Introduction
Herts Welcomes Refugees is at a transitional stage of its development, moving from a charity
managed entirely by volunteers to one in which a small team of paid staff at its core facilitate and
support the trustees to guide the work of the 170 or so volunteers. The staff team currently
comprises a Volunteer Coordinator an IT Support Assistant and soon we will also be recruiting an
Administrative Assistant. The Director will also work collaboratively with the (volunteer)
Management Committee, the volunteer teams delivering services across the county and those
volunteers providing support in key areas such as evaluation media and safeguarding.
Having come through a period of rapid development in the last four years, we now need to
consolidate our knowledge and experience and further professionalise how we operate to ensure
the sustainability and further development of the charity. Whilst committed to remaining a
volunteer led charity, we need an energetic and experienced Director to support the trustees in
achieving our objectives and take the charity into the next phase of its development.
This brand-new senior role, which is being created as part of a new three-year funding programme by the
National Lottery Community Fund, is key to the next stage of our development. The postholder
will need to be flexible in working with the Trustees, existing staff team and volunteers to help
steer the charity through this transition.
Main purposes of the job:
1. To work with the trustees and volunteers in developing, supporting and facilitating the work of
the charity and its volunteers to increase the efficiency, effectiveness, quality and consistency of
the services provided to refugees and asylum seekers.
2. To be responsible for the day-to-day management and administration of HWR in line with the
organisation s policies and in compliance with all applicable law and regulation and to manage the
staff team to increase the efficiency of the administration of the charity.
3. To support the trustees in achieving HWR s vision, mission and charitable objects and strategic
objectives and ensure the sustainability of the charity
Major duties and responsibilities:
1. Working with trustees, staff and volunteers
1.1 To manage the staff team to ensure that individual volunteers and area teams are supported
and enabled to offer effective services across the county.
1.2 To work with the management group to ensure its effective organisation.
1.3 To ensure that HWR's values, vision, mission are promoted and practised throughout the
organisation.
1.4 To establish and maintain an effective system for the recruitment, management, training,
support and development of volunteers and staff.
1.6 To support the organisation to ensure the inclusion and voice of service users throughout the
organisation.
1.7 To ensure that structures and systems are in place to comply with law and regulation and to
implement the charity s policies.
1.8 To report to the trustees on the progress of the organisation and on other matters relevant to
the discharge of the trustees responsibilities.
1.9 To formulate proposals for submission to, and approval by, the trustees.
1.10 Working with the trustees, to ensure that the organisation discharges its constitutional and
legal obligations and that the necessary resources are provided and proper standards maintained
for the protection of people and the organisation's assets.
2. Fundraising, Financial and Risk
2.1 To support the trustees in relation to HWR s income generation activities in line with the
organisation's priorities.
2.2 Together with the trustees to consider development of other income streams, including
corporate fundraising and legacies.
2.3 To work with the Treasurer to help develop and monitor the budget.
2.4 To oversee HWR s outsourced payroll administration
2.5 To support the trustees with identifying and managing risk.
3. Knowledge and Information Management
3.1 To develop and implement robust mechanisms for the monitoring, reporting and evaluation of
HWR s work, and the impact and outcomes of its services.
3.2 To work with trustees and staff and volunteers to ensure the efficient operation of the charity
through the development of IT infrastructure, and efficient and effective delivery of services and
back-office administration.
3.3 To work with trustees and staff and volunteers to ensure compliance with all regulation and
good practice in relation to data confidentiality, security, safeguarding and GDPR.
4. General Tasks
4.1 Share with other staff responsibility for providing office cover, including answering the
telephone and website enquiries, keeping records and statistics and self-servicing your own
administration.
4.2 Carry out such other duties and responsibilities as may reasonably be required by the trustees,
commensurate with the objectives and level of responsibilities held by the post.
PERSONAL SPECIFICATION
Skills, Knowledge, Experience and Abilities
Strategic Thinking and Service Delivery
• Knowledge and experience of the UK voluntary sector, preferably including the refugee and
asylum sector and issues affecting refugees and asylum seekers
• Understanding and experience of working effectively with a range of partners to deliver
services and effect positive change
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills, and ability to respond proactively and creatively
to changes in the external and internal environments
• Knowledge and experience of an organisation(s) providing individual services and advocacy
for vulnerable people in community-based services
• Understanding and experience of volunteer management
• Experience of using user-feedback and effective data monitoring and reporting to improve
services
• Experience of producing and contributing to strategic/business plans
Management, Leadership and Governance
• Experience and ability as an effective manager and team builder
• Ability to organise, plan and prioritise the workloads of the staff and volunteer teams
• Ability to motivate staff and volunteers working in a fast-changing environment
• Ability to communicate our vision, mission, objectives and services for a wide range of
audiences
• Experience of working in a multi-cultural/diverse environment
• Knowledge of HR best practice and HR policy development
• Commitment to and understanding of the principles and benefits of Equality, Diversity and
Inclusion (EDI) in the workplace
• Understanding and knowledge of best practice in relation to Safeguarding and Health and
Safety
• Ability to work effectively both individually and as part of a collaborative team
Communications
• Excellent interpersonal skills, both oral and written
• Experience of communicating, networking and working collaboratively with a wide range of
audiences and stakeholders to promote an organisation in its best light
• Computer literate with IT skills, experience of using standard office software, and
familiarity with popular social media channels (LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram)
• Experience of overseeing the production of occasional printed materials
Financial Management and Income Generation
• Understanding financial control within an organisation;
• Experience of leading or contributing to successful fundraising.
Personal qualities
• Commitment to the rights and protection of refugees and asylum seekers
• Commitment to a participative management style
• Ability to work some evenings and occasional weekends
• The ability to travel efficiently and economically to all parts of Herts. Since Herts is a large
county, this is highly likely to mean the ability to drive and access to a vehicle. (Expenses
will be fully reimbursed subject to agreeing an appropriate home base for calculations).
• Commitment to the rights and protection of refugees and asylum seekers
• Appropriate degree of self-awareness and emotional intelligence
• Emotional resilience and ability to deal with stressful or difficult situations