Women’s Aid
Independent Trustee (HR Expertise)
Location: Remote (UK based)
Salary: Unpaid – reasonable expenses will be covered
Length of contract: 3 year term
Closing date: We reserve the right to adapt the advert at any time per organisational circumstances and to close this vacancy early for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
Interviews: Interviews will be scheduled for early November
This is a pivotal governance role for someone who combines strategic HR expertise with a strong understanding of governance. We particularly welcome women who have served on regional or national boards, or who bring equivalent experience in public, voluntary or corporate governance environments
Who are Women’s Aid?
Women’s Aid is the national charity working to end domestic abuse against women and children. We are a federation of just under 180 organisations which provide over 300 local lifesaving services to women and children across England. For 50 years we have campaigned on behalf of our members and survivors to shape policy and practice, and to raise awareness of domestic abuse.
Our support services, which include our Survivors’ Forum, the No Woman Turned Away Project, the Survivor’s Handbook, Love Respect (our dedicated website for young people), the national Women’s Aid Directory and our advocacy projects, help thousands of women and children every year.
Purpose of the Independent Trustee (HR Expertise):
The Board of Trustees is responsible for the overall governance, strategic direction and assurance of the charity, its financial health, probity of its activities, and developing the organisation’s aims, objectives, and goals in accordance with the governing document and legal and regulatory guidelines. As a Trustee, you will bring strong governance insight and Board-level experience to support the Women’s Aid’s Board in fulfilling its responsibilities, with particular focus on advising and supporting the charity in matters relating to Human Resources – including organisational culture, staff wellbeing, employment practices, and strategic workforce planning. We are particularly keen to hear from candidates with prior experience on regional or national boards.
As a Trustee, you will bring strong governance insight and Board-level experience to support the Women’s Aid’s Board in fulfilling its responsibilities, with particular focus on advising and supporting the charity in matters relating to Human Resources – including organisational culture, staff wellbeing, employment practices, and strategic workforce planning.
Key duties and responsibilities of the Independent Trustee (HR Expertise):
1. Ensure the charity pursues its stated objectives and operates in accordance with its governing documents and regulatory requirements.
2. Act within the spirit of, and in accordance with, a feminist understanding of violence against women
3. Contribute to strategic discussions, policy development, and performance oversight, particularly regarding people and HR strategy.
4. Chair Women’s Aid’s People & Culture Committee and provide governance leadership in this area
5. Provide expert advice on HR policies, procedures, and best practice relating to recruitment, retention, staff development, and organisational culture.
6. Promote good governance, ensuring effective and accountable operations, including ethical leadership and transparency.
7. Support the Chief Executive and senior leadership team on workforce-related issues when appropriate.
8. Protect and promote the reputation, assets, and long-term sustainability of Women’s Aid through sound governance and oversight.
To hold the charity “in trust” for current and future beneficiaries by:
9. Ensuring that the charity has a clear vision, mission and strategic direction and is focused on achieving these.
10. Being responsible for the performance of the charity and for its corporate behaviour, ensuring that the charity complies with all legal and regulatory requirements.
11. Acting as guardian of the charity’s assets, both tangible and intangible, taking all due care over their security, deployment and proper application
12. Ensuring that the charity’s governance is of the highest possible standard.
13. Providing strategic oversight and advice on the charity’s people and culture priorities, including HR policy, staff wellbeing, and workforce planning.
What we are looking for in our Independent Trustee (HR Expertise):
14. Experience in advising or working with Boards on people strategy and organisational culture
15. A background in Human Resources, with experience in navigating complex and sensitive HR Issues with integrity and professionalism
16. Experience of supporting staff wellbeing or trauma-informed practises
17. Strong knowledge of employment law, and other key aspects of Human Resources, such as organisational development, and staff wellbeing
18. Commitment to feminist principles and inclusive practice
19. Understanding of the domestic abuse / VAWG sector
20. Tact and diplomacy with ability to navigate contentious issues with objectivity and sensitivity.
21. Willing and able to operate within the parameters of the single sex services statement.
22. Strong commitment to Women’s Aid’s mission, values and ethos.