Although based in London, they are looking for applications from people based in the regions.
The Asylum Support Appeals Project (ASAP) is a small national charity working in the area of asylum support law to reduce the destitution of asylum seekers by defending their legal rights to food and shelter. We represent some of the most excluded people in the UK, many of whom are unable to return to their home countries, are denied work in the UK and are prevented from accessing support. We operate by running an advocacy scheme at the Asylum Support Tribunal, through training, an advice line, and policy work such as producing research reports and lobbying. Since its official launch in June 2004, ASAP has developed an entirely new approach to many of the issues surrounding housing and welfare support for asylum seekers using our legal expertise and evidence-based policy and lobbying work. Last year we represented and advised over 700 destitute asylum seekers at the Asylum Support Tribunal enabling over 60% to access accommodation and support.
Currently, ASAP employs nine staff: Director, Solicitor, Duty Scheme co-ordinator, Duty Scheme Assistant, Training Co-ordinator/Legal advisor, Finance and Operations Officer, Legal advisor, Legal advisor/researcher and Women’s Legal advisor. We are also supported by roughly 40 solicitors and barristers who assist us with our Duty Scheme as Volunteer Advocates.
ASAP’s work and strategy is overseen by a voluntary Management Committee. The MC has a broad range of skills and experience, including relevant legal expertise, HR, communications, policy work and charity management. To complement the existing MC we are seeking new members of the Committee, specifically people who can bring:
• Experience of grant based charity fundraising, or
• Operational experience of working on asylum support issues outside London, or
• A strong understanding of budgeting, forecasting and reporting financial information to decision-making boards (in addition you should be a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA), ideally with a good working knowledge of the Charities SORP (FRS 102))
We are especially interested in receiving applications from refugees and others who have had direct experience of the UK’s asylum system. We are able to meet travel costs associated with attending Management Committee meetings.
For more details, or if you would like to discuss this, please email Dave Garratt at [email protected].
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