Established in 2020, the Migrant Destitution Fund (MDF) supports people in Greater Manchester forced into destitution by their immigration status. By providing cash grants of up to £80 per month, the fund helps people meet their basic needs, ease pressure on their mental health and restore dignity.
Referrals for grants are made by over 30 organisations who work directly with beneficiaries. MDF signposts partners where applicants could be eligible for other support, convenes events, arranges training and new partnerships, and mobilises partners’ resources to support each other and address wider issues. MDF also provides opportunities for people with lived experience of enforced destitution to speak out to share their knowledge and experiences to raise awareness and advocate for change. We are uniquely positioned to evidence and respond to gaps in knowledge and provision.
MDF’s long-term vision is a society where the fund shouldn’t have to exist, because no one is forced into destitution because of where they come from. MDF is committed to ensuring that people with relevant lived experience are central to bringing this vision closer to reality. We are therefore recruiting for a new post to embed lived experience in our work, support the administration of the fund and our partnership work, and advance our strategic vision of building towards a society without destitution. The new role will be line managed by Macc, taking direction from the Action Group.
We are particularly keen to hear from candidates with lived experience of the UK immigration or asylum system. We also look beyond the traditional value placed on qualifications and work experience to what relevant knowledge and skills you may have acquired through your life experience. If you have lived experience of immigration control and you are passionate about migrant justice, this role is for you. Although personal experience is essential, there is no expectation for you to explicitly share your personal experiences.
Part of this role will be to develop leadership and facilitation skills through training and development opportunities. Learning and personal development will be available through Macc’s Support and Accountability offer. Regular support will be provided by the Collaboration Manager, as well as additional guidance from the MDF Action Group.
Salary: £14,830 per year (0.6 of £24,718 full-time equivalent)
Hours: 21 hours per week - flexi-time system with core hours 10am-3pm
Location: Manchester City Centre with working from home flexibility
Contract: 12 months, with continuation dependent on funding
Reporting to: Macc’s Collaboration Manager, and taking direction from the Migrant Destitution Fund Action Group
Closing date: Friday 7th February 2025, 12pm
Dates for interviews: To be confirmed
Main duties:
Being Supportive
- Support the Migrant Destitution Fund Action Group in progressing its programme of work, ensuring that lived experience informs and drives our work.
- Work with MDF Partnerships Lead, to coordinate recruitment of voluntary members of the MDF Action Group members, particularly including those with lived experience of destitution.
- Support the day-to-day running of the fund, working with the MDF Partnership Lead to process applications and signpost for additional support wherever possible.
Being Collaborative
- Work with the MDF Partnership Lead to plan and facilitate community consultation sessions, creating safe spaces for people with shared experiences to connect, build strength and inform MDF’s work
- Support the MDF Partnership Lead to deliver partnership events to share learning, develop good practice and promote longer-term solutions for people experiencing destitution.
- Build relationships with referral partners through check in calls and site visits – liaising regarding alternative support options for applicants, and supporting MDF’s Partnership Lead to identify gaps and strengths
Being Influential
- Recruit and support people with lived experience of destitution to speak out and inform change
- Gather feedback and case studies from referral partners and recipients of the fund to support advocacy work
- Maintain and update the Migrant Destitution Fund website
- Represent MDF at in person and online public-facing events
The is a new role and its scope will be regularly reviewed to ensure realistic objectives and priorities.
Who we’re looking for
If you have lived experience of immigration control and are passionate about migrant justice, this role is for you! As with all roles at Macc, we are looking for someone who has a strong commitment to Macc’s values. You will need to have good English writing skills and a working knowledge of MS Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint). You need to be willing and able to travel around Greater Manchester - though driving ability is not essential as we encourage use of public transport and ’active travel’ (such as walking or cycling).
Essential experience, skills and qualities:
- Direct experience of immigration control (for example: seeking asylum, or being on work or spouse visa)
- Understanding of the human impact of different UK immigration & asylum policies and how these can result in destitution
- A passion for migrant justice, a deep commitment to working in solidarity, and an ability to inspire others; and a commitment to reducing barriers to involvement and leadership by Experts by Experience
- Ability to work with others in an empathic and trauma-informed way
- Excellent and sensitive communication skills, able to build trusting relationships with diverse groups including referral partners and people living in destitution
- Awareness of risk and safeguarding when working with vulnerable people
- Personal resilience, self-awareness and willingness to reach out for support when needed
- Good time management and organisation skills, and an ability to work independently using appropriate levels or judgement and initiative
Desirable experience/knowledge:
- Strong understanding of legal pathways out of destitution
- Experience planning and organising events
- Group facilitation skills and an ability hold safe, supportive spaces
- Good understanding of local community and refugee/migrant support organisations in Greater Manchester
We welcome applications from individuals affected by recent redundancies at GMCVO and will offer guaranteed interviews to those who are suitably qualified for this role with direct experience of immigration control.
How to apply
If you believe you can fulfil the role summary, we’d love to hear from you!
Attached is a short application form in which we ask you for some basic details and a few questions about your skills, knowledge and relevant experience. There is also an equalities monitoring form with simple questions and a GDPR statement which we ask you to confirm you have read. Applications can be emailed to [email protected]
The closing date is Friday 7th February 2025 at 12pm.
Dates for interviews are to be confirmed.
For an informal conversation regarding this post, please contact Pauline Clark before submitting your application. Email: [email protected] or telephone 0161 834 9823.
You can also speak to MDF Action Group member Jaqui Cotton. Email: [email protected] or telephone 0789 148 5066.
Macc is passionate about ensuring that everyone has a fair chance and that they are treated equally. We are aware of the underrepresentation of certain groups and communities in our sector. These include but are not limited to, people from racialised or minoritised backgrounds, disabled people, LGBTQIA+ and those from working-class backgrounds. We want to change this and commit to playing our part in eradicating inequalities in both what we do and the way we do it.
Macc is an inclusive employer committed to building a diverse, effective workforce which reflects our local communities. We work hard to create a supportive, accessible environment. We celebrate difference, and welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds, skills and abilities, recognising value in different perspectives.
We are proud to be a member of the Experts by Experience Employment Network.
If you are an expert by experience (a refugee or a migrant with direct, first-hand experience of issues and challenges of the UK asylum or immigration system), you can ask for an independent and confidential support for your job application from the Experts by Experience Employment Network (www.ebeemployment.org.uk).
If you require access to these documents in alternative formats, or if you have comments that would support us to improve access to our application processes more generally, please do contact us via email [email protected] or telephone us on 0161 834 9823.