Refugee and Migrant Forum of Essex and London (RAMFEL) is a charity that supports vulnerable migrants to access justice and that provides vital support in moments of individual crisis. Its vision is of a society rid of discrimination and disadvantage, with a positive attitude to the inclusion of asylum seekers, vulnerable migrants and refugees.

RAMFEL's mission is to provide high quality and effective advice, support and advocacy services to asylum seekers, vulnerable migrants and refugees to enable them to make a positive contribution to the community. It runs a busy client-facing service, providing immigration advice (registered at OISC level 3) and generalist advice in a range of areas to support its clients. This goes alongside destitution services and integration support to build a new life in the UK, including classes, referrals, and a food bank.

Its team brings a wide range of experience, drawing on the daily insights from those they work with. The expertise of its staff and the work of its Experts by Experience group means that it is uniquely placed to provide access and insight to policy makers, politicians and those with a positive and genuine interest in migration issues. It offers training to different charities and organisations in relation to migrants rights, capacity building and other areas.

RAMFEL has experienced a period of high growth over the past years, and now has a staff of around 30.

RAMFEL's Trustees play a vital role in making sure that the Charity achieves its core purpose. They oversee the overall management and administration of the Charity, ensure that RAMFEL has a clear strategy, and that its work and goals are in line with its vision of a society rid of discrimination and disadvantage, with a positive attitude to the inclusion of asylum seekers, vulnerable migrants and refugees. Just as importantly, the Trustees support and challenge the CEO and senior management to enable RAMFEL to grow and thrive, and through this, achieve its mission to provide high quality and effective advice, support and advocacy services to asylum seekers, vulnerable migrants and refugees to enable them to make a positive contribution to the community.

Board members have a collective responsibility. This means that Trustees always act as a group and not as individuals.These responsibilities include:

• Supporting and providing advice on RAMFEL's purpose, vision, goals and activities
• Reviewing and approving organisation strategies and policies, and monitor and evaluate their effective and efficient implementation
• Overseeing RAMFEL's financial plans, budgets, and statements, and monitor and evaluate progress
• Ensuring that key risks are being identified, monitored and controlled effectively
• Providing support and challenge to the management team in the exercise of their delegated authority and affairs
• Keeping abreast of changes in RAMFEL's operating environment
• Contributing to regular reviews of RAMFEL's own governance
• Contributing to the broader promotion of RAMFEL's objects, aims and reputation by applying their skills, expertise, knowledge and contacts

As a small Charity, Trustees are expected to engage meaningfully with RAMFEL's work beyond formal meetings. This may involve providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, reviewing or advising on operational documents (e.g. operational and business plans, new team structures, outreach and engagement events) or other issues in which the Trustee has special expertise. RAMFEL's Trustee Charter, which lays out the full expectations of a Trustee, can be viewed here.

RAMFEL are looking for new Trustees who will bring energy, enthusiasm and commitment to the role, and who will broaden the diversity of thinking on the Board as the Charity continues to grow. It is looking for candidates who have lived experience of the impact of immigration policy and practice, who will also be able to offer expertise across the following areas: immigration advice, campaigns and advocacy, and organisational and administrative skills. RAMFEL is open to candidates who may cover a cross-section of aspects of these areas of expertise.

Immigration advice: RAMFEL would like to hear from candidates with experience professionally offering immigration advice, who will be able to support the Charity in its core service delivery. This candidate will bring a deep and broad understanding of the UK immigration system. This may have been gained from either a service or advice delivery background, or an immigration law background. RAMFEL are open to hearing from candidates with experience offering immigration advice but who are not legally qualified.

Campaigns and advocacy: Candidates will bring the necessary expertise to amplify RAMFEL's voice in political discussions, the media, and public discourse surrounding migration. They may have a background in policy, not-for-profit campaigning, media, or PR. They will also be able to demonstrate their experience in developing successful partnerships to further campaigns.

Organisational and administrative skills: As the Charity and Board grow in scale, RAMFEL would like to hear from candidates with expertise in administrative and organisational work. Candidates may, for example, have held Company Secretary roles. They will be highly professional and structured in their approach, and will be able to demonstrate their ability to hold the Board and Executive team to account.

Furthermore, any previous experience working professionally with destitution will be of interest, as will holding strong networks within the charitable sector and having a strong grasp on charity regulation and governance matters. Further, more general legal or compliance knowledge would be of interest to RAMFEL. These additional areas of interest may or may not come in some combination with the three main listed areas of expertise.

RAMFEL is open to hearing from candidates who have not held previous non-executive roles, and have not worked within the charitable sector previously. Most importantly, candidates will all demonstrate their enthusiasm for RAMFEL's work and mission, will think creatively and strategically, and exercise good, independent judgement to work effectively as a Board member.

The full Board composition can be viewed here. 

This role is unremunerated, but reasonable, pre-agreed travel expenses will be reimbursed.

The time commitment for this role is estimated at around 8 hours per month on average. This includes 4-6 Board meetings per year, including an AGM. Further, all Trustees are expected to join at least one sub-committee, which meet on a less regular basis. Meetings are usually 2-3 hours in length and held on weekday meetings. These are held in-person in London, but can be hybrid if necessary. There are also 2-3 days per year for strategy or staff and / or client engagement, which are held in-person.

The appointment is for a three year term, which can be renewed at the discretion of the Board.

RAMFEL welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, belief or disability. Candidates with lived experience of dealing with the UK immigration system are particularly encouraged. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process. In line with the Equality Act 2010, however, the organisation may employ positive action where candidates from underrepresented groups can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.