Chair of the Board of Trustees

Refugee Support Devon aims to create a community where refugees can achieve their full potential and be treated as equal members of society. We support refugees and their families by providing the protection they need, aiding in their successful settlement within the local community, and helping them rebuild their lives with dignity and respect.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Board of Trustees at Refugee Support Devon. As Chair, you will have a unique chance to champion the charity’s mission to support and empower refugees and asylum seekers as they rebuild their lives.

What will you be doing?

The Chair leads the board of trustees, ensuring that it governs the charity effectively, in service of the charity’s vision and mission. The Chair leads in an inclusive way, supporting the board to work together well, and providing support and challenge to the manager. The Chair is also an ambassador for the charity.

Time Commitment is estimated as equivalent to 2-4 days per month.

What are we looking for? 

· Experience of being a trustee or a CEO. (You do not need to have been a Chair before) 

· A keen sense of strategic purpose. 

·         An inclusive leadership style: able to inspire and support everyone to participate on an equal footing. 

· The ability to listen and engage effectively. You are comfortable with challenge and debate and are able to encourage that in others whilst fostering a collaborative board environment. 

· An understanding of issues facing refugees and asylum seekers. 

· A strong personal commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. 

· Be responsive. As a small charity, things sometimes ‘come up’ that require the Chair to advise, support or give consent to. It is very helpful to have a Chair who is available and responsive.

What difference will you make?

"RSD has been supporting refugees and asylum seekers in Exeter and across the county for over 20 years and has built a community of committed, dedicated staff, volunteers and community supporters. We are all proud of the essential work that we continue to deliver, to support some of the most vulnerable in our community. A new Chair would bring fresh perspectives to the Board’s strategy." - Current RSD Chair, Jenny Longford