• One DHR Chair mentorship is available for a woman working in the Black and minoritized ending VAWG ‘by and for’ sector.

• Commences February 2024.

• Minimum 1-year programme (depending on the length of DHR).

About the scheme

Coaction Hub, a partnership project between Asian Women’s Resource Centre (AWRC) and Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse (STADA) is offering a DHR chair mentorship to a professional working in the End Violence Against Black and Minoritized Women and Girls Sector (also known as the ‘by and for’ sector). This is an opportunity for an experienced domestic abuse expert to be supported to become a DHR chair. The expectation is that the applicant’s employers will allow them sufficient time to complete the mentorship, and in return will receive compensation. The successful candidate will receive training and support to co-chair a DHR, whilst bringing their knowledge and expertise into the DHR arena.

The mentorship will last approximately one year, although this period may be longer if the DHR they are involved with continues beyond the year. The mentorship will include shadowing, training, chair catch ups, 1-1s, and reflection time, as well as co-chairing and co-authoring a DHR. This is likely to total at least 29 days across the year (not all in full days), although may be longer if the DHR lasts longer than one year. There is an expectation that the mentee attends all these days, and that their agency allows them sufficient capacity to do so.

About the Coaction Hub

The Coaction Hub is a partnership project between Asian Women’s Resource Centre (AWRC) and Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse (STADA) which aims to strengthen the Co-ordinated Community Response (CCR) to improve responses to Black and minoritized/global majority survivors of domestic abuse and harmful practices. Through mapping, research, creating tools and disseminating findings, the Coaction Hub explores areas including risk assessment, MARACs, and DHRs to ascertain their effectiveness for Black and minoritized victims and survivors and recommend alternative models.

The DHR mentoring project draws on the Coaction Hub’s combined experience of AWRC’s understanding of the needs of Black and minoritized survivors of abuse and STADA’s experience of working in the field of DHRs. Based on this expertise, the Coaction Hub believes that much needs to be done to improve representation of Black and minoritized women in the sector. We aim to produce a capacity building platform that not only initiates inclusion but sustains it.

Who should apply

Participants should be:

Ø  Working in the End Violence Against Black and Minoritized Women and Girls Sector (also known as the ‘by and for’ sector).

Ø  Have extensive experience working with victims/ survivors of domestic abuse and/ or harmful practices.

Ø  Be able to demonstrate strong leadership skills.

Ø  Be keen to enhance their skills to become a DHR Chair.

Ø  Be willing to participate in an independent evaluation at the end of the pilot programme.

Ø  Be willing to participate in a webinar discussing findings at the end of the pilot programme.

Ø  Have the agreement of their employer to participate in the scheme.

Person Specification

Knowledge, skills & experience required:

A good understanding of the Coordinated Community Response to Domestic Abuse.

An extensive understanding of the dynamics of domestic abuse and so-called ‘honour’ based abuse, including coercive control and the importance of applying an intersectional lens when analysing the experience of abuse and the help-seeking process.

A good understanding of the barriers faced by victims/ survivors from Black and minoritized backgrounds, including how this might intersect with other protected characteristics including sex, age, disability, sexuality and gender.

A good understanding of the role, context and decision-making processes of the main agencies likely to be involved in a review.

Good investigative, interviewing and communication skills.

Analytical and report writing skills.

Able to demonstrate leadership expertise.

A commitment to the DHR mentoring programme, including attending all scheduled training, meetings, and other aspects of the work.

Work for a Black and minoritized VAWG ending by and for organisation who have committed to supporting them in this mentorship.

Your Application

If you’re interested in applying for the mentoring programme, please download the attached brief and person specification for more details. Applications will require a CV and statement outlining suitability for the role based on the person's specifications.

Your personal statement reflecting the person specification above is an important part of your application. Please demonstrate how you meet the criteria by detailing your experience, skills, achievements and/or abilities that are relevant to the role by providing specific examples.

Application deadline: 27th November 2023.

Interview: To be confirmed.

If you would like to discuss the project please contact f.richards@standingtogether.org.uk

The Coaction Hub wishes to thank AAFDA for their support in this project, and our funders Esmee Fairbairn.