Caseworker

The face of power has changed. Until recently, people treated unfairly could often point to a person responsible: that policeman stopped me for no reason, that corporate boss cut my pay, that bureaucrat denied my mother a visa.  

Injustice remains, but today it often hides behind a technical veneer.  Decisions that affect the lives of thousands are made, or heavily influenced, by computer systems the public was never asked about and they don’t yet see. From insurers to police to Amazon and Facebook, power is exercised through algorithmic systems used to grade us and sort us. That’s where we come in.  

About us 

Foxglove is a non-profit that exists to make tech fair for us all.  In our first two years we forced disclosure of secret contracts between tech giants and the NHS, stopped a racist Home Office visa streaming algorithm, helped make grading fair for A level students in the UK, forced the government to pause the NHS data grab and supported over 360 Facebook workers to speak out against unsafe working conditions.  

We are a small, growing team of lawyers, activists and communications specialists. We investigate, litigate, and advocate for justice in technology. We work across Europe, helping some of tech’s most vulnerable workers organise for better conditions. We’re standing up to the tech giants who exploit our attention for profit. And we challenge unfair public-sector algorithms used to grade and sort us. We’re just getting started. We hope you want to join us. 

 About you 

You are an experienced researcher or investigator with an ability to turn what you’ve uncovered into action to drive social change. You understand that movements only succeed when they’re inclusive, making as many people as possible see that they have a stake in tech justice. You are a self-starter with the initiative to set your own tasks and find opportunities, but the team-spiritedness to contribute to a shared goal and celebrate others’ work. 

If that’s you, and the Foxglove mission excites you, we would love to hear from you. We are actively working to improve our diversity – because an effective and creative team is made of people from different walks of life. 

The role 

This role will support Foxglove’s casework across both strands of our work: platform power and algorithmic justice. The post holder will be responsible for supporting investigation, research, evidence gathering, partner relationships, project management and supporting our cases.

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 

Research 

• Supporting our directors to use a range of investigative and research techniques to gather information to support our legal cases, public campaigns and projects. This might include desk-based research, Freedom of Information Act requests, Subject Access requests, source interviews and more.  
• Listening to affected communities, unearthing issues caused by tech injustice, and working with the wider Foxglove team to come up with innovative legal and advocacy solutions. 

Advocacy 

• Building and maintaining relationships with stakeholders, including officials, impacted community members, union organisers, lawyers, employers, universities, frontline service providers and the public. 
• Helping to ensure communities’ and affected individual’s voices are heard in advocacy, so the public and decision makers understand why it is crucial these systems are brought within the rule of law and democratic control.  
• Working with the team to engage MPs, committees and decision makers in Foxglove’s issues.  
• Develop advocacy materials including briefings, opinion pieces and open letters. 

Project Management 

• Supporting the team in managing projects, logistics and general administrative planning to deliver our work. 
• Using a range of databases and software to ensure information and documents are in the right place and effectively managed and updated. 
• Supporting the filing of legal cases as and when required.  

Other 

• Working with the team to contribute to social media posts, blogs, op-eds, speaking to the media and placing stories.  
• Working with the team to develop materials that can be gathered for advocacy purposes including blogs, video or audio testimony, photographs etc. 
• Spotting campaign, litigation and advocacy opportunities. 
• Other ad hoc tasks as required by the team. 

Person Specification 

• An interest in tech-justice and Foxglove’s work 
• Minimum of three years relevant experience 
• Demonstrated ability to unearth facts that produce social change 
• An experienced researcher 
• A clear, creative and concise verbal and written communicator 
• An ability to deliver high quality work on deadline 
• A self-starter / able to work independently    
• Willingness to muck in and support other members of a small team as required   
• Demonstrated ability to think critically and act strategically 

Length and Salary 

The role is a permanent full-time role. The annual salary is £40,800 per annum less any required deductions for income tax and national insurance. Please note that our pay is transparent and non-negotiable. UK wide and international travel may be required.  

How to apply 

To apply please complete and send this application form as an attachment to applications@foxglove.org.uk by the application deadline.  We would be grateful if you could complete and return this diversity monitoring form alongside your application. 

Foxglove is new and we are growing. We are striving to build a team that is truly inclusive. We will create a diverse and adaptable environment where we support people to do their best work. We believe an effective and creative team is made up of people from different walks of life.  

If any part of this process causes you difficulty, please get in touch with us: applications@foxglove.org.uk.   

If you would like to know more about how we process your data as part of the recruitment process you can read our recruitment data use policy here.