About us: 

The Refugee and Migrant Forum of Essex and London (RAMFEL) is one of the largest immigration and asylum advice charities in the UK, supporting refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants to access justice. An OISC level 3 accredited organisation, we represent clients at all stages of the immigration and asylum process, up to and including the Upper Tribunal of the Immigration and Asylum Chamber.

We also actively campaign for a fairer and more humane immigration system. RAMFEL caseworkers therefore have the opportunity to work on systemic and strategic challenges and support broader advocacy work.

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 UK immigration policy and/or of rough sleeping.

Purpose of the role:

We are establishing a new legal aid casework service and looking for an experienced adviser/supervisor to build our legal aid service, work on a small, targeted caseload of their own, oversee the legal aid contract, and fulfil the LAA supervisor role for a new Immigration and Asylum legal aid contract. Whilst we strive to make the legal aid contract as financially viable as possible, we are aware of the financial difficulties involved. Our primary focus is on delivering a high-quality service and utilising legal aid to support our clients. We are committed to invest in the setup of our legal aid work and will ensure the caseload is managed whilst work is undertaken to set up our contract. The role gives an opportunity to assist some of the most vulnerable people in our society.

We are particularly keen to hear from people who have both an interest in setting up new services and have current experience of running their own immigration and asylum publicly funded caseload.

We are only considering applicants with relevant legal experience (IAAS supervisor).

Relationships: Reports to the Head of Services.

Hours of work: The role is primarily a full-time position, requiring 37.5 hours per week. However, for the right candidate, we may consider accommodating part-time working hours. Given the nature of RAMFEL’s work, there may be instances where the Supervisor will need to exceed the standard hours. In such cases, compensatory time off can be arranged with the Head of Services

Terms: £38,500 – 45,000 per annum depending on experience. 28 days annual leave plus
statutory holidays and 6% pension contribution

Duties and responsibilities:

Case management 

• Undertake legal aid casework on asylum and immigration matters
• Manage own caseload, working to advance the best interests of the client and in a timely and sensitive manner
• Adhere to standards set out by OISC/SRA/Law Society and AQS/SQM to deliver high-quality advice
• Ensure that all work complies with the requirements of the LAA in relation to Legal Help, Controlled Work and Legal Aid Certificated matters as appropriate
• Manage clients’ expectations by discussing deadlines, outcomes and timing
• Deliver legal advice phone line/outreach surgeries/drop in as and when required
• Brief counsel, attend conferences and court with counsel
• Maintain a full and orderly file with comprehensive attendance notes of all meetings, attendances and telephone calls

Person Specification 

Education/qualifications

As we are an OISC regulated organisation (registered with the SRA as a non-regulated entity), the applicant must either be:

• A Solicitor who holds a practising certificate and is accredited with the Law Society (IAAS 2);
• A Senior Caseworker (non-Solicitor) who is IAAS Level 2 regulated

They must also hold Advanced Accreditation with the Law Society to be able to supervise Senior Caseworkers’ work

Experience/knowledge

• 5 years of experience in providing high-quality advice and representation to clients with immigration & asylum matters
• 3 years of experience in working in a legal aid provider environment
• Experience in maintaining a caseload of cases in line with LAA/SRA/IAAS requirements in relation to the conduct of cases, file management and supervision
• Previous proven supervisory experience and working to key performance indicators
• Knowledge of and empathy with the backgrounds and experiences of asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants
• Experience in using clients’ databases
• Experience working with interpreters supporting clients with complex matters

Personal attributes

• A dynamic and innovative self-starter
• Commitment to the aims and objectives of RAMFEL
• Positive, resilient, enthusiastic, and proactive approach
• Ability to demonstrate behaviour in keeping with RAMFELs core values of Teamwork, Respect, Integrity and Fairness
• Ability to keep professional boundaries

To Apply please email CV and cover letter to: recruitment@ramfel.org.uk
Deadline: 24th July

Please download and read the full job description for more details including general responsibilities and skills.

Job Description Link

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