Academic Voice Coordinator Volunteer Roles
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
As an External Trustee, you will play a crucial role in guiding the strategic direction of Chester Students' Union, ensuring it is delivering effectively for its members and challenging the University to deliver the best possible University experience.
We are seeking individuals who bring a diverse range of skills, experiences, and perspectives to contribute to our dynamic and student-focused Board. If you are passionate about higher education, student well-being, and making a
positive impact, we invite you to consider the following criteria:
In particular we are keen to see people with experience of the following areas:
- Financial Strategy and Governance
- High level leadership experience within the Students’ Union/Charity sector.
- Strategic Partnerships and Measuring impact within Charity, Public Sector
- and/or membership organisations.
- Governance, and Human Resources/People Leadership.
1. Commitment to the Mission:
Demonstrated alignment with the mission and values of Chester Students' Union, with a clear understanding of the challenges and opportunities within higher education.
2. Governance and Leadership:
Previous experience serving on boards or in leadership positions, preferably within the education or non-profit sector.
Strong understanding of governance principles and a commitment to upholding ethical standards.
3. Strategic Vision:
Proven ability to think strategically and contribute to the development of long-term organisational goals.
Experience in strategic planning, risk management, and performance evaluation.
4. Financial Acumen:
Familiarity with financial management, budgeting, and financial reporting. Ability to analyse financial information and make informed decisions in the best interest of the organisation.
5. Legal and Compliance Knowledge:
Understanding of the legal and regulatory obligations of charitable companies in the UK. Awareness of governance and compliance issues relevant to the higher education sector.
6. Networking and Advocacy:
Strong networking skills with the ability to advocate for the Students' Union and build collaborative partnerships.
A willingness to represent the organisation at external events and engage with stakeholders.
7. Student-Centric Approach:
A genuine commitment to student welfare and the enhancement of the student experience. Ability to empathise with and understand the diverse needs of the student community.
8. Effective Communication:
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to convey complex information to diverse audiences.
Comfortable engaging with students, staff, and external partners.
9. Innovation and Adaptability:
A forward-thinking mindset with a focus on innovation and adaptability to navigate the evolving landscape of higher education.
10. Time Commitment:
Willingness and availability to commit the necessary time to fulfil trustee responsibilities, attend meetings, and actively contribute to board discussions.
Belong is an established, award-winning criminal justice charity with a vision of hope, rehabilitation and recovery for survivors and perpetrators of crime. We work with multiple stakeholder organisations to develop a more humane and effective criminal justice system. Through engaging with our mentoring, restorative justice, psychotherapy and training interventions, individuals and communities achieve positive, lasting change.
Belong wishes to appoint a new Chairperson to our Board of Trustees. We invite applications from individuals experienced in criminal justice and organisational leadership, with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
As the Chairperson of our Board you will be passionate about Belong’s vision and motivated to help drive Belong forward on its mission. An organised, energetic and reliable leader, you will support the Board of Trustees and CEO to realise the highest vision for Belong’s success. A fluent and persuasive communicator, you will represent the organisation publicly as well as internally and build relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders. You will be familiar with financial and risk management processes for medium to large organisations.
The role of Chairperson is a voluntary, non-executive appointment. The role requires a commitment of approximately two days per month, with the capacity to flex upwards should the need arise.
Belong fosters an inclusive and welcoming culture where all aspects of diversity are key to the charity’s success. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those with disabilities, lived experience of the criminal justice system and from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds.
Belong’s Values
Inspiration - Genuinely believing that people can change, heal, and rehabilitate. Focusing on individual’s strengths and abilities. Role modelling evidence-based practice amongst other professionals.
Respect - Accepting people as they are. Being consistent, open and honest with people. Challenging harmful beliefs and behaviour.
Empowerment - Giving people the skills to move forward and take ownership of the future. Enabling people to talk about their experiences. Encouraging people to voice their needs and set goals.
Perseverance - Providing long term support when this is needed. Working through setbacks with people. Understanding that lasting change takes time.
Restoration - Restoring hope and self-worth Re-building relationships. Promoting a culture of hope within criminal justice systems.
Chairperson Role, Responsibilities and Attributes
The Chairperson leads the Board of Trustees and sets its agenda in consultation with the CEO. Their role is to enable Trustees to fulfil their responsibilities for overall governance, risk management and strategic direction. The Trustee Board is responsible for proactively engaging with and understanding Belong, its service users and the wider criminal justice landscape. Trustees must always uphold the best interests of Belong’s service users, ensuring that the charity achieves its charitable aims whilst abiding by charity law and other relevant regulations. The Chairperson supports and empowers the CEO to lead the organisation so that it achieves its vision, mission and aims, whilst remaining sustainable and ethical.
In supporting the trustee board and CEO, the Chairperson is responsible for:
- Acting as an ambassador and spokesperson for Belong when appropriate.
- Creating meaningful and productive working relationships with the CEO, senior leadership team and trustees.
- Providing empowering, supportive line management to the CEO.
- Chair and facilitate trustee board meetings effectively, ensuring that decisions are made fairly and in the best interests of Belong’s service users.
- Supporting the trustees to have a sound understanding and oversight of the organisations finances, including reviewing annual budgets and financial policies.
- Facilitating annual performance reviews for each trustee and for the CEO.
- Leading and developing the board of trustees and CEO including inductions, training and succession planning as appropriate.
- Supporting other trustees to arrange and effectively chair quarterly subcommittees on risk and resilience, finance and fundraising and communications.
For an informal conversation about the role, please contact us via the details on our website. To apply for this role, please submit a CV and covering letter using the link below. Please note that we are not able to consider applications submitted without a CV or covering letter.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.