Deputy Director (External Relations)

Women for Refugee Women

£45,000 - £50,000

London

Full-time, permanent (flexible, part time and job share considered)

Women for Refugee Women is a dynamic charity that was founded in 2007 to support and champion women who have sought asylum in the UK.

We work alongside women who have lived through extreme trauma, and are trying to create change at a time when the political environment is increasingly resistant but we are always eager to move forwards and to find ways to support one another, and the women in the network, to build a fairer world for women who have sought asylum.

We have an overarching vision that women who seek asylum in the UK should be able to live safely and with freedom to make their own choices. We currently work in three main ways: to offer activities that enable women who have sought asylum to connect and build their confidence and skills; to enable women who have sought asylum to communicate their own stories to wide audiences; to advocate for policy change and a fairer asylum process.

The organisation is energetic and stable, with an experienced Board of Trustees, a skilled staff team, a good level of reserves in an endowment fund, as well as positive relationships with funders and donors, which all provide a great foundation for our future development.

Above all, Women for Refugee Women enjoys a high reputation because of our commitment to centring the women we work alongside, and creating opportunities for them to tell their own stories and campaign for changes they want to see.

The Role

As we seek to grow and increase our influence, the management of our external relations in support of our campaigning and advocacy work will be key to achieving our ambitions for the women we work with and represent.

We are looking for someone who will contribute to the overall strategic and operational leadership of the charity and have specific lead responsibility for the development and management of Women for Refugee Womens external relations with partner organisations, influencers and policy makers in order to increase reach and impact of our advocacy, campaigning and communications work.

The Person

The ideal candidate will bring demonstrable experience of managing external relations and strategic partnerships in campaigning and advocacy, experience of devising and implementing communications strategies, networking, and building partnerships with influencers, policy makers, and key stakeholders.

If you bring experience of working with women who have sought asylum and/or survived gender-based violence this will be a bonus.

How to apply

For an informal conversation about the role, please contact our recruitment partner, Carroll Lloyd, Director, NFP Consulting on 07765 001 033 or email carroll.lloyd@nfpconsulting.co.uk

Application is CV and Supporting Statement stating your reasons for applying and how your experience and knowledge meet the criteria set out in the Person Specification.

We are also happy to accept written applications in whatever format works best for you. Please contact us and tell us how you would prefer to apply for the role.

Closing date: 10.00 a.m. Monday 17th January 2022

Selection process and timescales
Stage 1 - week beginning 24th January

First round of screening interviews conducted by NFP Consulting.

Stage 2 - week beginning 31st January

Formal panel interviews with the Director and trustees.

During the course of the selection process there will be the opportunity for candidates to meet with staff and other stakeholders. The format and the conduct of the selection process will need to take account of, and comply with, legal requirements and Government guidance for the containment of the spread of COVID-19.

Women for Refugee Women is committed to diversity and inclusion in its workforce. We seek to attract applications from the widest possible talent pool and to appoint on ability irrespective of race, religion, age, disability (including hidden disabilities), marital/civil partnership status, gender identity, or sexual orientation. We particularly welcome applications from candidates with lived experience of seeking asylum who can lead and influence change for the women we serve. Women for Refugee Women actively promotes a culture where people can be themselves, are valued for their strengths and are recognised for the contribution they make to the achievement of our mission.