Asylum Jobs

Develop strategy, shape programmes, build partnerships, manage staff , support volunteers, raise funds: -all part of the director's role leading the organisation's efforts  to improve the lives and opportunities of refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants across Oxfordshire. 
Our director retires in May after five succesful years and we seek a dynamic and experienced leader to sustain, supportand refresh the organisation's work.
Based in Oxford and splitting time between office, home and places where we work, the new director will lead a team of about 30 staff and 200 volunteers delivering a wide range of programmes meeting the needs of new arrivals, longer term refugees, adults and children.
The new director will have strong all- round leadership experience, a supportive andcollegiate management style  and knowledge of refugee related issues.

Are you passionate about equality of access to education for people seeking asylum and refugees?

Access to education is transformative. The people we work with tell us that university is how they will rebuild their lives after being forced to flee conflict or persecution. Yet refugees and people seeking asylum in the UK face significant challenges in accessing higher education, including restrictive policies, limited financial support, difficulty navigating the complex university system, and a lack of adequate information and guidance. 

We are looking for a dedicated and skilled individual to lead our work on improving access to higher education for refugees and people seeking asylum. In this role, you will empower activists, collaborate with universities, and drive sector-wide change to ensure that more refugees can access life-changing opportunities at university.

You’ll need excellent knowledge of the challenges facing refugees in the UK, particularly around access to higher education, as well as experience working in or with the higher education sector. You’ll also bring excellent communication and relationship-building skills, ideally a proven track record in policy or campaign work. Highly organised and motivated, you’ll be comfortable working independently and collaborating flexibly within a small, dynamic team.

If you’re committed to breaking down barriers to education and making a tangible difference, we’d love to hear from you.

Other information:

• We will consider remote work or job share requests - if interested please include details in your application

• We are proud to be a member of the Experts by Experience Employment Network which aims to create a charitable sector that is led by people with lived experience of the asylum and immigration system. As part of this network, we challenge the one-size-fits-all approach in our employment practices, and respect personal circumstances and needs of people with lived experience. Please feel free to use information and resources on their website which may help in preparing your job application.

  
  
   

Da'aro Youth Project is looking for a dedicated Office Administrator to help us provide essential support to unaccompanied asylum seekers and refugees from the Horn of Africa. In this key role, you’ll be a vital part of our dynamic team, ensuring smooth operations, managing records, and contributing to the growth of our programmes that empower young people across London. This is a unique opportunity to provide essential administrative expertise to an organisation that advocates for change and creates a welcoming environment for young refugees and asylum seekers in London. 

We are looking for an experienced Immigration and Public Law Solicitor to join our team in London. RLS has experienced tremendous growth in the past 3 years, including the award of an Immigration and a Public Law Legal Aid Contracts. As we go from strength to strength, we strive to become further embedded in the communities we work with and to keep fighting individual and collective injustices. 

The successful candidate will provide supervision and assist with the management of our developing and expanding UK casework teams, whilst working on a small targeted caseload of their own, and overseeing regulatory compliance. This includes acting as the LAA supervisor role for our legal aid contracts; both Immigration and Asylum, and Public Law. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who wants to work in a collaborative environment with colleagues who share the same commitment to advancing migrant justice.

The Casework Supervisor role is for an experienced solicitor who wants to work in a dynamic and innovative legal organisation which prioritises staff wellbeing and high quality client care. People with lived experience of migration are strongly encouraged to apply.

Job purpose and responsibilities

The central objectives of this post are:

1. Supervision of Immigration and Public Law Casework: Working with the Legal Director to supervise the Immigration and Public Law casework provided by RLS in the UK through legal aid and other funding arrangements; and ensuring full compliance with relevant regulatory frameworks.

2. Team Management and Supervision: Working closely with the Legal Director to help lead  and manage RLS casework teams in the UK and internationally, to help ensure the delivery of high-quality casework that meets project goals and objectives; and the development of high-quality legal information materials and other legal resources.

3. Contract and Regulatory Compliance Management: This includes responsibility for the management and delivery of: 

(i) RLS's Legal Aid Agency (LAA) contracts, including maintaining Specialist Quality Mark (SQM) standards, financial compliance and ensuring Peer Review standards are met:

(ii)  LAA billing processes for both controlled and licensed work

(iii) OISC and SRA compliance

1. Personal Casework: Have personal conduct of a limited but strategic caseload, contributing to the overall objectives of RLS.

2. Strategic Litigation Development: Collaborate with the RLS Legal Director to identify emerging trends and issues in immigration and asylum law, and develop strategic litigation aligned with RLS’s mission.

3. Sector Support and Development: Provide second-tier support to other immigration advice organisations, leveraging RLS's expertise to enhance sector capacity.

4. Legal Aid and Pro Bono: To contribute to development and improvement of procedures and protocols for our innovative legal services which aim to combine multiple funding sources to sustainably contribute to addressing the increasing shortfall in the legal representation available for the people RLS works with. 

General duties:

• Supervision of RLS legal casework in the Immigration & Asylum and Public Law category to the highest standards

• Maintain such financial records and financial information as may be required by inter alia the LAA

• Conduct file reviews as per RLS’s Independent File Review procedure, OISC and SQM requirements

• Together with the RLS Legal Director, identify developing immigration and asylum law issues / themes and develop strategic litigation in line with RLS’s mission

• Ensure LAA contract quality and financial compliance, including responsibility for oversight of LAA billing (both controlled and licenced work)

• To act as RLS’s Quality Representative; and as result: 

• Be responsible for ensuring caseworkers and casework procedures are up to date and compliant with the SQM requirements

• Act as point of contact with the LAA; and 

• Overseeing any actions arising out of LAA audits, reviews or visits.

• To fully comply with and ensure that all casework teams and processes are also fully compliant with OISC (and SRA) standards of regulation, professional conduct and ethics at all times.

• Work collaboratively and supervise pro bono volunteer lawyers.

Team work

• Work effectively with other RLS legal and non-legal staff and contribute to broader organisational initiatives and those involving legal information and community legal support in particular

• Attend and contribute to regular and incidental team meetings and discussions

• Maintain and develop excellent relationships with frontline agencies and grassroots groups to enable effective joint working

• Attend training internally and externally as agreed with the Legal Director and maintain and make available to RLS, a record of all training undertaken and CPD points obtained

• Deliver training for colleagues or externally as and when required

• Undertake other duties which may be regarded within the nature of the post, in discussion with the Legal Director.
   

Who we are looking for 

RLS relies on the energy, skills and enthusiasm of people who share our vision and are drawn to striving together for change. If you share our values, ethos and objectives, and feel like you can contribute to RLS strategically and practically, we would love to hear from you. 

Person specification - essential requirements

• Be a solicitor qualified in England & Wales with around 3-5 years of experience (or more) as an immigration caseworker, paralegal or solicitor within a legal aid environment

• Be IAAS accredited and hold an up to date accreditation (senior caseworker and supervising senior caseworker  level)

• Have immigration casework and supervision experience sufficient to meet  the relevant Legal Aid Supervisor standards as specified in the 2024 standard civil contract here and eligible immediately to satisfy the LAA Supervisor Standard for both Immigration and Asylum, and Public Law

• A comprehensive understanding of all relevant regulatory and quality standards, including SRA, SQM, LAA Immigration Specification, OISC Code of Standards, and Peer Review Process Document Criteria

• A dynamic and innovative self-starter

• A highly organised individual

• Fluent in English

• A strong commitment to upholding the human rights of people who migrate and people at risk; and access to justice and empowerment through the delivery of high-quality, client-focused legal services

• The successful candidate will be required to obtain an enhanced DBS certificate (we cover the cost). However, a criminal record is not necessarily a barrier to recruitment but should be disclosed on application

• Have the right to work in the UK

• Experience and understanding of pro bono legal projects.

Person specification - desirable requirements

• Lived experience of migration systems

• Experience of management and development of casework teams with diverse experience levels, ensuring the delivery of compliant, high-quality casework

• Skilled in delivering training both internally and externally, with a focus on fostering development-oriented and ambitious casework teams

• Knowledge of languages other than English

• Experience in community legal advice and information projects

• Experience working in OISC regulated environments with a legal aid contract

• Experience of working with volunteers

• Experience in implementing corrective actions from regulatory or quality audits, reviews, or visits.

Da'aro Youth Project is looking for an experienced caseworker to join our small team based in Streatham Hill, London. The successful candidate will work alongside young refugees, asylum seekers and other young migrants who are at risk or in crisis to ensure that they can access their statutory rights and make progress in their personal development so that they can achieve their full potential. You will join our Casework Service which provides holistic casework, advice and practical support to young people aged 14 to 25 years, working closely with statutory and voluntary organisations to ensure that the immediate and longer-term needs of young people are met.

Mission of the role
To work in collaboration with the other Routes to Employment Project Manager to deliver
innovative pilot programmes based on our research findings from year one, culminating in a
7 year project proposal that has the potential to create systemic change for unemployment
of refugee women in London.
Structure and remuneration
● Days: 3 days per week (24 hours)
● Salary: £36,000 FTE, pro-rata to 3 days per week (yearly take home salary of
£21,600)
● Location: Two days in the office (Kennington), one day working from home. Our
current office days are Monday and Wednesday.
● Management: Managed by Head of Programmes
● Ideal start date: asap
● Holiday: 33 days pro rata (20 days across the year), plus end of year office closure
Key responsibilities
You will be responsible for leading this project alongside the other Project
Manager.
Delivery
● Collaborate with Routes to Employment Project Manager to design and deliver an
apprenticeship programme creating new pathways to work for refugee and asylum
seeking women in London, aiming to have women start apprenticeships in September
2025
● Collaborate with Routes to Employment Project Manager to design and pilot
additional support alongside the apprenticeship programme, based on the findings of
the research conducted in year one
● Create and manage a project management tool, setting realistic KPIs that will meet
the intended outcome of the project
● Build and manage partnerships with employers and other stakeholders as necessary
to deliver the pilot project
● Design and deliver employment support workshops for women interested in applying
for apprenticeships

● Support employers participating in the pilot to create refugee friendly workplaces
● Respond to ongoing changes of the project design, based on continued learning as
the pilot is delivered
● Manage project budget and timelines in effective manner for the desired outcomes of
the project
● Recruit, manage and support any volunteers, freelancers or delivery partners
necessary for the delivery of the pilot project
● Respond to feedback and design input from participants of the pilot, and the Routes
Lived Experience Leadership Group
Research
● Ongoingly document learnings from the pilot, to fuel further research and research
questions
● Bring proposals for research approaches that are trauma-informed, relevant to those
with lived experience of the UK asylum system and supportive of project outcomes
● Write articles for the Routes blog to share ongoing learnings from the project
● Design creative methods to share the knowledge gained from ongoing delivery with
sector partners and businesses, to ensure the impact of the project is widespread
● Attend events and workshops relevant to the topic of refugee employment and
support for refugee women in London
● Contribute to the creation of a 7 year delivery proposal, based on the learnings from
the pilot
Contribution to team and whole organisation
● Participate in team wide meetings, trainings, and activities
● Be invested in personal and team learning
● Follow organisational-wide safeguarding policies

This is an exciting opportunity within ASSIST Sheffield, ready for the right person to utilise their passion and skills to work alongside our clients and our wider community. 

Job Title:             Communications, Events and Fundraising Coordinator 

Responsible to:  Operations Manager

Responsible for:  Community and Events Team Volunteers Grants Team Volunteers 

Hours:                    28 hours 

Salary:                   £29,447.60 (pro rata)

Holidays:               27 days plus Bank Holidays, pro rata’d

Location:               Victoria Hall Methodist Church, Norfolk St, Sheffield

With a focus on grant writing, events coordination, awareness raising and community fundraising, we are looking for someone whose;

> Powers of persuasion will bring in new funds and new supporters as well as promote campaigns on the political and social issues that affect our client's lives

> Passion for building community networks will be reflected in the varied programme of events you co-create and attend with our clients and volunteers

> Written skills and flair for storytelling will enable us to submit competitive grant applications

The ideal candidate for the Communications, Events and Fundraising Coordinator role will be innovative, organised and have excellent attention to detail. 

You’ll be motivated by ASSIST’s aims of supporting people who have been refused asylum and be ready to bring your energy and enthusiasm to supporting the work of ASSIST.

If this sounds like the role for you, we look forward to receiving your application.

We’re looking for a high energy and hands on Volunteering Officer with great people skills, who is well-organised and can work effectively in a busy environment. You will be supporting volunteers throughout their journey with Sufra, from first point of contact, to interview, to onboarding, to continued support, enabling our volunteers to flourish and feel valued.

Sufra NW London is a local charity established in 2013 to address both the causes and consequences of impoverishment in the community.

Based on St. Raphael’s Estate, the London Borough of Brent’s most disadvantaged neighbourhood, we work with families living in poverty, asylum seekers and refugees, and people experiencing homelessness and social isolation.

With the help of our volunteers and partners, we coordinate a network of food banks, kitchens, a community shop and café. These act as a gateway for guests to access more holistic support – including welfare advice, asylum support and our award-winning community garden.

Our Volunteering Officer will help us to manage and support our 250 volunteers as well as growing our volunteer numbers through effective recruitment and retention so that we can effectively run our food bank, advice services, and community spaces to prevent hunger, fight poverty and build community.

We are seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic Project Coordinator to lead the Play, Learn and Thrive Project (PLTP). This role involves organising engaging activities for children, young people, and families, including workshops, language support sessions, and outdoor events. The ideal candidate will possess excellent organizational skills, a passion for community engagement, and the ability to inspire and support children and young people from refugee and asylum-seeking backgrounds.

Play, Learn and Thrive Project (PLTP) will offer a variety of activities for children and young people in Cardiff, including:

• Activity sessions for pre-school children (under 5 years): Focused on outdoor play, and access to community-based spaces and facilities.
• Family activity sessions and workshops: Interactive sessions on topics like digital safety, nutrition, health literacy, and local resources.
• English language support classes (ESOL) for young people: Focused on conversational skills and building confidence.
• Youth activity sessions: Providing social opportunities, skill-building, teamwork, and group activities for older children.
• Outdoor activities and day trips during school holidays: Fun, practical, and recreational outings within the local area.

Winner of the 2023 Overall Award for Excellence for our StopTheFlights campaign.

This multichannel, survivor-led campaign directly compelled 4 out of the 6 airlines tasked with flying refugees to Rwanda, including survivors of torture, to rule themselves out of the scheme.

We have an exciting opportunity for Locum Legal Advisors to join our Legal Advice and Welfare Service.

About the Role

Legal Advisors at Freedom from Torture deliver expert, detailed, advice to treatment clients and their clinicians on all areas of asylum and immigration law. There is a particular focus on complex, appeals rights exhausted cases where there is a risk of detention, and on supporting clients who are unrepresented. Legal Advisors review evidence produced by clinicians for use in clients’ asylum and immigration cases, ensuring that it complies with the standards required of a professional witness. Legal Advisors are also responsible for delivering internal and external training on a range of legal issues affecting torture survivors within the immigration and asylum system in the UK.

We are seeking to recruit Locum Legal Advisors to provide additional capacity to the team when needed. The Locum Legal Advisors may be asked to undertake any tasks covered by the Legal Advisor Job Description accompanying this advertisement. Although we are unable to offer guaranteed hours, we may be able to offer up to three days per week in early 2025. The role will be hybrid and attendance at either of our Manchester or London centres may be required.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

About You

You will be a qualified legal professional: a solicitor, barrister, or OISC accredited at Level Three, with expertise in immigration and asylum law, particularly in relation to the legal protections available to survivors of torture. You will have experience of advising and representing clients in the Tribunals and Courts, including in judicial review claims. You will be able to communicate effectively and sensitively with people who have experienced trauma and will be able to build professional relationships with a variety of colleagues both internally and externally. You will share our commitment to working with and empowering people who have experienced torture.

Freedom from Torture is committed to showing the salary for all advertised roles and not negotiating salaries for roles in light of evidence that this contributes to structural inequality.

To view the Job Description and Person Specification, please visit our website.
Please note a CV and a cover letter addressing the job description and person specification of the role are mandatory to be considered for the position.

Freedom from Torture is dedicated to healing and protecting people who have survived torture. We provide therapies to improve physical and mental health, we medically document torture, and we provide legal and welfare help. We expose torture globally, we fight to hold torturing states to account and we campaign for fairer treatment of torture survivors in the UK.

We campaign for national and global change, using evidence from our services and survivor voices to protect and promote survivors' rights and hold torturing states to account. We are proud to play a significant role in the global anti-torture movement. Survivors, active and empowered, are at the centre of all of our work.

Freedom from Torture is committed to its responsibilities under safeguarding, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to a satisfactory DBS disclosure, as well as a need for full employment history and up to date employment references.

Freedom from Torture is an equal opportunity employer. People with lived experience of torture or asylum, from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ individuals and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications.
No agencies please.

Freedom from Torture is the Winner of the Overall Award for Excellence and the top prize for Campaigns and Advocacy at the 2023 Charity Awards.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Scotland-based Legal Advisor to join our Legal Advice and Welfare Service.

Would you like to join our award-winning organisation?

About the role

Legal Advisers at Freedom from Torture deliver expert, detailed, advice to treatment clients and their clinicians on all areas of asylum and immigration law. There is a particular focus on complex, appeals rights exhausted cases where there is a risk of detention, and on supporting clients who are unrepresented. Legal Advisors review evidence produced by clinicians for use in clients' asylum and immigration cases, ensuring that it complies with the standards required of a professional witness. Legal Advisors are also responsible for delivering internal and external training on a range of legal issues affecting torture survivors within the immigration and asylum system in the UK.

We are seeking to recruit a Legal Advisor for our Glasgow centre, who is a Scottish qualified legal professional with experience of advising on immigration and asylum matters within the Scottish legal system, and who could attend our Glasgow centre at least once every fortnight.

About you

You will be a legal professional qualified to practice in Scotland, with expertise in immigration and asylum law, particularly in relation to the legal protections available to survivors of torture. You will have experience of advising and representing clients in the Tribunals and Courts, including in judicial review claims. You will be able to communicate effectively and sensitively with people who have experienced trauma, and will be able to build professional relationships with a variety of colleagues both internally and externally. You will share our commitment to working with and empowering people who have experienced torture.

In return, we offer a competitive package, with a generous 30-day annual leave entitlement, and 6% employer pension contribution (minimum 1% employee contribution).

Freedom from Torture is committed to showing the salary for all advertised roles and not negotiating salaries for roles, in light of evidence that this contributes to structural inequality.

Our policy is that all appointments will be at the start of the salary range but successful candidates will have the opportunity to move up the scale over time. The progression up the salary range is reviewed on an annual basis and subject to affordability. For this role, the salary range is £47,655 - £55,279 pro rata per annum.

To view the Job Description and Person Specification, please visit our website

Please note a CV and a cover letter addressing the job description and person specification of the role are mandatory to be considered for the position.

Freedom from Torture is dedicated to healing and protecting people who have survived torture. We provide therapies to improve physical and mental health, we medically document torture, and we provide legal and welfare help. We expose torture globally, we fight to hold torturing states to account and we campaign for fairer treatment of torture survivors in the UK.

We campaign for national and global change, using evidence from our services and survivor voices to protect and promote survivors' rights and hold torturing states to account. We are proud to play a significant role in the global anti-torture movement. Survivors, active and empowered, are at the centre of all of our work.

Freedom from Torture is committed to its responsibilities under safeguarding, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS disclosure, as well as a need for full employment history and up to date employment references.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Freedom from Torture is an equal opportunity employer. People with lived experience of torture or asylum, from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ individuals and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications.

No agencies please.

Da'aro Youth Project is looking for a Freelance Mentoring and Activities Assistant to join our dynamic team. In this part-time role, you'll assist with the Mentoring and Activity leads, and support the administrative needs of the two roles. From helping with social media content to managing logistics for youth clubs and trips, this role is perfect for someone who thrives in a collaborative environment and is dedicated to empowering young refugees and asylum seekers. If you’re ready to make a difference and gain valuable experience in a rewarding field, we’d love to hear from you!

Central England Law Centre (CELC) is looking for an Immigration Solicitor/Caseworker to join our friendly Immigration Team. The successful candidate will be compassionate, committed individual who enjoys working within a team and with clients to resolve all their interconnecting legal needs. Ideally, they will have experience of working with people who have experienced disadvantage or trauma.

The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.

What we are looking for:

Personal Specification:

• Demonstrable commitment to social justice and the ability to work sensitively and effectively with a wide variety of clients.
• Attention and respect for detail, accuracy, and timeliness.
• Willingness to work flexibly to ensure service continuity
• Excellent client-facing and internal communication skills
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office
• Able to manage a programme of work and to meet key milestones within an agreed plan.
• Ability to support the collection of impact data

Experience:

•  ​Experience of immigration/asylum law - you will either be a solicitor or caseworker with IAAS Level 2 accreditation (Essential)
•  An understanding of the importance of client confidentiality, data protection issues and safeguarding processes. (Essential)
•  Experience working on a project and in partnership with other organisations. (Desirable)
•  Experience of working under an immigration/asylum legal aid contract
•  Experience of managing a wide-ranging caseload, including working within a quality framework.
•  Proven ability to meet costs targets

About CELC:

A fairer, more just society in which an understanding of rights and their power is embedded within communities.

Central England Law Centre is the UK’s largest Law Centre. Our size enables us to provide legal expertise across eight different areas of social welfare law including: discrimination; employment; health and social care; housing; immigration and asylum; public law; and welfare benefits. This means that we can offer services that can address all of the interconnected problems people face in their everyday lives.

Our services are rooted in the communities we serve and we are an organisation that uses its legal expertise to improve the lives of those who are often vulnerable and socially excluded due to poverty, illness or disability.

What we offer: 

•  37-hour working week;
•  Flexible working hours and a hybrid working arrangement;
•  28 days holiday (rising by 1 day per year of service to 35 days after 5 years of service) plus 8 statutory days;
•  Pension scheme membership;
•  Access to an employee assistance programme;

Who We’re Looking For and why join us

At Refugee Legal Support (RLS), we seek a visionary and compassionate leader to become our first Executive Director. This pivotal role offers the opportunity to shape the future of a values-driven legal organisation that stands in solidarity with people on the move. 

With our current strategy concluding in 2025, we’re looking for a leader who can build on our strong foundations and guide the development of our next strategic plan, ensuring organisational cohesion at every step of this journey. You will bring strategic vision, expertise, and a collaborative approach to drive RLS’s future direction, strengthen anti-racist practices and accountability whilst empowering teams across Greece, the UK, and Northern France.

This role uniquely combines strategic oversight with hands-on work, bridging urgent client needs with long-term systemic change. For a leader passionate about migrant justice and equity, this is a career-defining opportunity to sustain and grow RLS’s mission while shaping its future.

Role Overview: 

The Executive Director is a new role for RLS. The successful candidate will lead RLS through its next phase of development, providing strategic leadership, promoting organisational cohesion and accountability whilst driving the fulfilment of our mission. As a representative and advocate for RLS, the Executive Director will oversee key areas such as organisational development, strategic planning, fundraising, robust financial planning, risk management, staff well-being, and external relations.

Core Responsibilities:

1. Organisational Development

   • Review and enhance RLS’s organisational structure and cohesiveness across offices and teams.

   • Implement strategic outcomes to ensure efficient and aligned operations.

2. Strategic Planning

   • Lead on developing and delivering strategic plans in alignment with RLS’s values and mission, incorporating regular reviews.

   • Ensure the sustainability of RLS’s mission and core programmes.

3. Lead the Management Team

   • Guide and support the Management Team, fostering effective collaboration.

   • Promote project integration, efficient delivery, and cross-team development.

   • Embed and promote robust accountability.

4. Governance

   • Work with and leverage the knowledge of the RLS’s Board of Trustees and thematic sub-committees to drive positive change and ensure sustainability.

   • Work with the chair of trustees and relevant subcommittees to maintain, review and improve existing governance structures and delegation schemes to enhance efficiency.

5. Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management

   • Ensure RLS’s compliance with relevant regulations and effective risk management across operations in collaboration with managers. This includes SQM, OISC, LAA, employment law and regulations in foreign jurisdictions.

6. HR Oversight & Staff Development

   • Oversee HR functions, promote professional growth, and prioritise staff well-being.

   • Foster an inclusive and supportive working environment.

7. Fundraising & Financial Oversight

   • Deliver robust financial planning and drive RLS’s fundraising efforts in collaboration with management team and trustees.

   • Engage with key funders and develop sustainable funding strategies.

8. External Representation & Advocacy

   • Serve as the public face of RLS, advocating for our mission through media, events, and partnerships. Where considered appropriate, the Executive Director will be deputised by members of staff or management in external communications.

   • Act as a key contact for the Board of Trustees, promoting transparent communication between staff, management and board.

9. Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL)

   • Own, review and implement appropriate MEL frameworks and practices. 

   • Implement progressive and compassionate accountability structures to ensure transparency across the organisation.

Person Specification

Essential:

• Proven leadership in an organisation focused on human rights, migration, or a related sector.

• Strong strategic planning and organisational development experience, ideally in a fast-growing setting.

• Experience of fundraising and financial management within the third sector.

• Experience leading remote, diverse teams and implementing inclusive HR practices.

• Deep understanding of the immigration and asylum landscape in the UK and Europe.

• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to represent RLS effectively to partners and the public.

• Be responsive

• Culturally sensitive

• Have a strong commitment to advancing migrant justice.

• A dynamic and innovative self-starter.

• Be highly organised.

• Be an active listener and a progressive leader.

• Be objective and apply good judgement in difficult situations.

• Fluent in English.

• The successful candidate will be required to obtain an enhanced DBS certificate (we cover the cost). However, a criminal record is not necessarily a barrier to recruitment but should be disclosed on application;

• Have the right to work in the UK.

Desirable:

• Deep understanding and/or experience of working in an international context.

• A qualified practising or non-practising lawyer in the area of immigration and/ or human rights.

• Lived experience related to migration, or legal knowledge in immigration and asylum.

• Language skills relevant to our areas of operation, particularly Greek or French.

• Experience and understanding of pro bono legal projects.

• Experience in public speaking, media engagement, or international advocacy.