Chair

Could you be our Chair of Age International and a Trustee of Age UK?

This unique dual role offers the opportunity to lead both Age International and Age UK in improving the lives of older people around the world, as they work together to achieve our shared vision of a world where every older person is included and valued.

Age International is a charity which responds to the needs, and promotes the rights, of older people, focused on those facing challenging situations in low and middle-income countries. Striving for a world where older people are respected and valued, their voices are heard, their contributions are recognised, their needs are met, and their human rights are realised.

Age UK is the country's leading charity dedicated to helping everyone make the most of later life. Ageing is not an illness, but it can be challenging. At Age UK, we provide services and support at a national and local level to inspire, enable and support older people. We stand up and speak for all those who have reached later life, and also protect the long-term interests of future generations.

Age International and Age UK are leading organisations focussed on older people.

In a rapidly aging world, where the over 55s make up the fastest growing group in society, our shared work on improving attitudes towards older people and their rights is more important than ever. We focus on enabling older people to access health and social care, and a sufficient income for a dignified life, in the UK and across international emergency and long-term development contexts.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds who meet the essential criteria and are passionate about our cause. This could be shown through working, or volunteering, in the international development sector or through involvement in advocating for older people’s rights.

Age International has a Board of nine Trustees, who bring a range of relevant skills and experience, including a Vice Chair and Trustees who lead on specialist areas such as Safeguarding. Age UK has a Board of thirteen Trustees, committed professionals with skills spanning advocacy, social care, health policy, fundraising, change management, finance, housing, brand and marketing, international development, digital transformation, strategy and business management.

Please see the attached role description for further information, a full version of the role requirements is also available on the Age International and Age UK websites.

Terms of appointment:

This role will be appointed for a period of two years, after which the role-holder may be re-appointed for a maximum of two further terms of three years. The position is voluntary, but all reasonable expenses will be reimbursed by the charities. Each Board meets four times a year (quarterly), usually in London, and it is possible to join some meetings online. The overall time commitment is anticipated to be, on average, 2 days per month plus preparation time. 

We are only able to consider candidates based in the UK for this opportunity.

Must haves:

• Experience as Chair of a Board of Trustees or as a Trustee
• A commitment to the vision, mission and values of Age International and Age UK
• Commitment to and passion for improving later life in the UK and around the world
• Experience in the UK international development / humanitarian sector
• Capacity to absorb complex information presented orally and in writing
• Capacity for strategic and critical thinking, objectivity, impartiality
• Ability to act as a team player and commitment to debating issues openly and challenging colleagues and executives appropriately
• Ability to recognise and handle appropriately potential conflicts of interest.
• Ability to make high quality decisions based on a clear line of sight into the organisations
• Ability to uphold the highest standards of integrity and probity
• Ability to provide coherent oversight and leadership, including representing the charities and understanding the views of our stakeholders
• Willingness to commit the time required
• Ability to travel to visit the programme work supported by Age International in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Middle East.

Great to haves:

• Leadership experience in a large organisation
• Previous skills and experience relating to matters impacting older people
• Ability to understand charity finances.

Additional Information: 

All applications will be anonymised by our recruitment system when you apply for a role with Age International.  Please note that our system is unable to anonymise cover letters, and we would therefore ask that to support the work we are doing on making our recruitment selection process fairer and more unbiased, that you remove any personal information from your cover letter/supporting statement, including your name before uploading this.  All equalities monitoring information is also anonymised and not shared with the hiring panel. Your name and address will only be known to us once you are invited for an interview.

Age International is committed to safeguarding adults at risk, and children, from abuse and neglect. We expect everyone who works with us to share this commitment.