Trustees Volunteer Roles in North West
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
As an External Trustee, you will play a crucial role in guiding the strategic direction of Chester Students' Union, ensuring it is delivering effectively for its members and challenging the University to deliver the best possible University experience.
We are seeking individuals who bring a diverse range of skills, experiences, and perspectives to contribute to our dynamic and student-focused Board. If you are passionate about higher education, student well-being, and making a
positive impact, we invite you to consider the following criteria:
In particular we are keen to see people with experience of the following areas:
- Financial Strategy and Governance
- High level leadership experience within the Students’ Union/Charity sector.
- Strategic Partnerships and Measuring impact within Charity, Public Sector
- and/or membership organisations.
- Governance, and Human Resources/People Leadership.
1. Commitment to the Mission:
Demonstrated alignment with the mission and values of Chester Students' Union, with a clear understanding of the challenges and opportunities within higher education.
2. Governance and Leadership:
Previous experience serving on boards or in leadership positions, preferably within the education or non-profit sector.
Strong understanding of governance principles and a commitment to upholding ethical standards.
3. Strategic Vision:
Proven ability to think strategically and contribute to the development of long-term organisational goals.
Experience in strategic planning, risk management, and performance evaluation.
4. Financial Acumen:
Familiarity with financial management, budgeting, and financial reporting. Ability to analyse financial information and make informed decisions in the best interest of the organisation.
5. Legal and Compliance Knowledge:
Understanding of the legal and regulatory obligations of charitable companies in the UK. Awareness of governance and compliance issues relevant to the higher education sector.
6. Networking and Advocacy:
Strong networking skills with the ability to advocate for the Students' Union and build collaborative partnerships.
A willingness to represent the organisation at external events and engage with stakeholders.
7. Student-Centric Approach:
A genuine commitment to student welfare and the enhancement of the student experience. Ability to empathise with and understand the diverse needs of the student community.
8. Effective Communication:
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to convey complex information to diverse audiences.
Comfortable engaging with students, staff, and external partners.
9. Innovation and Adaptability:
A forward-thinking mindset with a focus on innovation and adaptability to navigate the evolving landscape of higher education.
10. Time Commitment:
Willingness and availability to commit the necessary time to fulfil trustee responsibilities, attend meetings, and actively contribute to board discussions.
About Smart Works
Smart Works is a dynamic, high profile and fast-growing UK charity that dresses and coaches unemployed women for success at their job interview. We empower each woman by giving her the clothes and the confidence she needs to succeed. After visiting Smart Works, 69% of clients secure a job within a month, gaining financial independence and transforming their lives.
Smart Works Greater Manchester, operating as a licensee of Smart Works Charity, is led by a Board of passionate and dedicated trustees, who are responsible for the governance and strategic direction of the Smart Works service across Greater Manchester.
More information about who we are can be found on our website.
About the opportunity
A fantastic opportunity has arisen to join the Smart Works Greater Manchester Board of Trustees.
The Young Women’s Trustee will lead the development of understanding the needs of Smart Works Greater Manchester’s younger clients aged 16 to 25 years (these being unemployed, NEET or in danger of becoming NEET, and those leave the care system) and become a recognised and valued advocate for this community across Greater Manchester.
The successful candidate will develop new and existing connections with referral partners who support young unemployed women, input to the marketing plan and social media content to better reach and communicate with this audience, and build relationships with corporate partners and grant funders who support this community.
The candidate will also have the opportunity to connect with policy makers focussed on improving the employment outcomes for young women across Greater Manchester.
General Duties of a Smart Works Trustee
- Work with the Chair of the Board of Trustees to ensure the centre is well-run and governed effectively.
- Provide support to determine the strategic direction of the Centre.
- Advocate for the Centre, raising its profile and the awareness of the Smart Works service in the geographic area.
- Build strong working relationships with the Chair, fellow trustees, staff, volunteers and supporters.
- Work in a small team and tailor strong interpersonal and communication skills to all levels of seniority.
Personal Specification
The Young Women’s Trustee will use their skills and experience to amplify the voices of Smart Works Greater Manchester’s younger clients and successfully network with key employment and skills programme providers, third sector, and 16+ educational organisations that exist across Greater Manchester.
Lived experience of unemployment and / or experience supporting social value or youth unemployment projects is preferred, but not essential.
The successful applicant will demonstrate enthusiasm for developing at board level and will become a real advocate for young women living in socially disadvantaged and minority communities across Greater Manchester.
The Young Women’s Trustee will be required to sit on relevant task force groups as and when experience is relevant and attend (and prepare for) Board meetings taking place quarterly. For those new to Board positions, a mentor from the wider trustees team will be provided.
It is essential that all applicants believe in the mission of Smart Works and align with the Charity’s core values, share a commitment to fairness and promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion, acting at all times with honesty and integrity.
Smart Works promotes equity, diversity, and inclusion in our workplace. We particularly welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, disabled candidates, and candidates with lived experience of unemployment as we would like to increase the representation of these groups at Smart Works.
How to Apply
Please visit our website or click "Apply Now" to find out more information - we can't wait to hear from you.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Share Psychotherapy is a long-standing psychotherapy charity providing long term, low cost therapy. We specifically aim to help people who cannot afford or cannot access therapy elsewhere. If you would like to joinn our board and help to guide and grow the charity as we move into our next phase we would like to hear from you!
We are especially interested in hearing from people with clinical, therapeutic or safeguarding experience but are looking for people with experience & skills in any of the following:
- Fundraising
- Service user involvement
- Web design and digital marketing
- Management and business systems
- Clinical management - especially in mental health
- High-level psychotherapeutic skills and experience
- Accounting, Budget Management & Financial Risk management
Share Psychotherapy is one of Sheffield’s leading mental health charities. Established for over 40 years we offer medium to long term therapy at nominal fees, primarily to people on low incomes. This therapy is delivered through a range of psychodynamic & creative modalities. We therefore work at the vital intersection of psychological distress & poverty in the city, providing high quality, long term therapy to people who could not otherwise obtain such help, especially those on low incomes.
Our clients are often experiencing serious mental and emotional distress, through anxiety, depression, difficulty with relationships or traumatic life events.
We are part way through a change process at Share - developing and strengthening our clinical services, improving our administrative and business systems and strengthening our financial position. We want to build upon our position as a centre of excellence in psychotherapy and make an even bigger contribution to improving mental health in Sheffield.
Would you like to help us in this venture? We are looking for people with specialist skills who are willing to help in a voluntary capacity; either as a trustee on our board, or as a specialist volunteer contributing on a project basis. We are willing to consider a wide range of contributions.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
About Smart Works
Smart Works is a dynamic, high profile and fast-growing UK charity that dresses and coaches unemployed women for success at their job interview. We empower each woman by giving her the clothes and the confidence she needs to succeed. After visiting Smart Works, 69% of clients secure a job within a month, gaining financial independence and transforming their lives.
Smart Works Greater Manchester, operating as a licensee of Smart Works Charity, is led by a Board of passionate and dedicated trustees, who are responsible for the governance and strategic direction of the Smart Works service across Greater Manchester.
More information about who we are can be found on our website.
About the opportunity
A fantastic opportunity has arisen to join the Smart Works Greater Manchester Board of Trustees.
The Corporate Relationships Trustee will support in developing the corporate supporter base across the city region, with the aim of increasing the funding received from organisations. This will involve supporting the Fundraising and Partnerships Manager to shape the our corporate partner “offer”, engaging with corporate supporters, and building the narrative of our social value proposition.
Securing corporate funding / financial donations as an income stream will enable the Charity to continue delivering the Smart Works service across Greater Manchester, helping women to secure employment and gain financial independence. The corporate partner offering will include securing formal, multi-year Charity Partner status for Smart Works Greater Manchester across the city region and increasing corporate participation in fundraising challenges, such as the annual Cycle for Smart Works challenge and payroll giving.
The time commitment for this voluntary, unpaid role is an average of 0.5 day per month, with more time given at busy periods of the year. There will be a requirement to sit on the Fund-Raising Sub-Committee, with meetings taking place every three months, and to attend Board meetings taking place every quarter.
If you feel you have valuable experience and skills to contribute to the Smart Works mission and would like to use your professional experience for good, the team would love to hear from you.
General Duties of a Smart Works Trustee
- Work with the Chair of the Board of Trustees to ensure the centre is well-run and governed effectively.
- Provide support to determine the strategic direction of the Centre.
- Advocate for the Centre, raising its profile and the awareness of the Smart Works service in the geographic area.
- Build strong working relationships with the Chair, fellow trustees, staff, volunteers and supporters.
- Work in a small team and tailor strong interpersonal and communication skills to all levels of seniority.
Personal Specification
It is our vision that the successful applicant will have a strong network of corporate contacts across Manchester city and the wider city region and be able to leverage their skills to create, develop, and secure corporate partnerships and deliver the desired financial outcomes.
The Corporate Relationship Trustee will be expected to support the Fundraising and Partnerships Manager, and, where necessary, to liaise with the Smart Works Charity Corporate Partnerships team in London to ensure joined-up activities where contacts are national organisations.
As this is a voluntary, unpaid opportunity, it requires a self-starting and proactive approach with the capacity and time to challenge, engage and contribute to the work of the Board in a positive manner.
It is essential that all applicants believe in the mission of Smart Works and align with our core values, share a commitment to fairness and promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion, acting at all times with honesty and integrity.
Smart Works promotes equity, diversity, and inclusion in our workplace. We particularly welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, disabled candidates, and candidates with lived experience of unemployment as we would like to increase the representation of these groups at Smart Works.
How to Apply
Please visit our website or click "Apply Now" to find out more information - we can't wait to hear from you.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
About BelEve UK
BelEve engages with girls and young women to support them in gaining skills, confidence, and self-belief to fulfil their potential, despite barriers in their lives that might suggest otherwise.
Through carefully crafted programmes, mentoring, events, and campaigns, bringing individuals and groups together helps to motivate them, reduce isolation, combat differences, and build strength across communities from the girls who are at the centre of these. Through the programmes, beneficiaries improve their social mobility, as well as their life and career prospects.
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced Chair who can lead our Board and support our Chief Executive to drive our charity’s long-term success, sustainability, and impactful growth.
Our new Chair will be an ambitious and visionary leader with a strong track record of governing complex organisations through change.
We are open to your professional background if you bring effective governance experience, strategic thinking and a good understanding of issues affecting the lives of girls and young women.
We are looking for a Chair with experience and expertise in the following areas:
- Experience of being a Chair
- Track record of relationship building, with stakeholders, partners, decision-makers, team, and Board
- Governance and organisational leadership experience
- Experience in creating strong partnerships with stakeholders and successfully influencing decision-makers
- Understanding of risk management and mitigation
- Ability to encourage positive change and innovation where appropriate.
- An understanding of the key challenges the organisation aims to tackle from issues impacting various communities of young women and girls
- Extrovert, Fun, Dynamic, and Engaging
- Values Led
For more information, please access the attached recruitment pack, our contact information can be located there.
How to Apply
If this role is of interest, please submit your CV and supporting statement via the link below.
Your statement should be up to 2 pages long (no more than 900 words), addressing the following statements:
- Please outline your demonstrable commitment to BelEve UK's mission and purpose and your motivation for applying.
- Detail your previous experience and capabilities which you believe make you suitable for this Chair role.
Closing Date: Sunday 19th May 2024 at 23.59hrs
Our Commitment
BelEve is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from people from all sections of the community. We would like to encourage applicants from black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and those with disabilities.
BelEve is a girl-focused charity with a mission to empower girls to become leaders of their world.
Join the EAUC board and help lead and empower the post-16 education sector to embed sustainability in everything it does: equipping learners for their lives and shaping society for the better.
This is a unique opportunity for someone to bring an external perspective to our charity. We are looking for someone who is passionate about sustainability and education. You don’t need years of experience - we’re seeking someone with a keen eye on what’s important to us: impact, quality, engagement and accessibility. We particularly welcome early-career candidates and those familiar with the further education and skills sector.
Position: Trustee and director
Location: Remote within UK and Ireland
Salary: Unremunerated with reasonable expenses paid
Positions available: One
Closing date: 16th May 2024
The EAUC is the leading body for sustainability in the post-16 education sector in the UK and Republic of Ireland. We represent 300+ institutions with collectively over 2 million students, nearly 400,000 staff and a spending budget of over £25 billion. We exist to lead and empower the post-16 education sector to embed sustainability in everything it does: equipping learners for their lives and shaping society for the better.
The EAUC board is made up of twelve volunteer trustees. We have one long-standing trustee who reaches the end of their tenure at the July 2024 AGM so we have ONE available trustee position.
The new trustee we are seeking will be passionate and innovative with knowledge or experience in the further education sector, whether this is a college, adult education, employment-based learning or a community-based provision.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
The Irish Chaplaincy is a leading social action charity, rooted in faith, providing high quality services and support to excluded, vulnerable and isolated Irish people in England and Wales. As we reach out, we hope we're contributing to a fairer, more just society, one person at a time. The Irish Chaplaincy is the oldest Irish Catholic welfare charity in Britain and our aim remains to galvanise the whole Irish community to work together to improve the lives of those most vulnerable of Irish emigrants and ensure that no member of our community is forgotten.
There are three main strands to the work we do:
Prisoners: A prison visiting, information and advocacy service for Irish prisoners in Britain and their families.
Travellers: Research, advocacy and education to improve the situation of Travellers within the criminal justice system.
Seniors: Pastoral outreach and befriending to alleviate the social exclusion and loneliness of older Irish people, and to offer a knowledgeable, compassionate and comforting presence for end-of-life issues and funeral arrangements.
To help us navigate the next stage of our charity's development, we are seeking to recruit two new trustees. We welcome applications from those with experience in our sector and beyond. In particular it would be beneficial if applicants have particular expertise in fundraising or with strong connections in the Irish community in the UK.
Please send your CV and covering letter to our Chair of Trustees by Friday 31st May 2024.
Please send your CV and covering letter for attention of Chair of Trustees, Clare Coffey by Friday 31st May 2024.
The Irish Chaplaincy is a leading social action charity, rooted in faith, providing high quality services and support to excluded Irish emigrants.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
It’s an exciting time for the Employers' Initiative on Domestic Abuse: momentum is growing, with heightened public awareness of domestic abuse following the pandemic, increased government focus, and employers increasingly recognising their crucial role in enabling employees to recognise the signs of, and seek support on, domestic abuse.
The Employers’ Initiative on Domestic Abuse (known as EIDA) is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion in our mission to empower employers to act effectively against domestic abuse.
Our aim is to ensure that all team members, volunteers, trustees, job applicants and the people we come into contact with are given equal opportunity and that our organisation is representative of all sections of society.
We want our board to be representative of our society and membership and particularly welcome applications from people with lived experiences of domestic abuse, people based outside the southeast of England and in the nations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and from people with experience as a people manager or employer, large or small.
Who we are
We are a free-to-join members' network of employers and a registered charity supporting over 1,500 large and small employers to take effective action on domestic abuse. Our members collectively employ over 25% of the UK workforce.
Our mission is to equip employers to support their employees affected by domestic abuse and to share best practice with other employers.
We endeavour to bring about constructive change, leading to a society where survivors thrive, and where domestic abuse is not tolerated.
Our Trustees are volunteer board members who play a vital role in making sure that EIDA achieves its mission. As a group, they:
- Oversee the overall management and administration of the charity.
- Ensure that EIDA has a clear strategy and that our work and goals are in line with our vision.
- Provide support and challenge to the executive team, enabling EIDA to grow and thrive.
We are seeking up to four new Trustees to join the existing group of eight.
EIDA has a UK-wide remit with a membership made up of employers, and we want to reflect that across our Trustees.
Trustee duties
Trustees are the people who lead our charity and decide how it is run. We envisage the trustee duties broadly as:
- Support and provide advice on EIDA’s purpose, vision, goals and activities.
- Attend Board meetings, adequately prepared to contribute to discussions.
- Approve operational strategies and policies and monitor and evaluate their implementation.
- Oversee EIDA’s financial plans and budgets and monitor and evaluate progress.
- Ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation.
- Ensure that key risks are being identified, monitored and controlled effectively.
- Review and approve EIDA’s financial statements.
- Provide support and challenge to EIDA’s CEO.
- Keep abreast of changes in EIDA’s operating environment.
- Use independent judgment, acting legally and in good faith to promote and protect EIDA’s interests, to the exclusion of their own personal and/or any third-party interests.
- Participate in periodic appraisals of the performance of the Board of Trustees, collectively and individually.
- Represent EIDA at external functions, meetings and events.
Who we are looking for
We are looking for people willing to bring energy, enthusiasm and commitment to the role, and who will contribute to the diversity of thinking on our board.
Whether you are an experienced trustee or are looking to take your first step at board level, we would like to hear from you. We ask for:
- Commitment to tackling domestic abuse and EIDA’s mission.
- Willingness and ability to understand and accept their responsibilities and liabilities as trustees and to act in the best interests of the organisation.
- Ability to think creatively and strategically, exercise good, independent judgement.
- Effective communication skills and willingness to participate actively in discussions.
- A strong commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and EIDA’s core values of Collaboration, Empowerment, Versatility, Openness and Kindness.
- Time to commit to supporting the organisation, including attendance at Board meetings (2 hours, 5 times annually), virtual and in-person events (4-6 annually) and any sub committees.
- Ability to build and maintain a healthy network that promotes the aims of EIDA across the business community, to drive member growth, and to enhance EIDA fundraising activities.
- Some experience as an employer or people manager.
Terms of appointment
Position: Trustee
Location: This is a hybrid role, with occasional travel required to Board and network meetings held in central London
Terms: A maximum fixed term appointment of one three-year term followed by a further three-year term
This is a voluntary position, but reasonable expenses are reimbursed.
Time commitment: EIDA’s Board of Trustees meets 4-5 times a year within the working hours of 10-5pm. Currently meetings are held in London and remotely (Zoom).
Closing date
9am, Monday 10 June 2024.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if sufficient applications are received, so early applications are appreciated.
Our mission is to equip employers to support their employees affected by domestic abuse and to share best practice with other employers.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Harlow & District Sports Trust
We are seeking a Non-Executive Board Member to Join our Board of Trustees. The position is voluntary.
The leisure Trust was established in 1957 as a Charitable Company Limited by
Guarantee. The Trust currently operates Harlow Leisurezone which is a large
state-of-the-art Community wet and dry leisure centre, with annual attendances in excess of 1.5 million. The organisation’s mission is “To provide a high quality sport and
leisure experience that is sustainable and responsive to the needs of the community“. Our facilities are very popular within the local community and this trend continues and is reflected in our high attendance levels to date.
The leisure Trust was established in 1957 as a Charitable Company Limited by Guarantee. The Trust currently operates Harlow Leisurezone which is a large state-of-the-art Community wet and dry leisure centre, with annual attendances in excess of 1.5 million. The organisation’s mission is “To provide a high quality sport and leisure experience that is sustainable and responsive to the needs of the community“. Our facilities are very popular within the local community and this trend continues and is reflected in our high attendance levels to date.
The Trustee Board consists of 12 non-executive Board members. Due to retirement the Board is seeking to recruit a new trustee to fill our current vacancy. As a Board member, you will have the opportunity to take part in the Trust’s financial and strategic planning designed to drive the organisation forward, and the development of the future policy and strategy of an organisation which makes a difference in the local community, while at the same time developing your own skills working as part of a successful team.
Do you have a passion to make a difference to the lives of children and families? Spurgeons Family Charity is seeking three or four new trustees to join our current Board in bringing prayerful wisdom and strategic guidance over the coming years.
Spurgeons is one of the UK’s leading children’s charities, supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged children and their families for 150 years. Inspired by Christian faith and our founder Charles Spurgeon, we’re here for all families. Together, we create Family Hubs in communities where we’re needed most, with counselling, early years and family support. We partner with local councils and churches to care for every family, putting children and young people first in everything we do. Our services also include helping young carers, providing parenting advice and working with families affected by domestic abuse, and imprisonment.
These services are needed more than ever, particularly as local authorities with tight budgets make difficult choices on where to spend their limited resources. As we prepare for the launch of our new five-year plan in 2025, we are ambitious and hopeful about how we can use our strong financial position and robust level of assets to make a significant impact on many more children’s lives in the future.
To support Board succession planning, we are seeking to appoint new trustees with experience and skills such as:
· Lived experience: we are particularly looking to hear the voice of young people on our Board and especially those with lived experience of children and young people’s support services. We will provide the necessary training, mentoring and support to fulfil the role.
· Fundraising/marketing: this trustee will bring a clear understanding of best practice in fundraising and/or marketing.
· Children’s services: we are looking for someone with senior management or leadership experience in the children’s services sector e.g. within social services/ the care sector, health, education, local authorities or charitable contexts.
· Counselling: this trustee will have understanding and/or experience in counselling, bringing wisdom and insight at a governance level.
· Digital: we seek a leader with experience of digital transformations and entrepreneurship, to provide a strategic view of how Spurgeons can thrive in a digital, audience-focused context.
Given an occupational requirement for these roles to be filled by Christians, we are seeking candidates with a personal and active Christian faith who are comfortable and aligned with the statement of faith outlined on our website.
Spurgeons values diversity, promotes inclusion, and encourages applications from a diverse range of candidates, including those with lived experience of children’s support services. We recognise the need to increase the diversity of the Board, for example in terms of age, ethnicity, disability, gender and LGBTQ+ representation. Our goal, and a key priority in this recruitment process, is for the Board to become more closely representative of our service user community.
The time commitment required of a trustee is likely to equate to approximately 12 days per year.
This is a hybrid role: at present, Board meetings take place in London and committee meetings take place virtually via Teams.
For further information, including full details of how to apply, please see our Appointment Details Pack which can be downloaded in the Application Resources section of this advert.
Application is by submission of CV and cover letter to Laura Bagley at Macaulay Search by the closing date of Friday 24th May 2024. Please contact Laura if you have any questions about this opportunity (please see appointment details pack for contact details).
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Our partner supports individuals and research institutions in the Global South to produce, share and use research and knowledge to transform lives, and provide support to researchers globally through their online community platform.
They are seeking a new Treasurer to join their existing board in leading the organisation through their next exciting period of change. While they are seeking someone with knowledge of UK charity finance and legal requirements, they are particularly interested to hear from candidates from the Global South, wherever their current location.
The Treasurer will monitor the financial administration of the charity and report to the board of trustees at regular intervals on its state of financial health, in line with best practice, and in compliance with legal requirements.
The Treasurer role will require approximately 10-12 days per annum, including three Board meetings, two of which are usually virtual, and occasional virtual meetings with the Executive Director, Finance Manager, and Auditor. In addition, the Treasurer will chair the Finance and Audit sub-committee.
________________________________
For more Trustee and Treasurer roles please visit the AfID website.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Our partner believes that stable, flourishing communities are based on thriving couple and family relations, and dedicates itself to the worldwide dissemination of knowledge about such relationships and to activities promoting their well-being.
They are seeking a Treasurer to take on a hands-on role in the monitoring and administration of the organisation's finances.
The role will include monitoring their online bank accounts, maintaining their income and expenditure spreadsheet, submitting an income and expenditure report to Trustees ahead of meetings, and assisting the Trustees with the preparation of an annual budget and the financial report to the Charity Commission.
The ideal candidate will be a competent Excel user with experience of preparing accounts. The time commitment required for the role is approximately 1 hour per week, with the Trustees meeting 3 times a year.
_______________________________
For more Trustee and Treasurer roles please visit the AfID website.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Vision Action is a unique organisation, that works in low- and middle-income countries, supporting national governments to deliver and strengthen their eye health strategies. We work in partnership with local governments, civil society organisations, international and national NGOs, and the private sector. Our ambition is to increase equitable access to eye care services and glasses, and accelerate achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goal.
The role of the Board is to oversee the overall direction and activities of the charity, including its policies and procedures, to ensure that they are consistently in accordance with the charitable purposes defined in the objects clause in its Constitution. The Board sets and monitors the strategic direction of the charity, although the implementation of strategy is achieved through the executive team. The Board must always act in the best interests of Vision Action, taking decisions as a group and not as individuals.
1. Terms of service
For Vision Action the Trustees are Members who have been elected to serve on the Board. Vision Action’s constitution allows for up to 12 Trustees, who can serve a maximum of three consecutive terms of three years. Vision Action is a company limited by guarantee and the Trustees are its legal directors. The Trustee role is voluntary but out of pocket expenses are paid.
Trustees are appointed by the Vision Action Board of Trustees annually at the Board meeting following the Annual General Meeting. The time commitment in being a trustee involves attendance at four Board meetings per year, one of which will be an all-day strategy session. Otherwise, Board meetings are usually half a day in the afternoon of a weekday with at least half the meetings online. Papers are circulated for reading in advance.
In addition to this, it is expected that trustees attend the AGM held on a weekend and occasional Members’ Forums or other Vision Action events, which are usually arranged on the same day as a Board meeting in the evening. There may be other ad hoc meetings or online events to discuss specific topics. Trustees will be expected to commit time to receive a proper induction.
2. Main tasks
Charity Trustees have and must accept ultimate responsibility for directing the affairs of the charity and ensuring it is solvent, well-run and delivering the charitable outcomes for the benefit of the public for which it has been set up. Each Trustee will be expected to join one of the three sub-committees (Fundraising and Investment; Programmes; Finance, Administration and Remuneration). The Committees meet (in person or remotely) at least four times per year, usually timed with or in advance of the board meetings.
3. General Responsibilities
- Ensure that Vision Action complies with its governing document (i.e. its Constitution and Byelaws), charity law, and any other relevant legislation or regulations.
- Ensure that Vision Action pursues its objects as defined in its governing document.
- Ensure Vision Action applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects, i.e. it must not spend money on activities which are not included in the objects, however worthwhile they may be.
- Contribute actively to the Board’s role in the formulation and review of strategy, setting overall policy, defining goals, setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets.
- Safeguard the good name and values of Vision Action and maintain good relations with its members.
- Ensure that all policies are implemented, monitored and reports are acted upon, (including the policies on Harassment and Misconduct, Safeguarding, Recruitment of ex-offenders, Child Protection and Anti- Bribery).
- Strive for Vision Action to reflect the full diversity of society in all its activities.
- Ensure the financial stability of Vision Action.
- Protect and manage the property of Vision Action and ensure the proper investment of its funds.
- Appoint and support the Chief Executive Officer and monitor his/her performance.
In addition to the above statutory responsibilities, each Trustee should attend Board meetings and use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have to help the Board reach sound decisions. This may involve leading discussions, focusing on key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, evaluation or other issues in which the Trustee has special expertise; and then always upholding the decisions taken by Board. Trustees are also expected to support Vision Action’s fundraising initiatives.
4. Additional Specific Responsibilities
In addition to the above, we are looking for a Trustee who can be the Chair designate and assume the role of Chair in November 2024.
Vision Action is looking for a Trustee who will be able to support us in 3 key areas:
1) Provide advice and experience at the level of Chair so that they can provide leadership to the Board of Trustees as well as the CEO
2) Act as the Chair designate until they assume the role of Chair of the Board of Trustees in November 2024.
3) Provide insight, knowledge and connections to help us build our reputation and position as a worthy international charity in the eye health sector in the UK and Internationally so that Vision Action can grow its relationship with individuals, bodies and corporates in the sector.
Person Specification
Each Trustee must have:
- A commitment to the mission and value base of Vision Action.
- A commitment to the key policies of Vision Action – on Harassment and Misconduct, Safeguarding, Whistle-blowing, Recruitment of ex-offenders, Child Protection and Anti-Bribery.
- A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort.
- Integrity.
- Strategic vision.
- Good, independent judgement.
- An ability to think creatively.
- A willingness to speak his/her mind.
- An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of trusteeship (training/information will be offered in this area).
- An ability to contribute effectively to the workings of the Vision Action Board and any sub-committees or working groups.
In addition to the above, this specific appointment is looking ideally for Trustees who have:
- Previous experience of leading and Chairing at the senior level in an organisation;
- Previous experience of governing and managing at the Board level;
- Previous Board level experience in the charity sector;
- Willingness to undertake obligatory tasks with the Charity Commission on behalf of the organisation;
- Willingness to stay updated on changes to governance issues and policies that might impact Vision Action;
- A willingness to engage in activities in the vision sector as it relates to the work of Vision Action, including fundraising.
We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds as well as those who may have a connection to the vision sector either through personal or professional experience and those who might come from one of the countries that Vision Action is currently active in – Zambia, Ghana, Sierre Leone, and Ethiopia.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Our partner works on the front line with families in need, with a vision of a world where children everywhere have access to the support they need to survive and thrive, achieved through research, campaigning and humanitarian responses.
They are seeking a Treasurer with experience of working with not for profits in setting strategic financial direction. You would be joining the board at an exciting time, as they implement their new strategy, build on their campaigns and broaden their advocacy to mobilise greater support and achieve change.
In addition to the general responsibilities of a trustee, the responsibility of the Treasurer is to maintain an overview of the organisation's affairs, ensuring its financial viability and that the organisation has policies and systems in place to ensure robust financial planning, implementation and reporting.
This is a substantial and responsible role, and would suit someone able to commit about 18-20 hours three times a year. Board and committee meetings are held three times a year (on Zoom), and there may be ad hoc meetings between these as well as an expectation that support and guidance will be provided to the CEO and other staff on an ongoing basis.
____________________________________
For more Trustee and Treasurer roles please visit the AfID website
The BGF Foundation is looking for up to three new trustees to support our ambitious grant-making plans.
Our purpose is to support young people throughout the UK. Launched in 2022, the BGF Foundation is an independent charitable foundation. It is supported by cornerstone funding from BGF, an investment company that provides growth capital for small and mid-sized businesses in the UK and Ireland.
We harness the financial resources, leadership and expertise of BGF, its portfolio companies and talent network – collectively one of the UK’s largest and most active entrepreneurial networks. The Foundation has ambassadors in every region who work with us to identify local charities, coordinate pro bono support and build long-term partnerships with them.
To date we have provided multi-year grants to growing charities that support young people: MyBnk, Leadership Through Sport and Business and Social Enterprise Academy. We have also supported a number of charities with smaller individual grants.
We have undergone a strategic review and our focus will now be on open funding rounds for ambitious youth charities who are ready to scale their impact. We focus on areas where our funding, skills, networks and knowledge can make the most impact. These are enterprise, education, employment, mental health and physical wellbeing.
This is a pivotal time for the Foundation, and key to our future success will be up to three new trustees that can broaden our diversity and add to the skills and perspectives of the Board to support this new strategic approach.
We are especially interested in those with expertise in the charity sector (grant-making, strategy and governance), supporting growing charities, or working with young people.
Previous board/trustee experience is not necessary.
Trustees will be appointed for a term of three years.
To apply, please submit a CV and short letter outlining your motivation for applying through our website.
Deadine for applications is 5pm on 23 May.
BGF is an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their gender, ethnicity, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, age, nationality or socio-economic background. As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide personal information related to diversity and inclusiveness. The information you provide is kept confidential and will not be used to evaluate your candidacy. We collect this data to help us analyse our recruitment processes and implement the necessary interventions that promote greater equity, diversity, and inclusiveness.
The BGF Foundation provides grant funding and pro bono support to charities that are supporting young people throughout the UK
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.