Job ad: RAMFEL Immigration Advisor (Rough Sleepers Team) OISC Level 2/3 or Solicitor with IAAS [...]

The Refugee and Migrant Forum of Essex and London is an OISC level 3 registered charity, which provides advice to help people access justice. We are expanding our legal advice provision and looking for new advisers to join our legal team. The role gives an opportunity to assist some of the most vulnerable people in our society. The focus of the role is on supporting people who are sleeping rough to regularise their immigration status. This will include applications relating to the EUSS, and human rights applications with particular focus on long residence applications. Any application that would be eligible for legal aid such as Asylum would be supported to access that legal aid, through a dedicated project partner or by external referral after a merit’s assessment.

Specific Responsibilities

• Case management
• Manage own caseload, working to advance the best interests of the client
• Adhere to standards set out by IAAS/OISC and AQS to deliver high quality advice
• Provide advice up to OISC level 2/3 or IAAS Level 2
• Engage with the legal services manager to create and follow a training plan to ensure compliance with OISC CPD, keeping up to date with changes in law, policy and guidance to ensure clients receive accurate and high quality advice
• Undertake fee-paying work as part of our low cost service
• Liaise directly with the UKVI/HOIE and related governmental agencies
• Completion of forms, letters and immigration applications
• Liaise with and refer clients to solicitors or other advisers, as appropriate
• Manage client’s expectations by discussing deadlines, outcomes and timing
• Deliver legal advice outreach surgeries as and when required
• Deliver immigration advice and representation to those in London and Essex trying to regularise their immigration status
• Progress cases in a timely manner in line with regulatory requirements

Service monitoring

• Ensure that any reporting and monitoring requirements agreed with funders are met in full
• Maintain client files and records in line with file management procedures

General responsibilities

• Seek to continuously improve in order that the Charity delivers the best possible service to beneficiaries
• Ensure that all of Ramfel’s Policies and Procedures are adhered to at all times
• Attend internal training and external training as and when required
• Participate in regular supervisions and team meetings
• Work with the Head of Campaigning to raise awareness or further research in relation to the issues our client group face
• Attend the office on a regular basis (hybrid working)
• Act as a positive ambassador for the Charity at all times
• Work with volunteers when necessary
• Undertake any other duties that may be reasonably required

Flexibility

The post holder is expected to be responsive to Ramfel’s policies, priorities and the changing needs of the organisation and will be expected to adapt their workload as required.

Management

This post will report to the Rough Sleeper Team Manager.

Hours of work and leave

The position is FULL TIME (37.5 hours). We may be able to accept part time working hours for the right candidate. It is inevitable that in the nature of Ramfel’s work the Immigration Advisor will occasionally exceed this. When more hours are worked, time may be taken off in lieu by arrangement with other members of the Team and with the appropriate member of management. Holiday entitlement is 28 days per annum plus bank holidays for full-time roles.

Person Specification

Education/qualifications

• Ideally candidates must be Solicitors with IAAS Level 2 or OISC level 2/3 qualified or;
• OISC level 1 qualified and prepared to work under supervision at level 2 as well as to study to qualify for level 2 (training will be provided) within 6 months; or
• IAAS level 2 (non-solicitor) and prepared to work under OISC supervision as well as study to qualify under OISC level 1 and 2 within 6 months.

Experience/knowledge

• Experience of providing high quality advice and representation to clients
• A good understanding of law and policy as it relates to immigration and asylum
• Experience of professional, independent and impartial service delivery to the public
• Experience of maintaining a caseload of cases in line with OISC requirements in relation to the conduct of cases, file management and supervision
• Knowledge of and empathy with the backgrounds and experiences of asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants
• Experience of using client databases
• Experience of working with interpreters supporting clients with complex matters

Skills

• Ability to manage a caseload autonomously, prioritise workload and meet deadlines
• Ability to keep client’s file records in compliance with OISC standards
• Aptitude for grasping complex issues rapidly
• Ability to demonstrate good client facing skills
• Strong IT skills including Microsoft Office
• Communicates effectively at all levels, both verbally and written
• Supportive team player

Personal attributes

• Commitment to the aims and objectives of Ramfel
• Has a positive, resilient, enthusiastic and pro-active approach
• Ability to demonstrate behaviour in keeping with Ramfel’s core values of Teamwork, Respect, Integrity and Fairness
• Ability to keep professional boundaries
• Lived experience of the impact of immigration policy and practice.
• Lived experience of rough sleeping
• Fluency in other languages