Policy and Communications Officer

About us

The Refugee and Migrant Centre (RMC) is an established, multi award winning charity that provides a safe, welcoming environment to thousands of refugees and migrants living in the Black Country and Birmingham.

For over 24 years, RMC has assisted thousands of refugees and migrants from 162 countries. It has helped to remove the barriers to integration, helping its clients become equal citizens, using a whole-person approach to the delivery of services from specialist legal advice through to education and employment programmes.

We are seeking to address gaps in our work and utilise our own insight and evidence from working with refugees, migrants and people seeking asylum in influencing the policies and practices of key decision-makers in the region.

About the role

The role of the Policy and Communications Officer (PCO) is to support in building the capacity of RMC to advocate and address the root causes of problems faced by its clients by influencing our key stakeholders. The case recording system used by RMC to record information about clients and their issues, generates both statistical and qualitative information providing the evidence to support our work.

As one of the largest providers of free immigration advice in the country RMC is looking to;

- grow its influencing work regionally using the evidence from working with our clients

- undertake research into issues faced by our clients and explore recommendations and possible solutions, whilst providing feedback to our stakeholders on key issues

- support local and appropriate national initiatives, undertake advocacy and influencing work on local and national issues with a view to improve the lives of the clients we work with and drive positive change

The PCO will be responsible for establishing systems to collect and collate, with the support of the front-line team, information and data pertinent to this work. In collaboration with the Immigration Department Manager, they will test and develop new initiatives to produce a model for social policy work that can be rolled out across RMC.

While the PCO will lead on production of evidence to identify key issues, tasked by the Immigration Department Manager they will also take responsibility for designing and writing materials internally and externally.

The PCO will also develop relationships with key stakeholders externally such as Universities, Local Authorities, Councillors, MP’s, charities, strategic migration partnership, observatories, etc.

Why work for us?

This is an exciting time to be joining the team, as RMC are strengthening and expanding its infrastructure following a period of growth in staff, activities and turnover.

Our culture is what makes us unique. We encourage an open, honest working environment where people are valued. We're always challenging each other to learn and improve, because we know when we work together, we can deliver better outcomes.

What you will be doing

Purpose and Scope of the Role

- Responsibility for building the capacity for social policy and advocacy of RMC

- Responsibility for developing a model for social policy and advocacy that can be rolled out across our service

- Responsibility for identifying key issues and organising advocacy and lobbying activities

- In collaboration with the Immigration Department Manager design materials to be used internally and externally

- Undertake research in a range of topics

- Undertake consultations internally and externally

- Draft briefings and reports providing evidence and recommendations

- Keep up to date with political and social developments

- Gather and analyse data

- Support RMC’s social media presence by designing and disseminating social media posts to promote relevant key messages

- Assist in updating the RMC website with key messages

- Writing and disseminating of RMC’s internal and external newsletter

- Maintaining and developing RMC’s database of stakeholders and key contacts

- Participate in initiatives to inform local and appropriate national influencing and advocacy and build capacity for social policy work

- Contribute to materials and lessons learned to relevant end of project reports for dissemination within RMC which will provide a model for building capacity for social policy work that can be rolled out across the service

- Undertake any other duties as may reasonably be requested by the Senior Leadership Team and/or the Immigration Department Manager

Flexibility

To deliver the stated aims of for this post, a degree of flexibility is needed, and the post holder may be required to perform work not specifically referred to above, such duties will fall within the scope of the job and be directly related within the appropriate pay grade. The job description will therefore be subject to periodic review with the post holder to ensure it accurately reflects the duties that are being performed.

Person Specification

Knowledge, abilities and skills

Essential

• Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of the policy areas dealt with by RMC
• Training skills and the ability to work with volunteers with differing educational backgrounds.
• Ability to analyse and synthesise statistical and qualitative data from RMC and other sources to produce briefings, newsletters and leaflets
• Excellent written and oral communication skills including;
• - an ability to analyse complex material and present the results in a clear and concise easy to understand and accessible manner; and
• - an ability to effectively represent the views of the organisation to internal and external audiences
• A proven high standard of communication skills, including written, oral, presentational and inter-personal skills
• Ability to work independently while remaining alert to the need to consult and work with colleagues
• Ability to work as part of a self-directed team, to take the initiative and work with minimal supervision
• Ability to prioritise and to manage tight deadlines
• Good team working skills – the ability to motivate and bring together volunteers to collaborate and focus on specific tasks
• Commitment to equality and diversity
• Experience of working in a multicultural environment and sensitivity towards other cultures.

Desirable

• Relevant degree in social policy, politics or public administration or equivalent professional experience or qualification
• Experience in working with clients with vulnerabilities and/or migrants, asylum-seekers, refugees
• Experience of advocacy and influencing work
• Experience working in or with the not-for-profit sector
• Excellent listening skills and ability to empathise as well as establish boundaries to avoid emotional over involvement
• Experience of managing teams/volunteers
• Experience in a similar or related position

Personal Attributes

· Commitment to the values and mission of the charity.

· Integrity and ethical conduct in all aspects of work.

· Resilience and the ability to handle challenging and emotionally demanding situations.

· Proactive attitude and a passion for social justice.

What's in it for you?

Location

Birmingham, however, working across branches is a requirement

Pension

RMC will contribute 5% of gross basic salary

Holidays

21 days per year plus public holidays pro rata for part-time post. Holiday entitlement increases to 24 days after 2 years and 29 days after 5 years

Hours of Work

35 hours per week (excluding lunch breaks). Some evening and weekend work may be required for which time off in lieu should be claimed

Probation

This post will have a probationary period of 6 months

Notice

One month’s notice of termination of employment on either side

Disability

We are committed to making every reasonable adjustment to the workplace or working arrangements so as to accommodate people with disabilities

Enhanced DBS:

Employment in this post will be subject to a satisfactory police clearance being obtained. Because of the nature of the work for which you are applying, this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (exception) Order 1975 and you are, therefore, not entitled to withhold information about convictions which for other purposes are ‘spent’ under the provision of the Act

Travel expenses

If travel around the Black Country is undertaken in your own vehicle for work purposes this can be reclaimed at the rate of 45 pence per mile

Training

Access to external paid training and regular internal training. Commitment to supporting you to develop and upskill.

Equal Opportunities

We're an equal opportunity employer, which means we'll consider all suitably qualified applicants regardless of gender identity or expression, ethnic origin, nationality, religion or beliefs, age, sexual orientation, disability status or any other protected characteristic. We recruit and develop our people based on merit and their passion for creating better outcomes, and we're committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract

Contract length: 12 months

Pay: £26,000.00-£28,000.00 per year

Benefits:

 

• Additional leave
• Bereavement leave
• Casual dress
• Company events
• Company pension
• Free flu jabs
• Health & wellbeing programme
• Life insurance
• Sick pay

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 31/10/2024