Refugee Communications and Campaigns Officer

4 days left

Location
Manchester, Greater Manchester
Salary
£28,000-30,000 per annum (depending on experience)
Posted
15 Oct 2024
Closes
14 Nov 2024
Contract type
Fixed Term

Refugee Communications and Campaign Officer

Hours Per Week: Full Time (Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm)

Location: Manchester

Salary: £28,000 – £30,000 per annum depending on experience

Closing: Saturday 2nd November 2024, 11:59pm

Leave: 28 days annual leave including Bank Holidays

Contract: 2 years fixed term contract with possibility of extension depending on funding availability

Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer

African Rainbow Family is looking for a dynamic campaigner and communicator passionately committed to upholding the rights of LGBTIQ+ people seeking asylum and refugees in England and Wales and across the UK at a critical time for the future of the asylum system and the rights of refugees. We are a small, specialist team of campaign professionals based around the UK, working with an extensive network of frontline partners to advocate for progressive change in the asylum and immigration system. In addition to the Chief Executive Officer, the team are based in Birmingham (covering the West Midlands), Leeds (covering Yorkshire and Humber), Manchester (covering the North West), London (covering the South of England) and Swansea (covering Wales). The successful candidate will work with a small African Rainbow Family’s team in partnership with local and national organisations and networks to develop and implement strategies for promoting change locally and nationally. To that end, they will have experience of successfully developing and delivering creative and impactful campaigns that have achieved policy change. They will be an effective communicator, able to build strong partnerships and work collaboratively with partners to identify gaps, amplify existing work and facilitate connections.

They will be a self-starter, able to spot influencing opportunities and swiftly mobilise support to seize them. They will have excellent knowledge of the asylum system and a commitment to providing a platform for the voices of those with direct experience of it. This is a position which may include some evening and weekend work for meetings and events. We welcome applications from people of all abilities/disabilities and backgrounds as we believe that each person brings their own valuable experiences to what we do.

We encourage people with lived experience (Expert by Experience) of the UK asylum system to apply. Job application support is available for the Expert by Experience (refugees and migrants) applying for this role. See further information in the HOW TO APPLY section below.

The successful candidate must have the right to work in the UK.

 

Get to know us...

African Rainbow Family (ARF) is the Leading National Expert by Experience Grassroots Charity Campaigning and Advocating for Racial Justice & Human Rights of LGBTIQ+ Refugees and People Seeking Asylum of African Heritage & the Global Majority. This includes people of African heritage, the wider Black Asian Minority Ethnic groups and anyone that identifies as an LGBT+ refugee and/or seeking asylum. We provide peer support, advocacy, advice, information and counselling. ARF was established in 2014 by a lesbian in the wake of some Commonwealth countries in Africa’s toxic and draconian anti-gay laws; persecutions and environment which seek to criminalise LGBTIQ+ people for the preference of whom they choose to love.

ARF provides:

• Support For LGBTIQ+ Refugees and People Seeking Asylum

• Support communities who face constant harassment, hate crimes and discrimination heaped on them by an ignorant society because of their sexuality or sexual preferences and or gender identity.

• Campaigning For Global LGBTIQ+ Equality.

Since it was established in 2014, African Rainbow Family has played a significant role in bringing about positive change for refugees and people seeking sanctuary in the UK. We are part of many campaign organisations, including the award-winning Lift the Ban coalition campaign that brings together over 250 organisations, from charities and think tanks to trade unions and local authorities, calling for the right to work for people seeking asylum.

Together with high-profile national campaigning organisations, we work with front-line organisations to expose and address a range of issues that affect the rights and wellbeing of people in the asylum system, such as a fairer and humane asylum system, housing standards and asylum support rates. We are a catalyst and convenor of collaboration and joint action. Our work helps strengthen collective advocacy on asylum reform and bridges the gap between policy and the reality on the ground.

We became a charity in late 2019 last year and have ambitious plans for the future as we seek to maximise the potential of our collaborative campaigning and communication model and identify opportunities for change at local, regional and national levels, in a challenging external environment. Our main office is in Manchester with 4 other centres in Leeds, Birmingham, London and Swansea. A mix of working at home and the office is likely for the foreseeable future. There is however, a need for commitment for time in the office. This can be arranged. We therefore welcome applicants from across the UK.

 

Benefits include:

• 28 days annual leave including Bank Holidays

• Equipment to support remote working.

• Flexible working policy.

• Generous pension scheme.

• Development and growth opportunities.

• Free parking at our office.

• Paid staff day off on their birthday.

• Paid 2 duvet days a year.

• Salary review.

• Employee reward scheme.

• Employee wellbeing support.

• Paid Sick leave after 6 months.

• Cost of living crisis support.

 

Attachments

• Job description and person specifications

• Application and equal opportunity forms

• Policy on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders

 

HOW TO APPLY:

Please read the job description and person specification.

Please see details here: Email your completed application form and optional monitoring form to recruitment@africanrainbowfamily.org. For more information on this role or for an informal discussion please contact Aderonke Apata, Founder and CEO: 07939239643.

If you know of someone who might be interested in this vacancy, please ask them to get in touch. The successful applicant will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check and to disclose all non-protected criminal records at the point of conditional job offer. We are sorry that we are unable to provide feedback to unsuccessful candidates.

 

Job Description

 

Main Responsibilities: Campaigning

● Work collaboratively with and support local campaigns and networks working on asylum and refugee issues, in keeping with the aims and values of African Rainbow Family;

● Strengthen existing networks by building campaigns capacity and expertise and broadening the engagement of additional local groups and activists;

● Support and encourage LGBTIQ+ people with direct experience of seeking asylum to engage in campaigns;

● Proactively identify influencing opportunities and mobilise support to capitalise on them;

● Collate local evidence and case studies in support of identified UK-level campaigns and ensure these issues inform UK policy debates;

● Support local organisations and networks to campaign on local issues where appropriate including working to influence local authorities, the UK Government, Members of Parliament, and UK Government Departments;

● Share campaigning ideas and suggestions of best practice from other regions and nations;

● Lead on the development and delivery of specific African Rainbow Family campaigns at a UK level.

 

Movement Building In consultation and collaboration with partner organisations:

● Develop, refine and implement strategies for promoting change in LGBTIQ+ asylum system across the UK;

● Influence decision-makers such as Peers, MPs, local councillors and others;

● Build relationships with local journalists and facilitate the coverage of positive stories in local and national media;

● Engage with organisations and individuals beyond the refugee and asylum sector to build support and joint working;

● Engage and mobilise a wider community support base to take action on campaigns.

● Write campaign materials, resources and actions for supporters. Communication

• Deliver communications to key audience groups, such as beneficiaries, corporate partners, funders and supporters, volunteers, target public audiences and journalists.

• Write excellently, edit, coordinate, and publish content across various channels, including the website, social media, and in printed and online marketing materials.

• Work with the CEO to expand the communication team. PR and media

• Increase African Rainbow Family’s profile through press and social media

• Raise awareness of the African Rainbow Family’s work and gain media coverage or exposure through local, regional or national press, radio, online and TV

• Write press releases, articles, and statements. • Respond to requests from the press and maximise opportunities for further engagement on relevant topics

• Develop relationships with the press, journalists, and influencers • Act as a spokesperson when necessary. 

• Manage and update content for the website and any related blogs • Use WordPress effectively to manage the website

• Use Google Analytics reports to make recommendations to maximise the website’s potential. Social media

• Manage African Rainbow Family’s social media accounts day-to-day • Create a social media strategy to increase supporter engagement

• Develop strategic communications, social media campaigns and digital content that will help further organisational goals, e.g. around key LGBTIQ+ days and campaigns

• Produce monthly reports detailing social media activity and identifying trends and opportunities to meet reach and engagement targets. 

• Create an email communication strategy for African Rainbow Family’s audiences

• Manage the Mailchimp platform and drive continual improvements

• Train internal staff on how to write for and create engaging email content

• Produce quarterly newsletters. Stories and stakeholder management

• Write success stories including those of beneficiaries and staff

• Oversee the management of a stories database, actively collating stories and images, gaining relevant permissions and ensuring GDPR compliance

• Act as a key relationship manager for beneficiaries who are active storytellers. Brand, copywriting and design

• Ensure consistent African Rainbow Family’s branding is used across all channels

• Write creative briefs and produce content as required for external and internal audiences

• Maintain library system for photography, film and stories that is GDPR compliant

• Manage copywriting for communications materials.

• Line manage communication interns and freelance consultants • Help market and run forthcoming events both online and in-person

• Review and approve all communications to guarantee consistency and clarity of voice

• Generate awareness of current trends, awareness days/events and any other relevant activities and news which could be integrated into communications planning

• Produce regular performance reports to the CEO. Organisational

● Oversee African Rainbow Family’s activities, ensuring that it remains true to its aims and values;

● Write content for African Rainbow Family’s website, social media channels and email updates;

● Take part in regular team calls and face-to-face team meetings with African Rainbow Family staff;

● Work with the team to define campaign priorities and benchmarks for success;

● Oversee expenditure, maintaining appropriate records;

● Ensure proper monitoring and reporting of campaigns activities and support the CEO in reporting to funders and any other independent evaluation;

● Undertake other tasks as relevant and commensurate with the post.

 

Essential Person Specification

1. Driven and passionate worker with the initiative to make the role their own, implement improvements and changes where needed, and be proactive in their role.

2. Experience of developing and implementing an advocacy and/or campaigns strategy

3. Knowledge and understanding of how to influence local and national decision-makers, councils, parliamentarians and other campaign targets

4. Experience of achieving positive changes in policy and practice

5. Knowledge of how the asylum system impacts LGBTIQ+ people seeking asylum

6. Experience of providing a platform for those directly affected by injustice

7. Ability to build strong partnerships and maintain positive working relationships with individuals and organisations

8. Ability to write clear and concise reports, briefings and other campaigns materials

9. Excellent oral and written communication skills including proven ability to design and deliver presentations and talks to a variety of audiences

10.Proven ability to think strategically, solve problems and lead decision-making

11.Ability to be proactive and flexible and to work independently

12.Ability to travel within England and Wales

13. Committed to African Rainbow Family’s vision, mission and strategic objectives

14.A commitment to Data Protection, GDPR and Confidentiality

15.Demonstrate interest and commitment to working with marginalised groups

16.A minimum of two years’ experience in communications

17.Demonstrable knowledge, experience, and expertise in a press, PR or communications environment

18. A proven ability to build strong working relationships with journalists, target audiences, corporations and other stakeholders

19. A “hands on” individual who is also able to operate at a strategic level

20.Attention to details

21.Ability to work independently as well as part of a team

22.Highly creative, with experience in identifying target audiences and devising digital campaigns that engage, inform, and motivate Desirable

23.Direct experience of the asylum process or of working with people seeking asylum

24.Written and oral other language skills

25.Experience of building and leading coalitions, or of facilitating joint advocacy or campaigns initiatives

26.Experience of working with the media and using social media platforms 27.Experience of working with communication and campaign design tools such as Canva

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