Co Deputy Chair

SASS are recruiting two Co Deputy Chairs to play an important role in leading the charity’s voluntary Board of Trustees. Our current Chair intends to step down as Chair, but with a desire to remain on the Board as a Trustee. As part of our succession planning, these two roles are being created with a view to dividing the responsibilities of the current Chair when they step down, probably at the end of 2025. One of the Co Deputy’s will assume the role of Chair Designate and the other a permanent Deputy Chair position.

Role Description - Deputy Chair

• Support the work of the Chair, and deputise where necessary, in the execution of the following responsibilities, in order to:
• Provide leadership to the charity and its Board, to ensure it operates within its charitable objectives, with a clear strategic direction.
• Ensure that Trustees fulfil their duties and responsibilities for effective governance.
• Ensure that meetings are regular and effective.
• Work with the Chair to ensure effective and timely recommendations to the Board.

Overarching responsibilities to be shared across both the Chair and Deputy Chair positions

Governance – to encourage high standards and promote the efficient and effective use of
resources throughout the organisation.
Strategic Leadership – to take a leading role in the development, implementation and regular monitoring of the organisation’s strategy.
Board development – to lead the development of Board of Trustees, ensuring that the Board is operating effectively, efficiently, and in accordance with charity law, working to best practice as set out in the Charity Governance Code.

Who we are looking for - skills, knowledge & attributes

• Experience of being either a Trustee or a volunteer of a charity OR as a senior member of staff of a voluntary organisation.
• A keen sense of strategic purpose.
• Understanding the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship.
• An inclusive leadership style: able to inspire and support everyone to participate on an equal footing.
• Experience of external representation is desirable.
• The ability to listen and engage effectively.
• Comfortable with challenge and debate, are able to encourage that in others whilst fostering collaboration.
• An understanding of issues facing refugees and asylum seekers.
• Lived experience is desirable.
• A strong personal commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Responsive to need. As a small charity, unexpected and unforeseen situations arise that will require the Chair and Deputy Chair to advise, support or consent to a course of action.
• Willingness to lead according to SASS’s values.
• Commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership