Director of Legal Protection & Client Services (Maternity Cover)

Responsible to:                  Kerry Smith, CEO

Hours:                                Full-time 37 hours 10 months cover, flexible working available at a minimum of PT/0.8 FTE)

Salary:                                 £55,000 p.a.

Benefits:                             27 days holiday (pro rata) plus 4% marched pension contribution

Start Date:                          December 2024 

BACKGROUND                

The Helen Bamber Foundation (HBF) is a specialist UK charity which provides expert care and support survivors of torture, trafficking and other extreme human cruelty. We work with hundreds of clients every year from all over the world.

The expertise of the Foundation is renowned in the field. Through the Model of Integrated Care, HBF offers survivors access to an individually tailored programme of specialist therapy, medical advisory services, legal protection including providing expert medico-legal documentation as part of the MLR Service, welfare and housing support, and creative and skills activities within an integration programme. Survivors of human trafficking benefit from HBF’s counter-trafficking programme of support.

OVERVIEW OF THE ROLE

HBF is seeking an experienced and dynamic lawyer for an interim period to give direction to the Legal Protection, Medico-Legal and Client Services of the Foundation. This role is crucial for advancing the rights and protection of our clients, many of whom are vulnerable individuals seeking asylum or are survivors of trafficking. We do not provide legal representation directly to our clients, instead we act as a support team to our clients and their legal representation by providing second tier advice.  The successful candidate will provide strategic leadership, ensure the highest standards of legal protection, and contribute to the overall mission of the Foundation including developing relationships that promote HBF’s expertise and reputation. This role requires exceptional people management and communication skills, with the ability to effectively lead a team, foster collaboration, and articulate complex legal issues clearly to both internal and external stakeholders.

Equal Opportunities

HBF is an equal opportunities and Living Wage employer. We are committed to attracting and recruiting diverse candidates as we are keen to make sure that our staff, trustees, volunteers and ambassadors reflect the communities we serve and the wider community we work in at every level within the organisation. If you are a refugee and meet at least 50% of the criteria we will guarantee that you will be longlisted for one of our initial 15 minutes interview.   We particularly welcome applications from Minority Ethnicities. All are welcome to apply for this role.

As is the nature of work in this sector, the role will expose the postholder to traumatic and distressing material and, whilst they will be supported by the CEO and the surrounding team, they should also be able to demonstrate knowledge of the self-care principles needed to manage working in an intense work environment and be able to collaborate in the dissemination of those principles to other members of the team. Clinical supervision will be offered to support the appointed post-holder where necessary.

Please note that the successful candidate will be offered the job subject to suitable references and an enhanced DBS check. If appointed, you will be required to give your consent to HBF to receive regular updates on your criminal records status throughout your employment.

Application Process

Please send your CV and a cover letter outlining your relevant skills and experience, as well as how your previous experience matches the listed responsibilities and person specification for the role.

Closing Date: 11.59pm on Sunday 29th September 2024
Interviews: Week commencing 30th September and 7th October 2024

The ideal start date for this role is December 2024.

For any queries about the role, please direct them to Kat Hacker, Director of Legal Protection & Client Services on our phones or reception email.

We regret that we can only respond to applicants who make it to the interview stage. Please note you will need the right to work in the UK as we are unable to sponsor individuals. No agencies.