Chair of the Board of Trustees

Charity Board Chair

• Location: UK & remote
• Commitment: Part-time/voluntary (approximately 2 days per month)

Are you interested in the power that sport can offer young people? Does Africa inspire you? Are you in a position to dedicate some of your time to a committed UK registered charity, to understand the nuanced challenges faced by those working in the third sector – such as raising funds and tackling inequality – and the challenges faced by the young boys, girls, coaches and staff we support in Malawi? Do you have the expertise to foster positive relationships with fellow Trustees and charity partners, all in a collective effort to align on the charity’s goals and use the charity’s platform to further the development of young people and communities in Malawi?

Do you embody these values: professionalism, respect, integrity, discipline and enjoyment?

About Bhubesi Pride Foundation

Bhubesi Pride Foundation, BPF, is a youth sport and supplementary education charity supporting communities in Africa, now focused on Malawi. Through non-contact rugby, netball and other sports, we help to empower young people, providing opportunities for education, leadership and community development.

Over the last 5+ years, and in the face of multi-faceted challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, BPF has made significant progress helping to develop several core programs in rural Lilongwe, involving boys and girls in youth sports and integrated life skills activities. To enable this, we’ve worked closely with BPF Malawi – the partner NGO we registered (in Lilongwe in 2017) – to assist with organisational strengthening, policy implementation, improved operational delivery, governance, strategy, data collection and impact assessments. Since early 2022, the NGO’s staffed team has increased from two to 11 (all Malawian), 50+ Malawian youth sports coaches have been trained and over 3,000 young people actively participate in locally-led programming. Alongside in-country stakeholders, we’ve facilitated the construction of a unique sports and education facility on a 7-acre site in rural Lilongwe, on land purchased by the NGO, which is being increasingly utilised by BPF Malawi. Alongside the NGO, we’ve expanded our reach, deepened our impact and we continue to champion sport as a vehicle for positive change.

Our experiences have taught us a lot of valuable lessons about the work we do and, crucially, about our duty to Malawian communities. Future goals include increasing our sustainability, improving governance practices and building long-term partnerships which allow BPF to make even more of an impact on the communities we serve. Strengthening the charity’s relationship with BPF Malawi is also a key focus for us over the next 5 years, enabling us all to fully understand, and respond to, Malawi’s core challenges, and paving a more sustainable road ahead.

Role overview

The Chair will lead BPF’s Board of Trustees, working closely with the Chief Executive to ensure the charity continues to deliver on its mission. This is a pivotal role at a strategically important time, for all connected to our work. You will therefore help BPF shape and refine its next strategy and ensure the Board contributes effectively by supporting the charity’s goals.

Key responsibilities

• Leadership: Provide leadership to the Board of Trustees, ensuring that the charity delivers on its mission and strategic objectives.
• Governance: Ensure strong governance practices are in place, including compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. Lead on setting high standards for the Board’s performance and engagement, and appoint new Trustees to bring additional value.
• Strategic planning: Work with the Chief Executive and Board to support the development and implementation of the charity’s next strategy (closely collaborating with, and supporting, BPF Malawi).
• Fundraising and partnerships: Play a key role in helping the charity build long-term partnerships and secure new funding for the charity’s future sustainability.
• Trustee development: Inspire, support and hold BPF’s Trustees accountable for their contributions, ensuring that the Board as a whole functions effectively.
• Advocacy: Act as an ambassador for BPF, raising awareness of our work and helping to grow our profile in the international development and business sectors.

Person specification

Essential:

• Collaborative and inclusive approach: A commitment to working collaboratively with the Board, CEO, staff/volunteers, key stakeholders (e.g. charity partners and BPF Malawi) to achieve shared goals; and an inclusive intent to see that marginalised and vulnerable youth, especially girls and young people with disabilities, are given fair and equal opportunities and rights.
• International development knowledge: Experience in international development, ideally in Africa, with an understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the sector.
• Accountability and high standards: A high level of personal integrity and a focus on holding others to the highest standards of governance, effectiveness and impact – embodying and promoting BPF’s core values.
• Governance expertise: Proven track record of good governance, including understanding the legal and financial responsibilities of a charity board, bringing an open approach to how governance practices can be strengthened.

Desirable:

• Third sector experience: Knowledge and/or experience of the charity sector, within sport for development, youth empowerment, education or international development.

How to apply

If you’re interested in applying for Bhubesi Pride Foundation’s Board Chair role, please send us your CV and a covering letter by Monday 14th October 2024.