Our trustees play a vital role in ensuring that RCSL achieves its core purpose. They oversee the overall management and administration of the charity. They also ensure that RCSL has a clear strategy and that our work and goals are in line with our vision. Just as importantly, they support and challenge the executive team to enable RCSL to grow and thrive, and through this, achieve our mission of supporting women and girls that have suffered rape and sexual abuse. Board members have a collective responsibility. This means that trustees always function as a group and not as individuals. 

We are seeking a trustee with a background in people and culture including HR expertise.  You will be the board lead for the management, support and development of our staff and volunteers.

•       To ensure that the organisation complies with its governing document, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations. It is not about being an expert, but trustees need to take reasonable steps to find out. 

•       To ensure that the organisation complies with its governing document, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations. It is not about being an expert, but trustees need to take reasonable steps to find out.  

•       To ensure that RCSL is conducting its purposes for the public benefit. That resources are being used exclusively in pursuance of our objects and no monies are being used on activities not included in our objects, no matter how worthwhile or charitable those activities may seem. 

•       To act in RCSL’s best interests; with co-trustees making balanced and adequately informed decisions, focusing on long term as well as the short term. 

•       To ensure RCSL’s resources are responsibly managed through financial stability, protection of all assets, safeguarding people and beneficiaries, risk, and reputation management. 

•       To act with reasonable skill and care; by using one’s skills and experience, by deciding when advice is needed, by preparing and being informed for meetings. 

•       To ensure RCSL is accountable; by meeting legal accounting/legal requirements, by being accountable to members/others with an interest in RCSL and by ensuring that staff and volunteers are accountable to the Board. 

•       To appoint the Chief Executive Officer and monitor her performance. 

In addition to the above statutory duties, each trustee should use the skills, knowledge or experience they have to help RCSL’s Board of Trustees reach sound decisions and ensure the organisation fulfils its objects. This will involve: 

•       Leading discussions and providing guidance on new initiatives, particularly in areas where the Trustee has specific skills, knowledge, or expertise. 

•       Participating in one or more Board subgroups as required 

•       To ensure that effective mechanisms are in place for individuals/groups of people/organisations to bring to the attention of the trustees any activity that threatens the integrity of RCSL. 

•       To ensure that the trustee board continuously has the required capacity and capabilities, with expertise and diversity of experiences to implement its legal obligations and mission commitments. 

•       Participate in activities to promote RCSL to our beneficiaries, funders and the wider public. 

•       Six 2-hour board meetings per year (remote held early evenings) 

•       One remote Annual General Meeting per year 

•       One strategic in person away day in Central London per year 

•       Participation in one sub-committee as relevant to skills 

•       Occasional additional meetings as needed. 

•       Trustees should be prepared for occasional travel to South London as needed. 

•       This role is an unpaid with reimbursement of agreed expenses incurred while performing official duties. 

We celebrate and nurture equity, diversity and inclusion and warmly encourage and seek trustees who bring backgrounds, perspectives and insights that are underrepresented on our Board to enable us to build a trustee board that more accurately reflects the women we serve. 

•       An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of trusteeship. 

•       An ability to work effectively as a member of a team. 

•       An ability to challenge current thinking, the method of governance and management of the organisation in a constructive manner. 

•       Ability to evaluate and interpret management information and other data/evidence. 

•       Excellent communications approach 

•       Commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, and leadership. These are the ethical standards expected of public office holders. 

•       A commitment to the organisation and our values 

•       A commitment to equal opportunities and the promotion of diversity. 

•       A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort. 

•       Strategic vision. 

•       Good, independent judgement. 

•       A willingness to speak their mind. 

•       Empathetic and empowering leadership style 

•       Collaborative and supportive of others 

All new trustees will receive: 

•       An orientation and induction to our work with the Chair of the Board, CEO, and members of the SLT and relevant staff. 

•       Governance refresher training 

•       Financial governance refresher training 

Safeguarding training