Oxfam - Trustee

TRUSTEE OF OXFAM GREAT BRITAIN Appointment Brief June 2021 Appointment Brief | June 2021

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ABOUT OXFAM Oxfam is a global movement of millions of people who share the belief that, in a world rich in resources, poverty isn’t inevitable. Oxfam GB has launched a new strategy working for a world where everyone has the power to thrive, not just survive, and tackling the biggest challenges that perpetuate poverty. We’re radically shifting resources and power to those we are here to serve - and ensuring that everything we do is safe, feminist and anti-racist.

Oxfam GB is a member of the international confederation Oxfam, working together with partners and local communities in 65 countries around the world in the areas of humanitarian, development and campaigning.

Oxfam is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people, adults and beneficiaries with whom Oxfam GB engages. Oxfam expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.

Find out about everything we do here: http://www.oxfam.org.uk/what-we-do

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OXFAM | TRUSTEE

Appointment Brief | June 2021

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THE TRUSTEE ROLE

Oxfam GB is led by its Board of 12 Trustees, who are responsible for overall governance and strategic direction. Being an Oxfam GB Trustee is an influential and valuable role and you will make an important contribution to our current work and future direction - in particular you will support us to implement Oxfam GB’s strategy for 2020 onwards as outlined above.

This includes a change process in countries and regions to create a stronger, more globally coordinated Oxfam in support of the wider Oxfam Confederation strategy and reforms.

We are looking for at least two new Trustees.

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All Trustees need to demonstrate a commitment to Oxfam’s vision and values and ideally at least one of our new Trustees will be based in, or have significant links to, the Global South or will have spent a significant part of their recent life there. One Trustee will support the work of the Board and its Programme Committee by bringing experience and insights which will help guide and inform our international advocacy and campaigning priorities. Ideally this will include contemporary skills in the application of digital technology in advocacy and campaigning.

Another new Trustee will have significant experience in the workings of the UK political environment to support us in better engaging with Government and officials.

PERSON SPECIFICATION The knowledge and skills we’ve listed below represent “the perfect candidate”. No one is perfect so please do not be deterred if you do not fulfil every line. We are looking for individuals committed to Oxfam’s values and able to fulfil the overall brief.

Required Attributes • Proven track record of successfully

Required Knowledge and Skills • An ability to contribute significantly to

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the work of the Trustees, particularly through the application of relevant senior management or practitioner expertise.

Understanding of the role of a Trustee and how Trustees can interact with Oxfam’s executive Strategic Leadership Team to best effect.

Experience of operating strategically at a board level or of leadership and management of organisations and networks.

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implementing and overseeing effective policies and processes, driving accountability throughout an organisation or otherwise bringing change.

Strong leadership skills, with the ability to motivate staff and volunteers and bring people together.

A demonstrable commitment to Oxfam’s aims, values and work.

Credibility in your sphere of work and personal gravitas to help lead a major charitable organisation to deliver sustainable progress towards a bold mission and to live its values.

Strong inter-personal and relationshipbuilding abilities.

And either:

PROFILE 1: • A track record of success in influencing the policies or priorities of governments and/or global corporates on issues relating to social or environmental progress.

• A good understanding of the political forces influencing the international institutions and forums through which these debates happen, with a strong network of senior contacts.

• Preferably, contemporary skills in the application of digital technology in advocacy and campaigning.

OR, PROFILE 2: • A track record of success in influencing the policies or priorities of the UK government on international issues.

• A good understanding of how the current political processes operate, with a strong network of senior contacts.

In addition, all shortlisted candidates will be assessed at interview on fit with our organisational values and key organisational attributes.

Appointment Brief | June 2021

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TIME COMMITMENT AND OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU Your minimum commitment in an average year is likely to be about 10 to 15 days (including pre-reading), of which 10 would be on fixed dates, planned well in advance. We encourage active participation and Trustees often choose to give more time. The initial term of office is for 3 years, with the potential to be reappointed for a further 3 years.

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We’d ideally like our new Trustees to join the Board this October (attending your first Board meeting on 6-7 October). In your first few months you should allow for 2 or 3 additional days for induction (including meeting the members of Oxfam’s Strategic Leadership Team).

There are four Board meetings a year, usually in Oxford, UK. We also hold a Strategy Away Day (in practice, a day and a half) in the UK once each year.

In addition, we ask Trustees to visit an Oxfam programme internationally once every 3 years.

This is an unpaid role but expenses (such as for travel and childcare) are paid for attendance at Board and Committee meetings and other Trustee activities, in accordance with our expenses policy. Some employers encourage and enable trusteeship as part of wider career development and corporate social responsibility.

Trustees are usually expected to participate in one of the Board Committees and in occasional stakeholder events, and to be available to support management with advice as needed.

We’ll give you a full induction and ongoing development, including sessions at every Board meeting about our work and the Trustee role. An experienced Oxfam Trustee will be your mentor for your first year.

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Appointment Brief | June 2021

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How to Apply Please forward a CV together with a supporting statement (maximum two pages of A4). Please ensure that you have included mobile, work and home telephone numbers, as well as any dates when you will not be available or might have difficulty with the recruitment timetable.

At Prospectus we believe passionately that a truly inclusive workplace leads to increased social impact. We are committed to supporting our clients build more inclusive teams. To understand how we are performing, we ask that you kindly complete the brief equal opportunities questionnaire when you submit your application via our website.

Please be assured that your responses are kept confidential, separate from your candidate record, are not part of any application you make, and that the consultants never see individual responses to the questionnaire.

Applications should be made via the Prospectus website: jobs.prospect-us.co.uk/jobs/details/HQ00178650

TIMETABLE Closing date: 5pm GMT 28 June.

Candidates will be informed of the outcome by 14 July.

Interviews: 19 or 20 July in Oxford (if Covid restrictions allow) or (if candidate is overseas or Covid restrictions require) by Zoom.

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QUERIES If you would like to have an informal discussion about the opportunity, please contact our retained advisors Borge Andreassen and Joan Mwangi at Prospectus on +44 (0)20 7691 1920, or email: borge.andreassen@prospect-us.co.uk joan.mwangi@prospect-us.co.uk

Oxfam is a Disability Confident Employer. Should you be unable to submit your application online and would prefer an alternative method please contact us.

Appointment Brief | June 2021

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