The Hope Projects work to help destitute asylum-seekers and others barred from public funds in the West Midlands. This includes the provision of Housing, Crisis Grants and Legal Advice for Homeless Asylum Seekers.
What will you be doing?
Responsibilities:
- Support and provide advice on Hope Projects’ purpose, vision, goals and activities.
- Approve operational strategies and policies, and monitor and evaluate their implementation.
- Oversee Hope Projects’ financial plans and budgets and monitor and evaluate progress.
- Ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation.
- Ensure that key risks are being identified, monitored and controlled effectively.
- Review and approve Hope Projects’ financial statements.
- Provide support and challenge to Hope Projects’ CEO in the exercise of their delegated authority and affairs.
- Keep abreast of changes in Hope Projects’ operating environment.
- Contribute to regular reviews of Hope Projects’ own governance.
- Attend Board meetings, adequately prepared to contribute to discussions.
- Use independent judgment, acting legally and in good faith to promote and protect Hope Projects’ interests, to the exclusion of their own personal and/or any third party interests.
- Contribute to the broader promotion of Hope Projects’ objects, aims and reputation by applying your skills, expertise, knowledge and contacts.
Time commitment
(Estimated at 1 – 2 hours per month)
- Attending 5 Board meetings annually, including a AGM and Team Away Day.
- Currently meetings are held in person in Birmingham. Remote attendance can be arranged from time to time.
What are we looking for?
Experience:
- We are looking for a new trustee with lived experience of the asylum system. Your experience may have been recent or many years ago. Skills and experience in immigration law, mental health or fundraising would help strengthen the board but are less important than a commitment to Hope’s mission, the capacity to contribute to general governance and a sense of excitement about the journey we have set out on.
Personal skills and qualities:
- Willingness and ability to understand and accept their responsibilities and liabilities as trustees and to act in the best interests of the organisation.
- Ability to think creatively and strategically, exercise good, independent judgement and work effectively as a board member.
- Effective communication skills and willingness to participate actively in discussion.A strong personal commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
- Enthusiasm for our vision and mission.
- Willingness to lead according to our values.
- Commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.
What difference will you make?
As a new trustee at Hope Projects, you will play a vital role in shaping the future of an organization dedicated to supporting some of the most vulnerable individuals in the UK. Over the next five years, we are committed to transforming how our Board operates by involving trustees with lived experience of the asylum system. Your insights will be invaluable in guiding the development of our services and organization, ensuring they remain grounded in the realities faced by those we serve.