Salary: £31,000
Location: Flexible within England – regular travel within a region required. Please specify in your application which counties you are willing and able to travel to.
This is a full time contract, initially for 9 months with the possibility of extension or becoming permanent.
Role Overview
This role is responsible for engaging with individuals who may be eligible for voluntary return programmes, providing accessible, accurate, and non‑regulated information to support informed voluntary decision‑making.
The role focuses on building trust, facilitating sensitive conversations, and ensuring individuals understand their options in a non-coercive way and without providing judgement or regulated immigration advice.
The role will require regular travel, mainly within the region, to work and build relationships with people from multiple cultures and backgrounds.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct proactive outreach activities to identify and engage with individuals who may be eligible for voluntary return programmes
- Hold respectful, non‑judgmental, non-coercive and confidential conversations about voluntary return options, ensuring individuals feel heard and supported
- Provide clear, factual, and impartial information about voluntary return processes, available support, and potential outcomes
- Ensure all information provided remains within the scope of non‑regulated advice, signposting individuals to qualified immigration advisers where appropriate
- Support individuals to understand their rights and options, enabling them to make informed, voluntary decisions
- Refer individuals to authorised immigration advisers or legal representatives for immigration advice
- Build and maintain relationships with community groups, charities, and partner organisations to support outreach and referrals
- Maintain accurate and timely case records in line with organisational policies and data protection requirements
- Follow safeguarding procedures, identifying and escalating concerns where necessary.
- Attend community events, drop-ins, and outreach sessions to raise awareness of voluntary return support
- Work collaboratively with internal teams and external stakeholders to ensure a coordinated approach to support
- Working within and management of strict budgets
- Any other duties as deemed appropriate
Some evening or weekend work may be required to support community engagement activities.
This role does not provide regulated immigration advice. The postholder must operate within organisational guidelines and refer individuals to authorised advisers for case-specific immigration advice where required.
Requirements
Essential (these will be used to decide whether to shortlist)
Experience
- Experience working in an outreach, support, or community‑facing role, ideally within immigration, asylum, or refugee sectors.
- Experience working with vulnerable individuals, communicating with empathy and being non-judgemental with an awareness of safeguarding principles.
- Experience building partnerships across diverse communities and stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to build partnerships across diverse communities and stakeholders.
- Ability to analyse performance data and produce clear, actionable reports.
Skills
- Sound understanding of ethical engagement when working with vulnerable individuals
- Cultural awareness and sensitivity to the needs of migrants and displaced individuals
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust with individuals from diverse backgrounds
- Ability to explain complex information in a clear, sensitive, and accessible way
- Understanding of the boundaries of non‑regulated advice and the importance of appropriate signposting
- Strong organisational and coordination skills with the ability to manage caseloads effectively
- Determined and can take control, find solutions and prioritise actions with a drive for achieving results
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Happy to both challenge and motivate others
- Knowledge of confidentiality, data protection, and professional boundaries
- Likes to work at pace
Personal Attributes
- Empathetic, respectful, and non‑judgmental approach
- Strong ethical standards and commitment to impartiality
- Resilient and able to manage emotionally sensitive conversations
- Flexible and adaptable in a dynamic working environment
Education
- A-level or equivalent level qualifications or at least 2 years of relevant experience in a similar role
Other
- Due to the nature of the role – a full driving licence and use of a vehicle is required
Desirable
Experience
- Experience in voluntary return programmes, immigration services, or a related field
- Experience handling projects and overseeing service delivery within a regulated or commissioned environment
Skills
- Awareness of voluntary return programmes and associated processes.
- Basic understanding of the UK immigration and asylum context
Education
- Degree or equivalent experience in social policy, migration studies, community development, public services, or a related field
Why Join IRARA?
We offer an opportunity to be part of a global support network, which aims to positively impact the lives of others. We have a culture and working environment that is friendly and fast paced, supporting personal growth within the organisation. You will have the chance to work and build relationships with people from around the world across multiple cultures and backgrounds.
We really value our people and offer a friendly, collaborative and purpose-driven environment.
Be part of a growing organisation shaping the future of immigration and justice services
Benefits include
- Remote working model
- 22 days annual leave, increasing with length of service + Bank holidays + the ability to buy up to an extra 5 days a year
- Online perk scheme
How do I apply?
To apply please send your CV and covering letter detailing why you are interested in the role, which counties you can travel to and why you think you’d be a good fit to careers@irara.org quoting ref: Outreach Worker. If you have any questions or would like an informal chat about the role please contact our hiring team on careers@irara.org.
We welcome applications from individuals with transferable skills and diverse backgrounds. We are building a diverse and inclusive workforce, which involves hiring the best people for our roles. In order to do this we’re committed to ensuring that all candidates have fair opportunities. If we can make any adjustments to ensure that the process is accessible please let us know. We are proud to support care leavers, armed forces veterans, those at risk of homelessness and are Disability Confident. Please mention it in your application if any of these apply to you. We will treat all information confidentially.
You must be eligible to work in the Uk and able to pass a security check, including an enhanced level DBS.
The closing date for applications is 8am on Monday 6th July.
We reserve the right to close the process early if we have lots of applications. We therefore encourage you to apply early.