Trustee

Role Profile

Safe Passage International is looking for people to join our Board of Trustees who are passionate about our mission to champion safe passage for people seeking asylum. 

We would particularly welcome applications from people who have lived (personal) experience of having to leave their home and cross borders in search of asylum and from people from Black, Asian, and other Minoritised Ethnic communities. 

We are particularly seeking expertise in the following areas:

• UK and, international / EU law and public policies on the subject of asylum-seeking and immigration.

Safe Passage International has offices in the UK, France, and Greece, and we welcome international applicants with the expertise we require.

Whether you have been a Trustee before or are considering a Trustee role for the first time, we want to hear from you!

About Safe Passage International

Safe Passage International (SPI) is a charity that champions the rights of people seeking asylum and displaced people as they flee persecution. We use the law to help them access safe routes to a place of safety and we work alongside them to campaign for change and build public support for safe passage for all.

We have a particular focus on supporting unaccompanied children and young people to reunite with family and reach protection in Europe, although we also work with adults and family groups too.

We are based in the UK, with small offices also in France and Greece. These offices are locally registered not for profit companies who are part of Safe Passage International, overseen by the international UK Board of Trustees. 

Safe Passage International advances its mission through five main strands of work:

• providing legal advice to asylum-seekers and their family members to help them be safely and legally reunited;
• holding governments and decision-makers to account on their legal obligations to people seeking asylum;
• campaigning and advocacy with policy makers in Government, Parliament, and other authorities to provide safe and legal routes for people seeking asylum;
• helping young people seeking asylum to settle upon arrival and working with them to campaign on issues that they are passionate about;
• Improving public awareness of the need for safe routes.

About our Board of Trustees

Joining the Safe Passage International Board means playing a leading role in a charity that supports people seeking asylum to access safe routes and reunite with family. By contributing your skills and perspective, you have the opportunity to support them to find safety. 

SPI is run by a Board of Directors known as Trustees. The Trustees work on a voluntary basis to uphold the core purpose of the charity, set its strategy, and protect its reputation. They are also responsible for overseeing the charity’s finances and ensuring that the charity’s activities fulfil its aims and are in line with charitable rules and regulations.

SPI’s existing Board currently has ten Trustees who between them have expertise by experience and / or knowledge and experience in the areas of safeguarding and casework, campaigning and advocacy, EU policies and law, finance, HR, leadership development, public policy, and governance.

It is very important that the Board’s decision-making is informed by the perspectives of people seeking asylum. We value the powerful insight that lived experience brings to the Board. We also respect that people’s identity is not defined by their past experiences and do not expect candidates to describe their lived experience during the interview process unless they wish to. 

What support will you receive?

We welcome applications from people without prior experience of being a Trustee, as well as those who have been on Boards before. As part of our commitment to supporting a diverse and effective Board we will provide you with:

• Full induction
• Training sessions
• Guidance
• An experienced Trustee to buddy with   you
• Expenses (travel to meetings)

What is a Trustee at Safe Passage International expected to do?

The overriding duty of all charity trustees is to advance the purposes of their charity as well as several basic legal duties. You can find out more about Trustees’ legal responsibilities here.

As a new Trustee, you will be a full and equal Board member. The Board of Trustees works closely with the Chief Executive and Senior Leadership Team of Safe Passage International to achieve its mission, and is responsible for providing support, guidance, and decisions in the following areas:

• Leadership: appointing the Chief Executive, supporting them in their role and holding them accountable.
• Accountability: ensuring that Safe Passage International is transparent and accountable to the public, our beneficiaries, and our donors about the way we carry out our mission and the way we spend the funds our supporters entrust to us.
• Strategic thinking: helping the charity to set goals and objectives, and work towards achieving them.
• Financial Oversight: including a formal review of the charity’s annual budget and supporting the Senior Leadership Team in financial management and organisation.
• Fundraising: including helping the charity to gain access to potential donors and supporters and providing general advice on areas of fundraising.
• Guidance and Support: including advising, where appropriate, the Chief Executive and Senior Leadership Team in areas such as employee management, strategic choices, and legal requirements.

Time Commitment and Expectations: If selected to join Safe Passage Internationals Board of Trustees, you will be expected to:

• Attend a range of training sessions prior to your first board meeting
• Attend 4 Board Meetings per year, plus one Strategy Day (in person where possible, otherwise   electronically).
• Read required Board documents before each meeting and be ready to ask questions and actively contribute to the Board’s discussion
• If requested, ad-hoc meetings on particular subjects
• Join a sub-committee to contribute to a specific area
• Attend occasional meetings with members of the public, for example with Safe Passage International’s supporters, or with politicians and policymakers
• Be an ambassador for the charity and for young people seeking asylum
• Collaborate and work with Safe Passage International’s staff as required. The successful appointee will be required to apply for an enhanced DBS or criminal record check, but a criminal record is not necessarily a barrier to being appointed to this role.

Safe Passage International’s Board members are appointed for a term of three years, which can be renewed. Throughout your time as a Trustee, we are committed to supporting your growth and offer access to relevant courses and development opportunities to help you build your skills and maximise your impact

Like all other charities, Safe Passage International’s Board members are volunteers. The role is therefore unpaid. However, SPI will pay for your travel to meetings and other necessary expenses.

How to apply

If you are interested in applying to become a Trustee and would like to find out more about our work and existing Board, we would be pleased to set up a conversation with our Chair of Trustees. Similarly, if you are excited by the idea of becoming a Trustee but are unsure if you have the right experience, we encourage you to reach out to discuss the role and the skills and experiences you think are relevant.

To apply, please send a copy of your CV and a Cover letter (no more than 2 pages) addressing the following points:

• Why you wish to join the Safe Passage International Board
• What skills and experiences you would bring to the Board, with reference to those listed in the role profile, including lived experience of seeking asylum

Email applications with the Email Subject Line: First name, Surname, Trustee Application. Attachments should be titled First name, Surname Cover Letter or CV.

Application Deadline: Wednesday, 20th November 2024 at 11.59 pm

Interview Date: Wednesday, 4th December 2024

This role is advertised as part of TPP's Free Giving Back Services. This volunteer advertisement copy has been supplied to TPP and applicants apply direct to the organisation. Please contact the organisation directly if you have any questions about this volunteer role.