Team Development: Strong leadership and emotional intelligence, with the ability to mentor HR staff, delegate effectively, and foster a high-performing, supportive team culture through clear communication and constructive feedback.
•  Time Management: Exceptional organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, meet tight deadlines, and maintain accuracy in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications
•  CIPD qualification or equivalent (Level 5 or above) preferred

Standard Responsibilities

Promote and actively participate in initiatives and efforts to build team engagement, inclusion and cohesion in IRC team.

Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue and reflection to strengthen safeguarding and to promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policies.

Related standard content: 

IRC strives to build a diverse and inclusive team at all levels who as individuals, and as a group, embody our culture statement creating a working environment characterized by critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity for us to achieve our aspirations as a team and deliver the best possible services to our clients.

UK: 
Narrowing the Gender Gap: The IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including flexible hours (when possible), enhanced maternity/adoption leave and pay and gender-sensitive security protocols.

The salary for the role is £50,000-£55,000.

Candidates must have the right to work in the UK.

The application deadline is 14th December 2025.

Interviews will be on MS Teams on Thursday 18 December 2025. We may close this role early due to volume of applicants 

Connect: North Korea is a fast-growing charity supporting North Korean escapees to build new lives after experiences of systemic discrimination, poverty, and trauma.

Our organisational income has grown consistently year on year since we registered in 2018. We now have a series of multi-year grants in place ensuring that 42% of our income for 2026 is already secured. We are looking to recruit a dynamic Head of Fundraising to lead and deliver income generation as we scale our work in the UK and globally.

This is a rare opportunity to work closely with the CEO and across programme teams to map out our annual fundraising plan, craft compelling cases for support, develop funder relationships, with an aim to securing our funding base year on year. 

Position: Head of Fundraising

Responsible to: Chief Executive Officer

Based at: Our offices in New Malden KT3 with some remote/home working. We will be as flexible as possible to accommodate the right candidate.

Contract: Permanent. Full-time or Part-time considered. Flexible hours/days possible.

Salary: £45,000 - £50,000 FTE + 5% eligible pension.

Benefits: 28 days holidays exclusive of public holidays pro-rata. We also offer 2 additional days on top of this – 1 recharge day where the whole charity closes and 1 day in the week of a staff member’s birthday.

Role objective

Lead our efforts to grow and diversify CNK’s income across individual giving, trusts and foundations, corporate partnerships, and community fundraising. Diversity our income base by increasing our unrestricted income, ensure organisational sustainability by securing multi-year grants and growing individual and corporate donations and grow our annual income by identifying and building relationships with new donor

About you:

Are you passionate about helping others, interested in working with the North Korean community and excited about using your expertise in fundraising to increase our impact? We are looking for a very special candidate to join our small team: a person who knows what success looks like and the steps that need to be taken to get there. A person who rolls up their sleeves and gets stuck in, but most of all, a person who can build relationships - with our team members, our community, our donors and drive through positive change for the benefit of all.

General duties and responsibilities will be:

Work closely with Chief Executive to:

• Develop our annual organisational fundraising strategy and fundraising action plan;
• Draft fundraising targets and KPIs based on current income levels and our delivery plans for 2026;
• Lead and coordinate all CNK fundraising activity from Trusts and Foundations, corporates and individual supporters;
• Build relationships with major donors, corporates, charitable Trusts and Foundations and other institutional funders;
• Ensure all fundraising meets the Code of Fundraising Practice, safeguarding standards, GDPR compliant and CNK’s values; and
• Report quarterly on fundraising progress to Chief Executive and Board of Trustees

To apply:

Please send CVs and cover letters addressed to Michael Glendinning. Applications are rolling until we find the right candidate.

Location - West London.  Hybrid role up to two days per week can be working from home.  At least three days per week on site.

Reporting to Co-Heads of Casework

Hours - 35 hours per week Monday to Friday

We have two roles available - one is permanent and the other is a three year contract.

The post holder would be responsible for:

* Providing specialist advice and advocacy service to the homeless guests of our services, which include Partner Day Centres and Night Shelters throughout the winter season.

* Employing creative thinking and practices to ensure that guests are supported and motivated to achieve their goals.

* Attending appointments with guest occassionally when needed

* Referring and signposting guests to accommodation providers, health service and other relevant internal and external support services, as necessary.

* Maintaining good communication with the Managers of our partnered Drop In Centres, Glass Door colleagues and local statutory and non-statutory services.

* Attending meetings with the Casework team, external service providers and partner organisations when required.

* Collating statistics and outcome measurements of the casework servicce for both internal and external use.

* Maintaining a well organised and easily accessible administration system for the casework programme in line with relevant legislation (eg GDPR)

* Managing a small casework budget

* Undertaking any other duties as required by the charity.

Person Specification

Essential:

* At least one years experience of working one-on-one and assessing the needs of homeless people or similar disadvantaged client groups

* Empathic attitude to homeless and vulnerably housed people

* Up to date knowledge of the welfare issues and legislation affecting homeless people

* Knowledge of relevant support services available to homeless people, particularly in West London

* Confident approach to and experience of, dealing with challenging behaviour

* Ability to maintain good relationships with colleagues and external service providers

* Highly organised with strong time management skills

* Ability to keep clear and up to date case records

* Experienced and competent in MS Office packages

* Ability to work independently and take the initiative to make important decisions.

* Flexible and supportive team member with excellent communication skills

* Ability to adhere to and implement Health & Safety, HR and operational policies

* Understanding of and commitment to Equal Opportunities

* For night shelter caseworkers, willingness to work a minimum of one evening per week

* This post will require an enhanced DBS check prior and during employment.

Desirable

* Ability to speak Polish, Romanian or other Eastern European languages
* Experience of working alongside volunteers

Other
* Ability to work flexibly and at various sites, as required
* Eligibility to work in the UK
* To be able to adhere and work within Glass Door’s safeguarding policy and procedures
* To participate in meetings, supervision meetings and in any trainings as required
* To be responsible for own’s professional development