Refuge is the country’s largest provider of specialist services for victims of all forms of gender-based violence (domestic, sexual, so called ‘honour’ violence, trafficking, prostitution, forced marriage, stalking and FGM). Every day we support over 4,600 women and children in a national network of services. These include Independent Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence Advocacy services (IDVAs/ISVAs and IGVAs), community outreach and culturally specific services, specialist refuge accommodation, sanctuary services and the Freephone 24 Hour National Domestic Violence Helpline (run in partnership between Refuge and Women’s Aid).
Refuge advises the Government and lobbies to keep violence against women and girls high on the public agenda. We give women and children a voice through our award-winning awareness raising campaigns, Refuge is an accredited training provider. Refuge was recently awarded ‘Charity of the Year’ at the Charity Times Awards 2016.
Refuge is looking for an exceptional individual to be its senior policy and public affairs manager. This is an exciting opportunity to join one of the UK’s leading charities and work with a passionate team committed to ending all forms of gender-based violence. The successful candidate will fulfil a vital role in helping Refuge protect women and girls from violence and ensuring our voice is heard by decision-makers in government and across the wider public sector.
This senior post will be responsible for designing and delivering an influencing strategy to ensure the needs of the women and children Refuge supports are met. As the policy and public affairs lead, you will develop an in-depth understanding of the violence against women and girls policy arena, through service user focus groups and analysis of client case files, identifying gaps and the need for policy development work. You will use these insights to inform and drive Refuge’s policy positions, messaging and campaigns, as well as shape Refuge’s political engagement plans. You will also be responsible for drafting responses to Government consultations, select committee inquiries and other external communications.
The successful candidate will be highly motivated and have demonstrable experience of influencing policy and policy makers and facilitating dialogue with decision-makers. You will also have experience of delivering successful public affairs strategies, ideally around violence against women and girls or criminal justice issues.
All candidates must demonstrate a commitment to the feminist values of empowerment and equality, which underpin all of Refuge’s work.
Refuge is proud to be a leader in its field and an employer of choice with leading edge systems for supervision, quality management and development. Other benefits include 28 days holiday, pension scheme, an employee assistance programme and a childcare voucher scheme.