We’re looking for someone who is passionate about both human rights and government transparency to support our investigations. If this could be you, email your CV and supporting statement to info@afterexploitation.org with the subject header ‘FOI volunteer’. Deadline 27th January.
Job description
About After Exploitation
After Exploitation is a non-profit organisation using investigative techniques to unearth hidden data on the risks facing modern slavery survivors in the UK. Working with national newspaper journalists, we have uncovered the wrongful detention of victims, failures to refer survivors for support, and wide scale errors in modern slavery cases. With each of these stories, the data was previously denied, but the work of volunteers helped us bring the truth to light.
Our investigations and briefings are shaped by consultants with lived experience of modern slavery, who advise us on priority campaigns and research. We also work to understand the needs of other stakeholders who desperately need modern slavery data to do their jobs (from journalists and MPs, to academics and community groups).
Role description
This is a remote role for a Freedom of Information (FOI) Volunteer at After Exploitation. The FOI Volunteer will work with the After Exploitation team to help enhance the organisation’s Freedom of Information (FOI) and data access work. The FOI Volunteer will assist in tracking FOI requests, reviewing responses and helping to write internal review wording in cases where evidence is unfairly denied.
There will also be opportunities to support with additional tasks if they are of interest, including campaign delivery and research for two reports: one regarding the quality of modern slavery training given to front-line staff, and another on healthcare access for survivors.
Time commitment
1-3 days per week, with flexibility for those who want to spread hours across evenings or weekends. Candidates will not be penalised for their availability.
Applying as a person with lived experience of modern slavery
This role is open to both people with and without lived experience of modern slavery but is not an advisory position (paid opportunities for people with lived experience who wish to influence our policy work is published on our website: http://www.afterexploitation.com)
People with lived experience of modern slavery are encouraged to apply if they have an interest in building expertise on Freedom of Information (FOI). If you wish to disclose this, some of the reasonable adjustments we may be able to implement are:
- Expenses for up to three sessions of counselling with a registered talking therapist. The number of sessions may be extended depending on duration of volunteering / funding available to us
- Expenses for mobile data if you have unreliable WiFi access
- Risk assessments to troubleshoot concerns about using your full name in FOI correspondence to public authorities (such as specific police forces, the Home Office, among others)
Please note that this is not a paid opportunity or job role, so restrictions on volunteer expenses may apply if you are awaiting an asylum outcome. We aim to work with all candidates in this position to make sure the volunteering opportunity can still meet the needs of the right person.
Qualifications
Essential:
- An interest in Freedom of Information (FOI) and/or Government transparency
- A demonstrable passion for addressing modern slavery / human rights abuses
- Ability to navigate online search engines and government websites
- Meticulous attention to detail, with the ability to reliably identify errors
- Strong analytical and communication skills, both written and verbal
- Experience using Microsoft Word/Excel
Desirable:
- Knowledge of modern slavery and exploitation
- Experience undertaking literature reviews
- Knowledge of the Freedom of Information Act
After Exploitation 