Head of Bristol Sanctuary Services

Putting the needs of sanctuary seekers at the heart of our work

The challenge

Tasked with supporting the largest city in the South West, our colleagues across the Council are faced with a myriad of complex yet meaningful challenges. Home to nearly half a million people, the city’s numbers continue to grow as we manage the needs of a growing population of refugees, asylum seekers, and others affected by forced migration. The team are passionate about supporting all sanctuary seekers, including those who have no recourse to public funds, to rebuild their lives and integrate amongst Bristol's vibrant communities.

As our Head of Bristol Sanctuary Services, you will take the lead in line managing all the services we currently offer to sanctuary seekers. It’s a rich and highly satisfying role, in which you could make a tangible impact on many lives.

Your role

Providing strategic and operational leadership for all services offered by the Council, you will also work with external partners such as voluntary and community sector organisations who can help us welcome and support refugees and asylum seekers. Effectively managing the resources available to your team, you will see to it that funding instructions (such as those from Home Office and MHCLG schemes) are being met, and you will be keen to continually explore ways in which we could enhance our services.

About you

We’re looking for an inspirational leader, who has a background in migrant services or equalities experience at senior management level. With a deep knowledge of the issues impacting on sanctuary seekers and the responsibilities of Local Authorities towards them, you will have exceptional budgeting and commissioning skills. You will also be well-versed in the specifics of administering public funds.

As you will be working with partners across the voluntary, community and social enterprise sectors, you will need exceptional communication, advocacy and relationship-building skills. With the ability to nurture the skills of your team and motivate colleagues across the service to deliver the best possible outcomes, you will provide visible leadership by visiting locality offices on a regular basis.

The benefits

In return you’ll have access to a range of valuable benefits including membership of the Local Government Pension scheme and generous annual leave entitlement. We place high value on creating an inclusive, healthy workplace and offer a range of flexible working options and family friendly policies.

How do I apply?

Please click the apply button to go through to our careers site and submit your CV along with a supporting statement that details how you meet the criteria within the Person Specification.

No agencies please.

Closing date: Monday 5 May 2025.

Psychometric testing interviews to be conducted Thursday 8 and Friday 9 May.

Interviews to be held: Tuesday 20 May 2025.

For further information, please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification or for informal enquiries please contact Fiona.Tudge@bristol.gov.uk

Please note that you’ll be required to undertake an Enhanced DBS check.

At Bristol City Council, we value having a workforce as diverse as the city we serve. We therefore welcome, develop and promote people from all sections of the community. We particularly welcome applications from Women, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates and Disabled candidates who are currently under-represented within senior leadership roles of Bristol City Council. Appointments will be made on merit.