Trustee of Christian Aid and Chair of the National Advisory Committee for Wales

Trustee & Wales Chair Role Profile

Role Profile

Background

About Christian Aid
At Christian Aid, we believe that poverty is an outrage against humanity. It robs people of dignity, freedom and hope, of power over their own lives. Christian Aid has a vision – an end to poverty – and we believe that vision can become a reality. The essential purpose of Christian Aid is to expose the scandal of poverty, to help in practical ways to root it out from the world, and to challenge the systems that favour the rich and powerful over the poor and marginalised.

For over 75 years, we've fought poverty and turned hope into action. Founded by the churches and rooted in Christianity, we've always helped those in need, regardless of religion, ethnicity or nationality. Created by British and Irish churches in 1945, and owned by our 41 sponsoring churches, Christian Aid is the churches' relief, development, advocacy and campaigning agency for international development. Our work is based on our fundamental identification with the aspirations and rights of the poor and the oppressed. We act in situations of suffering and injustice because we believe that they violate God's standards and devalue us all.

The Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees is responsible for setting the strategy and policy framework of Christian Aid, holding the Chief Executive and other directors (senior management) to account, providing constructive challenge where necessary, reporting to the sponsoring Churches and the wider group of stakeholders (at the Annual General Meeting) and promoting Christian Aid externally.

The National Advisory Committee for Wales
Christian Aid's governance structure includes National Advisory Committees in Scotland and Wales. These committees support Christian Aid's work locally, advising on its activities in the Scottish and Welsh national contexts. This extends to fostering its relations with churches, ecumenical bodies, sister agencies (especially church agencies) and other stakeholders in the wider community, supporting its staff and advising the Board of Trustees. National Committee members include church advisers (representing Christian Aid's sponsoring churches in Scotland and Wales) and specialist advisers with skills and knowledge of Christian Aid's work.

The Role
This appointment combines two roles: as a trustee of Christian Aid and as Chair of the National Advisory Committee for Wales.

As a trustee of Christian Aid
Trustees have the overall legal responsibility for a charity. The law describes charity trustees as 'the persons having the general control and management of the administration of a charity' (Charities Act 2011, section 117). Trustees must act and take decisions collectively to govern the charity.

Christian Aid's trustees play a pivotal role in ensuring Christian Aid is able to make the greatest possible impact in the fight against poverty. The trustees have responsibility for setting the strategy and policy framework of Christian Aid, for ensuring its resources are used to achieve agreed results, and for ensuring good governance. The Board works in partnership with the Chief Executive and senior management and endorses Christian Aid's commitment to working with and through partners overseas. Individual trustees also act as ambassadors and advocates for fundraising for Christian Aid and are encouraged to use their experience and personal networks to help expand the supporter base.

Candidates must be able to demonstrate a combination of intellect, personal presence, energy and creativity sufficient to make a contribution at Board level. They will have a passion for poverty eradication and social justice, knowledge of the challenges faced in developing countries, and a commitment to Christian Aid's values and objectives.

As Chair of the National Advisory Committee for Wales

National Advisory Committee Chairs are trusted and respected individuals who act as flagbearers for Christian Aid in their local context working with churches, communities and individuals to inspire them to give, act, pray. Candidates must therefore be experienced and embedded within national church and ecumenical structures in Wales in order to act as witnesses to the church in relief and development. The Chair also provides a sounding board and, as necessary, pastoral support to the Head of Christian Aid Wales staff.

Time commitment
The time commitment required is a minimum of 15 days a year (not including reading time and some other work with board members or senior staff between formal meetings as agreed). This will include attendance at four Board meetings a year (i.e. two one-day meetings and two residential meetings requiring an overnight stay) as well as chairing up to four meetings of the National Advisory Committee each year. Trustees are also expected to attend the AGM (now usually online).

It has also proved very valuable for trustees to be able to travel overseas occasionally to visit partners and see Christian Aid's work at first hand in country programmes.

Skills and experience required
It is essential for candidates to:

• be an active member of one of the sponsoring churches of Christian Aid in Wales

• have experience of leadership in church affairs

• have sympathy and support for Christian Aid as a Christian organisation, which works with churches; ecumenical bodies; local NGOs; organisations of other faiths; and movements which have common values and competence in poverty eradication

• have knowledge of the governance obligations and responsibilities of trustees

• be a Welsh speaker.

It would be desirable if candidates also had:

• knowledge of the workings of charities, especially in Wales and the UK

• knowledge of the social, cultural, economic and political dimensions of international relief and development

• experience in an international organisation

• experience and understanding of diversity, especially in the Wales and UK context

• experience of media work, giving interviews and acting as a spokesperson.

Christian Aid values diversity in its Board and welcomes people from all sections of the Christian community. Board members are expected to be active Christians so as to help lead, direct and develop Christian Aid as the Churches' agency for international development and poverty eradication.

Terms of Appointment
Appointment as a trustee is for an initial period of four years (which may be renewed for a further period i.e. up to a maximum of eight years continuous service).

No salary is payable, but reasonable out of pocket expenses will be reimbursed.

For further information, see our board of trustees page and our website