Migrant, Refugee & Asylum Seeker Trainee Advisor

THE EMPLOYER IS: NORTH DOWN YMCA Migrant, Refugee & Asylum Seeker Trainee Advisor will support the Bilingual Advocacy Workers and other Ethnic Minorities Support project staff and volunteers in providing a culturally sensitive, bilingual advocacy service, to support people from ethnic minority backgrounds living across the Ards and North Down Borough Council area. In this regard, the Migrant, Refugee & Asylum Seeker Trainee Advisor will contribute to the development and delivery of programmes to support the inclusion and integration of ethnic minority communities.

• Advocate for individual service users in their interaction with service providers in accordance with the Project’s purpose and aims.
• Assist in the provision of support for service users, and liaison with relevant service providers to facilitate translation and communication.
• Work as a member of the project team during Drop-in/Clinic sessions and for set appointments, with a particular focus on Arabic-speaking families and individuals.
• Facilitation of bilingual advocacy surgeries on specific issues, as required.
• Work creatively with newcomer communities, who have had limited engagement with other services, both in a group setting and on a one-to-one basis.
• Support the Project Coordinator to develop resources that will inform community, voluntary and statutory agencies of the social and cultural needs of the local ethnic minorities communities.
• Assist in development and delivery of cultural awareness and language programmes for ethnic minority children, young people & families, to encourage confidence in personal identity and heritage.
• Adhere to all relevant YMCA North Down policies.
• Undertake relevant training, where necessary.
• Any other duties deemed reasonable by Project Manager, Project Coordinator or the ND YMCA Management Team.

• Experience of working, either paid or unpaid, in a community setting.
• Knowledge and understanding of the needs of ethnic minority and refugee communities in relation to health, education, employment, housing and access to services.
• Knowledge of the statutory and community services in the Ards and North Down area.
• Understanding of barriers to accessing services within BAME, asylum seekers and refugee communities.
• Good communication skills, including oral and written fluency in English.
• Respect for confidentiality.
• Proficiency in the use of computers for word processing, e-mail and Internet.
• Ability to work as part of a team, and use their own initiative.
• Commitment to working within an equal opportunities and cultural diversity framework.
• Supportive of the Aims and Purposes of the YMCA.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and occasional weekends.
• Willingness to undertake appropriate training and education as part of a commitment to continued professional development.
• Bilingual in Arabic and English languages.
• Community Interpreting OCN Level 3 or above.
• Generalist Adviser OCN Level 3 or equivalent.

The Employer is: NORTH DOWN YMCAJobStart Opportunity - Working Hours Information
- Standard

Hours:

up to 25 hours per week.

- Flexible/Reduced

Hours:

May be available upon approval by a Work Coach.

- Additional

Hours:

The employer may offer extra hours depending on availability. This should be discussed directly with the employer before starting employment.

The job advert may end before the closing date if requested by the employer.

JOBSTART IS OPEN TO WORKING AGE BENEFIT CLAIMANTS WHO ARE DEEMED ELIGIBLE BY A WORK COACH. If you are on Universal Credit, please contact your Work Coach via your Journal. If you are in receipt of any other working age benefit, please contact your local Jobs & Benefits Office on .

Vacancy  Job Sector Childcare and Social Work Area Co Down Location Bangor Salary 16-17 £ 7.55, 18-20 £ 10.00, 21 plus £12.21 per hour No. vacancies 1 Contract Type Temporary Weekly hours 25 Published date 22/12/2025 Closing date 30/01/2026 Worktime 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday

Area:
Derry or Londonderry
Closing date: 30 Dec 2025