Volunteer Opportunity to join Heard’s Board of Trustees

What will you be doing?

What does the role of Trustee look like? The role of Trustee is a rewarding, engaging, decision making one where you get to make a real difference, using your skills and experience to help our charity create as much impact as we can.  You will join a dedicated board of trustees who are ultimately responsible for the governance and finances of the charity, working together to make sure that the charity’s resources are used effectively to achieve its aims.  Board meetings allow the trustees to come together to fulfill their legal obligations, as stated in the Memorandum and Articles of Association. We don’t expect you to necessarily be familiar with the  ins and outs of these obligations – we will provide you with support and training to navigate your responsibilities. The CEO and Executive Team are responsible for updating and providing the necessary information to the trustees to enable them to make their decisions.  Trustees are not expected to be experts in every aspect of the running of Heard, this is why we have dedicated employees to provide information to the trustees and specialist trustees such as our treasurer who has the financial expertise to guide the trustees when it comes to the accounts.  Our trustees also have the opportunity to sit on sub-committees depending on their areas of interest. Our sub-committees are currently Social Affairs, Finance and Human Resources.  Why us?  Joining Heard’s board is an opportunity to:

Heard fully onboard their trustees in a way that allows them to get an in depth understanding of the work Heard does.  Use your knowledge and skills to increase the impact of a charity that is committed to long term narrative change for society’s most pressing issues. Work with creative, forward-thinking and friendly people in an atmosphere of mutual support and learning. Meet like minded people, increase your own network, and get to witness our work with senior media professionals and campaigners in person. Play a crucial part in enabling a small innovative charity to grow strategically and sustainably. 

What are we looking for?

General responsibilities of trustees:

An understanding of and commitment to the values of Heard, and its vision and mission statements. Ensure the operational plan and budget reflect the agreed strategic direction and are appropriate. To hold the Chief Executive accountable for the achievement of agreed targets and provide them with regular, constructive feedback on both management and overall achievement. Support the CEO when requested, sharing expertise, as a member of a working group or in other appropriate ways. Agree the charity’s policies and ensure they will assist in the achievement of the strategic and operational plans. Ensure the charity has satisfactory financial control systems and procedures in place, and to review the level of risk annually. Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of Trusteeship and to reflect annually on the Board’s performance and your own performance as a Trustee. Attend quarterly Board meetings, read relevant papers and be prepared to make a contribution, working with fellow Board members as a team. Safeguard Heard’s reputation, and other intangible assets. Be prepared to act as a spokesperson for Heard, attending events as an ambassador for Heard, to network and promote the work of the organisation. Assist with fundraising by speaking, networking and otherwise seeking business development opportunities in conjunction with the CEO.

Personal specifications:

Enthusiasm, energy and time to commit to this role.  Practical experience of engaging with strategy and of helping to develop and grow an organisation.  An understanding of and commitment to the values of Heard, and its vision and mission statements. Influencing skills to bring ideas and opinions to staff, stakeholders and fellow trustees. Ability to analyse risks and opportunities and take a balanced approach to both. A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. A strong communicator, a team player, a collaborator. Sound, independent judgment and ability to think creatively. 

What difference will you make?

Heard is a charity working with people and the media to inspire content and communication that changes hearts and minds. We all know that being heard matters. On a fundamental level, good communication means being heard and feeling heard. And good communication is transformative. It can shift perspectives, and move conversations – and society – forward. Therefore, in a world that can feel loud, divided and awash with misunderstanding, our work is making sure we can hear each other. It’s about finding common ground on big, important issues. Connecting people. Growing understanding. Check out our core programmes focussed on issues such as climate change, poverty, domestic abuse, transgender experiences, migration and children’s palliative care. Our name also reflects how we centre and support people whose stories need to be heard at scale. You can read more about what we do at Heard on our website. Nina (current Co-chair) says “I know how challenging it can be to make a reality of narrative change, and I find it immensely rewarding to be a small part of Heard’s impactful storytelling work”.  We are committed to providing equal opportunities for everyone regardless of their background or age. We are particularly keen to receive applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic people; people with disabilities (visible and invisible, mental and physical); people who identify as being LGBTQ; and people who identify as working-class or have done so in the past.