We’re seeking new trustees to help Breaking Barriers support refugees into meaningful employment. Join our board to shape strategy, support fundraising and drive social impact through business partnerships.
What difference will you make?
If you are looking for a meaningful board role with an entrepreneurial charity and are passionate about employability and refugee welfare, this is the perfect opportunity. This is an exciting opportunity to play a strategic leadership role within a mission-driven organisation that partners with businesses to create lasting social change. The role of the board is to govern Breaking Barriers effectively, in service of our vision and mission, and as required by our constitution. Trustees provide support and challenge to the Chief Executive and Senior Leadership Team (SLT), and are ambassadors for the charity.
What are we looking for?
We are seeking board members with a passion for the mission, vision and values of Breaking Barriers, a commitment to creating positive change for our clients, and the time to take an active role in the governance of our organisation.
At this time we have vacancies for up to two new trustees, and we are seeking individuals with
- Experience of being a senior leader and/or a charity trustee; and either
- Experience and knowledge of developing initiatives or programmes in areas directly relevant to the charity’s mission, such as employability or recruitment, or experience of working with and for refugee clients (this trustee will be supported to take over as our lead trustee for safeguarding); or
- Fundraising and income generation expertise, with the ability to contribute to achieving our fundraising goals, such as by generating leads and making introductions to relevant networks and relationships, or connecting our team to potential future partners and funders.
We believe that Breaking Barriers can more effectively achieve its aims by having a diverse board of trustees.
We particularly welcome applications from people with direct lived experience, including those from a refugee background or with first‑hand experience of seeking sanctuary or forced migration to the UK. We recognise the unique contribution lived experience brings to our governance and decision‑making.
If you have lived experience and meet the requirements above, your application will be prioritised and progressed automatically. We are committed to creating a supportive, inclusive environment where trustees with lived experience can thrive and shape the future of our work.
Hybrid
What will you be doing?
Essential Duties Of The Trustee Role
- Ensure Breaking Barriers is carrying out its purposes for the public benefit
- Comply with Breaking Barriers' governing document and other laws that apply
- Act in Breaking Barriers' best interests prioritise Breaking Barriers' objectives, avoid conflicts of interest, and follow procedures to manage any conflicts.
- Ensure Breaking Barriers is accountable meeting legal, accounting and reporting requirements
- Manage Breaking Barriers' resources responsibly managing risks, protecting assets and people, getting the resources we need, having appropriate controls and procedures
- Act with reasonable care and skill using your skills and experience, deciding when you need professional advice, ensure Breaking Barriers remains solvent.
Other Responsibilities
- Understanding the vision, mission, goals and values of Breaking Barriers together with a good grasp of the operational context and the expectations of partners.
- Strategic leadership and vision help to guide the organisation with a strategic vision, aligning the board and staff's efforts with the mission. Ensure that the organisation defines its goals and evaluates performance against agreed targets.
- Leveraging opportunities Support and participate in fundraising strategies, leveraging networks, and engaging with donors and stakeholders to secure necessary resources for the organisation's work.
- CEO and SLT support Maintain a constructive relationship with the CEO and SLT, creating a positive and strong working relationship to jointly set and achieve appropriate targets, staying in regular contact and acting as a sounding board to discuss strategic or staffing related matters, issues - coaching, supporting and challenging as necessary.
- Ambassadorship Act as an ambassador, representing and promoting the organisation's mission, values, and interests to external stakeholders, enhancing its reputation, and fostering collaboration, fundraising and promotional opportunities