Project Food is seeking to appoint a new Chair of Trustees

Project Food is seeking to appoint a new Chair of Trustees to work in partnership with the Director, committed to making the charity as successful as it can be.

Established in 2006, we are passionate about supporting people to access more nutritious food as we know what a difference it makes to how people feel.  Through our work with schools, community settings, the NHS and other groups, we provide education, training and support to hundreds of people.

Project Food currently has a small team of Trustees whose skills include communications, HR, law, strategic management, farming and Local Government. Trustees’ meetings are held every 3 months and in order to contribute to the decision making process Trustees are expected to join sub-committees as required in order to gain a clearer understanding of the charity’s work.

We are seeking a Chair who is passionate, motivated, with excellent leadership skills, who can commit the time to help drive the charity forward to its next growth stage and help increase its team.

 Chair – Project Food

 Remuneration:

The role of Chair is not accompanied by any financial remuneration, although expenses for travel may be claimed

Location:

Axminster (although meetings may sometimes be online)

Time commitment:

4 Board meetings per year. Additionally, the Chair is also expected to have regular meetings with the Director and will spend a few hours /month at Project Food offices with the staff in order to gain a good understanding of the operations and management of the charity.

Reporting to:

Board of Trustees (Executive Committee)

Role Description Objective

The Chair will hold the Board and Director to account for the Charity’s vision, providing inclusive leadership to the Board of Trustees, ensuring that each trustee fulfils their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of the charity. The Chair will also support the Director and hold her accountable to achieve agreed objectives. He or she may also need to act as an ambassador and the public face of the charity if staff are not available.

Principal Responsibilities

Provide leadership to the charity and its Board, ensuring that the Charity has maximum impact for its beneficiaries

Ensure that Trustees fulfil their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of the Charity

Ensure that the Board operates within its charitable objectives and provides a clear strategic direction for the Charity

Ensure that the Board fulfils its duties to ensure sound financial health of the charity, with systems in place to ensure financial accountability

Develop the knowledge and capability of the Board of Trustees

Act as an ambassador for the charity

Chair meetings of the Board of Trustees effectively and efficiently, bringing impartiality and objectivity to the decision making process

Ensure that Trustees are fully engaged and that decisions are taken in the best, long-term interests of the Charity and the people who it has been set up to serve.

Establish and build a strong, effective and a constructive working relationship with the Director, whilst respecting the boundaries which exist between the two roles

Person Specification

The Chair should be able to demonstrate the following qualities:-

Personal Qualities

Demonstrate a commitment to the charity,  its strategic objectives and cause

Demonstrate tact and diplomacy, with the ability to listen and engage effectively

Ability to foster and promote a collaborative team environment

Ability to commit time to conduct the role well, including travel and attending meetings out of office hours

Experience

Experience of charity governance and working with or as part of a Board of Trustees

Experience of chairing meetings

Knowledge and skills

Knowledge and understanding of the Charity sector

Understanding of charity governance

Terms

The charity’s Chair (and board members) will serve a three-year term and eligible for re- appointment for one additional term.

In addition to chairing the main Board meetings, the Chair should attend some of the 4 sub- committees, which all meet quarterly.

For more information please contact tiggy@project-food.org.uk