Job Description

Chair of the Board

Christian Charity Happy Child International working with children and young people at high risk in Brazil for over 27 years seeks a new Chair of the Board to steer the future of the organisation.

Approximately 6 Board Meetings a year but during the Pandemic the Board has met every 6 weeks.

Average 2 or 3 days per month however Board members usually commit to undertaking small pieces of work in-between meetings. Including (but not limited to reading meeting minutes, supporting the Happy Child team and carrying out agree actions).

Voluntary 

For 27 years Christian Charity Happy Child International has been serving some of the world’s  most vulnerable children and young people.  We are at an exciting moment in the charity’s history where we are increasing the number of children and young people we can reach through the projects we support in Recife North East Brazil.

We are looking for a new Board Chair who has the passion and vision to help children and young people at risk, as well as the skills, experience, energy and time to lead the Board in developing this vital work.  Your engagement with the charity could bring lasting change to disadvantaged children and young people in this region.  The Board provides oversight, shaping, organisational strategy and support to its staff but it does not directly manage the day to day work of the charity.

The Board is responsible for strategic planning , policy making,accountability and providing oversight in addition to supporting staff.  This role does not involve the day to day management of the charity

Role

The Chair's aim is to enable the Board to fulfil their statutory responsabilities for the overall governance and strategic direction of the organisation whilst maintaining the vision and values of the charity, working in partnership with the Head of Operations

Responsibilities

• Leading the Board and the organisation to enable it to fulfil a shared vision of the organisation’s future. Facilitating an understanding of the external environment and the charity’s risks and opportunities when reviewing annual plans together with the periodic review of the organisation’s strategic plan.
• To ensure an effective relationship between the Board and Happy Child staff. Occasionally taking part in one of the charity’s annual events
• To take an active role in promoting and representing Happy Child effectively to other stakeholders, including donors, partners and politicians
• Contribute specific interest and contacts in support of Happy Child’s communications, fundraising and external engagement work
• On appointment the candidate will abide by the organisation's safe-guarding policies

Duties

• Plan and prepare the board meetings and the AGM with others as appropriate
• Chair board meetings ensuring:
  • A balance is struck between strategic and operational discussions
  • Decisions, actions and deliberations are adequately minuted
  • The implementation of decisions is clearly assigned and monitored
• Ensure adequate support and supervision arrangements are made for the Head of Operations and any other staff or volunteers as required
• Attend any major fundraising event (usually every 3 years)

Skills

• Leadership skills
• Experience of chairing meetings and committee work
• Facilitation skills
• Tact and diplomacy
• Excellent communication & interpersonal skills
• Impartiality, fairness and the ability to respect confidences

Desirable

• Enterprise & business development skills
• Fundraising experience/knowledge
• Knowledge of the Portuguese language, of Brazil and its culture

The balance of skills, knowledge and professional backgrounds that we seek to maintain on the Board include

• Governance skills (including awareness of Company and Charity rules and regulations. Including safeguarding)
• Fundraising (including donor relations with the public and philanthropic sectors)
• Influence and connections with decision makers and influencers in the areas in which Happy Child works
• Ability to motivate and mobilise people
• Organisational governance and project management to help support us with our goals.

To apply; in the first instance please submit your CV and cover letter explaining what you can bring to the role.