Current Vacancies

Job Title Chair of Trustees
Salary Voluntary
Hours Quarterly trustee meetings and Ad Hoc advice
Location Online meetings plus 1-2 in person meetings per year

Summary

At a time when maternal health inequalities remain stark, Elayos is seeking a strategic and compassionate Chair to guide our next phase of impact.

Do you have experience of governance and confidence in leading work on policies and procedures? Do you want to support our small charity to grow and support more women, birthing people and their families?

Elayos Vision and Values

Elayos exists to bring compassion, support and advocacy to vulnerable and isolated birthing people in the UK. As a charity, we come alongside, build relationships, listen and equip with the information needed to empower our clients to have a positive and informed pregnancy, birth and postnatal period.

Our staff and volunteers offer continuity of care as we assist with emotional, practical and physical needs. Where appropriate, we signpost and collaborate with other organisations to ensure that the greatest range of support is given. 

As a charity we are particularly interested in increasing the diversity of our board. We are especially interested in hearing from individuals representative of the communities in which we work. This includes people from BAME, disability and LGBTQ+ communities. 

In addition to increasing the diversity of our board Elayos aims to recruit board members who cover a wide range of skill sets. In particular those with a background in strategy, EDI, risk management and finance. 

Elayos Chair of Trustees

The duties of a Chair are as follows

• Lead the board to ensure its effectiveness in.

• Setting and implementing Elayos’ culture, direction, and strategy.

  • Approving the annual operations (business) plan, budget and risk management plan

  • Monitoring these to ensure delivery.

• Focus the board on strategic matters, prioritising long-term goals and planning.

• Ensuring the financial stability of the organisation.

• Maintain, high standard of governance, fostering transparency and ensuring the charity holds itself accountable to its stakeholders.

• Ensure trustee awareness and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, such as the Elayos constitution and the charity commission guidance 

• Ensure that the trustee board annually reviews its structure, effectiveness, delegations and key policies, and implements agreed changes as necessary.

• Liaising with the CEO to arrange meetings, set agendas and chairing meetings to ensure these are well run and focussed on delivering the charity's work.

• Act as a representative and spokesperson for the charity.

• Manage trustee relationships to foster a positive board culture, including.

  • Ensuring the Board and charity the policies it needs and are regularly reviewed.

  • Leading on the development and appointment of trustees and.

  • Encouraging them to support Elayos’ fundraising efforts.

• Line manages the CEO by supporting, positively challenging and holding them to account.

• Following proper and formal arrangements for the appointment, supervision, support, appraisal and remuneration of the Elayos Co-Directors.

In addition to the above statutory duties, the Chair should use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have to help the board of trustees reach sound decisions. This may involve scrutinising board papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, or other issues in which the trustee has special expertise.

Person specification

• A commitment to ensure that everyone has compassionate support during their pregnancies and births, no matter their circumstances

• A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort 

• Strategic vision 

• Good, independent judgement 

• Compassionate and Empathetic

• An ability to think creatively 

• A willingness to speak their mind 

• An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship 

• An ability to work effectively as a member of a team

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