We need a new Chair of the Board from November '24. You will need to care passionately about the plight of people fleeing violence and the horrors of war. And you will have significant experience of chairing and organisational management.
The Role of Chair
The role of Chair in the Refugee Support Group is a leadership role in an important charity operating in Berkshire. It is a voluntary role with no remuneration other than expenses. The key responsibilities are:
1. Planning meetings of the Board of Trustees and the AGM.
Liaising with the Chief Executive to set the agenda; ensuring appropriate documents are available well ahead of meetings.
2. Chairing meetings of the board and the AGM.
Running meetings in a participative and efficient manner.
3. Working closely with the Chief Executive.
There are two aspects to this. Firstly, acting as line manager in the context of being an employer. Secondly, building a supportive collaboration on strategic and resourcing issues facing the charity.
4. Ensuring that trustees are informed and able to participate.
Keeping them abreast of key developments between meetings; participating in email dialogue and soliciting views.
5. Ensuring the organisation has strategic focus.
Working with the Chief Executive to ensure a business plan is in place,
with the means to monitor and review it.
6. Ensuring trustees are clear about the financial picture.
Agreeing a budget; reports on progress; clarity about financial
Sustainability.
7. Promoting compliance and good practice in the organisation
With regard to: being a charity and a company; being an employer;
data protection, health and safety, equality diversity and inclusion,
safeguarding. The Chair is not required to be an expert in all these areas. A significant part of this process involves the board reviewing
existing policies and overseeing their implementation.
8. Building a board that is diverse and fit for purpose.
being aware of the skills and experience needed on the board and the
different voices that need to be heard by trustees, including the
voice of clients; recruiting trustees who add value in these respects.
9. Acting as ambassador for the organisation in key events.
Essential Experience
· the governance of an organisation in any sector
· employee management
· chairing committees
· responsibility for financial management and budgets
· strategic planning
· policy development in an organisation
· promoting equality diversity and inclusion (EDI)
Desirable Experience
· trustee in a charity
· income generation in a not-for-profit context
· team building
Essential Skills
· Good, confident communication – verbal and text
· Good listening and learning
· Chairing skills – summing up, including people, managing time, etc.
· Thinking strategically with the ability to prioritise accordingly
· Good time management
· IT competence
· Ability to interpret financial data about an organisation
Desirable Knowledge and Understanding
· Human resources considerations in people management
· Basic charity law
· The role of public service providers in local communities
· An understanding of the legislative framework that applies to asylum seekers and refugees in the UK – in general, not in depth
The Refugee Support Group assists people who have fled from persecution and the horrors of war. Typically, they understand very little of the country in which they have arrived. Our interventions are life changing as we help our clients to rebuild their shattered lives. This is our motivation. As Chair you will be in a key leadership position with the opportunity to influence the strategic direction of the charity and the quality of the services that are delivered by staff.
We do not have an application form but would like a CV from applicants. We can supply additional information on request. If, having digested all the information the applicant wishes to continue, then a meeting with the current Chair would be arranged. Beyond that, the next step would be an invitation to attend a board meeting at which the applicant can discuss their application with trustees.
