Service: / Migrant Children’s Project, Coram Children’s Legal Centre
Reporting to: / Policy and Programmes Manager
Accountable to: / Policy and Programmes Manager
Supervisory responsibilities: / MCP volunteers
Hours and location / Central London, Maternity Cover
SalaryRange: / £32,300k pro rata
Coram is a progressive and responsive children’s charity which draws upon a distinguished history and reputation for contemporary practice in creating better chances for children. With some 250 staff, a distinctive headquarters near King’s Cross and service delivery teams across England, Coram strives to be a credible, respectful, professional, dynamic and committed organisation where these values infuse all that we do to promote the welfare and rights of children.
Part of the Coram group, Coram Children's Legal Centre is the UK's leading children's legal charity. We are committed to promoting children's rights in the UK and worldwide. We provide free legal information, advice and representation to children, young people, their families, carers and professionals, as well as training and consultancy on child law and children’s rights.
The Migrant Children’s Project (MCP) at Coram Children’s Legal Centre promotes the rights of migrant, asylum-seeking and refugee children and young people and works to ensure that they receive the protection and support they need. The MCP provides one-to-one legal advice through an advice line and outreach advice programme, a range of free resources and online information, and training to practitioners working with young refugees and migrants. It undertakes research and policy advocacy to protect and promote the rights of migrant children in UK legislation and policy
Purpose of the Role:This role supports the managementand effective running of the Migrant Children’s Project, with specific responsibility for policy advocacy to ensure the rights of migrant children are promoted and protected; the development and delivery of the MCP’s training programme and the provision of legal advice and guidance.
Main Duties & Responsibilities:- To develop and deliver the approved programme of policy advocacy, leading and contributing to consultation responses, briefings and research projects on relevant areas.
- To establish and maintain effective interaction with relevant partners to promote the rights of children and advance CCLC’s position as a leader in the arena of legal practice and policy.
- To supervise and support administrative staff working within the MCP team and volunteers when appropriate.
- To lead on the planning, development and delivery of training, including direct delivery where appropriate.
- To provide information by phone and email on issues affecting young refugees and migrants and develop guidance on relevant legal issues.
- To ensure MCP targets are met and oversee the effective monitoring and evaluation of all the Project’s advice and training work.
- To represent MCP and CCLC as appropriate and within areas of competence in meetings, policy forums and research settings
- To work with the Head of Communications for the group to support an appropriate programme of media promotion and comment, acting as a commentator if/when authorised.
- To work closely with Coram’s Commercial team in ensuring the sustainability and development of the MCP, including the preparation of funding proposals and reporting as authorised.
- Any other duties within competence as agreed.
Person Specification
Knowledge and experience- Working knowledge of legislation and policy affecting children and young people in England, with a focus on immigration, asylum and nationality law(E)
- Knowledge of policy and political landscape and parliamentary and legislative structures, processes and regulations with experience of appropriate tools and approaches to influence policy (D)
- Knowledge of the network of organisations who support children and young people (E)
- Experience of developing and delivering training to statutory and non-statutory audiences (D)
- Experience in the provision of legal advice and/or outreach services for children and young people(E)
- Experience of project management and reporting includingthe analysis of information, outcomes and statistics (E)
Qualifications, skills and personal attributes
- Law degree or equivalent knowledge/qualification in the arena of children’s human rights (E) and postgraduate qualification (D)
- Strong research and writing skills with the ability to negotiate complex information in a clear manner and to write and present well-argued cases (E)
- Professional approach to personal presentation with highly developed inter-personal skills (E)
- Able to exercise discretion, responsiveness and authority and to achieve results by influence and persuasion as well as written argument (E)
- Excellent written and verbal communications skills including reporting, presentation and direct delivery of training. (E)
- Proficient use of business IT systems including Microsoft office and web based systems (E)
- Willingness to get things done by effective team working and delegation as well as delivering a wide range of tasks efficiently and independently with strong administration, organisation and attention to detail (E)
- A flexible approach including ability to attend meetingson an extended or alternative day by arrangement when necessary. (E)