Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
We are a charity that focuses on education and campaigning to support the needs wider community and of people seeking sanctuary primarily within Swindon but also considering the national situation too.
The Chair should be able to lead the charity over the next 3-5 years and empower the trustees and paid members of staff to work towards achieving all of our charitable objectives. We are looking for an individual with a passion for the fair treatment of people seeking sanctuary within Swindon and for the education of the town's population as to the value of this group to our wider community.
What are we looking for?
A commitment to the vision and mission of Swindon City of Sanctuary.
Successful experience of operating effectively in leadership roles, ideally leading diverse teams, within a charitable, public sector or commercial organisation.
An understanding of the respective roles of the Chair, Trustees and Charity Manager and acceptance of the legal dues, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship.
Demonstrable ability and experience of building and sustaining relationships with stakeholders and colleagues to achieve organisational objectives.
Knowledge of current global/national/local context relating to migration and seeking sanctuary
An ability to work effectively as a member of a team Preparedness to make difficult recommendations to the Board, when necessary, with diplomacy.
A history of impartiality, fairness and the ability to respect confidences.
Willingness to be available to staff for advice and enquiries when required.
Lived experience of migration or seeking sanctuary would be welcomed.
Specific skills, experiences or areas of expertise to complement the existing members of the Board.
Knowledge of the Swindon community
Previous chairing experience and human resources knowledge
The full list of skills, experience and qualities are listed on the attached Job Description.
Generally we are looking for someone with leadership experience/skills, who can plan strategically taking the rest of the team with them.
What difference will you make?
This position will give the successful individual a chance to lead a well respected local charity and develop its influence over the next 5 years. You will be able to see Swindon further develop as a safe place for people seeking sanctuary and a local population who fully understand their role in being part of the process.
With our links to the national City of Sanctuary organisation you will be able to lead campaigns that will help to shape government policy on all areas of immigration policy.
Before you apply
Please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining why you feel you are suitable for the post. You will then be contacted and an informal meeting will be arranged.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
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.