Shadow Board Member

Solace is seeking to recruit a Shadow Board of between 8 to 10 members, with lived experience of VAWG to work alongside and act as a critical friend to the Board of Trustees. We are looking to culminate a diverse Shadow Board with a range of expertise and skills, to work together with the Board of Trustees in fulfilling responsibilities for the strategic direction and overall governance of the organisation.

About the role

At Solace, we believe it is essential to have the voices of those with lived experience, and our service users at the heart of every decision, particularly the way in which we are governed. By joining our Shadow Board, you will have the exciting and important opportunity to use your lived experience, skills and expertise to drive the success of a growing organisation that makes a profound and positive impact on the lives of women and girls who have suffered from violence and abuse.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing regular support and leadership to the Senior Management Team and ensure that Solace is run in accordance with the decisions of the Shadow Board, the Board of Trustees, and the charity’s Articles of Association.
• Aligning and working with the Board of Trustees and Chief Executive to develop and deliver strategic plans for the charity.
• Working with Shadow Board members and Service User Involvement Coordinator to prepare for committee meetings and ensure that business is covered efficiently and effectively in those meetings.
• Working with Shadow Board members to lead on Social Justice commitments at Solace.
• Promoting equity, diversity and lived experience to drive cultural change in governance at Solace.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for someone what has:

• Lived Experience of VAWG
• Confidence in networking with both internal and external stakeholders
• Sensitivity and discretion in working with other survivors and service users
• An understanding of UK Charity Governance
• An understanding of work in the VAWG sector
• Strategic and operational experience
• Experiences of developing, deploying and evaluating strategic plans
• Experience of financial management
• Experience of leading groups of people in a professional or voluntary capacity
• Experience of chairing meetings

We believe you will thrive in this role if you have:

• Leadership skills i.e. taking responsibility for strategic decisions
• Effective strategic communicator
• Capacity to support both Board and Executive development through feeding back to the Board of Trustees
• A strong personal commitment to improving equity, diversity and inclusion at Solace and in the wider VAWG sector
• A strong personal commitment to Solace’s vision and mission
• A collaborative approach with excellent interpersonal skills

We are looking to recruit a Board of women with a broad range of experiences, expertise, skills and attributes, so please do not be deterred from applying if you do not meet all the criteria outlined above. We will be providing training to successful applicants to further develop skills and abilities

Please see the recruitment pack below for further details.

How can I apply?

Please send a copy of your CV and cover letter to serviceuserinvolvement@solacewomensaid.org
Applications will close on the 8th of November at 17.00

How to apply

Please read the Volunteer Role Description before you attempt to fill out the application form.

Please complete the Volunteer Application Form and ensure you clearly state the role you are applying for.

Please complete the Volunteer Equality Monitoring Form.

Send the completed Application Form & Monitoring Form along with your current CV to volunteering@solacewomensaid.org.

Please note that our volunteer opportunities are open to women only (exempt under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, Part 1), and that these volunteer roles are exempt from the rehabilitation of offenders act 1974 and subject to enhanced DBS checks where applicable.

Applications which are incomplete will not be reviewed. All our roles are during office hours only unless stated otherwise.