Job Description

Background

Sophie Hayes Foundation (SHF) is a dynamic and growing UK registered charity, governed by a Board of Trustees.

Our charity is founded on the belief that women survivors of slavery and human trafficking deserve the chance for sustainable freedom, and that this can only come through independence. Our purpose is simple – to help women survivors achieve stable and sustainable freedom. We do that through advocacy and programs that allow women to develop confidence, skills and opportunities for education and employment. 

Each year, we help hundreds of women through workshops and individual coaching and training sessions, and make connections so they can explore opportunities in the workplace and/or academic institutions.

Current Board

The Board, like the organisation itself, is undergoing a transformation from a London-centric charity, to a dynamic organisation delivering through multiple channels in multiple locations across the UK. We are looking to increase our reach and enhance our impact and need a diverse Board of Trustees that can help to take us there.

There are three officers, the Chair, Treasurer and Company Secretary. Two main Board Committees: Governance and Nominations, and Risk and Finance, plus three Board Advisory Groups: Operations, Brand and Reputation and Fundraising

Trustees are responsible for the organisation’s strategy, governance, risk management and oversight, ensuring that the organisation can meet its obligations and responsibilities, and supporting the Management team as needed.

Position

We currently have a vacancy for a volunteer Trustee on our Board. The ideal candidate will have some Board or Board committee experience, support our mission and be aligned to our values, be an independent thinker and team player, and have specialist skills that you can contribute to the team.

The Board of Trustees seeks a wide-ranging level of experience, thinking and background to ensure that we have the skills, experience and diversity of thought and perspective to draw upon in our governance and decision-making roles.

You will need to have the time to contribute to our growth strategy by attending Board meetings (6 per year), contribute to Committee work and support our small but mighty management team.

Trustee Role Description

The role and responsibilities of trustees are governed by charity law and are to:

• Ensure that the organisation complies with its governing document, charity law, and other relevant legislation or regulations
• Ensure that the organisation pursues its objectives as defined in its governing documents
• Ensure that the organisation applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objectives
• Contribute to the Board on strategic direction, helpt to set overall policy, define goals, set targets and evaluate performance against agreed targets
• Safeguard and promote the reputation and values of the organisation
• Ensure the financial stability of the organisation

In addition to the above statutory duties, it is expected that trustees will:

• Attend and contribute to Board meetings
• Review and comment on Board papers
• Contribute to the work of those committee(s) of which they are a member
• Support fundraising and brand building initiatives
• Remain informed about SHF’s activities and wider issues which affect its work

Personal Qualities

• Integrity
• A commitment to the organisation and its objectives
• An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship
• A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to their duties as a trustee
• Strategic vision
• Good, independent judgment
• An ability to think creatively
• Willingness to speak their mind
• An ability to work effectively as a member of a team
• A commitment to abide by the code of conduct.

Time Commitment

• Term: 3 Years
• Board Meetings: Minimum of 6 Board of Trustee meetings per year (usually held on weekday evenings, after close of business), plus preparation and reading of documentation
• Committees: Minimum of 4 meetings per year, plus preparation and contribution to the work of the committe
• Other: Attendance at major SHF events (1-2 pa) plus possible ad hoc stakeholder meetings

The Board of Trustees seeks to ensure that we have a wide-ranging level of experience, thinking and background, so that the Board has the skills, experience and diversity of thought and perspective to draw upon in its governance and decision-making roles.

Deadline: Friday 20 November 2020

Applications should should include a short cover letter and CV. For an informal discussion prior to applying, please contact us via our website . Following close of applications, remote interviews will be hosted for all shortlisted candidates