Trustee

This is an opportunity to shape a vital service within Elmbridge.

As a volunteer trustee you can use your skills, knowledge and experience to help guide and govern North Surrey Domestic Abuse Service (NSDAS).

You willl work with the Chief Executive, trustee board and other staff to shape strategy and give direction.

This will include making sure that NSDAS is:

• Doing what it was set-up to do, such as such as offering free, confidential, independent and impartial advice to anyone aged 16 or over affected by domestic abuse within the NSDAS area

• Complying with the law, including upkeep of premises, insurance, recruitment and equipment.

• Meeting the requirements and standards needed to work effectively with partner and accrediting organisations.

• Securing money to meet current and new demands, and that all funds are used responsibly.

• Recognised and valued by local organisations, funders and people, who are aware of the vital service that NSDAS provides.

Attendance at regular meetings is expected by all trustees but this can be online or in person.

Sometimes trustees will get involved in additional governance projects, such as supporting fundraising, developing strategy or overseeing HR procedures.

Within a board, some trustees will have a specific role, such as being the Chair, Treasurer or Secretary.

These positions have defined responsibilities, such as chairing and facilitating meetings (Chair), overseeing the budget (Treasurer) and taking and circulating minutes (Secretary).

As a charity, we are working towards the Women’s Aid accreditation in 2023.

More information on Women’s Aid and it values are included here: https://www.womensaid.org.uk/what-we-believe/ .

What skills do I need?

The fundamental skills needed for NSDAS trustees are:

1. Formulating strategy – developing and maintaining vision, strategy and clear objectives for NSDAS in the best long term interests of the service’s clients.

2. Ensuring accountability – holding the executive to account for the delivery of the strategy, offering purposeful, constructive scrutiny and challenge. Being accountable to NSDAS, listening to their views and priorities and explaining Board decisions.

3 Shaping culture – being committed to the aims and principles of the service, and in particular our values. Providing visible leadership across the service to develop a positive culture, ensuring this is reflected in your own and the board’s collective behaviour and decision making.

4. Representing the organisation – helping build strong relationships with NSDAS, funders, government, regulators and the corporate sector. Understanding the environment NSDAS works in nationally and locally, and the needs of clients, representing the service to internal and external stakeholders and bringing back messages and information.

We are also especially interested in candidates who have one or more of the following specific skills which will strengthen the capacity of our board:

1. An understanding of how technology is currently used in the business environment and an ability to help implement and manage new systems

2. An understanding of how to deliver major transformation projects while ensuring that service to customers or to the public is maintained

3. Financial sustainability – an understanding of how to develop strategies for increased financial stability and to diversify a funding base.

NSDAS values diversity, promotes equality and challenges discrimination. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds and particularly welcome applications from disabled people and from black, asian and minority ethnic people, who are underrepresented in our organisation.