Co-Chair, Board of Trustees

Co-Chair of Board of Trustees, Women for Refugee Women

Location: Occasional travel to Women for Refugee Women’s office near Old Street, London,  or other meeting places in central London 

Salary: The role of Co-Chair is not accompanied by any financial remuneration, although expenses for travel and childcare may be claimed 

Hours: At least one day per month. These hours will be particularly focused on the quarterly board meetings (2.5 hours), and also other committees or meetings with the director and other senior staff

About us

Women for Refugee Women supports women who have fled persecution including rape, gender-based violence, domestic violence, forced marriage, female genital-cutting, torture, and trafficking to rebuild their lives on their own terms.  

Through our programme of creative and educational activities, we support a network of over 650 refugee and asylum-seeking women to develop their confidence and skills. Every woman who joins our network will find a welcoming and supportive space in which she can meet other women and begin to rebuild her life, whether that be through speaking her first words of English or leading campaigns for change. 

Alongside refugee women, WRW campaigns for, and achieves, real change to the asylum system, to ensure that every woman seeking safety in the UK receives a fair hearing. Whether it’s speaking to the mainstream media, performing at arts events, or speaking at Parliament, we support women to campaign on the issues that are affecting them, and by doing so, change hearts and minds.  

About the role

WRW is seeking to appoint a Co-Chair of  the Board of Trustees, who has experience of the asylum system in the UK, or elsewhere, to work alongside the current Chair and ensure that the Board fulfils its responsibilities and that the organisation can realise its mission. 

The role will involve: 

• Working alongside the current Chair of the Board to ensure that all the governance duties of the board are discharged responsibly
• Working in partnership with the Interim Co-Directors and other staff, ensuring that they are supported to put into practice the mission of the organisation and achieve the strategic plan
• Optimising the relationship between the Board of Trustees and staff
• Facilitating the Board of Trustees in stimulating well-rounded discussions and considered decision-making
• Being a strong spokesperson for the charity both internally and externally 

The person

WRW is looking for a strategically-minded individual with a strong commitment to WRW’s values, an understanding of the governance of charities, and a collaborative leadership style.  

Essential skills, knowledge and experience include: 

• Experience of the asylum system in the UK, or elsewhere
• A clear and demonstrable commitment to social justice, race equality and feminism
• Experience in senior roles in organisations, including experience of effective chairing and understanding of how to facilitate debate
• Sound knowledge of charity governance with a clear understanding of the duties and responsibilities of trustees and the legal environment in which charities operate
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills
• The ability to understand perspectives of others, to act collaboratively and diplomatically, and to secure collective decision-making
• The ability to understand complex strategic issues, without losing sight of a vision of positive change
• High standards of personal integrity with sound, independent judgement
• Understanding of the challenges experienced by women seeking asylum in the UK, and those with refugee status, and where change is needed

How to apply

To apply for the role, please send an email to Women for Refugee Women’s Chair, Rachel Krys, and the outgoing Director Alphonsine Kabagabo, with your CV and a cover letter (no more than two pages) stating why you think you are right for this role.  

Please feel free to send expressions of interest before the application if you would like to discuss the role further before applying.

The deadline for applications is Friday 7th February 2025, 5pm.

Please note that due to the nature of Women for Refugee Women’s work, we are only able to accept applications from women.