refugee action - chair
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REFUGEE ACTION, CHAIR APPOINTMENT BRIEF, MAY 2016
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Refugee Action | May 2016
With the rest of this pack, you will find information about our work, our strategy and our plans for the future. You will also find specific details on this post and information on how to apply for this opportunity.
For an informal conversation please contact Lottie Wihl or Børge Andreassen on 020 7400 6373 or via email at:
Letter from the Vice Chair
I’m delighted to write this short foreword. These are exciting times for Refugee Action.
The organisation has recently embarked on a new strategy, with ambitious objectives for impact over the next few years and a new approach to achieving our goals. More information on our plans is summarised here. The global refugee crisis and the high profile of these issues in public life make this a time of rapid change for all organisations committed to supporting asylum seekers and refugees, and advocating with them and on their behalf.
As Refugee Action has been changing, so too has our board. Four new trustees were appointed in July 2015, bringing us important new skills in service delivery, campaigning and fundraising. Our current chair Julia Meiklejohn has served Refugee Action well over many years, having been involved with the organisation from the outset. As the chair of the panel of board members tasked with leading the search for a new chair, I look forward to meeting interested candidates and to working with the new board chair.
Our new chair will play a truly vital role in enabling us to achieve our future objectives, and guiding the board as new challenges and opportunities emerge. I trust that this short briefing will give you a clear sense of the challenges ahead and the skills we seek. Our partners Prospectus will be delighted to share more information with potential applicants.
Andy Gregg, Vice Chair
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Refugee Action | May 2016
Imagine what it’s like to flee your home in fear. To leave everything you own, everything you know and everyone you care about. To arrive in a new country with nothing but your life.
You’ve survived. But how will you eat tonight? Where will you sleep? And how can you build a new life?
How will you live?
Refugee Action is there to help people find the answers. We help people who’ve survived some of the world’s worst regimes to live again. We help people find the basic support everyone deserves if they’re to live with dignity. The chance to build the safest, happiest and most productive life they can, so they can live.
We also support other charities working with asylum seekers and refugees, and work with our supporters, partners and allies to secure action by government to enable asylum seekers and refugees to successfully rebuild their lives.
We believe everyone who’s fled their home to survive deserves a chance to live again.
Our visionRefugee and asylum seekers will be welcome in the UK. They will get justice, live free of poverty and be able to successfully rebuild their lives.
Our historyFor more than 30 years Refugee Action has been supporting asylum seekers and refugees in the UK, and speaking up passionately for their rights. Founded in 1981, we developed the first model resettlement programmes in the UK, initially with refugees from Vietnam, Bosnia and Kosovo. We have provided direct support and advice to asylum seekers and refugees on a wide range of issues, from securing a fair hearing in the asylum system to help in finding work and the option of voluntary return.
We are immensely proud of all we have achieved since we were established to support Vietnamese refugees. We have advised and supported over 70,000 people since 2001. We have supported the resettlement of over 3,000 refugees since 2004.
The external context for our work and our clients has changed dramatically in recent years as a result of the global refugee crisis, the high profile of these issues in the UK, and the strong support among the general public for the UK to do more in response to this crisis. Refugee Action has therefore developed a new strategy for 2016-19. We are moving fast, building a team at all levels of the organisation that will enable us to achieve our ambitious goals.
ABOUT US
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Refugee Action | May 2016
The charity is governed by its memorandum and articles of association (last amended in April 2015).The Charity is a company limited by guarantee. Registered company number 01593454. Registered charity number 283660.
The trustees set and oversee Refugee Action’s strategy and activities, oversee its financial affairs, and supervise the work of the salaried Chief Executive in carrying out these policies and plans. All trustees are unpaid. When first appointed they are offered an induction programme that includes the opportunity to observe our services, campaigning and partnership work.
Board profilesBiographical details of our trustees can be seen on our website: http://www.refugee-action.org.uk/about/who_we_are/trustees
Structure and managementThe Board of Trustees govern the charity and meet five times a year to discuss and review strategy, planning, development and financial matters.
The Chief Executive, Stephen Hale OBE, was appointed in February 2015 by the trustees. He is accountable to them for managing the charity as a whole. He leads a Senior Management Team (SMT) of six staff.
The SMT is assisted by a staff team that comprises just over 85 staff who, with the help of volunteers, deliver services across the UK primarily from offices in London, the West Midlands, the North West and West Yorkshire.
OUR GOVERNANCE
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Refugee Action | May 2016
Refugee Action is in a period of substantial financial change. For many years, we delivered a wide range of services to asylum seekers and refugees through grants from central government. That era is now over for Refugee Action, as for many others in the voluntary sector. Refugee Action is in a strong position to make the transition to a more diverse funding base and financial stability. Our three year strategy is supported by a three year budget, in which we will invest our reserves in a planned way to ensure lasting financial stability and success.
Our most recent public financial accounts are for 2014-15. Our total income for this year was £12.4 million, of which £10.4 million was accounted for by the Choices voluntary return programme. This programme came to an end on 31 December 2015.
Our income in 2015-16 excluding Choices was around £2.6 million. As in 2014-15, this came from the Gateway resettlement programme, trusts and foundations and the general public. We made a planned financial loss in 2015-16 of £313,000, as we invested our reserves in the creation of a more financially sustainable charity.
We expect our total income in 2016-17 to be around £3.8 million. Refugee Action’s three-year budget contains investment plans to ensure that we are financially sustainable by the end of this period. Over the next three years we will invest in fundraising and other areas. Our three year budget maintains our reserves policy to have 3-6 months funds for unrestricted activity.
More information is available on request to interested candidates.
OUR FINANCIALS
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Refugee Action | May 2016
OUR WORK & 2016-19 STRATEGY
The context in which we operate has changed dramatically in recent years, creating new challenges for asylum seekers and refugees and for Refugee Action. Our new strategy therefore commits us to a substantial change in our objectives. It sets out our three main areas of work, through which we aim to achieve our vision.
First, we are strongly committed to continuing to deliver front-line services through our work in London, the Midlands, the North West and West Yorkshire. Our strategy sets out the specific goals we aim to achieve through this work, under the themes of asylum justice and poverty which will run through all of our work.
Second, we will now provide support to others involved in service delivery through our Good Practice and Partnerships team. Hundreds of organisations do incredible work every day to support asylum seekers and refugees. We will develop and share new solutions to the challenges of delivering effective support services. Where we can support others with our expertise and national perspective, we will do so.
Campaigning is the third way in which we will achieve our goals in 2016 and beyond. The lives of our clients are now, more than ever, affected by government policies. The lack of safe and legal routes force many asylum seekers to make dangerous journeys. On arrival, their ability to rebuild their lives is affected by government policies on integration and employment. Our campaigns will broaden and deepen public support for policies that enable asylum seekers and refugees in the UK to rebuild their lives.
As outlined above, Refugee Action has developed a three year budget to support our new strategy. Our success will depend on a significant increase in income from the general public, and demonstrating the quality and potential impact of our plans to trusts and foundations.
2019 VISIONRefugee and asylum seekers will be welcome in the UK. They will get justice, live free of poverty and be able to successfully rebuild their lives.
2019 MISSION FOR REFUGEE ACTIONRefugee Action plays a leading role in overcoming the challenges facing refugees and asylum seekers in the UK. We work with others to develop and deliver innovative services that benefit the majority of asylum seekers and refugees. We successfully build public and political support for policy change so they can rebuild their lives. We are a trusted partner and ally for organisations that seek to enable refugees to rebuild their lives in the UK.
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Refugee Action | May 2016
Justice• Secure support for most new asylum-seekers so
that they can focus on their asylum case and get protection where it is needed.
• Secure a significant increase in the quantity and quality of legal advice available to refused asylum-seekers so that those who need protection get it.
Freedom from poverty• Reduce the levels of homelessness and precarious
housing among people failed by the asylum system.
• Ensure that refugees and other migrants settling in the UK are able to avoid poverty and to thrive, in particular through employment, avoiding debt, good health and positive relationships with host communities.
• Ensure that refugees resettled in the UK are empowered to rebuild their lives successfully.
Campaigns and Influence• Persuade the UK government to provide safe and
legal routes for 100,000 refugees by 2020, through campaigns that reflect our experience of best practice.
• Ensure fairer asylum decisions by securing tangible improvements to the system, and defend the rights of asylum seekers and refugees to rebuild their lives in Britain without falling into poverty.
• Build a strong and committed campaigns supporter base of at least 50,000 people, and work with a broad range of ‘unusual’ allies to engage up to 2 million people in campaigning to make Britain a country that respects the rights of refugees.
OUR WORK & 2016-19 STRATEGY
2016-2019 OBJECTIVES
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Refugee Action | May 2016
PERSON DESCRIPTION
Key responsibilitiesCore Governance
• Demonstrate a commitment to Refugee Action’s charitable objects and activities.
• Safeguard the good name and values of Refugee Action.
• Ensure that the Board operates effectively and that it sets overall strategy, defining goals and targets and evaluates performance against agreed targets for Refugee Action.
• Ensure, with Trustees, that Refugee Action operates efficiently and effectively to fulfil its objectives and uses its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects.
• Ensure that Refugee Action is properly governed, pursues its objects as defined in its governing document for public benefit and manages the boundary between governance and management.
• Monitor the maintenance of proper financial and other records to ensure the financial stability of Refugee Action.
Working with the CEO
• Line-manage and support the Chief Executive in the role and conduct an annual performance appraisal with inputs from staff, external contacts and board members.
• Act as a channel of communication between the Board and the Chief Executive, including clarifying Board decisions, agreeing performance criteria and providing feedback to the Chief Executive on performance.
• Ensure regular contact and 1:1 meetings with the Chief Executive, develop and maintain an open and supportive relationship.
Lead Board Meetings
• Chair all meetings of the board effectively and efficiently, bringing impartiality and objectivity to the decision making process and ensuring that all members contribute in different ways through guidance and support to the Chief Executive and members of SMT.
• Make a valued contribution to discussions on the strategic direction of Refugee Action.
• Encouraging discussion at Board meetings, summarising key points, agreeing agendas and ensuring decisions are made and implemented.
• Work with Board committees regarding governance and priorities.
External Relations
• Attend approximately 3-5 events per year including conferences, receptions and other public functions
• Introduce the Chief Executive to organisations and individuals who might assist or support Refugee Action.
OVERALL OBJECTIVEThe Chair holds the Board and the Senior Management Team, through the Chief Executive, to account for the organisations mission and vision, provides inclusive leadership to the Board, and ensures each trustee fulfils their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of the charity.
The Chair also supports and, where appropriate, challenges the Chief Executive, ensuring that the Board functions collectively and works closely with the entire senior management team of the organisation to achieve agreed objectives.
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Refugee Action | May 2016
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Personal qualities • A deep commitment to the rights of asylum seekers
and refugees and Refugee Action’s strategic objectives.
• Demonstrate tact and diplomacy, with the ability to listen and engage effectively.
• Qualities of integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness and honesty.
• Sound and independent judgement.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills including an ability to guide the board, staff team and stakeholders as required.
Experience• Track record of leadership and impact in the
voluntary sector and/ or public life.
• Considerable experience of board governance.
• Experience of operating at a strategic leadership level.
• An understanding of a political environment with the ability to manage risk effectively.
• Experience of working in partnership with other organisations.
Knowledge and skills• Strong leadership skills and the ability to motivate
staff and bring people together.
• Ability to support and encourage full and open discussions to enable the Board to reach agreement, summarise discussions, manage meetings efficiently and to time.
• Understanding of and intention to meet the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of a Chair.
• Strong networks in political arena and / or voluntary sector.
• Financial management expertise and a broad understanding of charity finance issues.
• Intention to devote sufficient time and effort to Refugee Action.
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Refugee Action | May 2016
TERMS OF APPOINTMENT
This is a non-paid pro bono appointment. If you would like to make a difference in our world, this is a great opportunity to bring your skills, knowledge and experience to help us deliver on our mission.
Travel expenses directly incurred in your role as Chair on official business are reimbursed. The Board meets five times a year and there is also an annual retreat. The time commitment will be approximately one day per month. More may be required in the early stages, depending on the successful candidate’s knowledge and understanding of the organisation and its work.
Board members are appointed for an initial three year term with the opportunity to extend for a further three year period.
Board dates 2016Board meetings are normally held between 3.00pm - 5.30pm at the Head Office in Victoria, London:
• May 26th
• July 14th
• October 6th
• December 8th
For more information about Refugee Action, please visit: http://www.refugee-action.org.uk
You can also read Refugee Action’s most recent annual report: http://apps.charitycommission.gov.uk/Accounts/Ends60/0000283660_AC_20150331_E_C.pdf
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Refugee Action | May 2016
To apply in confidence to become the new Chair of Refugee Action please forward a copy of your CV or an extended biography together with a short supporting statement and a list of any directorships or trusteeships that you currently hold. Please ensure that your application fully addresses the requirements for the role.
You should give the names, positions, organisations and telephone contact numbers of two referees, relevant to this role. References will only be taken once your express permission has been granted.
Please let us know if you will require any special provision as a result of any disability should you be called for interview.
Finally please ensure that you have included mobile, work and home telephone numbers, as well as any dates when you will not be available or might have difficulty with the indicative timetable.
Applications should be submitted via our website: www.prospect-us.co.uk/executive/job/HQ00165847
Timetable
Recruitment process If you have any questions on any aspect of the appointment process, need additional information or wish to have an informal discussion, please contact Lottie Wihl or Børge Andreassen on 02074006373 or email at:
You will receive feedback within five working days of the closing date.
HOW TO APPLY
PUBLISHED ADVERT CLOSING DATE Monday 20th June PRELIMINARY INTERVIEWS WITH PROSPECTUS w/c 27th June
FINAL PANEL INTERVIEWS Wednesday 13th July
Prospectus Ltd 020 7691 1925 www.prospect-us.co.uk
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