Recruitment Consultant Volunteer Roles in North East
Orchestras Live seeks a new Chair to lead the Board of Trustees and help steer the organisation through its next phase of development.
Orchestras Live believes orchestras are for everyone. Our mission is to ensure everyone has access to and can enjoy the benefits of live orchestral music, regardless of their background. We work throughout England in places which have experienced historical underinvestment, including rural and coastal areas. Our projects can take place in schools, care homes, prisons, arts venues, museums, outdoors and online.
If you believe in and want to advocate for the power of culture to create social impact and positive change, this role could be of interest to you. It is not essential to have knowledge of orchestral music or the orchestral sector. However, it’s important that you recognise the unique role that orchestras can play in supporting a culturally vibrant and resilient society, and love music – orchestral or otherwise.
About us
Orchestras Live believes orchestras are for everyone. We are a national producer and create projects where music and creativity can thrive. We work to ensure communities across England have access to world-class orchestral experiences.
We are seeking a new Chair from November 2024 when Tony Stoller steps down after 6 years in the role.
Through our innovative and developmental approach Orchestras Live has become a leader in the sector. We collaborate with local, regional and national organisations to energise and shape orchestral programmes, prioritising the needs and interests of audiences and participants. We are motivated by the knowledge that there is much still to be done to engage new audiences, break down social, economic and demographic barriers to access and support the development of an orchestral profession that reflects the diversity of today’s society.
Our new Chair will share our belief in and commitment to the power of culture to create social impact and positive change. It is not essential to have knowledge of orchestral music or the orchestral sector. However, we are looking for someone who recognises the unique role that orchestras can play in supporting a culturally vibrant and resilient society, informed by a love of music (orchestral or otherwise).
Our current trustees bring a wide range of expertise and diverse perspectives to Orchestras Live.
Vision, Mission and Values
VISION
Orchestras are for everyone.
MISSION
To engage people of all ages and backgrounds, particularly those in historically under-invested, non-metropolitan communities in England, in creating work that harnesses the transformative power of orchestral music to inspire, bring joy and support wellbeing.
VALUES
Our values set the standard by which we hold ourselves to account and ask partners to do the same.
We are
Creative
To ensure that the orchestral experiences we co-produce are ambitious, meaningful and relevant.
To devise innovative solutions that underpin efficient organisational systems.
Inclusive
To ensure equity of access and opportunity across our delivery programme and organisational structure.
Collaborative
We respect and understand the needs and aspirations of communities with whom we work, our partners’ challenges and ambitions, and the expertise and potential within our staff and trustees.
Environmentally responsible
We raise ambition for ourselves and the sector to improve environmental responsibility, take focused action and collaborate to mitigate and minimise the environmental impacts of our operations and co-productions.
Forward-looking
To explore new developments and their potential – artistic, technological, environmental, societal or organisational – so that we offer innovative and dynamic leadership to the sector.
Who we are looking for, and why
We are looking for an exceptional individual with the experience, integrity and skills necessary to act as a powerful ambassador for Orchestras Live, and to lead the Board in the governance of the organisation. Leadership experience in any sector and an understanding of the role of not-for-profit Boards are essential. A willingness and ability to devote the necessary time and effort to the role of Chair is also required.
We are interested in hearing from candidates who can demonstrate their suitability in the following essential areas:
Experience and skills
- Leadership role in any sector, paid or voluntary
- Strategic leadership: working with others to agree objectives, devise, communicate and support the delivery of an organisational plan
- Assessing and managing risk
- Networking, advocating and building relationships, on behalf of an organisation, a sector or a cause
Knowledge
- Best practice corporate and/or charity governance principles
- Financial literacy
In addition, please let us know if you are able to bring experience, skills or knowledge in one or more of the following beneficial areas.
- Board membership in the not-for-profit sector
- Working in or with organisations and with individuals in the cultural sector
- Working in or with public bodies, e.g. local authorities
- Working with national policy makers
- Developing organisational strategies to achieve more equality of opportunity, diversity and inclusion
- Identifying new sources of income, including income-generating models, for the not-for-profit cultural sector
- Using data to understand and articulate the value of cultural/creative activity and support decision making
- The operational and creative potential of digital technology
- The structure of publicly funded cultural provision in England and the role of Orchestras Live within it
- The role of central and local government in supporting artists and public access to the arts, and their current policy priorities relating to culture, education and social policy
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, age groups and cultures. The Board has made specific commitments to embed equity of access and opportunity across our delivery programme and organisational structure. To help us deliver these, we are keen to hear from Global Majority, D/deaf and disabled candidates to support better representation on our Board and in leadership positions in our sector.
Candidates who self-identify as belonging to one or more of these groups and can demonstrate experience in the essential areas listed above will be guaranteed an online interview at the first stage.
We offer access support for people who face barriers to inclusion, meeting in accessible venues, being flexible in scheduling meetings at different times of day and covering travel expenses as outlined in our Inclusion Statement, which can be found at the end of this document.
About you
You will believe in the power of culture to create social impact and positive change, supporting your commitment to Orchestras Live’s purpose and vision;
You will share our commitment to creating a more equitable orchestral sector and to cementing an inclusive approach across everything we do and how we do it;
You will demonstrate a strong affinity with our organisational values: Inclusive, Collaborative, Forward-looking, Creative and Environmentally Responsible;
You will demonstrate confidence and persuasiveness whilst adopting a collaborative leadership style;
Your leadership style will reflect Orchestras Live’s fair and transparent decision making culture;
You will be able to build resilient and supportive working relationships with trustees, the CEO and management team that facilitate positive discussion and challenge where appropriate;
You will share our enthusiasm for people who bring different work and life experiences, perspectives and ways of doing things to the organisation. We want to work with people who have open ears and an open mind to new approaches, prepared to challenge the status quo.
What you will be expected to do
Overall objectives of the role
- Provide leadership to the Board of Orchestras Live, ensuring it fulfils its responsibilities for governance of the organisation and supports realisation of its vision and mission.
- Work in partnership with the Chief Executive to develop and deliver the vision, mission and strategy of the organisation.
- Act as ambassador for Orchestras Live, helping to shape external relationships that will reinforce its national position and strengthen its ability to secure funding from a wide range of sources to fulfill its mission.
Trustees meet as a full Board at least four times a year and there are a small number of standing committees and working groups. Board meetings and an annual Away Day generally alternate between Leeds and London; as our trustees are based in different parts of the country, meetings are usually hybrid so that trustees may attend either in person, or online when distance and scheduling is an issue. Committees and working groups usually meet on Zoom. Papers are circulated by email in good time for trustees to read them thoroughly before the meeting.
The Chair can expect to commit to the equivalent of up to 30 days per year. This includes monthly meetings (in person or online) with the Chief Executive and regular communication with the Chief Executive and/or Company Secretary as required, as well as time spent in preparation and planning regarding governance and strategy. Full day commitments are rare; the expectation would be mostly for half days and 1-2 hour meetings (generally online).
In addition, all trustees are expected to attend at least two Orchestras Live activities a year and contribute feedback for our internal evaluation systems.
Whilst the role is voluntary and unpaid, travel and other appropriate expenses are reimbursed.
Term
We are looking for a Chair for an initial, minimum three-year term; ideally to be renewed for a second term to a total of six years.
Our Chair is appointed by the Orchestras Live Board of Trustees and is accountable to them.
The Role of Chair
The Chair of Trustees has the same legal responsibilities as other Trustees, but has additional responsibilities assigned by the Board.
Board leadership and meetings
- Chairing meetings of the Board and ensuring that, through the Board and its committees, the Board runs effectively, fulfils its duties and carries out resolutions. Calling special meetings if necessary. Drawing up agendas for meetings with the Chief Executive and Company Secretary.
- Chairing meetings effectively and sympathetically, creating an environment in which all Board members are encouraged to participate and challenge constructively and appropriately.
- Ensuring that high standards of corporate governance and ethical, professional behaviour are maintained and, as appropriate, introduced to meet changing circumstances and good practice.
- Fostering collaborative and effective relationships between the Board, the Chief Executive and the staff team.
Governance
- With the Board, ensuring that financial controls and systems of management and risk are in place and effectively operated, and that the Board is kept informed in a timely and relevant manner of key issues and opportunities and performance against the business plan.
- To support, challenge and appraise the Chief Executive in managing the organisation, maintaining a balance between artistic and business goals, and ensuring a clear separation between executive and non-executive roles following corporate governance principles.
- Conducting periodic Board effectiveness reviews, ensuring that new Board members are fully inducted and that existing Board members are contributing effectively.
- Keeping an eye open for conflicts of interest.
- Generally keeping in touch with Trustees to ensure that they feel valued and can make a full contribution to Orchestras Live.
Advocacy
- Representing the Board and organisation to external stakeholders including funders, national and local government politicians, policy makers and the media where appropriate.
- Being a champion for fundraising, helping to identify and develop relationships with potential and existing donors and supporters.
- Encouraging Trustees to play an active role as advocates in their networks, attend events and external meetings when the Chief Executive or senior staff would value this.
Your relationship with Orchestras Live
With a clear vision and goals, and efficient operations, Orchestras Live aims to create a supportive and open working environment, that enables individuals to perform at their highest level. We support new trustees with a full induction process.
We offer access support for people who face barriers to inclusion, meeting in accessible venues, being flexible in scheduling meetings at different times of day and covering travel expenses as outlined in our Inclusion Statement.
In return for your time and commitment, we offer you the opportunity to play a leading role in a highly respected, innovative and forward-thinking organisation, bringing the thrill of live orchestral music to people and places all over England and steering new thinking in the sector. You will have the opportunity to gain new insights into the cultural and charitable sectors, connecting with national and local government and expanding your knowledge and skills.
Exploratory conversation
If you would like to have a conversation with the Vice-Chair, Chief Executive or departing Chair regarding any aspect of the role, please contact us.
How to apply
Please email your CV together with a covering letter of up to 2 pages (or a 5-minute film or audio recording if you prefer).
We encourage you to explain why you are interested in joining the Board of Orchestras Live, and describe how you demonstrate your suitability in relation to the essential areas outlined in the section on ‘Who we are looking for’. In addition, please let us know if you are able to bring experience, skills or knowledge in one or more of the beneficial areas listed.
Please address your letter or recording to our Vice-Chair, Helen Harrison.
Applicants who wish to disclose protected characteristics are asked to make Orchestras Live aware of this in their cover email.
If you have any access needs or other practical questions you would like to discuss before applying, please email or phone us.
The closing date for applications is 9 am on Tuesday 7 May 2024. First round interviews will take place online in the week commencing 3 June 2024. Candidates who reach the second round will then be invited to an informal meeting in person in June/July 2024.
On receipt of their application, applicants will be sent a link to complete a survey requesting personally sensitive data, enabling Orchestras Live to track the demographics of those who apply. Completion of this survey is entirely voluntary and all data is anonymised. Provision of this information is not part of the recruitment process.
Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
We are committed to increasing diversity and inclusion within Orchestras Live and the wider orchestral sector. This means reflecting critically on issues of diversity and inclusion within all that we do, identifying and taking appropriate action to reduce inequality and improve equity of opportunity.
For all roles, whether voluntary or paid, we welcome applications from anyone regardless of disability, ethnicity, heritage, gender, sexuality, religion or socio-economic background. We are committed to inclusive working practices and during the application process we commit to:
- Paying for your travel costs for interviews if they are held in person
- Paying for childcare while you’re attending an interview
- Making and paying for any reasonable adjustments to meet your needs and ensure equity during the application and interview process
- Providing all relevant information online and in Word document format, readily available to download from our website
If there is anything you’re concerned about or think we could provide, please email or phone us and we will do our best to help.
This role is advertised as part of TPP's Free Giving Back Services. This volunteer advertisement copy has been supplied to TPP and applicants apply direct to the organisation. Please contact the organisation directly if you have any questions about this volunteer role.
FrameWorks UK - Board Director
FrameWorks UK collaborates with charities and other mission driven organisations to communicate about social issues in ways that will create social progress.
The Board wish to appoint a 5th Director to strengthen its ability to exercise financial oversight of FrameWorks UK. This means the new Director is likely to have a background in finance or similar.
Location: London / Online
£5,000 per annum, plus expenses
Quarterly Board Meetings take place in London in person, with the ability to join online for those unable to make an in-person meeting
The Innovation Unit is a dynamic, not for profit social enterprise. With an expert team and board we endeavour to grow and scale the boldest and best innovations, that deliver long term impact for people, address persistent inequalities and transform the systems around them.
We design and deliver innovation programmes that develop new ideas, working with local places, systems and partners to help adoption and adaptation to different contexts and different needs. We also pass on tools and techniques to inspire people to keep innovating, learning and iterating.
Collaboration is at the heart of our work. We value everyone’s lived experience, facilitate co-production and we help to reimagine and transform systems. Our approach is intersectional, and we share a core set of beliefs about enabling change that is owned and driven by the people it affects.
About the role
This role offers you the opportunity to sit together with people who are committed to using the power of social innovation to address the most persistent problems we face. The Board and executive have a strong sense of mission and are ambitious and focused on continuing to extend and amplify Innovation Unit’s impact.
Open, generative and productive, the Board brings together diverse experiences that contribute to rich conversations and offers high quality strategic advice, guidance and challenge. As Innovation Unit expands into current and new areas of work, we are looking for different experiences to continue to evolve our business model, deepen our impact and become more embedded in the systems that can affect change.
Who are we looking for?
We value all forms of diversity and thrive on new perspectives and constructive challenge, and we welcome individuals who are ambitious, optimistic and who are inspired to contribute to our future development. In particular we, are looking for individuals who have expertise in the following areas:
● Financial Strategy - IU starts 2024/25 in a strong financial position with a positive pipeline of contracts. We welcome someone who can analyse and understand our organisation through a strategic finance lens. Someone who is able to interrogate financial statements and reports to quickly identify core questions about organisational performance, priorities, and developments.
● Philanthropy and generating investment - we would welcome someone who has deep knowledge, strategic experience and credibility of generating investment from trusts and foundations. Expanding this aspect of our portfolio is central to our ability to drive, proactively, the change we want to see in the world.
● A ‘door opener’ - someone who can connect us and our work into public debate, thought leaders, and policy-makers - enabling us to contribute our learning to national conversations, as well as to our partners on the ground.
● Equity, diversity and inclusion - in the context of becoming an anti-racist organisation we are looking for someone who can offer strategic guidance and new perspectives on tackling inequalities within our organisation and through our work.
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 at 9 a.m. Tuesday 28th May.
The Gold Standards Framework (GSF) - Trusees
The Gold Standards Framework (GSF) is seeking new Trustees to join its Board who have business development, finance, charity or fundraising expertise or experience, who might be interested in this area, as well as others interested in social care, education or palliative or end of life care
The GSF is a registered charity and has been the UK’s leading training provider for generalist frontline staff in caring for people in the last years of life for over 25 years. GSF is a practical and evidence-based end of life care improvement programme.
Its aim is to enable a ‘gold standard’ of care for everyone, with any condition, in any setting, given by any care provider, at any time in a person’s last years of life.
Role Title: Gardener
Where: Sunderland Hope Bank View, Dene Street, Silksworth, Sunderland, SR3 1EB
When/commitment: Flexible
Purpose of the opportunity: To help maintain the garden for the residents to enjoy.
About the opportunity:
- Do you want to improve the lives of older people?
- Do you love gardening?
- Do you have a couple of hours a week to spare?
This role involves maintaining and tending to the garden for the residents to enjoy. This may involve trimming hedges, weeding, cutting the lawn and helping with whatever is needed.
About Abbeyfield:
Abbeyfield is a national charity dedicated to the care and support of older people. Our vision is ‘making time for older people’ and we see volunteers as crucial in helping us achieve this. For more information, please visit our website.
Experience and/or skills:
For this role, ideally you would:
- Be a green-fingered person who wants to share their love of gardening with older people
- Be someone reasonably fit and active
We ask all our volunteers to:
- Be reliable and have the ability to relate well to others
- Have a warm, friendly, adaptable, caring approach
- Be open-minded and tolerant of different lifestyle and values
- Be able to work within personal and organisational boundaries
Practical considerations:
- We will reimburse you with any agreed appropriate expenses
- Provide you with any training you need to carry out your role
- You'll be supported by our small, friendly house team
- You’ll have lots of fun and get to spend time with our inspirational residents
How volunteering with Abbeyfield will make a difference to you:
This is an opportunity for you to spend time doing something you enjoy while knowing you are making a real difference to the lives of older people.
Interested?
Please get in touch!
Writer roles at the Bylines Network
The Bylines Network is a not-for-profit citizen journalism organisation. It has eight regionally-based publications in England, one in Scotland and one in Wales.
The Network has ongoing opportunities for writers. If you would like the opportunity to publish articles on subjects that matter to you, or if you’re keen to develop your skills with a view to breaking into professional journalism, we would love to hear from you.
While your choice of subject matter is up to you, we also commission pieces on issues of local, national and international importance, so if you would like to explore this type of writing, let us know. We have a range of courses and educational materials available to help you learn how professional journalists operate. We will introduce you to an editor who will work with you to help make your writing the best it can be.
The only articles we won’t consider publishing are those that are defamatory or attack members of particular groups. We have progressive values and want to contribute to levelling the playing field in the UK media, so we particularly encourage applications from members of under-represented groups. If you have something to say but writing is difficult for you because of a disability or lack of education, let us know and we will do our best to help. We believe that your voice deserves to be heard.
We work online, with groups you can join if you want to engage with members of the wider team. We don’t require any specific commitment in terms of hours and you can work out a schedule that suits you with you editor-in-chief. We have a dedicated social media team to help promote your work. We are a volunteer-led organisation and always welcome new ideas.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
African Development Choices (ADC) is a UK-based Social Enterprise on a mission to reduce poverty by empowering communities to make more informed choices in the management of public resources.
ADC’s purpose is to enable communities to independently meet their needs for essential services, such as clean water and safe sanitation and improve lives in Africa.
At ADC we encourage a working culture of seeking and giving input, showing and taking initiative, and commitment to the organisation and its purpose.
We now have an exciting opportunity for a volunteer Social & Content Manager to join ADC.
Main purpose of job: Develop and implement our social media & content strategy in order to increase our online presence and drive engagement
Division: Operations
Department: Marketing & Communications
Position reports to: Head of Marketing & Communications
Who reports to this position: N/A
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
- Develop a content calendar across all social platforms ensuring a constant supply of relevant content (1 post per week on LinkedIn, Facebook & Instagram – initially)
- Collate content for, prepare and publish the monthly volunteer newsletter through MailChimp
- Identify and engage with key social influencers to create beneficial relationships and strong networks and grow the ADC brand
- Perform social listening across all social platforms by monitoring and responding to relevant brand mentions and identifying opportunities for engaging in related topics/discussions
- Define social media KPIs, measure and optimize social media performance metrics, and develop enhanced reporting
- Manage and oversee social media content
Knowledge, Skills, and Experience
Essential
- 3+ years of experience in social and content management
- Experience using MailChimp or similar software
- Excellent knowledge of Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and other social media platforms
- Experience of forming relationships with key influencers on social media
- Good understanding of SEO metrics and social media KPIs
- Ability to come up with creative content (text, image and video)
- Available to volunteer at least 7 hours a week
- Ability to actively take initiative and help set things up in a start-up environment
- Ability to actively seek and give input in a collaborative team environment
- A committed team player with good communication skills.
Desirable
- Experience of establishing online communities on social media
- Experience working in an early stage start-up and gone through a scaling phase
- Passion for the start-up life and comfortable in a role with a little ambiguity
What ADC Offers You
This is a volunteer, remote and unpaid position with the following benefits:
- Professional learning and career development opportunities
- An opportunity to build on your work experience within your profession
- An opportunity to be part of a diverse team representing different parts of the world that is helping to deliver systemic social change in Africa
- An opportunity to help shape a start-up social enterprise
- We provide work reference
This job description is a written statement of the essential characteristics of the job, with its principal accountabilities, incorporating a note of the skills, knowledge and experience required for a satisfactory level of performance. This is not intended to be a complete, detailed account of all aspects of the duties involved.
Here at African Development Choices, we celebrate diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our teams are made up of people from all over the world and we welcome all applications. If you are disabled or have a long-term health condition, and you require any reasonable adjustments for your application with us, please let us know by contacting recruitmentatafricandevelopmentchoicesdotorg.