Job Description

Thank you for your interest in this key role. Please find out more through the candidate's pack.

Room to Heal is a small charity with an established model of work, a great team and the potential to impact the lives of increasing numbers of refugees and asylum seekers who have experienced torture and human rights abuses.

In 2017 we celebrated ten years of work. We are proud of what we have achieved - a proven model of community based therapeutic work which has been refined over the decade to reflect our understanding of our members’ needs and which is increasingly recognised as effective in the sector.

In recent years, Mark Fish, the Founder and current Director, and Chloe Davies the Deputy Director have worked closely together to lead the organisation, as well as facilitating therapeutic work. However we have reached a crossroads in our development. Mark is moving increasingly into international work providing training and consultancy to human rights organisations working with torture survivors and Chloe will be focusing on fundraising, outreach and evaluation.

There is broad recognition across staff, volunteers and trustees that this offers an ideal opportunity to reconfigure the management and leadership of the organisation and employ a Managing Director who can provide strategic oversight of all aspects of the organisation.

At this juncture we are also exploring ways in which we can increase our impact by sharing our learning and the effective and unique model of community care we have developed over the last decade. The Director will play a key part in shaping this next phase of our work.

This transition period is clearly a crucial phase in Room to Heal’s development. We are looking for someone who can work effectively with trustees, Mark, Chloe and the wider team to successfully manage this period of organisational change, and to bring fresh ideas and energy to the
development of the organisation.

During 2018 Mark will be acting as Community Advisor for one day a week to support staff, members and the new Director, through the transition period. Chloe will also be available for additional support where appropriate, for example when Mark is away doing international work.

The progressive shift in Mark and Chloe’s work focus is intended to support the new Director in the early stages of their work by enabling them to move into their role without a loss of continuity for Room to Heal members and the staff and volunteer team.

The role requires a proven track record in team leadership, strong communication skills, cross cultural awareness, charity governance and day-to-day management skills. Understanding of the therapeutic aspects of Room to Heal’s work would be an advantage but is not essential. The ability to move with ease from the strategic to the operational will be essential, as will skills in internal and external stakeholder management.

Room to Heal needs to be more externally focussed in the next stage of development; we are looking for someone who understands collaborative working and can help us build our relationships with partners in the interests of improving our work, using resources effectively andextending our impact.

If you are interested please do take a look at this pack, see our website and take the opportunity to speak with us.

Thank you for your interest.

Penny Farrar
Trustee and Chairperson, Room to Heal