Researcher jobs in erdington, west midlands

Purpose of the Role 

The Helpline Manager will manage and provide support and advice to a team of Helpline Support, Caseworkers, IDVA, and Helpline volunteers who will be handling calls. The role will also include occasionally providing helpline cover during staff shortages. The helpline supports women on more than 45 different issues with most of the calls relate to violence against women and girls (VAWG) as well as mental health and wellbeing. The Helpline Manager will be responsible in ensuring that the service continues to be culturally sensitive and be able to respond to a diverse population of women with complex needs; managing the rota for staff and volunteers, ensuring there is sufficient helpline cover, identifying and managing safeguarding issues, monitoring staff performance, maintaining the helpline database, and providing helpline data to other staff. 

The role will also include occasionally attending external stakeholder meetings and raising awareness of the helpline service. The Helpline Manager will also have some involvement in other MWNUK projects, services and activities as required. The role requires a proactive, organised and practical approach to ensure MWNUK’s projects are delivered effectively and efficiently, providing high quality support and customer service across the organisation, both internally and externally.

Main responsibilities 

• Supervising the Helpline team of 11 staff (however this is equivalent to 3 full-time staff per day only) and ensuring there is sufficient helpline cover and monitoring their wellbeing. 

• Recruiting and training helpline staff and volunteers with the support of senior management and ensuring their development needs are flagged up. 

• Monitoring performance of helpline staff through daily check-ins, debriefs, monthly supervision meetings and annual appraisals. 

• Holding regular helpline team meetings and sharing learning as well as identifying and sharing interesting cases with Senior Leadership Team including the Advocacy Officer. 

• Planning and delivering training to staff and volunteers in line with changes in law, policies and procedures, including safeguarding. 

• Regularly attending external meetings such as MARAC (Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference), liaising with police, social services, and other partner agencies. These meetings are a critical part of safeguarding and time for preparation and follow-up is built into the role. 

Safeguarding 

• Implementing MWNUK Children and Adult Safeguarding policies and procedures. 

• Responding to safeguarding concerns in a timely manner and promoting good practice. 

• Identification, handling and recording of all safeguarding risks and issues for both children and adults, including in instances of domestic abuse, forced marriage, honour-based violence, sexual abuse, self-harm, isolation, housing, marriage and divorce etc. 

• Escalating and de-escalating risk, report writing and recording accurately all decision-making during case reviews. 

• Having regular case reviews and making evidence-based decision-making. 

• Monitoring and evaluating safeguarding practices. 

• Liaising with external agencies as and when required. 

• Reviewing helpline cases before they are closed ensuring the data has been properly recorded. 

Managing cases 

• Triaging, managing, prioritizing and allocating helpline cases. 

• Maintenance of accurate records, online databases, filing systems and computer files and gathering of statistics as required by the Operational Director and / or CEO and external evaluating consultant. 

• Maintenance of all information in line with confidentiality and data protection policies while observing professional boundaries at all times. 

• Monitoring helpline data and identifying any trends and sharing them with senior management and the Advocacy Officer. 

• Ensuring policies and procedures are followed. 

Other duties 

• When required (i.e. when there are staff shortages) provide cover on the helpline and respond to phone calls, emails, texts, webchat and the newly launched Amal Safety Mobile App, in a faith and culturally sensitive manner. 

• Keeping up to date with helpline issues such as forced marriages, domestic violence, honour- based violence, sexual violence, female genital mutilation, mental health, discrimination and women’s rights – including assisting with projects and services on these issues. 

• Promoting the helpline’s services to a range of stakeholders. 

• The role will occasionally involve delivering training workshops and leading discussions on critical issues such as forced marriages, domestic violence, FGM, and honour-based violence, primarily with schools, colleges, and community organisations. These responsibilities will be planned in advance and integrated into the team’s schedule. 

• Carrying out duties to support the Operational Director and CEO. 

• Attending training for professional development, as required. 

• Undertaking outreach work, if required. 

Person Specification 

Professional Experience, Knowledge and Understanding 

• Strong experience of dealing with minority ethnic women particularly from Muslim communities who have suffered domestic violence and other forms of abuse such as forced marriage, honour- based violence, sexual violence, mental health issues etc. 

• Knowledge of key issues that will arise on the helpline such as domestic violence, forced marriage, honour-based violence, sexual violence, mental health, hate crime etc. 

• At least one year's experience in handling children and adult safeguarding. 

• Willingness to participate in further training and development opportunities. 

• Working in a trauma informed way by recognizing impact of trauma on women. 

• Experience of managing, supporting and supervising a small team. 

• Second language such as Arabic, Bangla, Punjabi or Urdu. 

• Excellent IT skills (Microsoft365: word processing, databases, PowerPoint, spreadsheets and Outlook). 

• Desirable line management experience. 

Abilities and Skills 

• Significant organisational and administrative skills, supported by a proficiency with ICT. 

• Able to build relationships with whilst maintaining professional boundaries. 

• Proactiveness, enthusiasm and commitment along with an honest and trustworthy approach to the role. 

• High level of professionalism when dealing with internal and external stakeholders. 

• Strong organisational and interpersonal skills with solid communication skills – written and verbal. 

• Experience of effective teamwork i.e. listening (including taking on feedback), being respectful and instilling confidence and motivation in staff and volunteers. 

• Ability to work independently without supervision and being able to use initiative. 

• Communicating information from management to staff in an accessible way. 

• To be able to work under pressure, whilst keeping calm and levelheaded. 

• The ability to work in a demanding environment, meeting tight deadlines by prioritising and delegating as necessary. 

• Understanding of and adherence to confidentiality and data protection issues and an understanding of maintaining professional boundaries. 

• Understanding and knowledge of the voluntary / non-profit women’s rights sector. 

• Drive and willingness to go above and beyond role and be able to demonstrate a commitment to women’s rights. 

Personal Qualities 

• Flexible, motivated and committed to a high standard of working, with a willingness to take on additional duties. 

• Adaptability to changing circumstances and new ideas. 

• Resilient and determined to achieve goals. 

• Committed to vision, mission and aim of MWNUK. 

Equal Opportunities Awareness 

• An awareness of diversity issues and a positive, non-discriminatory and non-judgmental approach. 

• A commitment to working in a flexible and collaborative manner with all members of the MWNUK team. 

Application Process 

If you have any questions about the role or would like to discuss it further, you can book a 15-minute online slot with the Operations Director, Shameem Hussain, using Link 

 Please note that this is not an interview and is strictly for informational purposes only. 

1st Stage 

• Please email your CV (including two references details) and a cover letter (no more than two pages) to by 5pm on Monday, 5th May 2025. In your cover letter, please address the following questions: 

1. Why does this role appeal to you, and what experiences make you an ideal candidate? 

1. Why do you want to work in the women’s sector, and how do you believe you can make a difference? 

1. Safeguarding is a crucial part of this role—what experience and knowledge can you bring to this aspect? 

• We will only process completed applications and will not chase up missing CVs or cover letters. 

• Please note that feedback will not be provided at stage 1 of the application process. 

2nd Stage 

• Shortlisted individuals will be invited to attend an interview on either Monday 12th May or Tuesday 13th May 2025. 

Further Information 

• Basic DBS clearance is required. 

• Evidence of your right to work in the UK is required. 

• If successful, references will be requested. To help speed up the process please include references in your CV. 

• Please note that in accordance with The Equality Act 2010 (Schedule 9, Part 1, Paragraph 1), this post is open to women only.