Facilities Assistant

Purpose:

To support the effective management of Ella’s office, community hub and homes, ensuring they remain safe, well-maintained, and fully operational. The Facilities Assistant will act as a key point of contact for contractors and suppliers, assist with general upkeep of the facilities, and contribute to a safe and welcoming environment for staff and service users.

Main responsibilities:

Office and community hub support

• Ensure Ella’s office and community hub is well-maintained, clean, and organised for staff and service user use.

• Manage office supplies, ensuring sufficient stock levels of stationery, cleaning products, tea/coffee/milk, and other essentials.

• Collect the post regularly from Ella’s post address and ensure the post is delivered to the correct people. 

• Conduct basic maintenance tasks (e.g., replacing light bulbs, tidying storage areas) and liaise with contractors for more significant repairs or upgrades.

• Perform regular health and safety checks, reporting any issues to the Operations Manager.

Home visits and contractor management

• Obtain quotes for externally commissioned maintenance and facilities related contracts, ad hoc repairs, and redecoration of the building.

• Oversee and maintain the safehouse repairs log, ensuring accurate and timely updates are provided to caseworkers.

• Travel to Ella’s safe homes as required to meet contractors, suppliers, or delivery personnel.

• Oversee on-site work, ensuring contractors adhere to safety protocols and complete work to the agreed standard.

• Provide access to properties for repairs, maintenance, and inspections, and communicate progress to the Operations Manager. 

• Conduct basic checks within the homes, reporting any maintenance or safety concerns.

• Oversee and maintain the safehouse repairs log, ensuring accurate and timely updates are provided to caseworkers.

Health and Safety

• Ensure compliance with health and safety standards across all facilities, reporting hazards or risks to the Operations manager.

• Regularly inspect fire safety equipment (e.g., fire extinguishers, alarms) and assist with evacuation drills when necessary.

• Support the implementation of policies related to safe working environments.

General administration

• Maintain accurate records of contractor visits, maintenance schedules, and stock inventories.

• Assist the Operations Manager in keeping documentation up-to-date, including compliance certificates and maintenance logs.

• Communicate effectively with the team regarding any ongoing facilities work that may impact operations.

Person Specification:

Essential:

• Excellent organisational and time management skills.

• Ability to manage multiple tasks effectively and work independently.

• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.

• Basic understanding of health and safety requirements.

• Comfortable liaising with contractors and overseeing on-site work.

• Willingness to travel locally between Ella’s office and safe homes.

• A proactive and practical approach to problem-solving.

Desirable:

• Experience in facilities or property management.

• Familiarity with trauma-informed environments or working in the charity sector.

• Basic maintenance skills (e.g., DIY tasks).

More about Ella’s 

Ella’s is a London-based organisation working with women who have survived trafficking and sexual exploitation. Our mission is to do everything we can to ensure survivors have all they need to recover and build lives that are safe and free. 

Here is a summary of our main activities:

• We run three safe houses. This supported accommodation is crucial for survivors, until they are ready and able to live independently. 

• We provide regular support for women and families in neighbourhoods across London, and many more further afield when they need us. 

• We speak out on issues affecting the women we work with. We care deeply about survivors of trafficking and exploitation and want to see a world where these crimes are not tolerated. 

Ella’s is an equal opportunities employer. We encourage applications from all backgrounds and communities, as we believe having a diverse team adds value and positively impacts our service. We actively encourage applicants from BAME backgrounds, LGBTQ+ applicants and those with disabilities. We are committed to equality and diversity within our organisation.

Ella’s is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. As part of this commitment, we undertake disclosure checks. Having a criminal record will not automatically exclude applicants. 

(Photos: Tom Price/Ella’s)