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!
White Ribbon Alliance UK are seeking passionate and dedicated individuals to join as Trustees. In this role, you will be instrumental in governing our charity and ensuring we achieve our mission to promote maternal health and rights. Trustees serve for a term of three years, with the possibility of renewal at the end of the term. We are looking to fill the positions of General Trustees, Board Chair, Treasurer, and Compliance Officer. Your strategic vision, commitment, and ambassadorial efforts will be vital in driving our organisation forward and making a significant impact on the communities we serve. Below is the role description and instructions on how to apply.
Statutory Duties of a Trustee
Trustees share ultimate responsibility for governing the charity and directing how it is managed and run. This includes:
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Ensuring that the organisation pursues its stated objects (purposes), as defined in its governing document, by developing and agreeing a long-term strategy.
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Ensuring compliance with the governing document (constitution or articles of association), charity law, company law and other relevant legislation or regulations.
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Ensuring that the organisation applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its charitable objects, for the benefit of the public.
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Ensuring that the organisation defines its goals and evaluates performance against agreed targets.
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Safeguarding the good name, reputation, and values of the organisation.
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Ensuring the effective and efficient administration of the organisation, including appropriate policies and procedures.
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Ensuring the financial stability of the organisation.
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Protecting and managing the property of the charity and ensuring the proper investment of its funds.
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Following proper arrangements for the appointment, supervision, support, appraisal and remuneration of senior staff.
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Scrutinising board papers, leading discussions, and providing independent, creative judgement on key issues.
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Offering advice and guidance on new initiatives, risks, or opportunities.
Ambassadorial Contributions
In addition to their statutory duties, Trustees are requested to use their specific skills, knowledge, networks, or experience to strengthen the board’s work according to their skills, capabilities, interests and available time. This includes:
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Promoting the charity's mission and values: Trustees should consistently advocate for the charity's goals and principles in various settings, ensuring that the organisation's message is clearly communicated.
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Representing the charity at external events: Trustees should attend and participate in meetings, conferences, and other events on behalf of the charity, acting as its official representatives.
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Engaging with media: Trustees should be prepared to speak to the media about the charity's work, providing insights and information that highlight the organisation's impact and importance.
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Leveraging personal and professional networks: Trustees should use their connections to support the charity's objectives, whether by opening doors to potential supporters, funders, collaborators, or influencers.
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Cultivating strategic partnerships: Trustees should engage with stakeholders across healthcare, academia, government, and civil society to build and maintain relationships that benefit the charity.
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Supporting fundraising efforts: Trustees should actively participate in fundraising activities, helping to secure the resources needed for the charity to achieve its mission.
By fulfilling these responsibilities, trustees play a crucial role in enhancing the visibility and impact of the charity, ensuring its continued success and growth.
Skills and Capabilities Requirements
Trustees are expected to bring both governance capability and a willingness to champion the charity externally. Essential qualities include:
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A commitment to the organisation’s mission and values.
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Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort.
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Strategic vision and the ability to see the “big picture.”
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Good, independent judgement and the confidence to speak one’s mind.
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Ability to think creatively and contribute fresh ideas.
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Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of trusteeship.
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Ability to work effectively as part of a diverse team.
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Commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.
Desirable (but not essential):
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Strong personal and professional networks, with the willingness to leverage them on behalf of the charity.
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Experience in advocacy, fundraising, or public speaking.
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Understanding of the wider charity, health, or social justice sectors in which White Ribbon Alliance UK operates.
Time Commitment
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Statutory duties for general trustees: 6-8 days per year.
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Statutory duties for Chair, Treasurer, and Compliance Officer: 10-12 days per year (inclusive of general trustee duties).
Equity, diversity and inclusion
Equity and inclusion are central to White Ribbon Alliance UK’s purpose and how we work. We recognise that maternity harm, discrimination, and exclusion are produced by systems, and that governance must reflect the people most affected by those systems.
We strongly encourage applications from people who:
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Have lived experience of sexual and reproductive health and rights issues
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Are Black or from racially minoritised communities
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Are LGBTQ+, disabled, or neurodivergent or otherwise marginalised by society
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Come from communities underrepresented in charity governance
We value lived experience and community knowledge as expertise. You do not need to fit a traditional Board profile to be a strong Trustee.
We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you require any adjustments to apply or to take part as a Trustee, we will work with you to put these in place.
Remuneration
This is a volunteer position. Expenses incurred as part of fulfilling the role will be reimbursed.
Your personal statement should not repeat your CV or restate the job description. Instead, we are interested in hearing about you.
In particular, please tell us:
- Why you want to volunteer with White Ribbon Alliance UK as a Trustee.
- What draws you to human rights and social justice work, and how this shows up in your values or experience.
- What diversity means to you, and how you approach working in inclusive and equitable ways.
- Why this role, at this point, is a good fit for you.
If you are interested in one of the specialist roles (Chair, Treasurer, Com
To transform sexual & reproductive healthcare by emphasising wellbeing & human rights, eradicating gender-based violence and promoting gender equity.
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!
The Chair of Trustees will:
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Provide leadership and direction to the Board of Trustees and enable the Board to fulfil its responsibilities for the overall governance and strategic direction of the organisation.
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Ensure that the organisation pursues its objects as defined in its governing document, charity law, company law and other relevant legislation/regulations.
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Work in partnership with the Director to support employees and volunteers, helping them achieve the aims of the organisation; and to optimise the relationship between the Board of Trustees and the staff.
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Facilitate the Board of Trustees in stimulating excellent, well-rounded and carefully considered strategic decision-making.
Main Responsibilities of the Chair
The Chair of Trustees will be expected to:
In relation to the Board of Trustees
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Formulate strategic plans and regular review of long-term strategic aims of the charity.
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Develop organisational policies, define goals, targets and evaluate performance against agreed targets.
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Approve the annual cycle of the board meetings, meeting agendas, chair and facilitate meetings, monitor decisions taken at meetings and ensure they are implemented.
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Liaise regularly with the Treasurer to maintain a clear grasp of the charity’s financial position and to ensure full and timely financial transparency and information disclosure to the Board.
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Lead and mentor other Board members to fulfil their responsibilities and enable access to training/coaching/information to enhance the overall contribution of the board.
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Annually review the Board structure, role, staff relationships and ensure implementation of agreed changes/developments are carried out.
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Encourage team working among Board members and encourage them to identify and recruit new trustees as required.
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Create a strong, profitable and fulfilling working relationship with trustees and the Director through review and self-reflective evaluation of contributions and effectiveness of the board.
In relation to the Director
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Assume guardianship of the legal and financial integrity of the organisation.
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Consult with the Director on matters of strategy, governance, finance and HR.
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Oversee the Director’s activities in the context of the implementation of the Board’s strategy and policies.
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Maintain careful oversight of any risk to reputation and/or financial standing of the organisation.
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Receive regular informal progress reports of the organisation’s work and financial performance through the Director.
In relation to the community and code of conduct
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Represent the organisation as a spokesperson at appropriate events, meetings or functions.
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Lead the Board in fostering relations with potential clients and potential funders/donors.
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Act as final stage adjudicator for disciplinary and grievance procedures if required.
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Facilitate change and address conflict within the Board of Trustees, within the organisation and liaise with the Director to achieve this.
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Undertake review of external complaints as defined by the organisation’s complaints procedure.
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Ensure adherence and compliance around key policies to e.g. Hiring Policy,Health & Safety and in all decisions and discussions of the Board and its sub-committees.
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Attend and be a member of other committees or working groups when appropriate in role as Chair.
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In order to perform the above role, the Chair should have reasonable access to all staff and information, in line with the board’s fiduciary duties.
In relation to Child Protection
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Uphold the charity’s Child Protection Policy, and ensure its rigid application to all of the Board’s duties and endeavours.
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Place child safety at the forefront of all deliberations, and adopt a diligent awareness of any area in which child safety might be at risk.
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Report any and all potential violations of the charity’s Child Protection Policy to the Board of Trustees immediately.
Qualities of a Chair
The Chair of Trustees is expected to demonstrate the following qualities:
Essential
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Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of Trusteeship and adhering to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.
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Commitment to the charity’s objects, aims and values and willingness to devote time to carry out responsibilities.
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Strategic and forward looking vision in relation to the charity’s objects and aims.
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Good, independent judgement, political impartiality and the ability to think creatively in the context of the organisation and external environment.
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Good communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to respect the confidences of colleagues.
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Balancing tact and diplomacy with willingness to challenge and constructively criticise.
Desirable
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Prior experience of committee/trustee work.
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Knowledge of the type of work undertaken by the organisation - disability care and poverty alleviation.
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A wider involvement with the voluntary sector.
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Experience of chairing meetings, committee work, some experience of charity finance, charity fundraising.
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Leadership skills exercised through a period change.
Time Commitment
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The Board meets at least 4 times a year and the Chair is expected to be available 4 times in a year.
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In addition to Board Meetings, other contact – usually electronic or by telephone – will be necessary.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.