Senior Support Assistant

Hours: 21 per week

Contract: Permanent

Location: Sunderland

Salary: £22,932 to £24,211 per annum, pro rata

Are you passionate about supporting refugees and asylum seekers to rebuild their lives with dignity and hope in Sunderland?

As a Senior Support Assistant
, you'll play a vital role in delivering compassionate, inclusive and effective support services to refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants across Sunderland. Working flexibly across outreach hubs, the Sunderland office and from home, you'll coordinate administrative processes, manage data, respond to enquiries, and support casework interventions. You'll collaborate with colleagues, volunteers and external partners to ensure services run smoothly and safely, while maintaining high standards of confidentiality and safeguarding.

From overseeing reception duties to handling financial processes and contributing to wellbeing activities, your work will help people in crisis access the support they need to move forward. This is a dynamic and rewarding role where your organisational skills, empathy and commitment to inclusion will make a real difference every day.

• Supporting the delivery of refugee services through outreach hubs, partnerships and remote channels.
• Maintaining accurate records and databases while ensuring confidentiality and data protection.
• Responding to enquiries and identifying urgent needs for casework or safeguarding intervention.
• Coordinating volunteers and providing guidance to ensure safe and effective service delivery.
• Handling cash, invoices and procurement tasks in line with organisational policies.
• Collaborating with colleagues and external partners to improve service quality and accessibility.

• Strong organisational and time management skills to handle competing priorities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, with proficiency in English.
• Experience in support or administrative roles, ideally in high‑pressure environments.
• Confidence using IT systems including databases, spreadsheets and Microsoft Office.
• Empathy and understanding of the challenges faced by refugees and asylum seekers.
• Ability to listen, provide emotional support and respond sensitively to vulnerable individuals.

Interested? The closing date for applications is 23.59 on Sunday 22nd March 2026.

• Flexible working:
  Remote and hybrid working, flexitime, compressed hours, and job sharing.
• Holidays: 36 days annual leave (including bank holidays) + option to buy 5 extra days.
• Pension scheme:
  Up to 6% contributory pension.
• Learning & Development: A range of career & learning opportunities.
• Discounts:
  Blue Light Discount Card, Tickets For Good & employee benefits platform.
• Wellbeing Support:
  Peer Supporters, CiC (EAP) & Headspace App.
• Cycle2
  
  Work:
  Lease a bicycle through the scheme.

We are proud to be part of the Disability Confident scheme for UK‑based roles. During your application, you'll have the option to apply under the scheme.

We are dedicated to building an inclusive, equitable and wellbeing‑focused culture where everyone feels safe, valued and can thrive. Guided by our Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing Strategy, we foster belonging, psychological and physical wellbeing, and work to remove barriers to fair opportunities. Grounded in compassion and anti‑racist practice, we listen to diverse voices, value lived experience and create environments where staff and volunteers can succeed.

Join us and be part of an organisation that leads with care, celebrates difference and helps everyone succeed.