Job Ad: Waltham Forest Migrant Action are recruiting a L2/L3 Immigration Advisor

Salary: £37,440 (pro-rata)
Contract: 1 year FTC
Hours: Part-time, 11.5 hours per week
Deadline to apply: 12pm, Friday 24th January

As life becomes ever more difficult for migrants across London, the UK and the world, Waltham Forest Migrant Action (WFMA) are committed to fighting back in solidarity and supporting our fellow human beings who are often suffering in the most extreme of circumstances.

WFMA is the only provider of free immigration advice in the borough. Our mission is to provide support for local migrants and refugees, and to advocate and campaign for the rights of migrants and refugees in the UK. Since 2013, our weekly drop-in centre has offered visitors a warm welcome, free advice on immigration, accommodation and welfare issues, and opportunities to socialise with the local community. Last year we helped 366 people from 71 nationalities, and our numbers continue to grow. 

THE ROLE

WFMA is looking for an experienced and qualified Immigration Advisor with a strong interest in migrant justice to lead our immigration casework, and make a tangible difference to the lives of migrants and refugees in Waltham Forest. This is a new post at an exciting time for the charity as we seek to expand our services at the drop-in centre and provide more immigration advice and casework in-house. The Immigration Advisor will develop and oversee our specialist advice service, promoting its effectiveness and ensuring we provide compassionate support to our visitors while meeting regulatory requirements.

The main purpose of this role is to manage our immigration casework and oversee our specialist advice service, ensuring we provide compassionate support to our visitors while meeting our regulatory requirements. You will supervise less experienced advisors and volunteers, promoting their professional development and wellbeing. As a subject matter expert, you will work collaboratively with the Support Centre Manager and wider WFMA team to continually improve our service and visitor experience, in line with our aims and regulatory obligations.

RESPONSIBILITIES 

1. Provide immigration advice and undertake casework at OISC (IAA) L2

• Provide immigration advice and support to WFMA’s drop-in centre visitors, and supervise the work of less experienced L1 staff and drop-in centre volunteers
• Support the Housing and Welfare staff & volunteer team where outcomes are dependent on future immigration applications
• Maintain and ensure accurate records using our case management software

2. Provide supervision to WFMA’s L1 staff and volunteers on immigration issues

• Provide training for WFMA’s staff and centre volunteers on immigration issues and maintain up-to-date training resources
• Line manage 1x L1 Immigration Advisor
• Provide supervision to drop-in centre staff and volunteers

3. Maintain current knowledge of OISC (IAA) Compliance and Regulation and relevant legislation

• Keep abreast of new developments in the sector and changes to legislation relevant to immigration, public benefits and housing systems
• Keep up to date with legislation and guidance required to provide immigration advice at OISC L2/L3 and ensure WFMA is meeting the standards required to maintain OISC accreditation
• Proactively seek opportunities to develop professionally and and meet the relevant OISC competence requirements, including maintaining a Personal Competence record of personal objectives regarding training and development

4. Work collaboratively with other WFMA staff, volunteers and external advisors

• Liaise with WFMA’s external advice partners to ensure effective casework support
• Provide information, statistics and case studies to assist with WFMA grant applications as needed
• Understand and implement sensitively WFMA policies and procedures
• Participate actively in staff and board of trustees meetings, and other meetings as may reasonably be required

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

• Current OISC (IAA) L2/L3 qualification
• A strong interest in migrant justice and issues relating to migration
• Knowledge and experience of safeguarding practices particularly in a social care or day centre environment
• Good oral and written communication skills in English
• Good IT skills particularly experience using case management software
• Understanding of GDPR and confidentiality, and experience of processing sensitive data

Desirable

• Lived experience of the issues faced by migrants and the difficulties they experience in accessing services
• Experience of working in a migrant charity or organisation, or experience of giving advice at L2 or L3
• Additional languages spoken

We particularly welcome applicants with lived experience of migration or borders or the UK immigration system.

Download the job description and person specification here.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply for the role, please submit your CV and cover letter via our application form. The deadline to apply is 12pm, Friday 24th January. Interviews will take place in-person on Monday 3rd February.

For any questions or for a conversation about the role, please contact recruitment@wfma.org.uk.