Guardian UK Jobs – Service Manager

About the job

BRITISH RED CROSS

Service Manager – Refugee Services

Are you a manager who’s passionate about making a positive difference to people in crisis as a result of their migration status?

We have an exciting opportunity for a Service Manager to join our Refugee Support team based in Luton. As part of the East England Refugee Support team, the post holder will develop and manage our service in Luton and Hertfordshire. You’ll provide direct line management to a team and will have responsibility for internal performance and resource management. The team are going through a period of change and development, so you’ll work closely with them to build their confidence in casework skills, and will support them to grow and develop, both individually and as a team.

Reporting to the Refugee Services Operations Manager (RSOM), you’ll work alongside them, the wider area management team and other internal teams at the British Red Cross to proactively develop services, build our external engagement, develop local partnerships, and scope out funding opportunities. As we embed our new ten-year strategy at the British Red Cross, you’ll work closely with the management team to feed into new models of working for Refugee Services.

The British Red Cross embraces hybrid working where possible. This role has been classed as a Flexi role and as such, you will split your time between home and BRC workplace. This is a Mon – Fri role where we try to be flexible with our teams needs and responsibilities outside of work. More of which can be discussed at interview.

About The Team

The team provides casework, destitution and emotional support to refugees, asylum seekers and other vulnerable migrants living in Luton and Hertfordshire, many of whom are experiencing social isolation, trauma and separation while trying to navigate complex legal systems within the UK. We are part of a wider East of England refugee support team with colleagues in Norwich, Peterborough and Chelmsford. Together we support refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants from across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Essex, Cambridge, Norfolk and Suffolk.

This role might be for you if…

• You have strong operational management skills, in conjunction with experience delivering client-focused projects and activities to vulnerable people with complex needs. You’ll also ideally have experience in delivering casework to these groups.
• You have excellent communication and relationship building skills, as well as experience liaising with external agencies on a frequent basis. You should also have the ability to develop and maintain internal and external partnerships to agreed outcomes.
• You have an in-depth knowledge of rights, entitlements, and agencies in the field of asylum seekers, refugees, and/or other vulnerable migrants.
• You will be confident in your ability to prepare, manage and monitor budgets and able to collate, interpret and report on a range of management information.
• You’re a competent people manager and know how to get the best out of a team. You’ll also be a great team player and can actively work alongside others to develop and achieve operational plans.
• You’re comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and can juggle your workload and prioritise responsibilities in line with business objectives.
• Ability to drive and access to own vehicle is an advantage to this role (but is not essential).

Closing date for applications is 23.59 on Wednesday, 26th October 2023, with interviews to follow soon after (expected to take place during the week commencing 31st October 2023).

Should you have any questions on this role please email us at quoting vacancy ID #6304

Need help completing your application or supporting statement? Please read our useful “Candidate Application Guidance” document in the “Additional Information” link.

About Refugee Support

Refugee Support provides core services to asylum seekers and refugees, including Orientation, Destitution Support including casework, Family Reunion Integration and Travel Assistance.

The British Red Cross Refugee Support work closely with the refugee sector and wider community partners participating in City Wide forums to promote access to services and support integration.

For people in crisis, as a result of their migration status, in need of protection, displaced and often having experienced family loss and separation our Refugee Support and Restoring Family Links team will deliver on our unique position and responsibility as part a truly global humanitarian organisation, present at every stage on the migratory trail to:

• Reduce destitution and exploitation
• Restore family links and facilitate reunion
• Challenge stigma and build inclusion
• Ensure protection and empower people to make positive decisions to regain control of their lives

We will do this by mobilising the power of humanity through three distinct vehicles for change – advocacy, service delivery and by creating the right environment.

We will engage with our service users and use their experience and evidence to inform our development and delivery and will seek out opportunities to build productive alliances across the UK, wider movement and beyond to enable delivery on our mission at the earliest opportunity.

What You’ll Get In Return

As well as a rewarding role with a global charity, you’ll get access to a wide range of benefits, these include:

• 36 days holiday (including Bank Holidays) – pro rata for fixed-term roles
• Option to buy an extra 5 days annual leave
• Up to 6% contributory pension
• Flexible working policy
• Discounts from a range of online and high street retailers

A Little Bit More About Us…

The British Red Cross help anyone, anywhere in the UK; get the support they need if crisis strikes. From hiring a wheelchair or dealing with loneliness, to adjusting to life in a new country – we’re there when you need us. Our organisation was born out of a desire to bring help without discrimination. Impartiality and neutrality have been central values for the Red Cross since we started.

At the British Red Cross, we are looking for the best people to help us provide support to millions of people affected by crisis in the UK. We want our team to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, offering equal opportunities to everyone, regardless of; age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. Diversity is something we celebrate and we want you to be able to bring your authentic-self to the Red Cross. We want you to feel that you are in an inclusive environment, and a great position to help us spread the power of kindness.

In the British Red Cross we will not tolerate any form of misconduct, including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse. We have a code of conduct in place, and are committed to creating a culture of integrity in the organisation where misconduct is not tolerated, situations of abuse are quickly investigated and perpetrators are dealt with effectively.

If you are appointed to a role within BRC you will be subject to the organisation’s Code of Conduct, a copy of which you can find on our website. As part of its recruitment and selection process the British Red Cross undertakes DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checking of all individuals who regularly work with or have access to children and vulnerable adults. If driving is an essential requirement of the role, appropriate driver checks will be completed in line with current policy.

The British Red Cross, incorporated by Royal Charter 1908, is a charity registered in England and Wales (220949) and Scotland (SC037738).

Follow us on Twitter @RedCrossJobsUK and on Linkedin – British Red Cross, to hear about our latest job vacancies.

Connecting human kindness with human crisis