Chair of Trustees

Overview 

Thank you so much for your interest in this important role. WaterHarvest has a small UK team of three part-time home-based staff – CEO, Operations Manager and Fundraising Manager (we will be recruiting for a second fundraising role shortly). In Uganda we employ a local engineer to support delivery of our programme, liaising with our local partner (MADLACC) and a regional building contractor team.

Our new CEO joined in March 2024 and has led the development of a new three-year strategy approved by the Board focusing on the expansion of our existing programmes in Africa.

Our current Chair, Neil Mehta is stepping down after nine years of wonderful service. Neil has overseen a long term pivot of our focus to delivering water harvesting programmes in Africa. We are focused on growing in an ambitious, yet sustainable manner, as climate change brings a renewed focus on the need for sustainable solutions for clean water.

We are looking for an experienced Trustee who can appreciate our significant legacy but help us move forward to support delivery of our new strategy. Ideally, we are seeking someone living in/near London to meet with our CEO and funders.

Remit & time commitment

• The Chair is responsible for holding the Board and CEO to account for the charity’s mission and vision, providing inclusive leadership to the Board, ensuring each Trustee fulfils their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of the charity. 
• Legally, all members of the Board share collective responsibility for providing oversight, governance and leadership. In addition to the standard Trustee remit, the Chair has a specific role with principal responsibilities outlined on the next page.
• The Board meets formally via Zoom for half a day (usually on a Tuesday  morning), four times per year. Additional informal calls/meetings are held with Trustees on an ad-hoc as needed basis.
• The Chair and CEO hold a fortnightly Zoom catch-up call and aim to meet face to face on a quarterly basis.

Chair Responsibilities

Board leadership

• Provide leadership to the WaterHarvest Board to operate within its charitable objectives and fulfil its legal duties and governance responsibilities. Facilitate the Board’s regular review of major risks and associated opportunities, managing and mitigating the risks.
• Closely monitor the financial health of WaterHarvest.
• Inspire & motivate other Board members and lead on the induction of new Trustees ensuring external Trustee training is provided as needed.

Governance

• To guide Board actions concerning organisational priorities and governance concerns and help the Board reach sound decisions.
• Ensure that all governance arrangements are compliant with Charity Commission regulations.
• In consultation with other Trustees, lead the appointment of new Board members to fill identified skills gaps and monitor the effectiveness of all Board members. 
• Sign on behalf of the Board, the Annual Report and Financial Statements and other financial and legal documentation, in accordance with Board resolutions.
• Visit our overseas programmes in Uganda and Ghana on annual/biannual basis to meet with our local delivery partners and to review impact.

External Relations

• Act as an ambassador/spokesperson for WaterHarvest alongside the CEO when appropriate, representing the charity at external functions, meetings and events.
• Safeguard the good name and reputation of WaterHarvest.

Efficiency and effectiveness

• Chair meetings of the Board of Trustees effectively and efficiently, bringing impartiality and objectivity to the decision-making process.
• Lead the Trustees to be fully engaged so that decisions are taken in the best, long-term interests of the charity and that the Board takes collective ownership of these decisions.
• With the CEO, agree the agenda ahead of Board meetings & approve draft minutes prior to circulation to the full Board. Take the lead on ensuring decisions taken at Board meetings are implemented.

Relationship with the CEO and team 

• Act as a critical friend to the CEO, providing support when needed to deliver WaterHarvest’s new strategy.
• Ensure regular contact with the CEO and develop/maintain an open and supportive relationship within which each can speak openly about concerns, worries and challenges.

Conduct regular meetings (in person or by Zoom etc) and an annual appraisal for the CEO in consultation with other Trustees.

About you

Experience

Essential:

• Experience of operating at a senior strategic leadership level within an organisation, including significant line management experience.
• Long term experience of being a Charity Trustee.
• Experience of external representation, delivering presentations and managing stakeholders.
• Significant experience of chairing formal meetings.
• Excellent relationship skills, even in a virtual environment.

Desirable:

• Strong budgetary/financial skills.
• Direct experience of raising income within a charity setting.
• Experience of working directly for a charity.
• Experience of delivering programmes/working with colleagues in Africa.

Knowledge

Essential:

• Broad knowledge & understanding of the charitable sector and current issues affecting it.
• Strong leadership skills, ability to motivate other Board members and the staff team. 
• Excellent understanding of the Charities Act, Fundraising Code of Practice, Data Protection Act and other relevant legislation and guidance.

Desirable:

• Digital/virtual fundraising expertise.

Skills & attributes

Essential:

• Demonstrate a deep concern for those impacted by water shortage and a genuine commitment to our vision and strategic objectives.
• Exhibit strong inter-personal and relationship building abilities.
• Have tact and diplomacy, with the ability to listen and engage effectively.
• Ability to commit time to conduct the role well, including attending and preparing for Board meetings and other events/meetings.

Desirable:

• Of African heritage and/or with connections to the communities we serve in Ghana and Uganda.
• Living in/near to London to meet with CEO and funders.

How to apply

We are a small but very impactful charity that has been focused on harvesting rainwater in remote communities for almost 40 years. 

This role offers an opportunity to make a real difference in a range of areas such as improving health, reducing poverty, building climate change resilience and increasing the attendance of girls at school. 

Please note, as is standard with Charity Trustees this role is offered on a voluntary and unremunerated basis. In accordance with our Articles of Association, each trustee should commit to serving an initial three-year term, with an expectation of a further three-year term.

To apply, please submit your CV and a short a cover letter (no longer than one side of A4) outlining how your meet the requirements detailed in the Person Specification to office@water-harvest.org  by noon on Friday 31^st January 2025. Interviews will be held in February 2025.

Thank you again for your interest, we hope to hear from you.

www.water-harvest.org

This role is advertised as part of TPP's Free Giving Back Services. This volunteer advertisement copy has been supplied to TPP and applicants apply direct to the organisation. Please contact the organisation directly if you have any questions about this volunteer role.