Chair and Trustees

Criminal justice charity Belong provides hope, rehabilitation and recovery for victims and perpetrators of crime.

Belong is pleased welcome applications for Chairperson and Trustees to our Board of Trustees. Belong is enjoying continuous growth and you will be joining at a time when you can help Belong continue to meet it’s strategic, people centred aspirations.

For Chairperson we invite applications from individuals experienced in leadership and with the commitment, qualities and attributes to effectively lead our award-winning criminal justice charity supporting the rehabilitation and recovery of victims and perpetrators of crime.

As the Chairperson of our Board you will be passionate about improving the life chances of individuals with criminal convictions and helping victims of offences to cope and recover in the aftermath of offences. You will be motivated to help drive Belong forward on our mission to inspire change and hope by providing long term, individualised responses to conflict and crime. An organised, energetic and reliable leader, you will be dedicated to supporting the Board and CEO to realise the highest vision for Belong’s success. A fluent and persuasive communicator, you will represent the organisation publicly as well as internally and build relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders.

The role of Chairperson is a voluntary, unpaid, non-executive appointment. The role requires a commitment of approximately two days per month, with the capacity to flex upwards should the need arise.

We are also recruiting for Trustees. For these voluntary roles you must be available to attend board and subcommittee meetings with a time commitment of around 5 hours per month. We are particularly keen to hear from applicants who have experience in Public Relations and Finance. No previous experience as Trustee is required, we’ll support you with that and we are open to all who believe they can make a difference. This is a great opportunity for anyone who really wants to get stuck in and contribute, helping Belong to make even more of a difference. In return you will be provided with training, support, mentorship, and a unique, exciting, and purposeful opportunity.

Belong fosters an inclusive culture where all aspects of diversity are key to our success. Whether for Chairperson or Trustee, we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. To maintain board diversity, we particularly encourage applications from candidates with lived experience of the criminal justice system, care leavers, and from people from Black, Asian and Minoritised Ethnic backgrounds.

Belong’s Values

Inspiration - Genuinely believing that people can change, heal, and rehabilitate. Focusing on individual’s strengths and abilities. Role modelling evidence-based practice amongst other professionals.

Respect - Accepting people as they are. Being consistent, open and honest with people. Challenging harmful beliefs and behaviour.

Empowerment - Giving people the skills to move forward and take ownership of the future. Enabling people to talk about their experiences. Encouraging people to voice their needs and set goals.

Perseverance - Providing long term support when this is needed. Working through setbacks with people. Understanding that lasting change takes time.

Restoration - Restoring hope and self-worth Re-building relationships. Promoting a culture of hope within criminal justice systems.

Chairperson Role, Responsibilities and Attributes

The Chairperson leads the Board of Trustees and sets its agenda in consultation with the CEO. Their role is to enable Trustees to fulfil their responsibilities for overall governance and strategic direction. The Chairperson is responsible for ensuring that Belong complies with its governing document, charity law and other relevant regulations. The Board supports and empowers the CEO to lead the staff to achieve the organisation’s vision, mission and aims.

CHAIRPERSON MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Board and Governance

·       Set strategic objectives with the CEO and lead the Board in meeting the organisation's aims, vision and goals, ensuring that appropriate strategies, plans, funding and governance arrangements are in place.

·       Ensure the provision of accurate, timely and clear information to trustees, and ensure the effectiveness of individual trustees and the board as a whole in supporting Belong to deliver its mission.

·       Ensure that the Board has the appropriate mix of experience and expertise to discharge its legal and governance responsibilities, and that Trustees are fully aware of those responsibilities.

·       Ensure effective communication and implementation of Board decisions.

·       Champion and challenge Belong to be a leader in diversity and inclusion

Executive

·       Together with the Board, guide, monitor and support the CEO in delivery of objectives, including managing financial performance within any relevant financial constraints.

·       Create a meaningful and productive working relationship with the Chief Executive in order to ensure harmonious working and the achievement of overall objectives.

·       Ensure that the Chief Executive is fully supported to undertake their role, including agreeing annual objectives, as well as managing the CEO’s annual performance review.

·       Support the CEO to ensure that the management of the organisation and its procedures (including audit procedures) are effective and appropriate; oversee the CEO’s management of risk and arrangements to comply with all relevant legal and other stakeholder requirements.

External

·       Support the CEO to help retain and cultivate key constructive relationships with funders.

·       Oversee the CEOs work to ensure that the organisation is suitably accountable to its donors and supporters.

·       Uphold the highest standards of integrity and probity, both personally and in relation to Belong, ensuring the organisation aspires to the highest standards in all its dealings, internally and externally.

·       Act as an ambassador and advocate for Belong and as a spokesperson where appropriate.

Essential Experience and Skills

·       Experience of chairing an organisation or as a senior executive or non-executive member of a charity or Board.

·       Operational or lived experience and knowledge of the criminal justice system.

·       Previous working knowledge of mentoring, restorative justice or therapy work.

·       Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to bring together Trustees’ different perspectives and skills to achieve consensus through balanced discussion at Board level.

·       Excellent listening skills.

·       Excellent organisational skills.

·       Ability to process sensitive, complex information.

·       Ability to offer support, insight, information and guidance to others

·       Ability to build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders e.g. voluntary sector organisations, prison service leadership, police leadership.

·       Demonstrable financial acumen.

·       A balanced and sound attitude to risk management.

·       Strong leadership and interpersonal skills to deal effectively with internal and external relationships.

·       Strong networks and connections and a willingness to draw upon contacts, where appropriate, for the benefit of Belong.

Essential Personal Attributes

·       Honest

·       Resilient

·       Hard working

·       Organised

·       Self-motivated

·       Confident

·       Non-judgmental

·       Flexible

·       Reliable

·       Committed to confidentiality and equal opportunities 

·       Willing to learn and develop

TRUSTEE MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

·       To set the strategy for the organisation in consultation with Belong’s staff, service users and volunteers.

·       To ensure the organisation complies with its governing document.

·       To ensure that Belong pursues its charitable objectives as defined in its governing document.

·       To ensure Belong applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objectives - the charity must not spend money on activities that are not included in its own objectives, no matter how 'charitable' and 'worthwhile' those activities are.

·       To safeguard the good name and values of the organisation.

·       To ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation.

·       To ensure the financial stability of the organisation.

·       To protect and manage the property of the organisation and to ensure the proper investment of the organisation's funds.

 

Collectively the trustees to hold the charity “in trust” for current and future beneficiaries by:

·       Ensuring that the charity has a clear vision, mission and strategic direction and is focused on achieving these.

·       Being responsible for the performance of the charity and for its “corporate” behaviour; ensuring that the charity complies with all legal and regulatory requirements.

·       Acting as guardians of the charity’s assets, both tangible and intangible, taking all due care over their security, deployment and proper application.

·       Ensuring that the charity’s governance is of the highest possible standard.

 

Belong’s Trustees responsibilities also include:

·       Supporting working group activities aligned to individual projects relevant to their skillset, as needed

·       Signing off on the organisational policies and procedures

·       Attending 6 board meeting per annum

·       Preparing for Board meetings by reading papers in advance of the meeting

·       Adhering to the confidentiality requirements of the Trustee role

·       Acting as an Ambassador for Belong

 

Remuneration       

There is no financial remuneration for either Chairperson or Trustee. Reasonable expenses for travel and childcare may be claimed.

 

Application

To apply please submit a CV (max 3 pages) and a covering letter (max 2 pages) explicitly addressing the following points:

• What motivates you to become Chairperson or Trustee with Belong Making Justice Happen
• How your skills and experiences align with our needs and organisation.
• Other skills and experience you can bring to the role of Chairperson or Trustee and how this relates to the work of Belong.
• Your experiences within the criminal justice system (if this is part of your lived experience that you would like to share) and how you want to use this to help others.

** Please note this vacancy has been extended with a deadline of 17th December **