Community Lawyering Project Manager, Migrant & Refugee Organising Team

Citizens UK

Citizens UK is the UK s biggest, most diverse and most effective people-powered alliance. We bring communities and local organisations together to work on issues that matter; from campaigning for zebra crossings on dangerous roads, to reforming the immigration system, to the Living Wage campaign. We have a track record of winning change through hundreds of local and national campaigns. We know everyday people have the ability to shape the world around them. We believe that through developing local leaders, we can drive nationwide change and create community-led solutions to big and small problems.

Community Organising

Through our theory of social change, called community organising, we train thousands of everyday people to lead change in their communities, equipping them with the skills to hold politicians and other powerholders to account. We are made up of 500+ member organisations in powerful alliances throughout the UK. Our members include schools, universities, faith groups, parents groups, health practices, charities, trade unions and other civil society organisations.

Purpose

At Citizens UK, our organisers and project staff work within communities to develop leaders, strengthen organisations, campaign for change and organise across difference. There are various project roles and operational, communication, finance and HR roles that support the organisation and project staff and organisers to deliver on this mission and work. This work is rewarding and can be challenging; it requires a personal commitment to inclusion, a willingness to listen and disagree respectfully, and an interest in working in an organisation where our staff, member institutions and leaders will come from a diversity of backgrounds and often hold views that may be very different from our own. More information about how we operate within this context and build trusted relationships across difference can be found on our website and is covered in induction. Onboarding and navigating this relational culture, and type of work, is supported by line managers and further training.

Migrant & Refugee Organising Team

We have an exciting opportunity for a lawyer or level 3 immigration advisor to join our Migrant and Refuge Organising team (MARO). MARO fits within our Migrants and Refugees theme of work, which combines place-based and multi-issue organising, with effective national campaigns, and the pioneering community sponsorship of refugees. Staff joining MARO are joining a thriving team that links into the wider Migrants and Refugees theme and into the range of other Citizens UK teams.

You will be responsible for delivering workshops in our member institutions, providing legal insight to our campaigns, and exploring additional campaigning opportunities. You will also be responsible for shaping Citizens UK s community lawyering strategy and ensuring that Citizens UK has the appropriate registrations and structures for the project to succeed.

The ideal candidate would have a deep understanding of immigration law, an interest in community organising and civic institutions, and an ability to build relationships and trust with people from a range of backgrounds. The ideal candidate will be committed to justice for migrant communities and be dedicated to building power.

There is scope for this area of work to expand and so we are looking for a candidate who has the vision and ability to innovate and build a new area of work.

Main Responsibilities

Reporting to Senior Organiser , you will:

• Deliver legal workshops with Citizens UK member organisations and offer 2nd tier advice

• Provide providing legal insight to Citizens UK migration campaigns

• Work with Community Organisers and community leaders to explore additional campaigning opportunities

• Oversee the Citizens UK s community lawyering project including relating to partners and funders

Person Specification

REQUIREMENTS (D = Desirable, E= Essential)

QUALIFICATIONS

• Degree or equivalent professional qualification in immigration law (D)

EXPERIENCE

• Experience delivering legal workshops (E)

• Experience of building and managing successful relationships and partnerships including funders, migration sector organisations and community organisations (E)

• Experience organising or working with local communities, campaigners or leaders to achieve change (E)

• Experience of working in community settings (E)

KEY SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

• Knowledge of immigration law (E)

• Outstanding project management skills and the ability to juggle a wide range of competing demands (E)

• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships, lead, and influence others (E)

• Understanding of the policy and campaign landscape of migrant justice in the UK (E)

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• A commitment to justice for migrants and the principles of Citizens UK (E)

• Thrives in a culture which encourages you to innovate, take risks, as well as creating relationships in the team which enable a high level of trust (E)

• Enthusiastic and proactive self-starter and the ability to act on own initiative (E)

Interview date: 25th February 2025