Chair of the board of trustees volunteer volunteer roles

We are now seeking a Secretary to the Board to help ensure our governance remains strong, organised and effective.Help strengthen the governance of a Sheffield charity that has supported people who are homeless, rootless or vulnerable every Christmas since 1989.

For five days over the festive period, HARC provides a warm, safe day shelter offering hot meals, warm clothing, wellbeing support and companionship. Our work is powered by volunteers and guided by a committed Board of Trustees.

The Secretary plays a vital role in ensuring the smooth and effective running of the charity. You’ll help keep our governance processes organised, compliant, and aligned with best practice. 

We’re keen to welcome people who can bring energy, fresh perspectives and a real sense of commitment to our small but dedicated board. You don’t need prior governance or compliance experience as we provide a full induction and ongoing training to help you feel confident in the role.

Challenging times need capable and committed individuals.

The Gambling Harms space is undergoing a generational transformation as the commissioning structure transitions across to a new Statutory Levy based funding model. This change presents many imminent challenges and creates a space where the major stakeholders have little to no in-house subject expertise (around gambling harms) and where the previous formal pathway to Lived Experience involvment in system design and commissioning has been lost.

At this crucial time the Gambling Lived Experience Network is undergoing its own transformation to be able to step up and create meaningful engagement with an increasingly complex and layered stakeholder framework.

We are therefore looking for individuals with confidence, shared purpose, and proven abilities to join our board of trustees and help steward a growing charity during a crucial time in both GLEN's own development and also to help us shape the evolution of the wider gambling harms space.

There has quite simply never been a more important time to join our board, or to get personally involved in helping shape a massively underecognised but socially significant area of human adverse experience which currently impacts upwards of 10 million UK adults at any one time.

As a charity trustee you will be acting in an unpaid capacity but will be contributing so much to supporting the wellbeing and protection of literally millions of vulnerable individuals and families. It is a big ask, and a big challenge, but one which we believe is ultimately worth taking on.

We are ready for the challenge... are you?

We are seeking new trustees to strengthen our Board and help shape the future of our work. We are also seeking a new Chair of the Board of Trustees.

We are looking for dedicated, creative people, of all ages, with a range of professional and life experience to join the Age UK Stockport Board of Trustees.

Being a trustee or Chair of any charity, including ours, is to be an active volunteer in your community. Like any volunteer involved in our work, our aim is for you to enjoy what you do with us, know how you contribute towards our work and see the positive impact that you have on people’s lives. 

But it’s not the easiest volunteering role! It can be challenging, but rewarding, and a big responsibility. Trustees have collective legal responsibilities – you work together for the best interests of Age UK Stockport and for the people in later life we work with across the borough. We will tell you more about these responsibilities elsewhere in the pack. 

If you’re passionate about supporting everyone to make the most of their later life, and you have the skills and experience to help shape and guide our organisation to achieve our vision, we’d like to hear from you.

Working Chance is a unique, pioneering, award-winning national charity that supports women with criminal convictions into employment. We support women to create independent purposeful lives through helping them to build careers, we break cycles of reoffending and we inspire employers to embrace inclusive hiring.

This is an exciting time for Working Chance as we start developing our new three-year strategy which will come into effect from 1 September. The new strategy will see us taking an ever bolder stance on speaking up for women with convictions, solidifying our position as a thought leader on how to improve the employment rate of these women, and moving into providing consultancy for employers seeking our guidance and input on their recruitment and employment practices.

We are looking for an inspiring and committed Chair of Trustees to lead our Board at this exciting point in our development. This is a unique opportunity to shape the strategic direction of a highly respected and impactful charity, while championing a mission that addresses inequality, social justice and economic inclusion.

As Chair, you will work closely with the Chief Executive and fellow trustees to ensure strong governance, clear strategic focus, effective oversight and financial sustainability, while acting as an ambassador for Working Chance and its values. Download the Appointment Brief to learn all about the role, the charity and the recruitment process, and if you think you might be the person we’re looking for, we’d love to hear from you.

Closing date: 9am on Monday 16 March

This is an exciting time to join the Endometriosis UK trustee board, as the organisation expands and develops to achieve the changes that are needed to support those affected by the disease and to drive down diagnosis time. We are looking for a new Treasurer to build on this momentum to strengthen our organisation and bring about change for those with endometriosis. We have a skills-based board, with Trustees having one or more identified skills, with the overall membership of the Board providing the complete set of skills. 

Endometriosis UK is the largest UK charity for those with endometriosis. Endometriosis UK works to:

• Provide support to those with endometriosis and their families and friends

• Provide clear, objective information about the condition and its treatments

• Raise awareness amongst health professionals and the general public about the condition

• Support research into endometriosis.

This is an unpaid role. Reasonable pre-agreed travel expenses will be paid.

Time commitment:

• Five meetings a year, including preparation for meetings, reading papers etc; and attendance at an annual strategy day and AGM (held on the same days as Board meetings).

• Trustees have the opportunity to take part in Board sub-groups and project groups to develop aspects of the organisations’ work. Current sub-groups include the Finance Committee and Diversity & Inclusion Sub-Group. Trustees are also invited to attend Endometriosis UK events.

We are recruiting for one new treasurer to join the board. We are particularly looking for:

• Personal or professional experience of diversity and inclusion issues

• Marketing and digital marketing

• Communications and social media

• Campaigning and achieving change

• Experience of working in Primary Care

• Charity finance experience

• Currently living in Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales

Personal experience of living with, or having a close family member with, endometriosis, is vital on our Board. Whilst we look favourably on applications from those in the endometriosis community, we already have Trustees with first hand lived experience and new trustees do not need to have endometriosis. 

We also particularly welcome applications from trustees from a range of backgrounds and experiences as part of our commitment to diversity.

The role will start at a Board meeting on 28th November 2026, when our current Treasurer reaches the end of their 6-year term of office. Prior to the roles starting, the incoming Treasurer will have the opportunity to observe a Board meeting in September, and induction will be planned in October.

Asylum Welcome is an extraordinary local charity, offering a range of support to asylum seekers, refugees and vulnerable migrants seeking refuge in and around Oxford. We provide everything from advice, visits, legal support, education, assistance finding employment and even helping secure free bus passes.

We currently have a strong and capable Board with a wide-ranging skill set and we are seeking a Chairperson who can provide strong leadership and a collaborative approach.

As an organisation we are committed to reflecting our diverse and vibrant Oxfordshire community to help strengthen our governance and our approach. We are seeking a new Chair with a range of skills and experience. In particular, we are looking for people who can demonstrate :

· Experience of leadership

· Commitment to the aims and values of Asylum Welcome

· Tact and diplomacy

· Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

· Good facilitation skills

· Impartiality, fairness and discretion

· Empathy with the challenges of running a highly diverse. largely volunteer-based organisation in a subject area which is both topical and challenging.

As Chair you will play a key role in enabling us to continue supporting refugees and asylum seekers, primarily in the Oxfordshire area, empowering them to rebuild their lives here in safety.  This role offers a valuable opportunity to use your professional skills and experience to make a meaningful difference to individuals who have been forced to flee their homes and livelihoods.

We welcome expressions of interest from people of all ages and backgrounds, and a job share arrangement would be considered. The role is currently shared by two Trustees as Co-Chairs who are retiring as Trustees after many years of service.

The Chair position is not paid but travel expenses may be claimed for attending meetings.

The Board meets (via Teams and in-person) 6 - 8 times a year, currently early evening on a Thursday. Dates are agreed a year in advance.

This is an exciting time to join the Trustee Board at Asylum Welcome and a fantastic opportunity to influence the growth and future of a dynamic charity.

For more information see the full role description.

Trees for Cities

Salary: Voluntary role, reasonable expenses reimbursed

Location: London with flexibility

Closing Date: 11 March 2026

Trees for Cities is an independent national charity that empowers people to plant and care for trees in towns and cities, targeting places where they have the greatest impact for people and nature. Through trees, we connect people to nature, enrich lives and create leafy, liveable places for today and future generations. In a world facing unprecedented threats from climate change, biodiversity loss and disconnection from nature, our work has never been more urgent.

Since 1993, Trees for Cities has engaged 260,000 people to plant and care for almost 2 million trees across 100 urban areas in the UK and overseas. We are proud to operate at the intersection of social and environmental justice, focusing on communities with the least access to green space and the benefits it brings. To deepen this work, we have developed a new five-year strategy (2025–2030) with the goal of creating a Movement for Urban Trees and Tree Equity. As we enter this ambitious new strategic phase, the new Chair will play a leading role in overseeing its successful embedding and impact.

This is a rare opportunity to lead the Board of a dynamic, growing charity at a pivotal moment. Our Trustees are recruited for their diverse skills and perspectives, and we are proud of our strong governance practices and healthy Board culture. Together, we provide constructive challenge and meaningful support to the executive team, guided by the organisational values that sit at the heart of how we work. We are seeking an exceptional individual to become our next Chair, continuing this work, offering strategic leadership and robust governance to ensure Trees for Cities continues to thrive and grow in impact.

You will bring Board-level experience, including as a Chair, Vice Chair and/or Trustee/Non-Executive Director, and a proven ability to chair Board or committee meetings effectively. With strategic vision and the confidence to navigate complexity, you will demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills, build consensus and manage diverse perspectives. You will bring a supportive and empowering approach, with a coaching style of leadership that empowers and enables others to thrive. Experience in the environmental, sustainability or urban greening sectors is desirable but not essential; what matters most is your ability to lead with integrity, inspire others and drive impact.

We want our Board to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve and particularly welcome applications from individuals from Black, Asian or other minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, and those with lived experience of environmental or social injustice. If you are motivated to help shape our next chapter and bring the leadership and experience to guide our ambition, we encourage you to apply.

To read more about our work, the role and how to apply, please download the full appointment brief below.

People Beyond Profit on-line conversations: 17 March - 15 April 2026

CEO online ‘fireside’ conversations: 17 – 24 March 2026

Trees for Cities Interview Dates: 

• First stage in-person trustee panel: 27 April 2026

• Final stage coffee with CEO and current Chair on one of the following: 28, 29 April, 5, 6 May 2026.

Founded in 1879, Together for Mental Wellbeing is the longest-established mental health charity in England. We work to ensure that everyone who experiences mental distress is valued, can live the life they choose and can determine their own future.

What we do

Together for Mental Wellbeing is a national charity that supports people who experience mental distress to lead fulfilling and independent lives.

We work with approximately 4,500 people every month via 70 projects throughout England, but we aspire to reach many more people through our recently refreshed five-year strategy.

Our services include:

• personalised support in the community
• accommodation based support
• advocacy services, including in secure hospitals
• criminal justice services, including in courts and probation services

What makes us stand out is that we put people at the centre of their own support – they set their own goals and are in control of how we work alongside them to achieve these. We value people as experts in what works best for them, and draw on their skills and strengths to build resilience and support networks so they can eventually manage without us

This means we value people as experts in what works best for them, and each individual we work with influences and shapes the support they and others receive from us. It also means we provide opportunities for people experiencing mental distress to work with Together to draw on their experiences to help us improve the quality and experience of the services that we provide.

We are committed to promoting service user leadership wherever possible; this is why we recently launched our Lived Experience Network, a free, members-based community.

Our values

We work together to facilitate choice through involvement, by doing what we say, never giving up on people, and looking to constantly improve how we work.

Our Board

We have an effective and collaborative Board of enthusiastic, friendly and committed trustees, who lead the development of Together and ensure that the charity exemplifies good practice.

The opportunity

We wish to add new trustees to our Board and have identified some recruitment priorities:

• We are seeking at least one individual with lived experience of mental distress who can draw on their unique knowledge and insights as to how mental distress impacts on people’s lives, and share their passion and enthusiasm to drive the aspirations of the organisation.

Our approach is for the individual to determine whether or not they have lived experience of mental distress. One person’s lived experience is no more or less important than another’s. 

• We wish to increase the gender diversity of our leadership at Together; we currently have a high proportion of men.

Having completed a recent Board skills audit we also encourage applicants with experience of the following areas:

• Human resources and workforce planning
• Forensic psychiatry
• Public sector procurement/contracting
• Knowledge of health and wellbeing service providers from the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector
• Digital development and innovation
• Auditing and risk management
• Financial management and accounting

However, all applications are welcomed and will be considered. We also recognise that people are often juggling multiple commitments and can offer flexibility as to when you take up the role.

We offer a full induction, along with ongoing training and development opportunities. Although our trustees are unpaid volunteers all expenses related to the role will be paid in full.

Typically trustees will attend around 10 meetings per year, occasional virtual attendance is possible, and be invited to events and visits. With preparation time for meetings this can equate to a commitment of 1-2 days per month.

As a Trustee you will:

• Join a committed and friendly Board
• Help shape our strategic development as a charity
• Influence our innovative projects and initiatives, especially with service users
• Develop new skills and knowledge
• Be supported to attend relevant conferences and other training events
• Help improve the mental health and wellbeing of people and communities

Background for Citizens Advice Salford’s Chair of Trustees:

Citizens Advice Salford is looking for a new chair for our board of trustees. The service is an independent charity, employing 35 people and benefiting from the support of about 70 highly trained volunteers. We are a full member of the National Association of Citizens Advice, our membership organisation, which supports our work.

Our chair plays a critical role in leading both the board and the organisation, as well as in representing the Salford service within the broader Citizens Advice movement. They will also provide strategic leadership and support the service’s chief executive.

The service provides advice to about 18,000 people each year, and is regulated by various bodies. Our offer is primarily through face to face contact, telephone advice, web access and we are looking at what new digital approaches such as AI can do for us.

We hold the specialist advice giving quality mark. Citizens Advice Salford has a strong reputation as a campaigner for change, for fighting against poverty, lobbying and campaigning on behalf of our clients, together with working across Greater Manchester with our colleague local citizens advice services.

Financially we have a range of contracts with public bodies such as the Council, together with a range of other grants and funding for specific projects.

The current chair is reaching the end of her six year term, but will still be a member of the board. It is a strong board consisting of ten people, with a diverse range of skills and experience.

If you would like to have a more general discussion about the role please feel free to contact the current Chair, or the Chief Officer. Contact details are available on our vacancy page via the apply button.

• What's in it for you?

• use your experience to make a positive impact for people in Salford by ensuring Citizens Advice Salford is sustainable and meeting the needs of the community
• meet people and build relationships with trustees, staff and other volunteers
• build on your governance, leadership and strategy knowledge and skills
• increase your employability
• be a part of infl uence and change work that looks to reduce poverty in Salford, and to make it and the country a better place for all.

How much time do you need to give?

Trustee boards usually meet in the evenings and you’ll likely need to give two or three hours, six times a year and you may need to attend other meetings if you’re involved in specifi c projects, or meet with volunteers and staff occasionally within Citizens Advice Salford. We can be fl exible about the time spent, so come and talk to us.

Valuing Inclusion

Our volunteers come from a range of backgrounds and we particularly welcome applications from disabled people, people with physical or mental health conditions, LGBT+ and non-binary people, and people from global majority communities.
If you are interested in becoming a chair of trustees and would like to discuss fl exibility around location, time, ‘what you will do’ and how we can support you please contact us.

The Reading for fun charity 

Chair of Trustees of World Book Day

Location: London (hybrid)

Remuneration: Voluntary role, reasonable expenses reimbursed

Time commitment: One day per week

Term: 3 years (may be appointed for a second term, maximum 6 years)

Closing Date for applications: 6th March 2026

About World Book Day

World Book Day (WBD) is a small national charity with significant reach and profile, consistently punching above our weight.  WBD champions reading for fun because it seriously improves lives.  In fact, it is the biggest indicator that a child will grow up to enjoy a happier and more successful future.  With the spotlight in this National Year of Reading on reversing the decline in children's reading, now is an exciting time to join us. 

As our current strategy enters its final phase and our 30th anniversary approaches, a new Chair would work with our board and executive team to develop and lead our new strategy and to leverage our existing strengths to realise the potential for growth in our impact. The new Chair will also support WBD's income generation activities, through attending events and philanthropy meetings and supporting corporate partnership opportunities, promoting WBD through their networks and championing donations.

This is a rare opportunity to help more children, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, develop a lifelong habit of reading for fun and access the improved life chances this brings them.

What we are looking for

World Book Day's new Chair may come from a commercial, educational, public service or other background. In addition to the qualities required for a trustee, they should have the following qualities:

· A commitment to World Book Day's vision and values

Knowledge and experience:

· of senior strategic leadership (e.g. as a Chair or Committee Chair, trustee, non-executive director or senior executive)

· of charity governance and financial oversight

· of supporting, line managing and evaluating the performance of a senior leader

· to support our plans to increase and diversify WBD's income

· to work effectively with WBD's varied stakeholder landscape

· complementary or adjacent to WBD's activities, purpose and strategy

The ability to:

· lead by example

· communicate skilfully and effectively

· be an influential, inspirational and supportive leader who builds confidence and consensus

· develop partnerships and strategic alliances

· act impartially, fairly, with tact and diplomacy and respect confidences.

World Book Day welcomes candidates drawn from a range of backgrounds, experiences and characteristics.  We would like our trustees to be reflective of our society and WBD's beneficiaries.  We actively encourage applications from those currently under-represented on our board: non-binary, all ethnic groups other than white British and LGBTQ+.

For a full role description and details of how to apply, please see the recruitment pack below.  The deadline for applications is 6th March 2026.

About The Creighton Centre

For over 100 years, The Creighton Centre has been at the heart of its community, providing connection, care and opportunities for generations of local people. With a rich heritage and an ambitious future, we are now seeking someone to become our next Chair of Trustees.

This is a unique and rewarding opportunity to provide leadership to a well established, values driven charity at a pivotal moment in its history.

About the role

As Chair, you will lead our Board of Trustees and work in close partnership with our new CEO to ensure strong governance, clear strategic direction and long-term sustainability.

Over the coming year, the Board will be setting the charity’s strategic priorities and overseeing an exciting programme to renovate and future proof our historic building, unlocking new opportunities for community use and income generation. The Chair will play a central role in guiding this work at Board level.

Who we’re looking for

We are seeking a Chair who brings strong interpersonal skills, good judgement and a collaborative leadership style. You will be someone who values good governance, inclusive decision-making and clear strategic thinking.

You will bring:

• Significant board experience and a strong understanding of governance
• The ability to lead a Board effectively, encouraging constructive challenge and collective ownership
• A commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion
• An appreciation of the privilege and responsibility of stewarding a long-established community charity with premises

Most importantly, you will be motivated by the opportunity to help shape the next chapter of an organisation with deep community roots and real impact.

What's in it for you?

• A chance to chair a respected charity with over a century of community impact
• An opportunity to help guide a significant period of strategic development and renewal
• The privilege of stewarding an organisation with a strong sense of purpose, place and heritage
• A supportive, engaged Board and an experienced Chief Executive team

If you are looking for a meaningful Chair role where your leadership can make a lasting difference, we would love to hear from you.

This is a great opportunity to develop further governance skills and experience, and help steer an important charity in the right direction.

Chairing experience required + any combination of: financial management, advocacy, HR, charities, fundraising, social prescribing, NHS, local authorities, marketing, business development, governance, strategy or legal.

About Self Help UK

Self Help UK is a leading peer support organisation with over 40 years of experience in developing and delivering peer-led services. Our mission is to empower individuals and communities by embedding peer support principles into health and wellbeing initiatives. We have created a range of innovative programmes that help people living with cancer and other long-term health conditions to navigate challenges and take control of their health and wellbeing.

We work in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support on projects that make a real difference. These include national and local initiatives for the Deaf community, volunteer-led support for anyone affected by cancer, and prehabilitation services for those facing complex treatment. In 2026, we will collaborate with our Integrated Care System to improve health literacy and increase cancer screening uptake among underserved communities in Nottingham. Looking ahead, we are exploring a new direction to position Self Help UK as a holistic, person-centred support provider, embedding peer support and volunteer-led activity at the heart of everything we do. Our vision is to challenge health inequalities and enable people to feel confident, informed, and supported in shaping their own health journey.

A selection of causes covered by Self Help UK

·Peer support

·Long-term health conditions

·Cancer diagnoses and prevention

·Voluntary sector support

·Health inequalities

·Under-served communities

What will you be doing?

You will be chairing the Board of Trustees, ensuring that we have minimum representation required for decisions to be made, keeping the board aligned in decision-making, ensuring all minutes are recorded and that all decisions by trustees are made with the appropriate context provided.

Trustees meetings are usually held every six weeks, plus there is an AGM, away days, and any sub-committee meetings that trustees may be involved in. Most meetings will remain virtual but there will from time to time be a need to attend key meetings and events in Nottingham. The time commitment is approximately 4hours per month, but there may be occasions when more time is required for a short period.

Trustee positions are unremunerated, but reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.

Who are we looking for?

Previous chairing experience

·Relevant experience in any of the following financial management, HR, charities, fundraising, social prescribing, NHS, local authorities, marketing, business development, governance, strategy or legal.

·A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort

·Good, independent judgement

·The ability to challenge and ask questions

·An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship

·A commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, and leadership

Inclusive Boards is delighted to be supporting The Girls’ Network in the search to appoint their next Chair and two Trustees.

About The Girls’ Network

At The Girls’ Network, we believe that no girl should have her future limited by her gender, ethnicity, background or parental income.

Young people from lower-income families are significantly less likely to go on to higher education than their wealthier peers, which can have a lifelong impact on opportunity and earning potential. Recent years have also seen inequalities deepen and young people’s wellbeing adversely affected, particularly following the Covid-19 pandemic. These structural and social barriers disproportionately affect girls and young women from communities of least advantage.

We exist to challenge this inequality. Our mission is to inspire and empower girls and young women from underrepresented backgrounds to realise their ambitions, discover their self-worth, and develop the confidence and capacity to shape their own futures.

We work in communities of least advantage across England to deliver programmes that provide long-term, meaningful support.

About the Opportunities

The Girls’ Network is seeking a new Chair of Trustees to lead and support The Girls’ Network through their exciting next phase of growth, supporting an exceptional, values-driven team and ensuring they remain ambitious, accountable and true to their founding mission.

We are particularly interested to hear from candidates with:

• Experience of strategic leadership and governance within a complex organisation.
• Experience or understanding of the education / schools landscape.
• Good understanding of voluntary sector governance, funding and finance management.
• Thorough understanding of the legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of trusteeship.
• Demonstrable financial and commercial acumen, including experience in financial planning, oversight, risk management, and the establishment and monitoring of systems of control and accountability.
• A track record of driving innovation and organisational change, with the ability to apply insight to support the charity’s achievement of its strategic objectives.
• Experience of working across sectoral boundaries, leveraging partnerships and opportunities.

The Girls’ Networks is also seeking two talented and committed Trustees to join their Board. We are particularly interested in hearing from candidates with experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Fundraising
• IT and digital

We are also seeking Trustees from the North East, Merseyside, West Midlands who can bring their lived experience to add value to the Board. We also encourage applications from young Trustees and will support first-time Trustees to bring their valuable perspectives to the Board.

Message from the Chair of Trustees

The Trustees represent different backgrounds and experiences, but what pulls us together is a

commitment to SEED’s work on the ground in Madagascar. Several of us have been to Madagascar

and have either volunteered or worked with SEED, so we have seen first-hand how important our

work is, and the positive impact SEED has in the communities we serve. Madagascar is an

extraordinary country with exceptional biodiversity but has severely lacking infrastructure and a

high level of anthropogenic threats due to extreme poverty and considerable dependence on

natural resources.

We are looking forward to welcoming a new Chair of our Board of Trustees to join the amazing

team of dedicated staff and volunteers who are delivering sustainable development, conservation

and community work through a range of projects based on local needs. The current Chair has been

in post since 2022 and served as a Trustee for 2 years prior to that. A change of leadership and a

fresh perspective is timely and will ensure we approach the next phase of our growth and

development with new ideas. You will be assured of a warm and supportive welcome with the

benefit of a team containing years of experience, combined with new members who bring global

expertise in their field.

SEED is growing thanks to successful marketing, fundraising project development and delivery. We

are now looking to build on our implementation of our strategic plan, to deliver sustainable

development for the people of southeastern Madagascar. We are privileged to work with its

wonderful people, and we hope that you will want to join us.

Introduction to SEED

SEED has been working in the southeast corner of Madagascar for over 20 years. SEED stands for Sustainable, Environment, Education and Development and we focus on building meaningful, sustainable change in one the poorest regions of one the poorest countries in the world.

Our projects range from school building to maternal health, from Agroforestry to Lemur Conservation and rights.

We are active on social media where you can find us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube. The majority of our staff are Malagasy, working in Fort Dauphin to design and deliver projects on the ground, alongside our international team, who bring external expertise and international best practices. In Madagascar, we have 95 staff in total (70 Malagasy and 25 international). They are supported by a small UK-based and remote working team of 10.

Governance structures

SEED’s Board of Trustees has 8 members, including the Chair, who meet quarterly. There are three sub-committees of the board focusing on: Audit and Risk; Marketing and Fundraising; and HR. These are chaired by a Trustee and consist of at least one other Trustee and up to two of the Senior Management team. We also have lead Trustees for Safeguarding and Whistleblowing.

The Board is international with Trustees based in a number of different countries, so the Board works remotely.

The operations are run by the Managing Director and the Director of Programmes and Operations who are both long standing senior managers.

The Chair of Trustees role

Chair of Trustee Board

In addition to the general role of Trustee, the Chair of SEED’s Board of Trustees holds overall accountability for the charity delivering its mission. Working closely with the Board and the staff senior team , they will provide leadership and direction to ensure SEED fulfils its charitable aims and objectives and abides by its governing documents and relevant legislation. They will work collaboratively with board members and senior management to ensure SEED delivers maximum benefit to the communities it serves.

Chair Role Description

Terms and conditions: Voluntary role

Responsible to: Board of Trustees

Base: The Board works remotely

Line manager of: Managing Director

Overview of SEED

SEED Madagascar is a successful, growing British Charity working in partnership with communities in the southeast of Madagascar. We integrate high-quality community health, rural livelihoods, schools and conservation programmes to support long term, sustainable change and add to international best practice through research and publication.

SEED has been working in Madagascar for over 20 years and has a wide range of impactful projects ranging from school building to sexual health, from beekeeping to improving lemur habitats. More recently, SEED has been working to address the famine in the southeast with emergency food distribution.

Employing most of its staff in Madagascar, SEED also engages international staff and interns as well as running a volunteer programme. Full details of our operations can be found on our website which includes our annual report and accounts, fundraising advice and information on our staff and Trustees.

The role will carry the usual responsibilities of a Trustee as defined by the England and Wales Charity Commission and we encourage all applicants to read through this prior to making an application.

Accountability:

As a Trustee you are responsible and liable for the governance and functioning of the charity and are accountable in varying degrees to a variety of stakeholders including service users, members, funders, the Charity Commission, and Companies House.

SEED Trustees should uphold the fiduciary duty required of all charity trustees to act in the best interests of both current and future beneficiaries of the charity, being held personally liable for any breach of that duty.

Key Responsibilities

• To ensure that the Board of Trustees understands and fulfils its responsibilities for the governance of the organisation
• To provide strategic oversight and ensure that all decisions are taken in the best interests of SEED and its charitable aims.
• To provide leadership for the Board of Trustees in their role of developing and agreeing the strategy of the organisation.
• To ensure that SEED has the effective policies and procedures needed to function properly, legally and safely including those for safeguarding, whistleblowing and anticorruption.
• To effectively chair the Board meetings, facilitating debate and bringing about consensus and clear decision making.
• To work with the Board to bring about strong and constructive working relationships and sharing of the workload across the areas of expertise.
• To oversee the membership of and effective working of the subcommittees
• To build and maintain a constructive and supportive working relationship with the MD. To be overall line manager for the MD, assessing their performance and discussing development needs with them.
• To work closely with the MD to support them in achieving the vision of the organisation ensuring they have the support needed for the effective running of SEED and bring scrutiny as needed so they are held to account for achieving agreed strategic objectives.
• To plan with the MD the annual cycle of Board meetings, setting agendas and monitoring the decisions taken at meetings are enacted.
• To review the Board’s performance and composition to ensure that SEED has a diverse, high performing Board working together in support of SEEDs strategy and Charitable objectives.
• To support recruitment and onboarding of new members to the board as needed to ensure continuity of the board responsibilities.
• To work with each Trustee to support them fulfilling their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of the charity.
• To ensure the Board regularly reviews major risks and associated opportunities.
• To lead the Board in fulfilling its duties to ensure the sound financial health of the charity, with systems in place to verify financial accountability and that SEED is operating within the legal and financial guidelines set out in the current legislation
• To represent the interests of the board and charity externally as and when needed

Person specification

• Knowledge and understanding of the role and responsibilities of a Chair of a Charity and Board Membership – experience as a board member as a minimum
• An understanding and experience of strategic planning within the corporate or charity setting.
• A proven leader with the ability to think strategically and creatively and to challenge proposals with clear logical thinking
• A strong commitment and passion for international development and an understanding of this sector, ideally able to bring experience of working within it.
• Demonstrable alignment to the charity’s mission, vision, and values
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Experience of people management and able to build strong relationships with people who are working on a voluntary basis at senior level
• An understanding of, or a willingness to understand, the strategic, legislative, political and cultural contexts that affect and influence SEED’s work
• Enthusiasm and commitment to equality and diversity in all aspects of SEED’s work
• An interest in Madagascar and an understanding of the challenges of working within different cultures and environments
• Be able to work to and advocate for all of SEED’s policies and procedures, safeguarding those that SEED works with and investigating and/or reporting any concerns appropriately

SEED Madagascar actively encourages equality, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace and aims to create a working environment free of bullying, harassment, victimisation, and unlawful discrimination, where individual differences and the contributions of all staff are recognised and valued

Time commitments and requirements

There are a minimum of four Board meetings per year with the potential for additional Board meetings and Trustee only discussions. The Chair will discuss and agree the agenda in advance with the Managing Director, Chair the meeting and ensure follow up actions take place. These meetings are on a Sunday, are virtual and typically last 3 hours.

The Chair will participate on one sub-committee which has its own quarterly cycle of meetings. The Chair will manage the MD and have regular discussions about progress and undertake the annual review process. The Chair and all Trustees are required to undertake mandatory training as part of their induction and regular updates and additional training. The Chair will work with the Board to ensure each member is taking an active part in the Board and sub committees.

The Trustee Board are encouraged to have one trustee a year take a trip to Madagascar to familiarise themselves with the environment the SEED works in and to meet and get to know the staff in country (some expenses will be covered).