Advance Board Trustee

TRUSTEE  - Come and join our Board of Directors

Do you want to make a real difference to the lives of women and children?

Do you have expertise in any of the below and a belief that your skills will contribute to the strong and effective governance of an innovative medium-sized charity? 

• Finance and Accounting
• Direct Service Delivery to people facing multiple disadvantages (women and children particularly)
• Development & Fundraising
• Criminal Justice System / Diversion
• Safeguarding Adults & Children

Then please read on and apply!  We are looking to appoint new Trustees to the Board.

Advance is a national women’s charity delivering services in Greater London and the South and East of England. We have been working for over 25 years to drive systemic change and deliver community-based, frontline support to women and children experiencing domestic abuse, including those in contact with the criminal justice system.

Since 1998, Advance (named for Advocacy and Non-Violence Community Education) has been at the forefront of innovation in the women’s sector. 

We have pioneered gender-specific and trauma-informed support for domestic abuse survivors, including those in contact with the criminal justice system, within a Coordinated Community Response. Thousands of women and girls every year transform their lives with our services and this positively impacts directly and indirectly on thousands more children too.

This is an exciting opportunity for you to join our experienced and committed Board.

You will join a dedicated and skilled group of Trustees and support the charity through a significant period of growth. Our staff team now includes over 150 skilled and passionate women across our programmes and our 8 womens’ centres in London and the South and East of England.

As part of the Board, you will be responsible for the governance, strategic direction and sustainability of the organisation alongside a highly committed and welcoming team. Your commitment will extend to:

• Board of Trustees meetings – quarterly (Evenings)
• Participate in one of our 3 sub-committee meetings - quarterly (Evenings)
• Ad hoc availability as matters arise (by telephone)
• Participate in 1 strategy away day 1 / year (Saturday)
• Commit to the Board of Trustees for at least 3 years 

Board meetings take place in hybrid form – online and in person from our HQ in Hammersmith, London.

This is a voluntary, unpaid appointment, although reasonable travel expenses will be paid

Process

Please download and complete the application form and equality monitoring form 

Please email competed forms together with your CV to: Board Secretary. 

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview week commencing 19 February 2024 via Zoom with the first Board and Committee meetings scheduled for 26 March 2024 (evening hours) 

Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunities

We are committed to providing equality of opportunity and actively seek to recruit people from groups underrepresented in our current team. We have policies and processes in place to ensure that all employees are offered an equal opportunity in recruitment and selection, promotion, training, pay and benefits.

Safeguarding

Advance is committed to safeguarding and creating a culture of zero-tolerance of harm and expects all staff, including volunteers to share this commitment. We believe all individuals have the right to live their life free from violence and abuse and the right to feel and be safe.  We have a suite of safeguarding policies, procedures and practice guidance, accessible to all staff, which promotes safeguarding and safer working practices across all our services and activities. When we recruit staff, we follow rigorous safer recruitment practices, this involves carrying out pre-employment checks including references, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, and identity checks. We ensure all staff undertake mandatory safeguarding training relevant to their role and responsibilities, to empower them to be competent and feel confident in recognising and responding appropriately to safeguarding issues and promote wellbeing. 

Closing date for applications: 2 February 2024 Interviews: w/c 19 February 2024  - via online

You can find more information on our website.