c/o Touchstone, 32 Merton Road, Bradford, BD7 1RE

| T: 01274 727525 | F: 01274 395934

BEACON McKenzie Friends Coordinator

Hours / 8 hours per week
Salary / £18, 070 (pro rata)[NJC Pay Scale 4 Spinal Column 18]
Contract / The post is for 1 year with the expectation of continuation, dependant on funding
Location / BEACON office, c/o Touchstone, 32 Merton Road, Bradford, BD7 1RE
Deadline for applications / 9am, Friday 20th October 2017
Interview / Friday 3rd November 2017
Start date / ASAP
Responsible to / Team Leader
Holiday entitlement / 28 days plus 8 public holidays (pro-rata)

Job Purpose

Following a recent strategic review, BEACON is seeking to appoint a Coordinator to oversee and develop the McKenzie Friends project.

BEACON was established 12 years ago to meet the varied needs of asylum seekers in the Bradford district through its four projects: Hosting, CHAT Phoenix House, CHAT Conversation Club and McKenzie Friends.

McKenzie Friends is a volunteer-led project which offers practical and moral support to asylum seekers without legal representation, accompanying them to court hearings and/or offering support to submit asylum appeals and fresh claims.

The McKenzie Friends Coordinator will be responsible for the delivery of the project, including recruitment and supervision of volunteers, liaising with other agencies, record-keeping for monitoring purposes and developing the project.

BEACON is seeking to expand the McKenzie Friends project in line with gaps in local service provision, therefore a key aspect of the role will involve working closely with the Team Leader to develop the service accordingly.

If you have any questions about the post, please contact Katy Armitstead, Team Leader ( | 01274 727 525 I 07419 990578)

Between 6th – 20th October, please contact Eithne Dodwell (Chair of McKenzie Friends)on 01274 815936

Please send completed applications to:

Please note:CVs and additional pages extra to the application form will not be accepted and applications must be word processed. Applicants must complete the application form provided.Applications received after the deadline will not be accepted.

We regret that at present our office is not accessible to anyone with limited mobility.

Job Description

  • To be responsible for the co-ordination and day-to-day running of the McKenzie Friends project
  • To coordinate new referrals from potential McKenzie Friends clients and circulate to McKenzie Friends volunteers, arrange screening appointments and follow-up meetings
  • To liaise with the Immigration and Asylum Chamber First Tier Tribunal and organisations working with asylum seekers, to support service users and promote the project
  • To recruit, plan and assist with training, and provide ongoing support to volunteers to ensure successful delivery of the project
  • To keep records and data relating to the project for monitoring purposes and provide regular reports to trustees
  • To attend regular team meetings and the annual BEACON and McKenzie Friendsaway days
  • To keep up-to-date with relevant asylum law, and to ensure the project handbook is updated regularly
  • To ensure the McKenzie Friends project is compliant with BEACON policies and legal requirements (for example, health and safety, data protection, etc)
  • To work with the Team Leader todevelop the project in line with identified needs
  • To attend relevant training as and when required, to enhance ability to carry out the role

Person Specification

Please refer to the specification below when completing the application form

Key

E = Essential, D= Desirable

Modes of assessment: A = Application Form / I = Interview

E / D / A/ I
EXPERIENCE
Experience of working with asylum seekers (voluntary or paid) / E / A
Experience of recruiting and managing volunteers / E / A
Experience of partnership working with external organisations and groups / D / A
Experience of working or volunteering for a small charity or voluntary organisation / D / A
Experience of developing services and projects / D / A
SPECIALIST KNOWLEDGE / QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge and understanding of reasons why people seek sanctuary in the UK / E / A / I
Knowledge and understanding of the UK asylum system and associated documentation / E / A / I
An understanding of the difference between legal support and legal advice / E / A / I
OISC accreditation at level 3 or below / willingness to work towards level 3 accreditation within specified timeframe / D / A
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Able to work with a high level of autonomy / E / A / I
Good organisational skills / E / A / I
High level of written and spoken English / E / A / I
Good interpersonal skills and the ability to relate to people of different backgrounds / E / A / I
Ability to build and maintain working relationships with other organisations / E / A / I
Ability to work independently and as part of a team / E / A / I
Ability to use Microsoft Word, Excel and email / E / A
Ability to keep accurate records and write reports / E / A / I
Ability to deliver training / E / A / I
Ability to ensure project compliance with policies and procedures in relation to safeguarding,confidentiality, data protection, health and safety and equal opportunities / E / A / I
PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES
Ability to work flexibly to meet the demands of the post / E / A
Available to work on Tuesdays and Fridays / D / A
Able to undertake occasional weekend and evening work / D / A
DISPOSITION / ATTITUDE
Interest in and sensitivity towards the needs of asylum seekers / E / A / I
Respect for cultural, ethnic and religious diversity / E / A / I
Willing to undertake training and take part in regular supervision to develop skills and maximise the role / E / A / I
Sympathy with BEACON’s Mission Statement and Objectives / E / A / I
A friendlyyet professional approach / E / A / I

Sep 2017

Registered Charity Number: 1119463