The Refugee and Migrant Forum of Essex and London (RAMFEL) is a not for profit organisation led by the needs of the individuals and communities we work with. Our focus is on providing immigration advice, destitution services, integration support and campaigning to improve the lives of refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants across London and Essex. 

RAMFEL is currently recruiting for three roles within the team. The shortened job descriptions can be found below. To find out more about the roles or to apply please visit: http://www.ramfel.org.uk/get-involved.html

The deadline for the two adviser roles is 29 November and the deadline for the manager role is 6 December (both extended from the original closing date of 11 November).

We particularly welcome and encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic individuals, and those who are migrants or refugees, and who have lived experience of the impact of immigration policy and practice.

Roles:

• Immigration Advice Services Manager – OISC Level 3
• Rough Sleepers Immigration Advisor – OISC Level 2
• Immigration Advisor & Refugee and Asylum Caseworker – OISC Level 2

For all roles:

Pension scheme – Employer contribution 6%

Holiday entitlement: 28 days annual leave, childcare vouchers and cycle to work scheme available

Location: RAMFEL’s offices in Ilford /Stratford, UPDATE: During the Covid-19 crisis/Lockdown period you will be required to work from home until it is safe for us to run services from our offices

RAMFEL Immigration Advice Services Manager 

We are looking for a full time advisor but we are willing to employ on a part time basis for the right candidate

We particularly welcome and encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic individuals, and those who are migrants or refugees, and who have lived experience of the impact of immigration policy and practice.

Salary: £32,000

Overview

This is a new role with responsibility for managing the delivery of projects focused on immigration advice to rough sleepers. The RAMFEL Immigration Advice Services Manager will work with the caseworkers and legal advisors to ensure that clients receive excellent support from RAMFEL. The Manager will focus particularly on supporting rough sleepers to regularise their immigration status

Specific Responsibilities

Performance and resource management 

1. Supports staff to ensure they can perform to a high standard through support and supervision, training and working closely with staff on complex cases
2. To be responsible for the day to day management and delivery of RAMFEL’s Rough Sleeping services as agreed with the CEO and Legal Manager
3. Works with the Operations Manager and CEO to set and monitor performance indicators for RAMFELs services, including ensuring data for funding reports is available
4. Contributes to plans and budget monitoring for RAMFEL’s casework services
5. Ensures all relevant organisational systems, such as our database and annual leave booking system are used appropriately within their team
6. Works with the Operations Manager and CEO to prioritise task and resource allocation 

People and culture

1. Recruit, induct, manage and develop paid staff and volunteers, participating in regular management support and appraisals.
2. Ensure staff and volunteers continue to operate to the highest standards and to all associated codes of conduct, relevant legislation and legal frameworks, including OISC compliance and AQS standards.
3. Supplies relevant information on service delivery to the CEO to ensure there are robust working practices and specialist support in place to ensure the wellbeing of all staff and volunteers is maintained and enhanced.
4. Works with the CEO and other legal managers to develop legal strategies and/or pre-litigation research to challenge laws that disadvantage rough sleepers.
5. Builds relationships with the legal sector, especially pro-bono units to help support the work of RAMFEL, including partnering on public law challenges.
6. Promotes a clear development pathway for staff and volunteers 
7. Contribute to the training of volunteers and where appropriate staff

Service User inclusion

1. Ensures opportunities to volunteer or work within the service are accessible to a diverse community, reflecting the nature of our service users
2. Ensures sufficient Service User feedback is gathered to underpin effective service delivery

Relationship management

1. Builds collaborative and effective relationships across their team and works well with staff across the organisation.
2. Works with the CEO to manage relevant external relationships with partners from across the sector locally. Particularly to ensure that referral pathways to RAMFEL are clear to external organisations and manageable for the organisation

Risk management

1. Maintain and update risk assessments related to service delivery in collaboration with the Operations Manager. Ensure that policies and procedures from the operations manual are followed, alongside OISC regulation and Health and Safety regulations.
2. Ensures rapid escalation and management of identified risks and ensures learning is embedded in operational models. In particular observing internal policy on safeguarding

Funding development

1. Will assist the CEO in the development of funding bids, by providing useful insight and data. 
2. Will identify potential opportunities for funding and with the agreement of the CEO and in line with the organisational strategy prepare funding bids for submission

Systems

1. Ensures teams accurately, swiftly and appropriately utilise our database and any other agreed IT systems in line with organisational procedures and approaches, using reporting from these systems to inform operational decision making.

The casework manager may need to assist at points directly with casework or may carry an ongoing caseload. Staff may not unreasonably refuse a request to undertake any task which is appropriate to their level for which they have the necessary skills and/or experience. Any resulting change to their objectives and priorities will be discussed and confirmed with their line manager

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 the workload as required. He/she may be expected to attend relevant meetings and briefings both within and outside the office, some of which may be outside normal office hours.

Management

The casework Manager is accountable to the Ramfel Board through the Ramfel management structure. The Service Manager will usually be directed by the Chief Executive who will also act as a line 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 Advice Services Manager 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

Skills

• Manage appropriate service delivery processes, mechanisms and systems, and their monitoring and evaluation
• Build strong and effective alliances and relationships at an operational level
• Use and operate delivery performance measures and report on delivery outcomes

Knowledge

• OISC level 3 qualified 
• Project management experience is desirable
• Knowledge of:
• Understanding of relevant context, issues affecting rough sleepers, asylum and immigration policy, working practice and legislation
• Working with vulnerable adults and children and the requisite regulatory frameworks

Experience

• Experience of working as an advisor to vulnerable people
• Management experience that includes:
• General management of a team supporting vulnerable people
• Experience of identifying service needs, and exploiting and developing service opportunities
• Understanding of casework and client needs, including experience of working with clients who have experienced trauma
• Liaison and networking with external partners
• Contribution to monitoring and evaluation of projects

Desirable

• Knowledge of a relevant language to our client group (in particular Russian, Romanian, Czech and Slovak)

RAMFEL Immigration Advisor for Rough Sleepers – OISC Level 2

We are looking for a full time advisor but we are willing to employ on a part time basis for the right candidate

We also particularly need people with additional language skills with – Russian, Romanian, Polish Slovak and Czech being particularly in demand.

Salary and Benefits: £30,500 for level 3 qualified candidates, £28,500 for level 2 qualified candidates

Overview

The Refugee and Migrant Forum of Essex and London is an OISC level 3 registered charity. The focus of the legal work is on non-legal aid funded matters, supporting people who otherwise have no access to legal advice and support. There will be particular focus on working with people who are facing a crisis, providing legal work that will take them out of destitution and on a path towards integration.

Specific Responsibilities

Case management 

• Manage own caseload, working to advance the best interests of the client
• Adhere to standards set out by OISC and AQS to deliver high quality advice
• Provide advice up to OISC level 2/3
• 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 applications 
• Liaise with and refer clients to solicitors or other advisers, as appropriate
• Manage client expectations by discussing deadlines, outcomes and timing 
• Deliver legal advice outreach surgeries as and when required (none currently planned for this role)

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
• Act as a positive ambassador for the Charity at all times
• Undertake any other duties that may be reasonably required 

Management

This post will report to the Rough Sleeper Team Manager.

Person Specification 

Education/qualifications

• Candidates must be OISC level 2 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). 

Experience/knowledge

• Experience 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
• 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 

Desirable

• Knowledge of the welfare and support entitlements of asylum seekers in the UK
• Fluency in other languages (in particular – Russian, Romanian, Polish, Czech & Slovak)
• Experience supporting and developing volunteers

RAMFEL Immigration Advisor & Refugee and Asylum Seeker Caseworker

We are looking for a full time advisor but we are willing to employ on a part time basis for the right candidate

Contract Duration: Initial funding for the post is 6 months

Salary and Benefits: £30,500 for level 3 qualified candidates, £28,500 for level 2 qualified candidates

Overview

The Refugee and Migrant Forum of Essex and London is an OISC level 3 registered charity, that provides advice to help people access justice. We are expanding our legal advice provision and looking for a new adviser to join our small legal team. The roles gives an opportunity to assist some of the most vulnerable people in our society. The focus of the legal work is on non-legal aid funded matters, supporting people who otherwise have no access to legal advice and support. There will be particular focus on working with people who are facing a crisis, providing legal work that will take them out of destitution and on a path towards integration.

The position will focus on the following projects; 

• Supporting undocumented children and their families to regularise their status and ensure they have adequate support including referrals under s.17 of the childrens act.
• Supporting Asylum Seekers and Refugees with accessing services to make sure they have adequate support and to assist in legal applications such as family reunion and merits assessments of refused asylum seekers.

Specific Responsibilities

Case management 

• Manage own caseload, working to advance the best interests of the client
• Adhere to standards set out by OISC and AQS to deliver high quality advice
• Provide advice up to OISC level 2/3
• 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 applications 
• Liaise with and refer clients to solicitors or other advisers, as appropriate
• Manage client expectations by discussing deadlines, outcomes and timing 
• Deliver legal advice outreach surgeries as and when required (none currently planned for this role)

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
• Act as a positive ambassador for the Charity at all times
• 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 Legal 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

• Candidates must be OISC level 2 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). 

Experience/knowledge

• Experience 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
• 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 

Desirable

• Knowledge of the welfare and support entitlements of asylum seekers in the UK
• Fluency in other languages 
• Experience supporting and developing volunteers