Trustee – Vice Chair

Sight Concern Worcestershire is a local independent charity that makes a huge difference supporting blind and partially sighted people to lead independent and fulfilling lives.

We are a well-managed charity that has reserves which will allow us to pursue our vision, and be creative in our thinking and development. Your support will help us achieve big ambitions.

We are seeking a Vice Chair to support us though an exciting period of change and in time become Chair of Trustees.

We have a committed board, with a great range of skills and experience, but no-one currently has the time to be Vice Chair or ultimately take on the role of Chair.

Our current Chair has been in post for nine years, so now we want to plan for a successor to join the charity and become an established member of the team.

What are we looking for ?

As Vice Chair : support the Chair in helping us achieve our mission and vision, providing leadership to the Board of Trustees and our loyal hardworking staff team.

As a Trustee to be part of a team ensuring the effective governance of the charity.

What will you be doing?

As Vice Chair

1. To deputise for the Chair.
2. To lead board sub committees and short term working groups.
3. To represent the charity and the Chair.
4. To support the Chair in:

• Providing leadership and clear strategic direction to meet our charitable objectives.
• Ensuring that our governance is effective and trustees are fully involved.
• Ensure meetings are regular and effective.
• Reviewing the performance of the board.
• Assist with the recruitment of new trustees.

As a Trustee 

Hold Sight Concern in trust and ensure public confidence; determine the direction of the charity; and provide leadership.

• Establish an effective working relationship with the Chief Executive Officer and team
• Contribute fully to board and subcommittee meetings
• Act as an ambassador for the cause and the charity
• Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders

What difference will you make?

Sight Concern works hard to help people with sight loss have the confidence to reach their full potential and play an active role in society.

People with sight loss face many barriers in life, but with the right support and training, we can help people deal with both the emotional impact, learn new skills and adapt.

We need strong leadership and governance – ensuring that we achieve everything we can for people with sight loss and making the best use of our resources.

What’s in it for the volunteer?

This is an exciting time to be a part of a local charity that has the desire to develop and support more people affected by sight loss. We provide support across all 6 districts of the county and are determined to keep doing so; there are opportunities to get involved locally.

We have faced up to the difficulties of Covid 19 and provided telephone based services throughout. We are organising to tackle social isolation and take advantage of the many ways in which technology is advancing.

We have inspiring individual stories to share, from clients who have transformed their lives and which make our work worthwhile.

How to apply

Please read the full role description and person specification (below). To apply, please forward a copy of your CV, together with a covering letter and tell us why you believe you are suitable for the role; and what you can bring to the charity to: info@sightconcern.co.uk 

Role Description

• Title: Vice Chair of Trustees
• Salary Grade: This is a voluntary role
• Responsible to: Chair of Trustees

Overview

Sight Concern Worcestershire is an independent charity that supports blind and partially sighted people to lead independent and fulfilling lives. We work with people personally affected by sight loss and we educate people who provide services and support that people with sight loss want to engage in.

The role of the Board of Trustees is to provide strategic oversight, guidance and support to further Sight Concern strategy and plans.

Our charitable objectives

• to promote the prevention of avoidable sight loss
• to support and promote the welfare of blind and partially sighted persons and their families or carers, in particular those resident in Worcestershire
• the provision of assistance and good quality services for blind and partially sighted persons, alone or in collaboration with other Voluntary and Statutory Organisations.

• to provide resources and information to empower visually impaired people to make appropriate and informed choices.

As the Vice Chair of Trustees, you will have the joint role of Trustee and Vice Chair.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

 As Vice Chair

 To deputise for, and support the work of the Chair

• Providing leadership to the charity and its Board, ensuring that Sight Concern operates within its charitable objectives, with a clear strategic direction for the executive team
• Ensuring that Trustees fulfil their duties and responsibilities for effective governance
• Ensuring meetings are regular and effective.
• To work with the Chair and Chief Executive Officer to ensure that Sight Concern sub-committees make effective and timely recommendations to the Board
• Review the performance of the board
• Assist with the recruitment of new trustees

As a Trustee

• To ensure that Sight Concern

1. a) complies with its governing document, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations

1. b) pursues its objectives as defined in its governing document
2. c) uses its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objectives

• Contribute actively to our strategic direction, setting overall policy, defining goals and setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets
• To safeguard the good name and values of Sight Concern
• To be satisfied that Sight Concern is operating within legal and financial guidelines
• To help connect the organisation with appropriate stakeholders
• To represent the organisation and its vision
• To protect the property of the organisation and to ensure the proper investment of funds
• To appoint the Chief Executive Officer and monitor his/her performance
• To connect the organisation with appropriate stakeholders as and when appropriate
• To represent the organisation and its vision and achievements
• To appoint the Chief Executive Officer and monitor his/her performance
• Act as an ambassador for the cause and the charity
• Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders

Person Specification

Essential Criteria:

1. Experience as a Trustee of a charity and a commitment to dedicating time to carrying out the duties of a Trustee.
2. A strong track record in leadership at Senior Management or Board level, within a corporate or charity setting
3. An understanding of strategic planning and organisation change.
4. Commitment to supporting people with sight loss to achieve their potential
5. A team player with excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
6. An understanding of, or a willingness to understand, the strategic, legislative and political context that influences our work.

Desirable Criteria:

1. Experience of one of the following sectors : health or social care, commercial and business development, marketing and promotions
2. An understanding of how the commercial sector operates and can work well with Sight Concern
3. An understanding of fundraising and how a charity develops sustainable new income streams
4. Experience of property management

To apply, please forward a copy of your CV, together with a covering letter and tell us why you believe you are suitable for the role; and what you can bring to the charity to: info@sightconcern.co.uk