Location: Manchester / Hybrid
Salary: £35,000 plus generous benefits including 32 days holiday plus bank holidays
Contract: Subject to the outcome of the legal aid tender
Probation: Six months, depending on the outcome of the tender
Deadline: Rolling
Contact: Kathryn Chapple – [email protected]
About the role
Every day, people seeking safety in the North West face complex legal systems, uncertainty and decisions that can profoundly shape the rest of their lives. At Manchester Refugee Support Network, we believe everyone deserves access to high-quality legal advice, compassionate support and a fair chance to rebuild their future.
In response to growing demand for legal aid representation, we are looking for an experienced immigration professional with IAAS Supervising Senior Caseworker accreditation to lead the development of MRSN’s legal aid department.
This is a rare opportunity to take ownership of a vital new area of work within one of the only refugee charities seeking to provide legal aid in Greater Manchester. You will have the freedom, responsibility and support to shape the department’s direction, establish effective systems, develop high-quality services and help ensure that people seeking protection receive the expert representation they need.
You will not simply be stepping into an existing structure. You will be at the centre of building something meaningful and sustainable—creating a legal aid service that reflects the needs of refugees and people seeking asylum across the region, while helping MRSN grow its capacity to deliver lasting change.
About you
We are looking for someone with the technical expertise, leadership skills and values needed to lead complex immigration and asylum casework in a demanding but deeply rewarding environment.
You will:
- Hold IAAS Supervising Senior Caseworker accreditation.
- Have substantial experience in immigration and asylum law, including complex casework.
- Be confident supervising and supporting a Senior Caseworker.
- Be able to develop high-quality casework systems, processes and standards.
- Bring sound professional judgement, strong organisation and excellent attention to detail.
- Communicate with empathy, clarity and cultural awareness.
- Be committed to refugee rights, social justice and access to justice.
- Be motivated to build a service that supports both clients and colleagues to thrive.
What you will do
As the lead for MRSN’s legal aid department, you will:
- Lead on complex immigration and asylum casework.
- Supervise and support a Senior Caseworker.
- Establish and maintain robust casework, compliance and quality-assurance systems.
- Help shape the department’s strategy, priorities and future development.
- Ensure that clients receive accurate, timely and compassionate legal support.
- Contribute to the successful delivery of MRSN’s legal aid provision.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues across MRSN’s advice, support and community services.
- Help develop a service that is accessible, responsive and rooted in the experiences of refugees and people seeking asylum.
Why join MRSN?
This is an opportunity to use your expertise where it can make an immediate and lasting difference. You will have genuine autonomy to lead, innovate and build a legal aid department from the ground up, while working alongside a committed, grassroots team whose work is led by lived experience.
At MRSN, the people closest to the issues help shape the solutions. You will be joining an organisation where the insight and expertise of refugees and people seeking asylum are valued as central to how we work, develop services and make decisions.
Your work will directly affect the lives of people navigating the asylum and immigration system. You will help individuals and families understand their rights, challenge injustice and secure the opportunity to live safely and with dignity.
How to apply
To download the Job Description and Person Specification, as well as instructions to apply,please head to the Careers section of our website: https://www.mrsn.org.uk/about/careers/
Pay: £34,000.00-£36,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company pension
- Enhanced maternity leave
- Enhanced paternity leave
- Flexitime
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
- Work from home
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Manchester M14 4RB
