Three quick questions
Are you a mature Christian professional passionate about advocacy?
Are you looking for a new voluntary challenge?
And do you have a heart for detainees?
Yes, yes and yes?
Then why not have a think about serving with us in this voluntary post? A faith-inspired non-government organisation (NGO) with a heart for detainees, we are in great need of a solid Head of Advocacy (HoA) to take our advocacy service to the next level!
This senior appointment would ideally suit a Christian professional with experience of advocacy matters related to healthcare - advocating for individual patients, writing on social media about particular issues, and lobbying those in power for changes in law.
Perhaps you live in Europe, the Philippines or elsewhere in the Western Pacific region, or somewhere else. Maybe you're retired on a pension or perhaps you'd be doing this role alongside paid employment. Regardless, if you've got the skills we're looking for and a heart for this world's 11 million souls behind bars, please read on...
Post description
What would we require of you, and what could you expect of us?
Base
This position is suitable for home working, so you could be based at your usual residence:-
although you could reside in the UK or the Philippines, which is where most of our non-European personnel live & work, residence in another country would be possible provided that it has adequate, secure communications infrastructure and tolerance of online Christian activities;
if you choose to move to reside & work at our Philippines base (Integritas House Olongapo), accommodation will be provided with a charge to cover the cost of utilities;
if you choose to reside outside of the Philippines, there may be the occasional need to travel there.
Duties
To ensure the efficient and optimal running of our advocacy service in Europe (primarily the United Kingdom (UK)), the Western Pacific (primarily the Philippines) and any other World Health Organisation (WHO) region in which we perform activities.
Your duties will include but not be limited to:-
Advocacy:-
writing advocacy letters on behalf of individual patients;
writing advocacy articles for our website and social media;
editing the draft advocacy writings of other advocacy staff.
Development:-
growing our advocacy service in line with our strategic plan;
looking for new opportunities for advocacy service growth;
working with the other service heads to develop our organisation.
Governance:-
expanding and updating our advocacy policies;
managing our advocacy governance risk;
scanning the criminal justice, political and international horizons for threats to and opportunities for our advocacy service.
Leadership:-
line managing our advocacy staff including our Philippines-based social worker;
representing us in meetings and negotiations with other advocacy organisations;
participation in our managers’ on-call rota.
You will be taught any necessary new skills and you will not be permitted to work beyond your competence.
Hours
Although we will consider a lesser contribution, ideally you will contribute at least 10.5 hours (three half-day sessions) of voluntary work per week, depending upon your availability; these could be quarterised or even annualised.
Your usual working hours will be at least partly within the Monday-Friday, 09:00-17:00 UK window; if you choose to reside in an area of the world that has a very different time zone, further modification of the above 09:00-17:00 aspiration will be agreed.
Occasional evening and weekend working will be required (for example, if visiting the Philippines and to attend quarterly governance meetings) and time-off-in-lieu will be given.
You will receive six working weeks of annual leave and one working week of study leave per year, which ordinarily should be taken at times when the chief medical officer (CMO) is not on leave & vice versa.
Line management
You will be line managed by our CMO (pictured above) who currently also functions as our Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
You will also liaise with our Board of Directors’ member who holds the advocacy governance portfolio.
Your line management will be supportive in nature and will include regular performance reviews to enhance your performance and professional growth.
Remuneration & Travel
This is not a remunerated post; you will be a volunteer and so will need to raise your own financial support.
If & when working at Integritas House Olongapo, you will receive free working week lunches.
Travel expenses will be reimbursable.
Person specification
Read on to find out if this position would be a good fit for you…
Experience, knowledge, qualifications & skills
Essential
experience of service development
experience of using social media
fluency in oral & written English
skilled user of computers, PowerPoint and Word
skilled writer of persuasive public advocacy articles
Desirable
Arabic, French, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog or any other language speaker
car driver with a clean licence
experience of engaging with social workers
experience of human resource management
experience of interacting with news agencies and the media
experience of posting articles on social media and websites
experience of working within a multi-cultural team
experience of working within a senior management team
skilled oral presenter
skilled verbal negotiator
skilled writer of individual advocacy letters
Health & Safety
Essential
if wishing to reside in the Philippines:-
fit enough to live for several hours on occasion (during electrical blackouts) in 30-35 degrees Celsius of shady heat without air conditioning
no uncontrolled chronic health problems
no phobias of things common within Philippines life (eg cats, cockroaches, dogs, dust & spiders)
willing to undergo basic safety awareness training
willing to obtain enhanced criminal records check (1)
willing to undergo in-house induction training
Personal Attributes
Essential
acknowledgement that this work is service unto God
active Christian faith with ecumenical outlook (2)
adaptable
appreciation of multi-culturalism
appropriate relationships and personal boundaries
autonomous worker who takes initiative
calm under pressure
compassion for detainees
compatibility with our CMO’s ISTJ personality
confidential
delegator
highly organised
interest in human rights, offender healthcare & social justice
professional approach to working life
punctual & reliable with excellent time management skills
smart personal appearance
superb communication & interpersonal skills
sympathy with our aims & values
Desirable
possession of a passport & willingness to travel long haul on occasion
subscriber to the concept of integral mission
Availability
Essential
available at least 7 to 10.5 hours (two to three half-day sessions) per week
available for at least three years
available to reside in a country that has an adequate, secure communications infrastructure and is tolerant of online Christian activities
Desirable
available up to full time
available indefinitely
availability to reside in the UK
willingness to travel occasionally to the UK, the Philippines +/- other countries
Notes
Selection dates
closing date: none - we are waiting for the right candidate
interview date: a mutually agreeable date
Explanatory notes
(1) = performed after successful interview and at your own cost.
(2) = this is an occupational requirement.