Jobs: director, trustees and advisory panel members, Refugee Legal Support in London

Refugee Legal Support is recruiting for a director, as well as bringing on board new trustees and advisory panel members. The job description for each role is below.

Director

Start date: As soon as possible
Location: Currently working remotely due to COVID-19. Some European travel may be required when safe to do so.

About RLS

Refugee Legal Support (RLS) works in solidarity with people who migrate. We advance safe migration through legal support, casework, strategic litigation, outreach, training and partnerships. We advocate for the promotion and protection of people's rights throughout the migration process.

Founded in 2017, we run a free legal clinic for refugees in Athens who seek asylum or family reunification in other European countries. Brexit has brought new, significant restrictions to legal routes for refugee family reunion and heightened hostility towards people on the move. To tackle these enormous challenges we have mobilised and launched an islands project based on Lesvos and casework capacity in the UK, to coordinate applications for family reunion from Greece to the UK.

Our values

• We recognise that immigration systems are weighted against those forced to migrate and we challenge hostile policy in an effort to level the playing field.
• We stand opposed to all forms of violence against people compelled to migrate, including those who are undocumented.
• We support the global movement that fights entrenched inequalities, racism and other forms of discrimination that force people to migrate.
• We strive to develop inclusive, sustainable and regenerative ways of working and facilitate the inclusion of those with lived migration experience.

The role

This is a new position with funding in place for two years. You will work alongside RLS teams, Advisory Panels and Trustees, and have oversight of projects, HR, fundraising, financial compliance and operational governance.

Key responsibilities:

• Coordinate and oversee RLS' operations, including the legal clinic in Athens and casework services on Lesvos and in the UK.
• Contribute to establishing, initiating and maintaining new relationships.
• Collaborate with RLS teams, Advisory Panels and Trustees to develop the governance of the organisation, advance RLS' mission and respond to changes in the external environment to ensure that RLS continues to meet the needs of people on the move.
• Taking an innovative and imaginative approach, develop and implement an effective fundraising strategy and generate income.
• Ensure compliance with charity law and guidelines, and other relevant regulatory requirements.
• Contribute to and direct campaign strategies in line with RLS' strategic goals.
• Oversee HR functions and provide effective and inclusive leadership to ensure staff well-being and flourishing.

Person specification

This is an exciting opportunity for a transformative thinker and dynamic individual with a deep commitment to and understanding of migrant and racial justice, exceptional interpersonal and communication skills and an ability to manage competing priorities. Please note that the list below is not exhaustive. Rather, we want to know about you, what you stand for, and how you will help drive forward the work of RLS.

Experience / Knowledge:

• Experience in managing projects, resources and budgets.
• Experience of fundraising and communications.
• Experience of working alongside marginalised communities and advocating for the rights of refugees and migrants.
• Understanding of charity governance.
• Knowledge of the legal and regulatory context and the functioning of the procedures within which RLS delivers its core services.

Skills:

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Inclusive leadership skills and an ability to pull people together to work collaboratively and collectively.
• Savvy around communications with an ability to lead on RLS' key messaging across platforms (electronic and print). A flair for writing and creative thinking in this area will be a distinct advantage.
• Good IT, administrative and organisational skills.

General:

• A determination to lead RLS in the wider struggle against systemic immobilisation and disempowerment of refugees and migrants.
• Experience of promoting racial justice, equality and transformation.
• Imaginative, critical thinking and creative problem solving skills.
• A desire to learn and an openness to listen, question and collaborate.

How to apply

If you would like to demonstrate your range of skills, abilities and qualities as outlined above, it would be a pleasure to hear from you. Please send your CV and a covering letter to Joseph.sinclair@refugeelegalsupport.org by midnight on Friday 23rd April. Should you have any questions about the role and the application process, please email Joseph.

Trustees

As a trustee, you will work collectively with other dynamic and dedicated trustee board members to determine and transform how RLS is run and have the overall legal responsibility for the charity. Board members are expected to attend regular meetings and may be asked to commit additional time between meetings depending on availability. As a result of the pandemic, meetings are currently taking place online.

Duties include:

• Ensure that RLS complies with guidelines, charity law, and any other legislation or regulations.
• Ensure that RLS pursues defined goals in line with its governing document.
• Monitor the financial position and ensure that RLS operates within its means and that there are clear lines of accountability for financial management.
• Ensure that the resources of RLS are used only to pursue legitimate objectives.
• Contribute to the strategic direction and support the development of policies and objectives.
• Maintain the good name and values of RLS.
• Ensure that the administration of the company is carried out efficiently.
• Ensure the financial integrity and stability of RLS.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with RLS members and advisory panel groups.

Person specification

Experience in one or more of the following:

• Administration and Governance
• Regulation, OISC and Compliance
• Finance – budgetary and financial control and reporting
• Media, Communications, Advocacy and Events
• Arts
• HR
• Racial Justice, Equality and Transformation
• Casework Oversight and Operations

Commitment to RLS' mission and values. An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship. Strong communication, interpersonal and leadership skills. Experience of promoting racial justice, equality and transformation. Imaginative, critical thinking and creative problem solving skills. A desire to learn and an openness to listen, question and collaborate. An ability to work effectively as a member of a team and willingness to take collective responsibility for the governance of the charity. An ability to analyse risks and opportunities, and take a balanced approach to organisational governance. We are particularly keen to hear from people with lived experience of migration or displacement.

How to apply

If you would like to demonstrate your range of skills, abilities and qualities as outlined above, it would be a pleasure to hear from you. Please send your CV and a covering letter to Joseph.sinclair@refugeelegalsupport.org by midnight on Friday 30th April. Should you have any questions, please email Joseph.

Advisory Panel Members

RLS relies on the energy, skills and enthusiasm of people who share our vision and are drawn to striving together for change. Started by volunteers, volunteers remain central, contributing strategically and practically via advisory panel working groups. If you share our values and ethos we would love to hear from you. There are many ways to contribute through one or more of the following working groups:

• Administration and Governance
• Regulation, OISC and Compliance
• Finance – budgetary and financial control and reporting
• Media, Communications, Advocacy and Events
• Arts
• HR
• Racial Justice, Equality and Transformation
• Casework Oversight and Operations

Members are expected to attend one meeting every month and may occasionally be asked to commit additional time. As a result of the pandemic, meetings will take place online and members will feedback to and advise the Trustees on key issues. Previous advisory panel experience is not essential. We are particularly keen to hear from people with lived experience of migration or displacement. While we welcome and value different experiences and expertise, we hope that you can demonstrate your suitability for specific working groups, as well as some of the following:

• Understanding of and commitment to migrant justice.
• Experience of promoting racial justice, equality and transformation.
• Imaginative, critical thinking and creative problem solving skills.
• A desire to learn and an openness to listen, question and collaborate.
• Knowledge and experience of social media platforms.
• An ability to approach language and storytelling critically and persuasively.

How to apply

We want to know about you, what you stand for and how you will drive the work of RLS. If you would like to demonstrate your range of skills, abilities and qualities as outlined above, and any particular advisory panel group(s) you may be interested in, it would be a pleasure to hear from you. Please send a covering letter to Joseph.sinclair@refugeelegalsupport.org by midnight on Friday 30th April. Should you have any questions about the roles and application process, please email Joseph.