Work with REDRESS FAQ’s

How many people work at REDRESS and what do they do?

Currently our staff team consists of 30 people, working across legal and programmes, advocacy and policy, communications, fundraising, finance and operations. Each area of work is managed by Senior Managers who are supervised by the Director.  

What does recruitment look like at REDRESS? 

All our vacancies are posted on this website, Charity Jobs and on our social media channels. The process is open and transparent, whereby any interested person can apply by submitting a CV and a cover letter.  

The applications are read and reviewed by two to three people: usually the Head of Operations, a manager and another member depending on the seniority of the role, which could be a board member or a team member. We strive to actively counter any bias that might be present in assessments. 

REDRESS has a diverse team from different backgrounds and with different experiences, including those with lived experience of torture. Under our Equality Policy, we welcome applications from people of colour, LGBTQI+ people, and disabled people, who are currently under-represented. We will use positive action under the Equality Act 2010 to appoint from these groups if two candidates are equally qualified. 

The application process is typically competitive, with over 100 candidates applying for a position, of whom 5-7 candidates will be selected for an interview. We expect to do two rounds of interviews. We may ask candidates to complete a brief written test as part of the process. Generally, the first round Interviews take place on a rolling basis and are conducted on-line with the Head of Operations and the manager of the role. The final round interviews generally take place in-person at our office in London or the Hague (depending on the location of the role) and will include additional members of the team.  

What languages do I have to speak to work at REDRESS? 

Our working language is English, but you do not have to be a native speaker to work at REDRESS, and more than half our team have English as a second language. You need to be able to communicate comfortably with colleagues and external people about your area of work.

Some of the roles in our structure require a higher standard of written and spoken English – particularly those that require external representation and/or written communications.  

Occasionally, we include desirable languages in some of our roles however this is not a requirement. 

Does REDRESS offer permanent contracts? 

Generally, we offer one-year fixed term contracts initially which then can become permanent after two years. We are, however, an NGO and operate largely using project funding, so all our contracts are subject to continuation of funding. Nonetheless, maintaining staff continuity is one of our priorities.  

Do I have to be a British or Dutch citizen to work at REDRESS?  

No, you do not need to be a British or Dutch citizen to work for REDRESS. We have staff members from non-EU countries and other continents. You will need to obtain a work permit and visa to start your employment, but we will manage the process and cover the costs. It is important to note that these documents are decided on by UK/Dutch authorities, and while we will do everything in our power to ensure the application is successful, we cannot guarantee it.  

I don’t live in the UK or the Netherlands, can I apply for a job at REDRESS? 

Yes, REDRESS staff come from different countries and continents. You can apply for a job regardless of where you currently live and what passport you hold (except for roles which we are unable to sponsor). If you are selected, you will be expected to move to the UK or Netherlands to join our UK or Netherlands office, which will only be possible after we manage to obtain a work permit and visa for you. We will be as supportive and flexible as possible to ensure you have a smooth move and will support your relocation, with some financial contribution where possible. 

Do I have to move to the UK or the Netherlands to work at REDRESS? 

We operate a hybrid working model where our staff spend 2-3 days each week working from the office based in London or the Hague as maintaining that team connection and in-person collaboration is important to us. In exceptional circumstances we can, temporarily, arrange for remote working, but that will not be possible in the long-term. 

I have a partner/family in my home country. Can I move to the UK or the Netherlands with them? 

You can choose to move together, and, in such case, REDRESS will provide guidance on how to obtain visas, if they need them. We will not be able to facilitate or manage any related processes for you. We will similarly not be able to support your family members with finding jobs or schools. 

Do I need to have international work experience to work at REDRESS? 

Yes, for most of our legal roles, you do need to have experience of working in regional or international organisations, as you will be expected to interact with individuals and partner organisations from different countries, so you need to be able to navigate these diverse settings and relationships and understand the different styles of communication. You need to understand the social and political landscape of the region, the cultural differences and the different behavioural, interactional norms within the sector. 

Do I need experience working in civil society or an NGO to work at REDRESS? 

It’s not a requirement to have a background in NGOs. However, if you have never worked or volunteered in civil society groups, it’s important that you understand and are committed to our core values and principles. 

The reality of working at an NGO such as REDRESS is that it is a very fast-paced environment. We interact and collaborate with many different groups of people, each with their own ideas, expectations, and working cultures. It often takes a long time to see the effects of our casework. Many of our legal staff handle difficult situations, processing information related to torture, discrimination, oppression and abuse. We strive to balance these challenges with support from managers and colleagues, a positive work atmosphere and culture, employment benefits, and our approach to wellbeing. 

What are the working hours at REDRESS? 

We have a flexible approach to working hours to accommodate any caring responsibilities or other needs you might have. The standard day is 8 hours long (including 1 hour lunch break), and our core hours are 10am-4pm. The work week is from Monday to Friday. In busy periods you might need to work more hours or on a weekend, especially during travel, but you will know about that well in advance and you will be able to request time off in lieu. 

Which benefits does REDRESS offer? 

Currently we offer the following benefits:  

Flexible Working. REDRESS is an “in-person” organisation, and we value teamwork, but we have a flexible working policy which allows for working from home. Our guidance is for staff to work a minimum of 2-3 days a week from the office.  

Salary. REDRESS has fixed salary scales, with annual cost of living increases, and the possibility of step increases with strong performance, and dependent on the organisation’s financial position. 

Pension. REDRESS offers a pension contribution of 10% of salary in the UK, 12% in NL.  

Holiday. There are 25 days of holiday per year in the UK and 20 days in the NL, in addition to UK/NL public holidays. The office is also closed between Christmas and New Year.   

Wellbeing. REDRESS has an Employee Assistance Programme (free and confidential resource) to support the health and wellbeing of all our staff, professionally and personally.  

What is the workplace culture like?  

While REDRESS is a structured organisation, with policies on specific operations, manuals for different areas of work, and clear lines of responsibility and accountability between staff, management, and the Board, the workplace culture itself is relaxed and informal. We rely on conversations between different people and collaboration rather than strict instructions. We do not have any specific dress codes and smart casual is generally considered appropriate. We try to balance the need for clarity and fairness with flexibility and allowing people to find the best ways of doing things.