Job Description

The Maya Centre is a unique women-only charity based in Islington, offering free specialist counselling and holistic support to women on low incomes whose mental health and wellbeing have been affected by experiences ranging from deprivation and isolation to racism, exploitation and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).  75% of our clients come from Global Majority, migrant or refugee backgrounds and we adopt specifically intercultural and intersectional approaches in supporting them towards greater voice, choice and control in their lives. We offer our trauma-informed services in over 14 different languages, including:  

• 1:1 psychodynamic and integrative counselling
• Group work including psychoeducation and arts therapies
• Complementary therapies including Reiki, Massage and Reflexology
• Targeted support – Irish Women’s and Black Women’s Projects
• Community outreach and wellbeing workshops (Women’s Hub)

We are looking for an energetic and inspiring CEO to take our charity into the next phase of development, aligning with our 2020-2025 strategic plan and building on our successes over the past 3 years.  This is an exciting time to lead across the Women’s and Mental Health sectors, using the expertise of our staff and service-users, and significant wider public support to challenge violence against women and girls (VAWG) using specialist counselling, wellbeing support and women-led community advocacy.

This role will inspire you if you are a visionary community leader who is passionate about intercultural and accessible women’s mental health and wellbeing. Ideally a senior manager or CEO with experience of minoritisation and/or the issues we work with, you will lead a team of 35 staff across PAYE and sessional consultant roles, fully supported by a Core Team of managers and an active Board of Trustees. With an annual budget of circa 500k, you will be responsible for sustaining our income and services, increasing our reach to engage more minoritised women in our crucial systems change work,  ensuring that The Maya Centre continues to flourish at the heart of our Islington community.

Please note this post is open to female applicants only as being female is deemed to be a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010.

We want our organisation to reflect the diversity of the women we serve and we particularly welcome applications from those with lived experience, and from under-represented groups including women from Global Majority, migrant, refugee, LGBTQ+, neurodivergent and other minoritised identities.

Key Responsibilities

Leading the Organisation

• Operational, strategic and overall safeguarding lead for The Maya Centre, embodying strong vision and values for all staff, volunteers and service-users
• Accountable to the Board of Trustees, observing good governance and agreeing/ delivering all activities in alignment with the Strategic Plan
• Foster close relationships with the Islington voluntary and statutory sector including delivery and strategic partners across Mental Health and Violence Against Women & Girls (VAWG) sectors
• Ensure that all services and projects are delivered to desired outcomes and accredited to high professional standards
• Ensure a collaborative approach to management of all internal services and external partnerships
• Prioritise and promote an anti-racist culture of intercultural curiosity, inclusion and respect among staff, with service-users and within wider Islington partnerships
• Prioritise service-user participation and voice, including opportunities for leadership and internal/ external influencing

Fundraising

• Liaise with the Board to update the Fundraising Plan and agree annual targets
• Identify new sources of funding and potential business developments
• Prepare and submit funding applications and contract tenders
• Communicate regularly with existing funders and submit reports as required
• Ensure timely reports to Board on progress against targets and milestones

Strategy and Governance

• Update all relevant policies and procedures for Board sign-off

• Work with the Chair to agree Board meetings, subcommittees and AGM, including preparing agendas and papers
• Observe charity regulation and keep Board informed of changes (e.g. SORP, GDPR)
• Oversee and maintain a risk register and ensure suitable actions are taken to mitigate risks
• Ensure information is filed regularly at Companies House and with the Charities Commission and that all statutory requirements are met by the charity

People Management

• Line-manage the Core Team including Clinical Director, Office & Clinical Systems Manager, Women’s Hub Project Manager and Finance Manager
• Responsible for HR: recruitment, DBS, contracting, induction, staff leave and absence, disciplinary procedures and overall safeguarding
• Ensure management staff follow correct procedures for Volunteer recruitment, signed agreements, safeguarding and supervision
• Keep up-to-date with legislative developments in employment law and ensure that the Centre's practices are compliant
• Keep Staff Handbooks regularly updated, consulting with staff and Board on any changes
• Ensure all staff and volunteers are appropriately managed and appraised
• Ensure all staff and volunteers have appropriate DBS clearance and receive regular Islington-compliant safeguarding training

Finance

• Follow and update the Finance & Fundraising Strategy, ensuring financial resilience via effective reporting, multi-year planning and risk management
• Manage organisational budget effectively via regular controls and forecasting, updating the Board on likely income/ deficits, cash flow and reserves levels
• Work with the Finance Manager and Treasurer to prepare annual budgets and quarterly management accounts and to ensure the annual inspection and audit of accounts
• Sign off on all expenditure and act as signatory to bank accounts, authorising staff pay and responding to banking queries

Communications and Charity Profile

• Take an active lead in raising the profile of the organisation across the website, social media and relevant networks

• Ensure that publicity material is appealing, up-to-date and widely accessible
• Manage the production and publication of the Annual Report
• Represent and promote the Maya Centre externally to a wide range of audiences including funders, commissioners, donors, strategic and delivery partners

Premises

• Oversee daily running of the Centre including opening/ closing rotas, keys/ security  and safe working practices
• Manage relationship with landlord and agent, adhering to terms of lease and ensuring premises are fit for purpose and in good repair
• In liaison with the landlord and agents, ensure the health and safety of all those working in and visiting the Centre’s premises, including ensuring sufficient trained First Aid and Fire Warden staff
• Ensure the smooth running of IT and other communication systems required by staff to carry out their day to day duties and report to funders
• Manage all service contracts including utilities, equipment, IT, photocopier etc
• Oversee and agree insurance renewal at the correct level of cover

General

• Carry out any duties consistent with the efficient and effective management of the organisation as may be required
• Promote the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of leadership

Person Specification

Essential

1. Commitment to leading and promoting an organisation run by women, for women.

2. At least three years’ senior management experience, including strategic development.

3. Understanding of the issues facing small voluntary organisations and minoritised/ Global Majority communities.

4. A track record of successful fundraising from both trusts and statutory bodies, including using outcomes measures for reporting.

5. Highly organised with excellent administrative, verbal and written communication skills.

6. Ability to represent the organisation in person with a variety of stakeholders and across media.

7. A collaborative, inclusive approach to managing an organisation and its networks.

8. Financial acumen and experience of managing tight budgets effectively.

9. Understanding of women’s mental health, violence against women and girls (VAWG), safeguarding and the barriers affecting women from minoritised, low-income communities.

10. Commitment to actively promoting anti-racism, equity and inclusion.

Desirable

1. Experience as CEO of a small charity.

2. Qualification or training in psychodynamic/ integrative counselling and/ or trauma and/or Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG).

3. Experience of leading via service-user participation, community organising and influencing.

Application Process

The closing date for applications is Sunday 2nd July at 1pm.

Interviews will take place  as follows:

Thursday 6th July (PM): Face-to Face Meeting with Staff.

Thursday 13th July (PM): Online Interview with Board of Trustees.