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Chair of Trustees
wen - women's environmental network
  • Salary Voluntary
  • Location Remote
  • Job Type Voluntary
  • Category Trustees
  • Sectors Environment
  • Job Reference : Chair of Trustees

Job Description

Wen is seeking a new Chair

Women’s Environmental Network (Wen) is the only organisation in the UK that has worked consistently to address the links between women’s lives and environmental issues. For more than two decades we have had a track record of being the first to raise awareness on important issues overlooked in ‘the mainstream’, especially those concerning women’s health and waste reduction, and taking action on these issues, including through empowering local communities to act.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone to help shape Wen for the future.  In the past few years Wen has grown in size, focus, and ambition.  We’ve developed a wide range of high profile, high impact programmes, strengthened many of our internal systems, implemented a participatory leadership structure and welcomed incredible staff to create a thriving and inspiring team.

About becoming Wen’s Chair of Trustees 

Wen is a growing organisation, having doubled our staff in the last year, from 12 to 24 staff, who though mostly working part time are an incredibly talented and committed team.  The step change in size and impact of Wen over the last few years, brings opportunities and challenges. The climate and biodiversity crises are now leading issues, affecting government policy and driving media attention. There is therefore an opportunity as Chair of Wen to have a significant impact on issues that connect gender, health and the environment. 

We are looking for a capable individual who, in addition to the statutory duties outlined in the role profile, can bring one or more of the following skills or experiences to this important role: 

  • Local knowledge – experience of the borough of Tower Hamlets, where most of our food and wellbeing work takes place, OR experience of other community/urban work. 
  • Intersectional feminism and anti-racist work – able to guide and support the organisation as we embed our values and work towards becoming more inclusive and representative of our communities and their issues. 
  • Vision and strategy – in a fast-changing world, it’s increasingly important that we understand and deliver the greatest impact for women, communities and the environment. 

It is part of our strategic priorities as an organisation to become more accessible and inclusive. As part of this we are committed to Wen’s board reflecting the diversity of our community, and especially welcome applications from groups that are currently under represented including Black and Minority Ethnic women, trans women, younger women, people from the LGBTQIA+ community and Disabled women.  Our office has partial wheelchair access, and we are prepared to discuss other accessibility arrangements where necessary for the chosen candidate 

Time Commitment 

The Board of Trustees meet once every two months (usually Monday or Tuesday evening) at the Wen office in Tower Hamlets or remotely.  Trustees tend to play quite a large role supporting staff although this varies from person to person and month to month. We would expect trustees to contribute on average up to 2 days per month in addition to the bi-monthly meeting 

Trustee roles are voluntary and unpaid, but Trustees can be reimbursed for any relevant expenses incurred in performing their duties as Trustees.

How to Apply

If you are interested this role, please visit our website for the full role profile, application form and equal opportunities form. 

The deadline for applications is midnight on Friday 3rd September.

The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.