Job Title: Farsi-Speaking Domestic Violence and Welfare Advisor 
Responsible to: Advice Manager
Working hours: Two days per week (flexible)
Salary: £28,000 per annum, pro rata (equivalent to £11,200 per annum)
Working Location: Westminster Office (NW8 8PT), remote working is possible upon prior agreement with the supervisor.  

Job Description
The Middle Eastern Women and Society organisation (MEWSo) is a charity run by women for women from black and ethnic minority backgrounds. We are currently looking to recruit a dedicated and enthusiastic individual to join our advice department, which supports vulnerable BAMER (Middle East, Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and Refugee) women.

Reporting to the Operational Manager, the post-holder will be responsible for providing front-line support for our service users, most of whom are victims of domestic abuse or living in very complex situations.

The right candidate must be able to communicate in Iranian (Farsi) and, (if possible) in Kurdish-Surani as well as English, and provide a high-quality advice service that meets MEWSo's standards and policies.

They will have a thorough understanding of welfare and domestic abuse issues and be able to provide emotional and practical support. The ideal candidate will also know how to use the Advice Pro case management system.

We encourage applications from BAMER and LGBTQ+ communities and people with disabilities to enhance the representation of colleagues from these communities and better reflect the diverse societies we work with.

We are also keen to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment. As part of this commitment, MEWSo will ensure that persons with disabilities are reasonably accommodated. If any support is needed at this stage or during the interview process, please make sure to tell us immediately so we can make the required adjustments.  Please contact us at office@mewso.org.

Key Responsibilities and Duties:

• To ensure a high standard of advice and guidance related to welfare and domestic abuse matters is provided to our service users by listening to them actively, diagnosing their problems, empowering them to deal with their challenging circumstances, and identifying the best possible course of action. 

• Refer to internal departments when needed and build and maintain effective relationships with external statutory and non-statutory bodies to signpost clients onto services for continuing and complementary support. 

• Represent and advocate for your client where necessary – this may involve contacting financial institutions, housing providers, or legal bodies and attending appointments with clients for support or translation.

• Act for your client, where necessary, by calculating, negotiating, drafting, or writing letters and making telephone calls.

• Carry out administrative duties such as ensuring all clients’ records are kept accurately, updated, and in line with our data protection policy. 

• Maintain an effective and efficient administrative system (e.g. using Advice Pro, case file encryption, and so on.) 

• Manage the flow of the advice referrals on a weekly basis and the practicalities of advice sessions. This involves following all relevant policies and procedures and liaising with interpreters where necessary. 

• Write up high-quality client assessment reports and case studies, as requested by the Advice Manager.

• Promote the services on offer, distribute publicity materials and attend networking events and forums to raise awareness about our programmes.

• Remain up-to-date with legislation, policies, best-practice procedures and government initiatives addressing welfare and domestic abuse, and communicate these to the staff when needed. 

• Be an active member within the team of advisors; undertake training as required, provide feedback to improve our services, and prepare for and attend supervision sessions and team meetings as appropriate.

• Organise training activities and events while liaising with other staff members, as appropriate.

• 13-Carry out any other tasks which may be within the scope of the post to ensure the effective delivery and development of the service.

 

• Abide by MEWSo’s confidentiality and safeguarding guidelines and all legislation related to this role. And to escalate to management any ongoing adult safeguarding concerns.

The responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive, and the postholder may be required to undertake additional reasonably assigned duties from time to time.