The person sought will have the following experience, knowledge, personal attributes and the time to fulfil the role:
Experience
- Brings substantial experience of operating at a senior strategic leadership level within organisations, with a strong background in governance and charity sector leadership, including work in regulated environments.
- A proven track record of leadership and chairing skills with experience of chairing well-managed and inclusive meetings, ensuring all members’ views are taken into account and that consensus and clarity of outcomes are achieved – an exemplar of good governance and the principles of trusteeship.
- Experience of charity governance and working with or as part of a Board as a non-executive director or trustee.
- Demonstrates the ability to represent the organisation externally and to build and sustain strategic relationships with key stakeholders.
- Demonstrable experience of providing guidance to senior staff and/or volunteer management and to working collaboratively in developing the strategy and monitoring the performance of the organisation, delivering an ambitious agenda in challenging times
- Experience of setting individuals’ objectives, monitoring progress, giving feedback, developing talent and succession planning.
- A working knowledge of the principles of quality assurance, risk management and internal and external audit.
Knowledge and Skills
- Possesses a strong understanding of The Scouts, or demonstrates the ability and willingness to learn quickly, with an appreciation of the organisation’s scale, complexity, and risk profile.
- Broad knowledge and understanding of the not-for-profit sector and current issues.
- Forward-thinking skills to prepare Scouts for future changes, specifically digital and social shifts that impact young people and volunteers
- Strong leadership skills, ability to motivate staff and volunteers and bring people together.
- Financial management literacy and a broad understanding of charity finance issues.
- Digital literacy – familiarity with digital strategies, data governance, and digital transformation to drive operational efficiency
- An understanding of the legal responsibilities of charity trustees.
- Good understanding of charity governance issues and complex, tiered charity structures.
- A strong understanding of strategy and how it may be applied to The Scouts.
- An understanding of what the future might bring and how The Scouts might respond to challenges and opportunities that result.
- Change and crisis management skills and ability to manage risk, uncertainty and maintain public confidence.
- An ability to influence internally and externally.
Personal Qualities
- Evidence of a strong and visible passion and commitment to The Scouts, our vision, mission and values.
- Ability to work with multiple stakeholders recognising the nature of volunteer leadership and our federated structure.
- Demonstrates an inclusive leadership approach that actively encourages all voices.
- Champions equity, diversity and inclusion(EDI) while upholding the highest standards of governance and ensuring these values are embedded in all aspects of the Board’s work.
- Good communication skills and personal gravitas to lead a significant national organisation
- Strong inter-personal and relationship building abilities and comfortable in an ambassadorial role.
- Tact and diplomacy, with the ability to listen and engage effectively.
- Strong networking capabilities that can be utilised for the benefit of the organisation.
- Ability to foster and promote a collaborative team environment.
- Ability to coach and/or mentor Board Trustees to ensure a highly effective Board.
- The integrity to respect confidentiality and act with discretion.
Time commitment
The Chair must demonstrate a high level of ongoing availability and flexibility, including travel and attendance at meetings and events during working hours, evenings, and weekends, to fulfil the responsibilities of the role effectively.
The estimated time commitment is up to eight hours per week for scheduled meetings and tasks, with additional time required around Board meetings (6 scheduled meetings per year) and for key events (for example attending national conferences, AGMs and residential meetings). The Chair should also be prepared to increase their involvement during periods of organisational change or heightened demand.
There may be additional demand during the first year of office to allow for an appropriate period of induction. The appointee may request support from a mentor to aid with familiarisation with the Scouts.
Standards
Members of the Board of Trustees are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with acceptable standards of behaviour in public life, embracing selflessness, integrity, objectively, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership (the Nolan Principles).
- Candidates should not have been disqualified from acting as trustees and will be asked to confirm in writing that this is the case. Candidates will be asked to consider and declare any existing or potential conflicts of interests.
- Since The Scouts is a charity, members will be collectively responsible for ensuring that the Board of Trustees exercises efficient and effective use of the resources of the Association for the furtherance of its charitable purposes. Members will also ensure the Board maintains the Association’s long-term viability safeguard its assets, and that proper mechanism exist to ensure financial control and for the prevention of fraud.
- The successful candidate will require to complete a Disclosure Check and be prepared to join the Scouts by taking The Promise.
Remuneration and Expenses
In common with other registered charities, there is no remuneration directly associated with role of Chair of the Board of Trustees, although the Association will reimburse fully for all reasonable and properly documented expenses incurred in performing duties.