Trustees for Africa Health Organisation (AHO)

Africa Health Organisation (AHO) and its Subsidiaries
Africa Health Organisation (AHO) is looking for trustees and Board of Directors for its board and for its subsidiaries. AHO subsidiaries are independent and operate an independent Board of Trustees/Directors separate from AHO. Trustees of a Company Limited by Guarantee are called Directors for the purpose of Company Law. We are looking for the following trustees:

Africa Health Organisation (AHO) – 4 Trustees/Board of Directors

Subsidiaries
(1) Africa AIDS Foundation – 3 Trustees/Board of Directors
(2) Africa Age Foundation – 3 Trustees/Board of Directors
(3) Africa Animal Health Alliance – 3 Trustees/Board of Directors
(4) Africa Climate Change Alliance – 3 Trustees/Board of Directors
(5) Africa Community Development Alliance – 3 Trustees/Board of Directors
(6) Africa Conciliation and Mediation Service – 3 Trustees/Board of Directors
(7) Africa Credit Union (ACU) – 5 Board of Directors (for profit)
(8) Africa Dental Association – 3 Trustees/Board of Director
(9) Africa Diabetes Association – 3 Trustees/Board of Directors
(10) Africa Ealy Years Development – 3 Trustees/Board of Directors
(11) Africa Environment Conservation Alliance – 3 Trustees/Board of Directors
(12) Africa Family Planning Alliance – 3 Trustees/Board of Directors
(13) Africa Food Development Programme – 3 Trustees/Board of Directors
(14) Africa Foundation for Education – 3 Trustees/Board of Directors
(15) Africa Genomics – 5 Board of Directors (for profit)
(16) Africa Heritage Fund – 3 Trustees/Board of Directors
(17) Africa Initiative for Sustainable Development – 3 Trustees/Board of Directors)
(18) Africa Mental Health – 3 Trustees/Board of Directors
(19) African Mothers Alliance Initiative – 3 Trustees/Board of Directors
(20) Africa Nursing and Care Agency – 5 Board of Directors (for profit)
(21) Africa Pharmaceutical – 5 Board of Directors (for profit)
(22) Africa Prostate Cancer Association – 3 Trustees/Board of Directors
(23) Africa Recycling Development Alliance – 5 Board of Directors (for profit)
(24) Africa Refugee Council – 3 Trustees/Board of Directors
(25) Africa Rural Development Alliance – 3 Trustees/Board of Directors
(26) Africa TB Organisation Programme – 3 Trustees/Board of Directors
(27) African Children’s Development – 3 Trustees/Board of Directors
(28) African Women’s Association – 3 Trustees/Board of Directors
(29) African Council of Families – 3 Trustees/Board of Directors
(30) African Youth Association – 3 Trustees/Board of Directors

We encourage people from White, Asian and Minority Ethnic (WAME) to apply as they are under-represented on our Board of Directors. By White we mean European descent, Asians such as Chinese, Japanese, Bangladeshi, Filipinos, Koreans, etc. Minority Ethnic we mean Latinos, Arabs, Eastern Europeans, Mediterranean, etc.

The role of a Trustee
Trustees work as part of a Board of Trustees/Directors in order to: inform the organisation’s strategic direction; scrutinise the financial management of the organisation; and ensure the sound governance of the organisation. Trustees are not responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operation of the organisation. However, they are responsible for scrutinising the operational decisions taken by the Chief Executive Officer, to ensure that the organisation operates effectively and in line with its objectives and values.

Hours, location and benefits
Meetings
– Trustees are required to attend quarterly Board meetings in person or video conference like zoom.
– All Trustees are required to participate in at least one Sub-Group. These meetings are held once every quarter.
– Trustees are required to attend the Annual General Meeting.
– Preparatory work is required in advance of and sometimes following each meeting.

Additional responsibilities
– Trustees may be required or encouraged to contribute to AHO-related activity outside meetings, e.g. to participate in staff interview panels, to participate in specific project-focused tasks, to contribute to decision-making that requires the involvement of the Trustees.
– Trustees are strongly encouraged to occasionally visit the projects.
– Trustees are strongly encouraged to attend the annual Staff Away-day and the Board’s annual strategic planning day.

Benefits
Trustees are volunteers who give their time, skills and expertise for no financial gain. Reasonable expenses will be reimbursed in line with the organisation’s Volunteer Policy.

Person specification
It is essential that a diverse skills set is represented amongst the Board of Trustees/Directors. It is expected that the Trustees work as a team, such that they can draw on different skills depending on the task in hand. We encourage you to highlight your particular strengths, so that we can compare these to the skills already represented on the Board.

Beyond these specific skills, there are some more general criteria that are either essential or desirable for Trustees of AHO.

Essential criteria
– A commitment to the values and objectives of Africa Health Organisation (AHO).
– We are encouraging students to apply so that they can gain experience in governance.

– We encourage people from White, Asian and Minority Ethnic (WAME) to apply as they are under-represented on our Board of Directors. By White we mean European descent, Asians such as Chinese, Japanese, Bangladeshi, Filipinos, Koreans, etc. Minority Ethnic we mean Latinos, Arabs, Eastern Europeans, Mediterranean, etc.
– Directors of a profit making subsidiary must have appropriate qualifications and experience.
– An ability to work effectively as a member of a team
– An ability to communicate effectively
– An ability to make sound, independent judgements
– An ability to think creatively
– An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship

Desirable criteria
– Knowledge and understanding of health issues affecting people in Africa and its effects on the people.

Additional requirement
Please note, some Trustees (working with children and vulnerable adults) are required to have a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and hold an up to date certificate. The DBS check will be arranged by AHO.