Board Member Volunteer Roles

Job Description

Nyaka UK is seeking committed and dynamic individuals to join our Board of Trustees. Trustees play a vital role in providing strategic direction, governance oversight, and leadership to the charity. We are looking for individuals with diverse backgrounds, skills, and experiences who are passionate about making a positive impact on global development issues.

Position: General Board Member & Trustee (Non-Portfilio)

Location: United Kingdom (Remote)

Reporting Line: Chairperson & Officers

Role Overview:

Contract type: Voluntary (Unpaid) except for reasonable expenses.

Time Commitment: Adhoc - 5-10 hours per month, including board meetings, committee meetings, and other related activities.

What we are looking for?

Applicants from diverse backgrounds, and skill sets. Area of interest: Individuals with experience gained from private, third or public sectors in leadership positions with expertise in fundraising, event management, legacy donations, grant applications and writing, marketing, web development, and domain management, alongside experience with African communities. We are looking for a variety of skill sets that can enhance our mission, emphasizing innovation, dedication, and the ability to contribute to meaningful change.

Essential Criteria:

• Applicants must be 18 years of age or over.
• Be fluent in English written and spoken.
• Not be barred from working with children or vulnerable people.
• No criminal record of dishonesty such as fraud or theft.
• Strong commitment to Nyaka UK’s mission.
• Willingness and ability to undertake an active hands-on role.
• Commitment to continuous learning and training.
• Willingness to leverage professional and person networks to support fundraising and awareness efforts.

In late 2023, the Cathedral adopted a new governance structure under the Cathedrals Measure 2021 and became a registered charity in March 2024.  All members of Chapter are now charity trustees.

We are looking for new trustees, including a Senior Non-Executive Member (SNEM) who are willing to build on the commitment, enthusiasm and energy of current members who are nearing the end of their terms of office and continue to broaden the diversity of thinking in Chapter.

While we are not looking for any specific skill set, successful candidates must be able to demonstrate that they have the experience and skills necessary for working at board level. 

The SNEM is appointed by the Bishop following advice from the Nominations Committee and the successful candidate for this role will have experience of chairing board or similar level meetings..

As a non-executive trustee, your role will be vital  in the oversight of the management and administration of the Cathedral and in ensuring that the Vision and Strategy formed in 2020 is being effectively delivered and developed as we head towards our Centenary in 2027.  Working collaboratively with other trustees you will give strategic direction to the Cathedral, set overall policy, define goals and evaluate outcomes.

Portsmouth Cathedral, the Cathedral of the Sea, has been the seat of the Bishop of Portsmouth since the creation of the Diocese of Portsmouth in 1927.  It has a distinctive history and role in a great maritime city, and serves a diverse diocese that stretches from the Isle of Wight to East Hampshire.

The successful candidates will be either a communicant member of the Church of England, or of a church with which it is in communion and an enhanced DBS check will be required.  A full induction programme and ongoing training in offered to enable members to deliver their responsibilities. 

We are committed to growing in diversity and inclusion and seek to reflect this in Chapter. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. Portsmouth Cathedral is a member of Inclusive Church.

This role contains an Occupational Requirement, in line with the Equalities Act 2010, that the candidate will be a practising Christian.

Expressions of interest are invited before 22 April 2024.

Backgrounds in:

finance and clinical and one with skills, knowledge and expertise in one or more of the following areas: 

• HR and organisational development
• Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
• Digital innovation
• Community involvement
• Voluntary sector
• Service transformation
• Performance management

Location: Blackpool 

Salary: £13,500 p.a. (4 days per month) 

Do you have the necessary skills and capabilities – not necessarily from the NHS -  to support the delivery of the best possible health and wellbeing outcomes for the populations of Lancashire, South Cumbria and the Fylde Coast? 

Our Trust is situated on the West Coast of Lancashire and provides a comprehensive range of health and care services to the residents and visitors of Blackpool, Fylde, Wyre and North Lancashire. The Trust employs over 8,000 staff and has a turnover of around £648 million.

We operate in a rapidly changing NHS and health environment. This provides many opportunities, as well as uncertainty with the challenges facing the Trust and the NHS, can only be addressed through working in close partnership with the Trust’s health and care partners across the Fylde Coast and Lancashire and South Cumbria. 

About the role: 

Our Non-Executive directors work alongside other non-executives and executive directors as an equal member of the board. They share responsibility with the other directors for the decisions made by the board and for success of the organisation in leading the local improvement of healthcare services for patients.  

Despite challenges, the Trust is in an exciting position, working towards its ambitious vision to be high-performing organisation, operating as part of an integrated care system that provides high-quality, safe and effective care across its communities.

Our Non-Executive Directors are appointed for an initial period of three years by the Council of Governors. Re-appointment for a further three-year period will be subject to satisfactory appraisal and agreement by the Council of Governors.

Your duties and responsibilities will include:

• Formulating plans and strategy
• Obtaining assurance and ensuring accountability
• Shaping the Trust’s culture and capability
• Ensuring that the Trust’s governance arrangements conform with best practice and statutory requirements

About You: 

We seek experienced Non-Executive Directors - not necessarily from the NHS - who will provide challenge and support to enable us to innovate and improve the delivery of the best possible health and wellbeing outcomes for our communities.

You will have an understanding of, and commitment to, NHS values of accountability, probity, and equality of opportunity, as well as the Trust, our values and the communities we serve. Your personal qualities include:

• Being prepared and able to make complex decisions, maintain an independent mindset and challenge constructively.
• A commitment to continuous improvement and delivery of high-quality services.
• Sound understanding of good corporate governance and risk as well as operating in a regulatory environment.
• Being a collaborative team player who participates and contributes effectively, bringing independent thinking and objectivity, and takes shared responsibility for decisions, outcomes and activities delegated by the Board.
• The ability to demonstrate local knowledge and an understanding and connectivity with the diverse. communities served by the Trust.  
• Having the necessary time and commitment to fulfil the requirements of the role.

You will need to become a member of our Trust and live in one of the following areas: Borough of Blackpool; Borough of Fylde; Borough of Wyre or the wider Northwest. 

The closing date for an application is Monday 29th April 2024.

We are partnering with our retained and exclusive recruitment consultancy, Peridot Partners, and for full details about the opportunity and how to apply, please follow the link to the recruitment microsite.

Make a lasting impact on future generations and your community, by becoming a governor for your local college.

Peridot Partners have partnered with the Department of Education to revolutionise the education governance sector, by appointing 137 new governors to college boards across England.

Education governors come from all backgrounds and sectors with either professional or lived experience that can help the board to make their decisions. A passion for education and future generations is a must, but you don’t need to have any experience in the education sector to become a governor.

Being an education governor or trustee is a rewarding and fulfilling venture for any of us. You don’t need to be a Chief Executive, a senior leader or even an educationalist to join the ever-growing pool of people who regularly attend board and committee meetings to influence and impact the quality of education delivered by our schools, sixth forms, further education colleges and universities. 

As an education governor, you will draw on the professional experience of your working career and your own life experiences to support and challenge the strategic direction of the organisation. You will reflect on the lessons that you have learnt through education, work and life to ask questions and understand how decisions being made on an operational level will and could impact the students and their potential for achievement.

Peridot Partners and the Department of Education are, together, committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and our client expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate(s) will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references before any final offer can be made.

Please click 'Apply via website’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can see the available opportunities and register your interest. 

We’re a Theatre Without Walls, have imagination without limits and exist to make extraordinary, relevant theatre by, with and for contemporary Scotland.

As we continue our journey, we are seeking to recruit two Non-Executive Directors from the business world, third sector, cultural sector and beyond who share our passion for theatre and the arts to support our collective responsibility to develop our vision and our people. In this instance, we are specifically looking for individuals with experience and skills in the following areas:

• Experience of HR practice and / or the legal landscape around HR within a thriving workplace.

• Experience of working with young people from diverse backgrounds, encouraging the voice of young people in society, working with more disengaged youth to build confidence, agency and social mobility.

We welcome a diversity of voices around the table, reflecting the audiences and communities we serve. Applications from divergent and collaborative thinkers are welcome, we offer a space in which to speak and be heard. We also encourage applications from candidates of colour, gender diverse people and disabled people.

If this is of interest, please download the Information Pack which contains further information and full details of how to apply on our website. 

Do you want to join a Board with an ambitious strategy to grow the amount of care we provide to people with complex disabilities, within a well established care organisation? At Vision Homes, we are seeking to recruit passionate and committed new trustees to our Board to help shape future strategy and growth.

We are seeking Trustees to bring additional knowledge and input to our Board. It is an opportunity for those that who are keen to use their skills and experience, whether professional or personal, to make sure Vision Homes can continue to serve and to grow the excellent care that it provides to people with complex needs such as sensory impairment with acquired brain injury. Those in our care range in age, and have differing needs, and we aim to offer personalised care so that everyone can live the best life that they can. 

We’re particularly interested to hear from you if have direct experience of adult care services (care homes or home care) or experience in the supported housing sector. We also have a need to add to our skills and diversity, as a Board, in areas such as charity, governance, strategic management, or experience as a Chartered Surveyor. No prior experience of sitting on a board is necessary as we offer induction and training.

Progress towards equality for autistic children and young people has been made and we’re proud of our role in this as a movement for change. But there is still more progress to be made. This is an opportunity to lead the board of a charity that is ensuring we live in a world where autistic children and young people can be themselves and realise their ambitions.

Location: London across several sites.

Applications close on Friday 31st May.

Who we are.

Ambitious about Autism is the national charity for autistic children and young people. We were established in 1997 by a group of families of autistic children who were concerned about the lack of appropriate provision for their children. Following a major capital fundraising campaign and a series of temporary locations and premises, Treehouse School and our charity moved into purpose-built accommodation in 2008, together creating the Pears National Centre for Autism Education. Since then, we have grown our education services opening Ambitious College, The Rise School and Spring School, and merging with St John’s College in September 2023, alongside extending our national influencing and enabling activities.

We run specialist education services and an award-winning employment programme, wherein children and young people are at the heart of our charity’s decision-making, policy work and campaigning. We also use our expertise to deliver training and consultancy to a wide range of organisations to improve awareness and understanding of autism. We want to help even more autistic children and young people to improve their quality of life and secure a fulfilling and rewarding future.

Even during the pandemic, we lived up to our name as we achieved so many goals and plans. We developed our Right from the Start toolkit, launched our Employ Autism campaign, and have grown and evolved.

We are experiencing an exciting period of growth. We were chosen to open a new school – Spring School which supports up to 90 pupils at capacity from ages 4-19 and we announced our merger with St John’s College. Although this is exciting, we have a battle on our hands as we call on the government to follow their solutions in the SEND Green Paper. We’re concerned that some of the proposals will make it even harder for autistic children to access education support and so we are asking for a public commitment from the government to fund support for children with SEND. There are more than twice as many children with SEND in schools and colleges now than there were in 2010, but the government has not set out what funding will be available to pay for the additional support they need.

We know there is an increasing need for mental health support across all schools. Everyone should be able to feel OK at school. But we know this isn’t the case for many autistic pupils. That’s why we created the Autistic and OK programme to empower autistic pupils to take control of their mental health and wellbeing, understand themselves and feel OK at school. Our guide is free for every single secondary school. But there is more for us to do, to continue to build and empower our communities to ensure autistic young people feel understood and accepted.

We recognise that there is still more to be done to grow and develop our important work, first outlined in our Time for Ambition 2021-2024 strategy and so we are extending this strategy for a further two years. Our aims continue to include ensuring autistic children and young people have an excellent and inclusive education, alongside striving for every autistic young person to have good careers education at school and in further and higher education, including experience of work. Autistic people need services that support good mental health by reducing isolation and so we want to ensure early intervention through signposting to specialist support. We aim to ensure peer networks are available alongside uplifting but realistic information tailored to autistic young people and their families. We also want to further develop our Ambitious Youth Network and continue to expand nationally to empower young people to connect with one another and to influence societal change.

Given we run schools, following a governance review in December 2019, we created our own Multi-Academy Trust – Ambitious about Autism Schools Trust (AaAST) which currently has two schools. We implemented several new changes to our governance including Joint Trustees and a joint committee structure wherein there are five trustees each of the Charity and Trust Boards and three Trustees who are Trustees of both Boards who serve as the joint Chair, Vice Chair and Treasurer of the Charity and Trust. All Trustees of the Charity and Trust are members of a Joint Group Board Committee to ensure oversight of the Charity and Trust. How this works in practice is everyone meets together with a short meeting afterwards to discuss Ambitious about Autism Schools Trust.

Our new Chair.

Our current Chair, Neil Goulden, is approaching the end of his term in December 2024, and we are in search of our next Chair to lead our Board. We need a Chair who has extensive experience in modern board leadership, ensuring robust governance, and promoting collective strategic decision-making. We are looking for someone who is commercially astute, as we strive to drive our organisation’s continued growth, ambition, and development. We value a Chair who embodies credibility and adeptness in navigating complexity. The ability to work with others and build trusting relationships with a variety of stakeholders are key.

Our new Chair must be committed to making a meaningful impact and leading an organisation that empowers young autistic people during a pivotal period of change in our communities. We need a Chair who is an inclusive leader, fostering engagement, strategic thinking, and openness who will lead the board as an

exemplar of inclusivity. They must be supportive and challenging, creating opportunities for growth and positive impact.

It is vital that our new Chair works with the board to ensure that all voices are heard and will have an affinity for our mission to stand with autistic children and young people, champion their rights, and create opportunities.

The new Chair will work with an established board and ambitious executive team that is ensuring our organisation is sustainable, evolving, innovative and impactful, and leads change whilst providing outstanding education to young autistic people.

The Board meets once a term and has an annual strategy away day. We expect the time commitment for the Chair to vary, and we would expect the equivalent on average of circa two days a month across various activities such as preparation for board meetings, reading board papers, regular conversation with the Chief Executive, ad hoc discussions with board members and the executive team, and attending events throughout the year.

Our board is diverse in many ways, including autistic people, who are part of our board, alongside a balance of gender, ethnicity, and age. We want to continue ensuring our Board represents our society and the people we work with every day.

Please click 'Apply via website’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.

Applications for this role close Friday 31st May. 

Become a Trustee of Pregnant Then Screwed- Our vision is for a society where care is valued and in which pregnant women and mothers in all their diversity are enabled to fulfil their potential; creating a stronger, happier, better future for us all.

Trustees are integral volunteers who steer the course of Pregnant Then Screwed. We're currently seeking up to 5 new trustees as some current board members are concluding their terms this year and we’re keen to diversify our board.

We are looking for individuals inspired by our mission, and are seeking to appoint board members with experience, skills and expertise that will enhance our ability to tackle the discrimination mothers face.

We are seeking individuals with these general skills :

• Strategic vision, integrity, and independent judgement.

• Creativity in problem-solving.

• Understanding of trusteeship legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities.

• Experience in committee work.

• Tact and diplomacy.

• Dedication to investing necessary time and effort (approximately 2 days per month).

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

• Impartiality, fairness and discretion.

• Knowledge of charity law, governance, and financial management.

• Proficiency in monitoring and evaluating performance in the charity sector.

• Engagement in fundraising and engagement activities for Pregnant Then Screwed.

• Provide guidance on new initiatives and other issues in your area of expertise.

And would particularly welcome applications from candidates with a track-record in the following areas (we do not expect you to have ALL these):

• Digital Communications: Utilising digital platforms for effective communication.

• Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI): Commitment to promoting EDI.

• Safeguarding Adults: Knowledge and experience in safeguarding.

• Charity Fundraising: Developing and executing fundraising strategies.

• Research and Data Analysis: Gathering, analysing, and interpreting data.

• Membership Development: Implementing strategies to attract and retain members.

• Engaging Corporates: Building and maintaining corporate relationships.

• A good working knowledge of either the political landscape in Scotland and/or the childcare sector in Scotland - its challenges, policies and opportunities for improvement. As well as being well networked with Scottish Parliamentarians / relevant Scottish charities / those in the Scottish childcare sector.

• Experience of Working in the Trade Union sector: Familiarity with union dynamics and issues.

• Human Resources (HR): Understanding HR practices, especially related to maternity discrimination.

• People and Culture: Experience of developing organisational culture in alignment with our commitment to equity and inclusion.

Role title: Chair of the Board of Trustees
Location: Flexible (travel to London will be required at least once a quarter)
Salary: N/A (Volunteer role)
Time commitment: 2-3 days per month
Contract: The Chair is appointed for an initial 3-year term with the option of renewal for up to 3 terms. The maximum term for all trustees (including the Chair) is 9 years.

Purpose of the role: 
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced leader to join a growing, impact-focused and ambitious charity supporting refugees to access meaningful employment and build a new life. 

The Chair leads the board, ensuring that it governs Breaking Barriers effectively, in service of our vision and mission. The Chair leads in an inclusive way, supporting the board to work together well, and providing support and challenge to the Chief Executive. The Chair is also an ambassador for the charity. 

The Chair of Breaking Barriers provides visionary leadership and strategic direction, ensuring that the organisation effectively achieves its mission while adhering to its core values. This pivotal role involves governance oversight, board leadership, executive support, and serving as an ambassador for the organisation.

Key responsibilities:

• Strategic leadership and vision: Guide the organisation with a strategic vision, aligning the board and staff's efforts with the mission. Lead the development and review of long-term strategies to ensure responsiveness to community needs and adaptability to the changing environment.
• Governance and oversight: Ensure effective governance, oversee board operations, and ensure compliance with legal, ethical, and functional responsibilities. Monitor financial performance and adherence to non-profit management best practices.
• Resource mobilisation: Support and participate in fundraising strategies, leveraging networks, and engaging with donors and stakeholders to secure necessary resources for the organisation's work.
• Building and leading the board: Ensure the board comprises members with diverse skills and perspectives. Lead recruitment, orientation, and training of board members and facilitate effective meetings and discussions, ensuring productive governance to advance the purpose and values of the organization.
• CEO support and evaluation: Support and maintain a constructive relationship with the CEO, creating a positive and strong working relationship to jointly set and achieve appropriate targets, staying in regular contact and acting as a sounding board to discuss strategic or staffing issues - coaching, supporting and challenging as necessary. Ensuring accountability for organisational performance.
• Ambassadorship: Act as the primary ambassador, representing and promoting the organisation's mission, values, and interests to external stakeholders, enhancing its reputation, and fostering collaboration, fundraising and promotional opportunities.

To view the full job description and person specification, as well as details on our accessible recruitment process, please view the attached recruitment pack.

Other considerations

• As part of our safeguarding commitment to our clients, we carry out pre-employment checks to ensure that successful applicants are suitable to work with adults at risk. These include basic DBS checks, obtaining references and verifying a candidate’s identity and right to work in the UK.
• Breaking Barriers is committed to protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect and for their views, wishes and beliefs to be fully considered when deciding action.
• We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity status, race, religion or belief.

How to apply

If you are looking for a role where you can make a real difference, we want to hear from you. Please apply via Charity Jobs by submitting a cover letter (up to approximately 2 A4 pages), referencing how you believe you best meet the person specification. You are also welcome to include any reasonable adjustments you require for the interview process. Please view the attached recruitment pack for further essential information for candidates.

Closing date for applications is 11:59pm on Thursday 2nd May. Interviews will be held on a rolling basis so please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

We belong to the Experts by Experience Employment Initiative, which advocates and supports organisations to employ more people from a refugee background. With this in mind, we particularly welcome applicants with experience of seeking asylum and/or a refugee background. If you are an expert by experience (a refugee or a migrant with direct, first-hand experience of issues and challenges of the UK asylum or immigration system), you can ask for an independent and confidential support for your job application from the Experts by Experience Employment Network. Please reach out to HR Manager Dani Meier for further details (we are unable to include email addresses in this advert, but you can find contact details on the final page of the attached recruitment pack).

Job Description

Volunteer monitoring work with the IMB gives you the opportunity to make a real difference to people’s lives. You will listen to people in immigration detention and prisoners, talk to staff and see for yourself what is actually happening behind the walls.

The IMB is recruiting for new members at numerous prisons and at immigration detention centres across England, Wales, and Scotland and at short term/residential holding facilities across the UK.  We are looking for people who live within approximately 40 miles of their closest establishment and can commit the time to make 2 to 3 visits per month, although this may be slightly higher during the first year of training and this can be flexible depending on the needs of the Board and the individual. Please visit the IMB website for a full list of all locations we are recruiting to.

Who are the IMB?

We’re a group of ordinary members of the public, doing an extraordinary job. As a passionate, personable individual, you could join us in making a difference. In this unpaid role, you’ll volunteer your talent and time towards securing a decent day-to-day life for every prisoner and detainee. Under the guidance of dedicated mentors and an extensive training programme, you’ll commit to a flexible schedule of visits to a local establishment each month.  Although this is an unpaid role, we pay travel and subsistence expenses, childcare or carer costs and, in certain circumstances, contributions towards loss of earnings.  Your observations will have an impact as your Board reports its findings to Ministers in His Majesty’s Government. 

About the role

With unrestricted access to these unique environments, you’ll gain a rare insight into all aspects of life in custody. Impartial and highly influential, you can decide what shape your visits should take. As an independent monitor, you may spend time in a specific part of the establishment and choose to have your conversations with prisoners or detainees out of sight or hearing of a member of staff. As well as keeping a close eye on daily operations, you’ll play a crucial role in dealing with problems that arise. This could be in response to a confidential request to see a member of the IMB, or to observe the management of the more serious incidents that occur.

Why join us?

More than anything else, this is a rewarding opportunity that makes a real and meaningful difference to the lives of prisoners, detainees and our wider society. Ministers are obliged to respond to the issues raised in your Board’s report.  The environment may seem intimidating at first, but you will be fully supported through your training and accompanied during your visits until you feel ready to manage independently. This highly recognised and respected role could provide the experience that opens doors into other careers within the justice system.

Who are we looking for?

There is no one type of person who could be right for the IMB because it’s not about background or skillset. It’s about having the dedication and passion to ensure all people are being treated fairly. For that reason, we’re looking for individuals from all walks of life who will approach the role with no preconceptions. You will need to be willing to work within a challenging environment and have the confidence to report your findings to senior figures. Most importantly, you will be able to talk to people in a way that makes each prisoner or detainee feel respected and reassured.

Closing date for completed applications is 29 April 2024.

Visit our website for more information and to complete the online application form.   

Do you have financial skills and enthusiasm to help an organisation that supports families of young children?  You could be the next Treasurer for Home-Start Surrey heath and help drive our vision.

Our board includes people with experience and skills in support for Early Years; we'd expect our new Treasurer to have empathy with our cause and the families we support.

If you have some experience of charity finance, we'd welcome that, although if your experience is from other sectors, please talk to us.  Full induction to our organisation will be provided plus specialist support as a new Trustee, including access to external training.

We’d welcome your financial qualification but that’s not a requirement as our finances aren’t complex. An understanding of how charity finance works is beneficial, with the important ability to communicate financial information clearly, especially to other trustees. Support from our employees is always available, as they will be dealing with day-to-day finances.

We are a charity not a business, but we apply business principles to governing our organisation. We are looking for fresh expertise and experience from a variety of backgrounds to our charity. We want to expand the diversity of our board, in all meanings of the word, and strongly welcome applications from people from less-represented groups. 

The focus of a trustee role is strategic, and trustees will not be expected to get involved in the organisation’s operations on a day-to-day basis; however, contact and liaison with other trustees and employees is expected.   

Diverse City is looking for a Chair to the Trustees who will be responsible for leading an effective board, managing the Executive and representing the organisation as an ambassador and advocate.

Diversity is central to our name, our art, and our values. We believe that theatre with its roots in diversity helps us imagine a fairer world, so that we can make one.

The company collaborates on the development and touring of nationally significant work to create equal representation in the performing arts. Our flagship collaboration is with Cirque Bijou. Together we lead Extraordinary Bodies a company that creates bold, provocative new circus performance.

Our mission is to fight for equality in every artistic arena. The boardroom, the audience, backstage and centre stage should all be truly representative, and we’re here to make that happen. We know that career pathways into the arts are only open to the few. This means, people from low socio-economic backgrounds, D/deaf and disabled people, and people from the global majority are all underrepresented in arts organisations, including ours. We want to change that. So, we particularly encourage applications from people from underrepresented groups.

We are a National Portfolio Organisation (NPO), supported by Arts Council England.

We are entering an exciting period, and the Chair will be key in turning the page to the next chapter for the Company. The Board has recently been revitalised, and the Chair will be critical in driving the governance and Company forward. So, if you have experience and commitment to collaborative working, nurturing the voices and perspectives of all, social justice and the value of the arts, we could well be looking for you.

The key areas the Chair is responsible for are:

• Leading the Board, stakeholder management and organisational governance. Including:
• Setting the Board agenda, ensuring legal and financial governance duties are met effectively.
• Effective operation of the Board in all its areas and responsibilities.
• Build and maintain positive relationships including existing and potential funders.
• Represent the organisation at outside events
• Develop the Charity's vision and strategy
• Line manage the Executive
• Support the Executive in fundraising and encourage Trustees to do so.

We are looking for candidate with the following skills and experience

• Record of engagement in arts & culture
• Commitment & understanding of equality, diversity & inclusion.
• Experience of governance, or other organisational leadership, particularly in arts & culture, a non-profit, charity or public sector setting.
• Familiarity with reviewing or managing budgets.
• Effective, confident & enabling approach to convening & facilitating meetings Experience of chairing or facilitation in both in-person & remote settings.
• Skilled at building & balancing relationships with stakeholders including Arts Council England.
• Enthusiasm & empathy for vision, mission, values & work of the charity.
• Commitment to trustee duties & openness with the charity's team & Trustees.
• Ability to work in a team, accept decisions & be tolerant of other views.
• Commitment to being informed about - and act as a champion for - the charity.
• Ability to treat sensitive information confidentially.

Our candidate pack outlines the responsibilities of the role as well as the skills and experience needed. The candidate pack is available as Audio and BSL versions. Other versions available on request.

We are recruiting several board member roles including Secretary and Treasurer and general Non-Executive Director. All board members share these responsibilities and requirements:

~ Provide governance oversight over our legal and financial duties as a Community Interest Company. 

 ~Guide OSN staff, team leaders and contractors, to deliver our mission and strategy. 

For some responsibilities on the Board i.e.the legal, finance and fundraising, will require a degree of management of our delivery due to these being underdeveloped areas within the organisation.

Job Description

Volunteer monitoring work with the IMB gives you the opportunity to make a real difference to people’s lives. You will listen to prisoners and people in immigration detention, talk to staff and see for yourself what is actually happening behind the walls.

The IMB is recruiting for new members at numerous prisons and at immigration detention centres across England and Wales, and at short term holding facilities across the UK.  We are looking for people who live within approximately 30 miles (or one hour) of their closest establishment and can commit the time to make 2 to 3 visits per month, although this may be slightly higher during the first year of training and this can be flexible depending on the needs of the Board and the individual. Please visit the IMB website for a full list of all locations we are recruiting to.

Who are the IMB?

We’re a group of ordinary members of the public, doing an extraordinary job. As a passionate, personable individual, you could join us in making a difference. In this unpaid role, you’ll volunteer your talent and time towards securing a decent day-to-day life for every prisoner and detainee. Under the guidance of dedicated mentors and an extensive training programme, you’ll commit to a flexible schedule of visits to a local establishment each month.  Although this is an unpaid role, we pay travel and subsistence expenses, childcare or carer costs and, in certain circumstances, contributions towards loss of earnings.  Your observations will have an impact as your Board reports its findings to Ministers in His Majesty’s Government. 

About the role

With unrestricted access to these unique environments, you’ll gain a rare insight into all aspects of life in custody. Impartial and highly influential, you can decide what shape your visits should take. As an independent monitor, you may spend time in a specific part of the establishment and choose to have your conversations with prisoners or detainees out of sight or hearing of a member of staff. As well as keeping a close eye on daily operations, you’ll play a crucial role in dealing with problems that arise. This could be in response to a confidential request to see a member of the IMB, or to observe the management of the more serious incidents that occur.

Why join us?

More than anything else, this is a rewarding opportunity that makes a real and meaningful difference to the lives of prisoners, detainees and our wider society. Ministers are obliged to respond to the issues raised in your Board’s report.  The environment may seem intimidating at first, but you will be fully supported through your training and accompanied during your visits until you feel ready to manage independently. This highly recognised and respected role could provide the experience that opens doors into other careers within the justice system.

Who are we looking for?

There is no one type of person who could be right for the IMB because it’s not about background or skillset. It’s about having the dedication and passion to ensure all people are being treated fairly. For that reason, we’re looking for individuals from all walks of life who will approach the role with no preconceptions. You will need to be willing to work within a challenging environment and have the confidence to report your findings to senior figures. Most importantly, you will be able to talk to people in a way that makes each prisoner or detainee feel respected and reassured.

Closing date for completed applications is 29 April 2024.

Visit our website for more information and to complete the online application form.