STAR

REGIONAL ASYLUM ACTIVISM PROJECT

ACTIVISM CO-ORDINATOR, WEST MIDLANDS

Job Title:Activism Co-ordinator

Location:Birmingham, to cover the West Midlands region

Hours:Full time (35 hours per week)

Salary:£25,000 per annum

Leave:25 days per annum

Responsible to:Chief Executive

Closing date:9 November 2015, 9am

Interview date:Week beginning 23rd November

Regional Asylum Activism uses regional organising to achievea louder, better coordinated voice for asylum seekers and refugees in the West Midlands, Yorkshire & Humberside and the North West. We have a dual focus:

  • To inform and change attitudes about asylum seekers and refugees.
  • To campaign for positive change to the asylum system.

RAAsupports existing campaigns and increases the involvement of those with direct experience of asylum to build movements in support of change. Further information can be found at

RAA is a STAR project in partnership with Still Human Still Here and Network for Social Change, established in 2012.There are three Regional Activism Co-ordinators who are hosted by local refugee agencies in Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester and managed by the Chief Executive of STAR.

The successful candidate will work partnership with existing organisations to develop and implement strategies for promoting change in the region.They will have an excellent knowledge of asylum in the UK and the ability to provide a platform for those directly affected by injustice. They will know how to influence politicians, journalists and communities and have experience of achieving policy change. They will be able to build strong partnerships and work collaboratively with individuals and organisations.The postholder will work in close collaboration with the other two Activism Co-ordinators and the Still Human Still Here Co-ordinator.

Job Description

Main Responsibilities:

Promote regional campaigning hub

  • Act as a resource for local campaigns/networks which work to further the interests of asylum seekers in keeping with the aims and values of this project
  • Strengthen existing networks and build practical partnerships
  • Direct resources and opportunities to those with direct experience of seeking asylum to facilitate their involvement

Campaigning

  • Collate regional evidence and case studies in support of identified national campaigns
  • Support local organisations/networks to campaign on regional issues including working to influence the regional Home Office

Attitude Shifting/Movement Building

In consultation and partnership with existing organisations, to:

  • Develop,refine and implement strategies for promoting change in the region
  • Influence key MPs and opinion formers
  • Build relationships with local journalistsand feed positive stories to local media
  • Engage with allied groups where there is potential for untapped support
  • Nurture/publicise outbreaks of community solidarity
  • Create spaces for interaction between refugees/ asylum seekers and the wider community
  • Engage and mobilise a wider community support base to take action/support identified campaigns

Organisational

  • Provide oversight of the projects’ activities in the region, ensuring that it remains true to its aims and values
  • Induct and supervise any volunteers
  • Meet withother staff members as required
  • Work with other members of the staff team to define initial and ongoing campaign priorities and benchmarks for success
  • Oversee the project expenditure within the region, maintaining appropriate records and liaising with the National Co-ordinator regarding expenditure
  • Collate campaign metrics and support any independent evaluation
  • Reportto the National Co-ordinatoron the work of the project
  • Bring difficult or contentious issues to the National Co-ordinator where appropriate

Undertake other tasks as relevant and commensurate with the post.

Person Specification

Essential

  1. Experience of formulating and implementing an advocacy strategy
  2. Knowledge and understanding of how to influence local or national politicians, councils, parliament and policy
  3. Experience of achieving positive changes in policy
  4. Experience of achieving or promoting positive changes in attitudes towards a particular group or issue
  5. Knowledge of the experiences of asylum seekers and a good understanding of the issues they are facing
  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 organise, chair and minute meetings
  9. Ability to write clear, concise reports
  10. Excellent English oral communication skills including proven ability to design and deliver presentations and talks to a variety of audiences
  11. Experience of setting up and maintaining effective record keeping systems
  12. Proven ability to think strategically, solve problems and lead decision-making
  13. Ability to be proactive and flexible and to work independently
  14. Understanding of and commitment to the values and aims of the project
  15. Ability to travel within the UK

Desirable

1.Good knowledge of the asylum system and process and an understanding of their impact on asylum seekers

2.Direct experience of working with asylum seekers

3.Ability to work with the media

Application process

Please fill out the application form

Please email your application to

The closing date for applications is 9am on Monday the 9th November 2015

Interviews will be heldin the week of 23rd of November 2015.

We are sorry that we will are unable to provide feedback to unsuccessful candidates.

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