Refugee Activity Co-ordinator
The Jesuit Refugee Service is recruiting for a new post of Refugee Activity Co-ordinator
JRS is an international Catholic organisation, at work in 50 countries with a mission to accompany, serve and advocate on behalf of refugees and other forcibly displaced persons. Our work is founded on principles of Catholic Social Teaching and imbued with an Ignatian charism. In the UK, JRS’ work is focused on supporting destitute asylum seekers and those who are held in immigration detention. Our East London office is home to a variety of activities welcoming asylum seekers during the week as well as coordination of our work in detention. We also run a hosting scheme and will soon begin a legal advice service. We place a high value on hospitality and relationship. Our tightly knit team includes paid staff and volunteers of different ages, nationalities and backgrounds, including members of religious orders and refugees.
The Refugee Activity Co-ordinator is a new part-time post (1.5 days a week) 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.
JRS UK has been working with destitute asylum seekers for many years and would now like to expand the services and activities we provide to those we serve. The Refugee Activity Co-ordinator will be responsible for the development and coordination of a new pilot project aimed at offering one or two participatory refugee-led activities for those made destitute by the asylum process. This project will build on our existing activities of drama, Gospel Choir and Photography workshops; centring on a refugee-led approach aimed at improving the skills, confidence and community participation of those involved. With a strong focus on participatory co-facilitation, we envisage these new activities to provide opportunities for refugees to set direction for this project and foster peer-to-peer support and leadership development. 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.
The Refugee Activity 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 as appropriate, with the aim of refugees leading the activities themselves in the future. This busy and varied role requires an ability to develop relationships with a variety of people in order to successfully co-ordinate activities. The Refugee Activity Co-ordinator will work closely with our Day Centre Officer to support and coordinate volunteers attached to the refugee-led activities. There will be an opportunity to explore project ideas and design activities creatively in collaboration with refugees.
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 comfortable in facilitating peer sessions and be able to inspire confidence and leadership in others. This role would suit someone with experience of working in a highly relational way with those who have complex needs; experience of working with volunteers; experience of developing facilitating projects and activities; experience of carrying out a range of project administration tasks, and enthusiasm for working in a small faith-based organisation.
Salary: £6,000 pro rata (£20K pa full time equivalent)
Contract: Part time, 11.25 hours/week, 12-month fixed-term contract; potentially renewable.
To apply for the job, send a cover letter and CV by email, addressed to the Destitution Services Manager of JRS UK, Cristina Pecheanu, at cristina.pecheanu@jrs.net, detailing your relevant experience and demonstrating clearly how you meet the person specification listed in the job description. CVs without cover letters will not be considered.
Deadline for applications is 5pm on Wednesday 2nd January. Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.
Interviews likely to be held on Monday 14th January.
