Policy Officer

ABOUT SAFETY4SISTERS

Safety4Sisters (S4S) is a specialist Black and minoritised by and for women s organisation based in Manchester. Our aim is to promote the human rights of migrant women experiencing a spectrum of gendered violence by providing a trauma informed, specialist, holistic and integrative programme of support to Black and minoritised survivors with NRPF. Support is underpinned by the following strands of services and activities; culturally competent advocacy, welfare and destitution support, a specialist refuge dedicated to migrant women with NRPF, therapeutic activities, groups and training, social activities, a helpline for both professionals and women, grassroots campaigning, and strategic advocacy.

JOB PURPOSE

To support the development and delivery of Safety4Sisters policy, campaigning, and influencing work to advance the rights, safety, and wellbeing of Black, minoritised and migrant women and children experiencing violence against women and girls (VAWG).

The post holder will contribute to influencing local, regional, and national policy and decision-making on VAWG, honour-based abuse, harmful practices, immigration and asylum policy, and no recourse to public funds (NRPF). This work will be rooted in survivor voice, frontline practice, and Safety4Sisters feminist and anti-racist values.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

1. To contribute to the planning and delivery of Safety4Sisters policy, campaigning, and influencing work in line with the organisation s strategic priorities.

2. To undertake policy research and analysis on issues affecting Black, minoritised and migrant women experiencing VAWG, including immigration, asylum, and NRPF.

3. To draft policy briefings, consultation responses, reports, statements, and other written submissions to influence decision-makers and statutory bodies.

4. To work closely with frontline staff, partners, and where appropriate victim-survivors, to ensure that policy and campaigning work is informed by lived experience and practice-based evidence.

5. To support parliamentary, local authority, and regional influencing activity, including engagement with MPs, councillors, civil servants, and statutory agencies.

6. To assist in organising and delivering policy events, roundtables, seminars, conferences, and briefings for external stakeholders.

7. To represent Safety4Sisters at external meetings, networks, events, and forums as required, promoting the organisation s policy positions and values.

8. To contribute to raising public and professional awareness of VAWG, honour-based abuse, and the specific barriers faced by migrant women, including institutional racism and hostile immigration policies.

9. To manage Safety4Sisters social media platforms, ensuring content supports the organisation s policy, campaigning and advocacy work and reflects S4S values and safeguarding principles.

10. To support Safety4Sisters partners and stakeholders to engage with policy advocacy, communications, and campaigning activity, including providing guidance and resources where appropriate.

11. To contribute to training, learning, and community engagement activities delivered by Safety4Sisters, including sessions for professionals and community organisations.

12. To maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation, policy developments, research, and sector best practice.

13. To contribute to monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning activities, ensuring accurate records and data collection for policy and campaigning work.

14. To assist in developing strong links with key partners and networks at local, regional, and national levels to strengthen Safety4Sisters influencing work.

15. To undertake campaigning and influencing activity arising from frontline services and policy priorities, which may include occasional evening or weekend work.

16. To undertake any additional duties that contribute to the effective delivery of Safety4Sisters services, projects and campaigns.

GENERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. To contribute to the smooth running of Safety4Sisters services, projects and organisational activities.

2. To assist in maintaining high standards in all aspects of the organisation s work, including conduct with colleagues, external agencies and partners.

3. To comply with and promote issues of confidentiality, safeguarding, equality, diversity and other Safety4Sisters policies and procedures.

4. To attend supervision, appraisal, training, staff, management and team meetings as required.

5. To promote equality and diversity in all aspects of Safety4Sisters work.

6. To maintain clear and accurate records and provide information for monitoring, evaluation, policy, research and funding purposes.

HEALTH AND SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. To be fully compliant with all Health and Safety legislation and Safety4Sisters Health and Safety policies.

2. To ensure that work is carried out safely and that no risk is posed to self, colleagues, service users or visitors.

FLEXIBILITY CLAUSE

In order to deliver services effectively, a degree of flexibility is required and the post holder may be required to perform work not specifically referred to above. Such duties will fall within the scope of the post at the appropriate grade.

This job description will be reviewed with the post holder to ensure it accurately reflects the duties and range of the post and supports the delivery of high-quality services for Black and minoritised women.

When necessary, the post holder may be expected to work evenings and weekends. This time can be claimed back as Time Off In Lieu (TOIL).

THIS POST IS:

Subject to Enhanced DBS Disclosure

Subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. A disclosure will be required from the Disclosure and Barring Service regarding any previous convictions.

Open to women only (exempt under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, Part 1).

Person Specifications: Important Information for Applicants

Your application needs to demonstrate clearly and concisely how you meet each of the criteria. If you do not address the criteria fully, you will not be shortlisted. Please give specific examples wherever possible.

CRITERIA

ESSENTIAL/DESIRABLE

Knowledge/Qualifications

Knowledge and understanding of issues affecting Black, minoritised and migrant women, particularly in relation to violence against women and girls, immigration, asylum, NRPF and institutional racism.

Essential

Understanding of honour-based abuse, harmful practices and other forms of gendered violence.

Essential

Understanding of policy influencing, campaigning and advocacy as tools for social and systemic change.

Essential

Relevant qualification or equivalent experience in policy, research, campaigning or a related field.

Essential

Experience

Experience of working in a policy, research or campaigning role, or demonstrable transferable experience.

Essential

Experience of producing written policy outputs such as briefings, reports, consultation responses or submissions.

Essential

Experience of working collaboratively with multiple stakeholders, partners or teams.

Essential

Experience of managing organisational social media accounts.

Desirable

Experience of engaging with statutory bodies, local authorities or government.

Desirable

Skills and Abilities

Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex issues clearly and persuasively.

Essential

Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.

Essential

Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team.

Essential

Ability to prioritise workload, manage competing demands and meet deadlines.

Essential

Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, values-driven environment.

Essential

Personal Attitude and Commitment

Commitment to Safety4Sisters Black feminist, anti-racist values and survivor-led approach.

Essential

Commitment to equality, diversity and anti-discriminatory practice.

Essential

Willingness to work flexibly, including occasional evenings and weekends.

Essential

Commitment to ongoing learning, reflection and professional development.

Essential