Person To Person Volunteer Volunteer Roles in Manchester

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.

Closing Date: 31 January 2025

Ref 6903

Save the Children UK has an exciting opportunity for an experienced and enthusiastic individual with a background in international development expertise to join our Board of Trustees. 

About Us 

Save the Children UK believes every child deserves a future. In the UK and around the world, we work every day to give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm.  When crisis strikes, and children are most vulnerable, we are always among the first to respond and the last to leave.  We ensure children's unique needs are met and their voices are heard. We deliver lasting results for millions of children, including those hardest to reach. 

About the role 

Trustees of Save the Children UK (SCUK) play a unique role in delivery of our mission. They are collectively responsible for the governance of the organisation and for all decisions made by the Board. They set the strategic direction for the organisation, ensuring alignment to our values, and are responsible for setting organisational policy, defining targets, agreeing the financial plan, evaluating performance, and ensuring that strong relationships are maintained between the Trustees and the Executives.  

As a Trustee of SCUK, you will:

• Act in SCUK's best interests, ensuring the charity complies with its governance responsibilities, charity law, company law and other relevant legislation or regulations, and ensure the effective management of resources and of risk.
• Provide support and constructive challenge to the Chief Executive and Executive Leadership Team to ensure the delivery of SCUK's mission and implementation of its strategic plan.
• Bring personal experience and professional expertise to the Board; contribute to key strategic debates within the organisation and to specific departmental and cross-team initiatives; and help to strengthen Board governance.
• Help ensure that SCUK continues to maintain the highest safeguarding standards in line with legislation, statutory guidance and best practice, and organisation policy and procedure.
• Ensure that safeguarding remains embedded in the culture of SCUK encouraging a safer environment for those we serve, our staff and volunteers.
• Attend quarterly Board meetings at SCUK's Head Office in Farringdon, London as well as any ad hoc Board meetings that arise.

• Represent SCUK at key functions, including fundraising and profile-raising events.

In particular, as a Trustee with expertise in international development, you will:

• Bring knowledge and experience of international development including the INGO sector.
• Bring a strong understanding of the contexts in which Save the Children works.
• Use your experience to help drive SCUK's goal to advance children's rights by working alongside and building the power of children, communities and local partners.
• Champion a focus on driving sustainable impact at scale.
• Champion SCUK's ambitions to shift power and resources to communities, local organisations and champion local leadership.
• Become a Member of the Audit & Risk Committee, which considers both external and internal audits, and advises the Board on financial control, risk management and organisational effectiveness.

 About you 

 We are seeking to recruit a Trustee who:

• Is engaged with, and excited by, SCUK's vision, mission and values.
• Will work to guarantee the highest standards of integrity and governance and help ensure statutory requirements are met.
• Has robust knowledge of international development and the INGO sector.
• A strong understanding of the contexts within which SCUK works, with an appreciation of and strong interest in international affairs.
• Has experience of working in the Global South.
• Will champion shifting the power to children, communities and local partners within SCUK's structures, and as a part of the global Save the Children Movement.
• Is able and willing to devote the necessary time to the role. Trustees are required to attend all Board meetings (four Board meetings and one or more Board calls per year) and quarterly Audit & Risk Committee meetings (you may be asked to join another Board Committee or take on another role (e.g. Whistleblowing Trustee)). Trustees may also be asked to participate in Board strategy days, telephone conferences, or travel on behalf of SCUK.
• Has an understand of, or a willingness to learn about, the duties, liabilities and responsibilities of Trustees, and of the difference between governance and management functions.
• Has a demonstrable commitment to championing diversity and inclusion, and a clear understanding of power, privilege, and how this affects everyone, particularly the children and communities with which we work.

Highly desirable capabilities:

• Collaborative, with excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strategic thinker: ability to strategically assess risks and opportunities and make informed decisions in line with the organisation's mission.
• Experience in, or an understanding of, the technology sector, digital development and innovation.
• Willingness to build and use networks to make introductions for Save the Children UK, for example to explore best practice in or facilitate fundraising, or advocacy and campaigning.
• An understanding of, or willingness to learn about, corporate governance issues, especially those that might affect a large international not-for-profit organisation.

The knowledge and skills listed above represent “the ideal candidate”. Please do not be deterred from applying if you do not fulfil every highly desirable capability. We warmly welcome applications from people who have not served as Trustees before. To ensure our Board of Trustees represents the wider society we serve, we encourage applications from candidates based in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and regions of England outside London.

Terms of Appointment: 

This is a voluntary position, but reasonable expenses will be reimbursed. We want to do what we can to remove barriers for Trustees on low incomes or with little spare. Please let us know during the application process if this could be an issue for you, so that we can explore options together. 

Trustees are appointed for an initial term of 2 years, after which Trustees can be reappointed for two further terms of 3 years each, up to a maximum of 8 years. 

Visit our website to learn more about our Board of Trustees and to explore our other current Trustee positions!

Closing Date: Friday 31st January 2025

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion: 

Save the Children UK believes in a world that is fair, inclusive and equitable where all children have the opportunity to change their world. We apply this to our workforce and we are committed to developing and supporting a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organisation where all employees have a sense of belonging and feel that they can be "Free to Be Me". We are not looking for just one type of person - we want to recruit people who can add fresh perspectives, innovative ideas or challenge that disrupts the risk of group think. 

We are especially interested in people whose childhood experiences - of life on a low income, of migration, of being in a racialised community, of the care system, of being LGBT+ or in an LGBT+ family or living with (or with someone with) a disability - help us to see things we might otherwise miss. Whatever your story is we want to hear it because we know that different voices, ideas, perspectives and knowledge, working together will enable us to better the lives of children around the world. This is the reason why we are all here.