Trustee South Asia

Trustees that bring experience with intersectional feminism, gender justice, and/or women’s rights work within South Asia, including strong connections to feminist movements and organisations in the region.

Everyday women, girls and people with diverse gender identities face intersecting forms of discrimination, poverty and violence. Founded over 30 years ago, Womankind is a vibrant and successful international feminist organisation working hard, in collaboration with our partners and allies worldwide, to change that. Our focus countries are currently Afghanistan and Nepal in South Asia and Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda and Zimbabwe in Africa. Our Vision is a world where women, girls and people of all genders enjoy equal rights and freedoms and live with joy, choice and dignity.

We are optimistic, positive and forward-looking and we care deeply about overcoming structural inequalities, including as a result of colonialism. We are looking for passionate and enthusiastic feminists who share our values.   Womankind is in a period of exciting and positive change. The organisation is well financed and has a highly skilled workforce and Board of Trustees. We are in the early stages of implementing a dynamic, forward looking Strategy to 2030 which has been well received by partners and other stakeholders.

Role Purpose:

Trustees are responsible for the governance of Womankind Worldwide and for making sure it is doing what it was set up to do, as outlined in the Articles of Association. This means ensuring it is delivering its charitable objectives and is financially sound and compliant.

The Board benefits from Trustees’ wide range of differing skills, expertise and lived experience which they each contribute to support the charity and help it to achieve its aims.

Term of office: Trustees are appointed for a three-year term that are renewable, after review, for a further three years.

Trustee’s Responsibilities:

a.     Contribute their skills, expertise, experience and views to help Womankind to implement its exciting 2030 strategy over the coming years, including together fostering a culture of constructively challenging ourselves, each other, and the organisation’s thinking;

b.     Act in the best interest of the organisation at all times, which includes working together and not pursuing personal or sectional interests at the expense of the organisation’s interests;

c.     Monitor and react to the changing external environment in which Womankind operates;

d.     Ensure that Womankind has sufficient financial resources to deliver its vision, mission and strategy;

e.     Ensure that all Womankind’s resources are managed in line with statutory requirements and best practice;

f.       Ensure that Womankind demonstrates the impact of its work and meets its commitment as a learning organisation;

g.     Contribute to fundraising and promoting the work of Womankind.

Trustee Role Description:

All trustees must have integrity and commitment and align with the values and aims of Womankind.

Trustees will also each bring different specific skills and experience to the Board of Trustees. Each trustee is expected to:

·        Show commitment to the aims and work of Womankind, in particular women’s rights, gender equality, anti-racism and decolonisation, and a clear commitment to intersectional feminist values and principles.

·        Work as part of a team, in a culture of learning and change, and contribute to a board culture of inclusive, honest, constructive dialogue.

·        Demonstrate strategic vision and think creatively.

·        Be willing to speak their mind, whilst operating with tact and diplomacy, and exercise independent judgement.

·        Support the senior management team and staff in the implementation of strategy.

·        Understand the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship of a UK charity (induction training will be provided).

·        Have the availability and commitment to perform the functions of the role and dedicate the time required. This includes preparing for and attending at least three of four Board meetings per year.

·        Be willing to support, directly or indirectly, Womankind’s fundraising activities.

We particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience across intersectional feminism. We also welcome and encourage applications from LGBTQIA+ people, people with disabilities, and black and people of colour, including people who are located in the regions of our focus countries.

Skills and Person Specification:

Womankind is currently seeking Trustees that bring experience with intersectional feminism, gender justice, and/or women’s rights work within South Asia, including strong connections to feminist movements and organisations in the region.

Previous experience on a charity board – or engaging with a board in a leadership position – is advantageous, but not required.

Any skills or experience in the following areas would be useful to indicate in your letter of interest but are neither necessary nor required: grant-making; advocacy and policy engagement; fundraising; communications; human resources management; finance and accounting; risk management; UK charity law; and organisational development, including decolonising practice.

Time commitment:

The Board typically meets four times a year, with all Trustees expected to participate in scheduled Board Meetings. These meetings are virtual or hybrid, with one all day In-person meeting held per year. This is usually held in London, with Womankind facilitating and paying for in-person attendance.

The Finance & Resources Sub-Committee (FRC) meets an additional four to five times per year. The Treasurer chairs FRC meetings. Trustees with financial management, risk management and human resource management skills and experience are encouraged to join FRC.

In addition, Trustees are expected to assist with relevant matters between meetings, for example strategic planning or fundraising activities, and to participate in working groups dedicated to specific issues, particularly where this aligns with the Trustee’s area of interest and experience.

Salary:

This is an unpaid voluntary position. Reasonable travel expenses, including required travel from international home locations, are covered, in line with Womankind’s travel policy.

How to apply:

To apply for this position please include a Letter of Interest along with your CV.

Deadline for applications:  5th January 2025

Interviews to be scheduled:  10th – 14th February 2025