The role requires proven leadership skills including the ability to plan and chair effective Board Meetings, the ability to support and encourage the Coordinator and maintain a close working relationship with Trustees, Trussell Trust, referral partners and volunteers.

Our Chair will meet the following person specification.

Personal behaviour and style

• Demonstrable commitment to the aims, objectives, and values of Chiltern Foodbank, recognizing that it is a Christian organisation
• Passionate about bringing an end to food poverty
• Listens to others and provides decisive leadership when required
• Integrity, diplomacy, and sensitive approach
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Impartiality, fairness, and the ability to respect confidences
• Commitment to equality and diversity.

Knowledge and experience

• Good understanding of the causes and impacts of poverty on individuals and families
• Previous board level experience, ideally in a non-profit organisation
• Experience of leadership and governance, including strategic planning and performance management
• Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of being a Trustee of a non-profit organisation.
• Ideally, previous professional or voluntary experience with a foodbank or other organisation dedicated to the relief of poverty.

Skills and abilities

• Leadership skills, including the ability to support and encourage the Coordinator and maintain a close working relationship between all those involved in the work of the foodbank
• Sufficient time to prepare for and participate in meetings and other activities, and to represent the organisation externally
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, able to engage effectively with a wide range of stakeholders and audiences
• Ability to plan, prepare and chair effective meetings of the Board and other committees.