Caseworker

MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES UK (MSF) provides life-saving emergency relief and longer-term medical care to some of the most vulnerable and excluded communities around the world. As an independent medical humanitarian organisation, we deliver care based only on need, regardless of ethnic origin, gender, religion or political affiliation.

MSF relies on donations from private individuals and organisations for the majority of its income. This private funding gives MSF the freedom to respond where needs are greatest and to speak out publicly, free from any political interference. MSF has around 63,000 local and international staff working in over 70 countries, in some of the most challenging places in the world.

The caseworker role is intended to provide the interface between service users, the MSF service, and other services in the local area, ensuring that the service user has the appropriate conditions and support to allow them to productively and safely engage with therapy.

DEPARTMENT: Programmes Unit (UK Migration Project)

HOURS: Full time, 37.5 hours a week

LENGTH OF CONTRACT: Fixed Term Contract, one year with possibility of three-year renewal, subject to project funding.

LOCATION: A 5-day in-person role working across multiple sites in Birmingham/Sandwell as required by the service.

REPORTS TO: Project Manager

Requirements

• Knowledge: Relevant undergraduate or further education study in a relevant field (e.g. Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Health and Social Care, Refugee Studies, or a related discipline).
• Understanding of trauma-informed care and the impact of forced displacement on mental health, with further training in mental health and psychosocial support (e.g. Psychological First Aid, trauma-informed care, or ASR mental health) an asset.
• Working knowledge of the asylum system and associated support entitlements.
• Qualifications from the OISC (Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner), or similar immigration qualifications, would be of benefit in the role.
• Knowledge of statutory entitlements and third sector support in the project’s area of operations, with accredited case management or advocacy training (e.g. housing rights, benefits advice, legal casework) an asset.
• Awareness of safeguarding policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of interagency working and referral pathways in the NHS, social services, and asylum support systems.
• Awareness of relevant legislation (e.g. GDPR, UK immigration and asylum, safeguarding and human rights legislation) would be of benefit in the role.

Skills:

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including working with individuals experiencing distress.
• Capability to build rapport and engage service users in practical and therapeutic activities.
• Competence in case management, including maintaining records and coordinating referrals.
• Data literacy, including in record-keeping systems and data protection compliance, would be an asset.
• Capacity to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team that includes psychologists and assistant psychologists.
• Proficiency in problem solving and advocacy for service users navigating complex systems.
• Ability to speak additional languages spoken by our service users would be beneficial to the role.

Experience:

• Relevant paid or voluntary experience of providing support to asylum seekers and refugees.
• Lived experience of forced migration would be of benefit in the role.
• Experience of working with interpreters would be an asset.
• Experience of working with volunteers and staff within the charitable sector.
• Experience of working in humanitarian or crisis-response settings and/or of working in a mental health context would be of benefit in the role.
• Experience of liaising and negotiating with external agencies to advocate for client needs, with case management experience an asset.
• Experience in delivering psychoeducation or group interventions would be of benefit in the role.
• Experience of keeping accurate work records and writing reports.
• Experience in the practical use of personal IT equipment and Microsoft Office 365 suite.
• The ability to effectively collaborate and communicate within a hybrid working environment utilising Teams, SharePoint, One Drive and Yammer.

How to Apply: Please apply on our website by submitting a copy of your CV together with a letter of motivation (please upload as one document) by the closing date. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Accessibility: We are committed to removing barriers for people with specific accessibility needs. If you need an adjustment to the recruitment process to be considered for the role, please let us know by contacting recruitment.UK@london.msf.org.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: We are a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive organisation. MSF UK thrives when everyone feels comfortable bringing their best self to work. We celebrate difference, whilst striving to create an environment where colleagues feel respected and valued for their unique potential.

Safeguarding: MSF UK/IE is dedicated to safeguarding everyone who comes into contact with the organisation. All posts are subject to safer recruitment processes which include robust reference requests, scrutiny of employment history and where applicable criminal record and barring checks.

Right to work in the UK: Candidates must have the right to work in the UK.