Independent Gender-Based Violence Advocate (Sussex)

ABOUT US

HERSANA CIC is anon-profit organisation providing tailored support to Black femmes who havefaced all forms of gender-based violence (GBV). Our commitment lies in offeringa unique service shaped by and for Black femmes, ensuring a holistic approachto addressing the intersectional needs of Black women, Black non-binary people,and Black trans individuals who identify with and feel safe within femme-ledspaces. 

Our vision as an organisation and for our community is that one day we will live in a society where Black femmes feel confident in reporting their experiences, accessing holistic support services, and being believed, empowered, and supported on their journey to recovery. 

Our mission is to create wholistic, gender-specialist, culturally specific and trauma-informed safe spaces for Black women and girls affected by or at risk of gender-based violence across England and Wales, as well as campaign to eradicate violence against women and girls in all its forms. We aim to centre Black femmes in every narrative and to provide these services in a safe and Black femme only environment. 

Over the years, ourservice has sought to support and empower Black femme survivors to cope andbuild resilience, be better informed, reduce the risk of further victimisation,improve health and wellbeing, and receive the right support. HERSANA provides advocacyservices to clients who have experienced or are at risk of all forms of GBV.Our Independent Domestic and Sexual Violence Advocates and dedicated team offerholistic support to survivors navigating the criminal justice system, housing,health, and other immediate and long-term needs. 

As a leading experton violence against women and girls, HERSANA provides accredited and tailoredtraining to a wide range of statutory professional services and workshops toschools, colleges and community groups. We use the knowledge gained through workingon the frontlines with clients to advocate for national and local policychange, to improve outcomes statutory guidance for Black femme victims andsurvivors of GBV. We build evidence through key pieces of research. We push forlegislative change, improved statutory guidance for victims, and betterunderstanding of the needs of Black femmes around the country. We equallycontribute to ongoing research and knowledge development on Black femmespecific subjects. These resources reflect our dedication to enhancingunderstanding, support, and empowerment within our community. Additionally, weprovide in-person and online therapeutic support to our service users inSussex, Surrey, and London. 

Our daily work aimsto contribute to and create value within the sector, ensuring Black femmes arenot just accommodated but become principal players in the design, delivery, andaccess to support services.

Safe spaces designed by us, for youand with you in mind and at the forefront.

BEING AN INDEPENDENTGENDER-BASED VIOLENCE ADVOCATE AT HERSANA 

As an experienced IGVA you willwork within a dynamic, fast paced, crisis intervention, advocacy and supportservice to ensure the voice of Black femme survivors informs every stage of theprocess. Working as part of a team you will support a range of clients, makingproactive contact and providing high quality advocacy and support which is ledby client needs and risk assessments. We have a strong commitment to communityand partnership working which means you may also have the opportunity to getinvolved in delivering training and outreach work.

You will ideally hold an ISVAand/or IDVA accreditation and have an excellent understanding of gender-basedviolence and abuse and its effects on women and children, and of best practicewithin the support sector. As an experienced advocate who has worked withcomplex and multiple needs, you will be skilled in risk management and safetyplanning, remaining calm in a crisis and in handling sensitive informationdaily. Experience of direct work with Black femme survivors of abuse and ofworking within safeguarding procedures is essential for this post, as is theneed to adopt and promote a strong partnership approach to service provision.

You will be highly organised,self-motivated, and passionate about ending gender-based violence and creatingsafe spaces for Black femmes. You will have a "can-do" approach anddemonstrable commitment to HERSANA's feminist approach to supporting Blackwomen and their children to be safer.

You will receive training andsupport for this role, as necessary.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, you’ll need to complete the Application Form, including the Equal Opportunities Monitoring Section. Whencompleting it please relate your application to the requirements stated in theattached person specification, as shortlisting for interview is dependent on the extent to which your application matches these. We are unable to accept CVs. We are accepting applications from Sussex and London.  

Black and 'Minority Ethnic' Women only need apply (Schedule 9, Part 1, 158 and 159 Equality Act 2010). All posts are subject to a DBS vetting and barring check.                            

Deadline Extended: We are still accepting applications for the Independent Gender-Based Violence Advocate role (Sussex) on an ongoing basis.

We request no contact from recruitment agencies.