Location: Occasional travel to Women for Refugee Women’s office near Old Street, or other meeting places in central London

Salary: The role of Chair is not accompanied by any financial remuneration, although expenses for travel and childcare may be claimed

Hours: At least 1 day per month. These hours will be particularly focused on the quarterly 2.5 hour board meetings, and also other committees or meetings with the director and other senior staff.

About the charity

Women for Refugee Women is a small, dynamic charity which supports and empowers refugee and asylum-seeking women. It has an excellent track record of creating change and following the receipt of a legacy the charity is entering a period of growth. Based in central London, the charity currently has a staff team of 8 (5.5 full time equivalent) and a 12-strong board of trustees. Its current chair of trustees is looking to step down after five successful years, so WRW is looking for a chair with a real commitment to the charity’s values and a good grasp of charity governance to steer it through the next few years.

About the role

WRW is seeking to appoint a Chair to lead the Board of Trustees and ensure that the board fulfils its responsibilities and that the organisation can realise its mission.

The role will involve:

  • Working alongside the vice chair of the board (to be appointed from among existing trustees) to ensure that all the governance duties of the board are discharged responsibly
  • Working in partnership with the director and other staff, ensuring that they are supported to put into practice the mission of the organisation and achieve the strategic plan
  • Optimising the relationship between the Board of Trustees and staff
  • Facilitating the Board of Trustees in stimulating well-rounded discussions and considered decision-making
  • Being a strong spokesperson for the charity both internally and externally

The Person

WRW is looking for a strategically-minded individual with a strong commitment to WRW’s values, an understanding of the governance of charities, and a collaborative leadership style.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience include:

  • A clear and demonstrable commitment to social justice, race equality and feminism
  • Experience in senior roles in organisations, including experience of effective chairing and understanding of how to facilitate debate
  • Sound knowledge of charity governance with a clear understanding of the duties and responsibilities of trustees and the legal environment in which charities operate
  • Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills
  • The ability to understand perspectives of others, to act collaboratively and diplomatically, and to secure collective decision-making
  • The ability to understand complex strategic issues, without losing sight of a vision of positive change
  • High standards of personal integrity with sound, independent judgement
  • Understanding of the situation of refugee and asylum seeking women and where change is needed

Women for Refugee Women would particularly welcome applications and expressions of interest from individuals with experience of migration or seeking asylum.

How to apply

To apply for the role, please send an email to Women for Refugee Women’s director, Natasha Walter, natasha@refugeewomen.co.uk, with your CV and a cover letter stating why you think you are right for this role.

Please feel free to send expressions of interest before the application if you would like to discuss the role further before applying. The deadline for applications is 20 September 2019.