Refugee Activities Co-ordinator
JRS UK is looking for a creative individual to support creative activities for refugees at our centre in Wapping. Is this role for you?
JRS UK has been working with destitute asylum seekers for many years and has been expanding the services and activities we provide to those we serve. Providing recreational activities for refugees, which develop skills and interests, is a core aspect of our work.
The Refugee Activities Co-ordinator is a part-time post (up to 4 days a week, with flexible working) on a 12-month contract, reporting to the Destitution Services Manager, joining a small tightly knit and diverse team at the JRS UK offices in Wapping.
This busy, varied and creative role requires an ability to develop relationships with a variety of people in order to successfully co-ordinate activities. You will demonstrate a real commitment to our mission of accompaniment of refugees, a unique ethos which radically alters the beneficiary—service provider relationship. We place a high value on coming to know refugees as people with gifts and personalities, not only defined by their situation in immigration law. We also have an active group of refugee volunteers, who, working alongside vowed religious, other volunteers and paid staff, widen the perspective of our team.
The Refugee Activities Co-ordinator is responsible for the coordination and development of activities for those made destitute by the asylum process. The role requires a creative and outgoing attitude in addition to organisational and relational skills. The Refugee Activities Co-ordinator acts as a point of contact for external creative and therapeutic practitioners to support the ongoing activities currently available at JRS UK. With a strong focus on participatory co-facilitation, the Refugee Activities Co-ordinator will also provide opportunities for refugees to set direction for the development of creative and skill-sharing projects that foster peer-to-peer support and leadership potential. The Refugee Activity Co-ordinator will be expected to create connections with specialist tutors for the activities (where needed), build links within the community, as well as oversee volunteers with specific skills interested in developing particular activities with refugees.
Existing partnerships delivered through volunteers, therapeutic consultants and collaborations with other charities include workshops on photography, creative arts, choir, drama, music therapy, reflexology, one-on-one English lessons and women’s bike project. There will be an opportunity to explore additional project ideas, designing activities creatively in collaboration with refugees, or where appropriate facilitating access to activities elsewhere, including for example, in sport, dance, or gardening.
The Refugee Activities Co-ordinator will be responsible for monitoring and evaluating the progress of activities, in conjunction with the Destitution Services Manager, and help ensure the sustainability of the project going forward, with the aim of refugees leading the activities themselves in the future where possible.
The post holder will need to have outstanding people skills, including personal resilience, empathy and confidence to build and sustain relationships. They will have a willingness to work collaboratively and flexibly, be able to inspire confidence and leadership in others.
This role would suit someone with experience of working in a highly relational and creative way with those who have complex needs; experience of working with volunteers; experience of developing projects and activities; experience of carrying out a range of project administration tasks, and enthusiasm for working in a small faith-based organisation.
Duration: 12-month fixed-term contract; potentially renewable dependent on funding
Hours: Part-Time; 30 hours a week/four days a week. Flexible working is possible
Salary: £28,000 pro rata (22,400 p.a. for 30 hours)
Pension: Additional 10% of salary of employer’s contribution
Flexible working for the post is possible; the postholder must be available to attend the Thursday Day Centre between 9:30-4 pm. Candidates seeking a role of fewer hours (22.5-30 hours a week) will also be considered. We welcome applications from refugees and those with refugee background.
To apply: send your CV and a covering letter, outlining how you meet the job description, by e-mail to Cristina Pecheanu (cristina.pecheanu@jrs.net).
Closing date for applications is: 10am Monday 11th November
Interviews will likely be held in London on Wednesday 20th November
Only short-listed candidates will be notified.
