Job Description

Suffolk Refugee Support - Charity no. 1078794, provides support and advice to asylum seekers and refugees who are resident in Suffolk.

This is an exciting new role responsible for ensuring that the organisation’s projects are developed, delivered and managed effectively.It is partly funded by the Big Lottery and European Social Fund.

We run a drop-in Advice and Advocacy Service from our Ipswich town centre office on three days of the week, staffed by Support Workers and volunteers. This incorporates an Employment Service to help clients with all aspects of becoming jobs-ready.

We provide six ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages) classes per week, focussing on low level English for refugees and asylum seekers. Alongside these classes, we organise classes with embedded ESOL (such as IT and health classes) which are delivered by external training providers and are designed to improve our clients’ employment skills and health.

Our other activities include the International Women’s Group where around 25 women per week are taught English and practical skills by a group of volunteers; young refugees’ activities and sports group; a “Friends” social group for asylum seekers and one to one academic support sessions.

We also deliver talks and information workshops to give the facts about asylum seekers and refugees in the UK and are leading on FGM Prevention work with new communities in Suffolk.

Job Purpose

This is an exciting new role within Suffolk Refugee Support. The role will form part of the Senior Management Team (SMT) for SRS under the direction of the Charity Manager. 

As the Operations Manager you will be responsible for ensuring that the organisation’s projects are developed, delivered and managed effectively.  As well as leading and motivating your team to work in a way that engenders the team’s respect and is imaginative and responsive to the needs of our clients, you’ll champion the service to internal and external stakeholders alike. 

Main Deliverables

Programme Management

• Manage a programme of services, to include:

English Language teaching

International Women’s Group

Young Refugees work

Friends Group

Women’s & families’ support

FGM prevention work

Health improvement services

Volunteer coordination

Other activities/ services as they are developed.

• Ensure the services have the staff, volunteers and resources needed to run
• Understand service quality and make changes to improve project delivery
• Ensure that activities are accurately recorded by service delivery staff and that outcomes are captured and reported appropriately in line with funder requirements
• Understand project funding and donor requirements, and ensure that project budgets are adhered to
• Assist with monitoring and evaluation of projects
• Managing all aspects of risk
• Write progress reports for SMT meetings

Line Management

• Provide support for key service delivery personnel and one to one meetings regarding the delivery of their projects
• Develop and maintain individual work plans within each project
• Hold regular supervision meetings with each direct report to ensure they are working to agreed standards and achieving the outcomes set out in work plans
• Have regular SMT meetings to monitor staff performance and development, and to work towards more effective working practices.
• Support the Charity Manager and Trustees with disciplinary proceedings with staff and volunteers if required
• Assist with recruitment and induction of new personnel into the organisation
• Ensure all policies and procedures, including health and safety and equal opportunities, are maintained by staff in all our activities

Networking & Partnership Development

• Develop relationships with other agencies and service providers for networking and partnership development
• Work with external providers to ensure services are appropriate for our client group

.

Service Development

• Identify, by direct client contact and in partnership with other service providers, the needs of asylum and refugee groups and individuals in Suffolk
• Research, plan and develop innovative ways to meet needs identified, in liaison with staff, volunteers, service users and other organisations

Key supporting tasks

• To provide management cover for the Charity Manager and Advice Service Manager when they are away from the office in external meetings and on annual leave
• Provide occasional support and advice to service users
• Be responsible for petty cash administration

Awareness raising, and donor / supporter relationships

• Write short articles for the quarterly supporter newsletter
• Give talks and workshops to external organisations as required

With the support of the Charity Manager, the post holder will be expected to manage their own workload and prioritise between short and long term goals.

The post holder will be expected to observe and comply with Suffolk Refugee Support’s policies and procedures and observe and continually promote equality and inclusion and client care in compliance with organisational aims and objectives.

To undertake any other duties as may reasonably be required in line with the level of responsibility of the post and in order to meet the changing needs of the organisation.  This job description will be subject to periodic review with the post-holder to ensure it accurately reflects the duties of the job.

Equal Opportunities Statement

As part of its recruitment policy, the Suffolk Refugee Support intends to ensure that no prospective or actual employee is discriminated against on the basis of race, sex, nationality, sexual orientation, class, disability, age, religious belief, ethnicity, or political persuasion, or is disadvantaged by any condition or requirement that is not demonstrably justifiable.

 

All new staff will be required to show evidence of permission to work in the UK.
Person Specification

Job Title: Operations Manager

Reports to: Charity Manager

Please refer to each of these person specification requirements when completing your application form. Essential = E Desirable = D

Experience, Skills and Knowledge

E/D

You will hold a relevant degree level / professional qualification in social care, community work or equivalent,

D

Programme management :

Excellent knowledge and experience of supporting and managing community projects or programmes.

E

Understanding of assessment measures to monitor service quality and knowledge and experience of monitoring and evaluation techniques

E

Financial skills with understanding of project funding in the voluntary sector, and donor requirements

D

Staff management experience:

Experience of managing staff with knowledge of HR procedures

E

Previous experience of working in a busy public-facing organisation.

D

Experience of developing new services and knowledge of participatory consultation / research techniques

D

Knowledge & understanding of the needs and entitlements of asylum seekers and refugees coupled with some understanding of the asylum process and up to date legislation.

E

Experience of working with refugees or other vulnerable clients

E

Good communication skills, with the ability to present information clearly both in the written and spoken form to a variety of audiences, including refugees whose first language is not English. 

E

Networking and Partnership Development: A well-organised approach and excellent communication and negotiating skills

E

IT skills: Microsoft Excel, Word, Publisher and PowerPoint.  Experience with database. Fully competent using Word, Excel and Outlook.

E

Excellent organisational, record keeping and report writing skills

E

Personal Attributes

Friendly approachable manner and the ability to put people at their ease

E

A commitment to equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice.

E

The ability to manage conflicting pressures with a calm approach

E

Commitment to equal opportunities and supporting refugees in the UK

E

Ability to work in a team

E

Flexible approach and willingness to work outside the office in various settings

E

This role is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced Check