Chair of the Board of Trustees

At Women for Refugee Women (WRW), we support refugee and asylum-seeking women who have fled persecution to rebuild their lives on their own terms.

We have an overarching vision that women who come to the UK in search of safety experience a fair and compassionate asylum system and are supported to feel free, welcome and able to rebuild their lives. We currently work in three main areas:

Power: To support women who have sought asylum to reclaim their power through opportunities to develop new and existing skills, access information and advice, and build confidence and connections.

Influence: To amplify the voices of women who have sought asylum to wide audiences through research, events, creative projects, the arts, social media, print and digital media and other means of communication.

Change: To support women who have sought asylum to influence public perceptions of refugees, and to challenge and change the UK’s asylum system so that it is fair and supportive.

Role Description

Time commitment

• 2-hour quarterly Board meetings - plus pre-reading of Board papers.

• Full day annual strategy planning meeting.

• 1.5-hour quarterly Finance & HR Committee meetings - plus pre-reading of papers

• Ad hoc events (including launches, networking events).

• Quarterly supervision with the Co-Directors.

Term

An initial term of 3 years, renewable once up to a maximum of 6 years.

Salary

Trustee roles are voluntary. They are unpaid, though expenses incurred in the role will be reimbursed.

Role Purpose

• To ensure Women for Refugee Women delivers its vision, mission and values, and fulfils its duty to women seeking safety in the UK

• To ensure the Board fulfils its responsibilities and provides effective governance and strategic leadership

• To act as an ambassador for the charity

• To provide steady, values-led leadership in a complex and evolving external environment

Responsibilities

• Ensure WRW operates in line with its governing document and all legal and regulatory requirements

• Fulfil the responsibilities of a trustee and company director, always acting in the best interests of the organisation

• Lead the Board in setting strategic direction, priorities and goals, and in reviewing organisational performance

• Work closely with the Co-Directors to guide and support the organisation’s work, while ensuring clear and appropriate accountability

• Shape Board agendas and chair meetings to enable thoughtful discussion, constructive challenge and clear decision-making

• Set the tone for Board culture, ensuring it is inclusive, collaborative and grounded in WRW’s values

• Work in close partnership with the Co-Chair (where applicable), modelling collaborative and feminist leadership

• Contribute your perspective to Board discussions to support informed and balanced decision-making

• Ensure strong financial oversight, sustainability and responsible stewardship of resources

• Help ensure strong and proportionate governance, systems and controls are in place

• Safeguard WRW’s values, reputation and commitment to the women it works alongside

• Support Board development, including recruitment, succession planning and maintaining a balance of skills and perspectives

• Foster strong, open and respectful relationships between trustees and staff, maintaining appropriate governance boundaries

• Represent WRW externally where appropriate, helping to build relationships and uphold its values and reputation

• Contribute to wider Board responsibilities, including subcommittees and ambassadorial support

Person Specification

Personal Qualities

• Personal integrity and sound judgement

• Commitment to WRW’s vision, mission and values, and to the rights of refugee and asylum-seeking women

• Collaborative approach, with the confidence to contribute, ask questions and offer constructive challenge

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive and respectful relationships and networks

• An engaged and thoughtful leadership style, with the ability to lead with clarity and confidence, including in complex or sensitive contexts

Knowledge and Skills

• Understanding of the legal duties and responsibilities of trusteeship

• Strategic thinking and the ability to contribute to long-term direction

• Strong chairing and facilitation skills, with the ability to guide discussion and build consensus

• Good understanding of governance, board dynamics and the respective roles of trustees and senior staff

• Confidence in supporting and constructively challenging senior leadership

• Sound judgement in navigating external and politically sensitive contexts

Experience

• Experience of chairing boards, committees or similar forums (or equivalent leadership experience)

• Experience working collaboratively to achieve shared goals

• Sound judgement and the ability to make balanced, well-informed decisions

• Experience building constructive relationships with senior stakeholders

• Experience representing an organisation externally

• Lived experience of seeking asylum (desirable)

Application process

We welcome applications from individuals who are excited by our work and feel they can contribute meaningfully to the Board.

To apply, please submit your CV and a short covering statement (maximum 2 pages), via CharityJob, outlining:

• Which role you are applying for

• Why you are interested in joining WRW

• What you would bring to the role, including any specific skills, experience or perspectives