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Voluntary
UK
Posted 3 weeks ago

About The Circle NGO

The Circle NGO is a unique and dynamic organisation which brings global feminists together to fight for the safety and equality of marginalised and vulnerable women around the world. Founded by singer-songwriter and activist, Annie Lennox, The Circle is a space for creative ideas, connections and the opportunity to make change.

The Circle funds and supports frontline grassroots women’s rights organisations, their partners, in some of the world’s most vulnerable countries. The organisation uses the collective voices of partners, changemakers and those with lived experience to advocate and strive for long-term structural change. Over the last 15 years, The Circle has supported over 1.4 million people directly on women’s rights in 31 countries and over 630,000 women directly through our partners. Every woman and ally who is part of The Circle’s global network is a changemaker uniting to make The Circle a unique home for impactful change.

Under our priority thematic areas of Economic Empowerment and Ending Violence Against Women, The Circle helps provide marginalised and vulnerable women and communities in Rwanda, South Sudan, Afghanistan, Kenya, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, Uganda, Sri Lanka, Middle East and UK with:

  • Safe spaces and refuges
  • Counselling and education
  • Awareness raising campaigns through radio
  • Domestic abuse support workers
  • Psychosocial and therapeutic support
  • Skills development to access employment
  • Mentoring
  • Support through the training of village advocates
  • Emergency Assistance
  • Training in the workplace
  • Workshops to understand their rights

Last year The Circle reached over 20 million people through their communications work including international media coverage on BBC Radio 4 Woman’s Hour, People.com, and Times Radio and partnerships with global platforms such as TikTok.

The Circle is at a pivotal moment in its history, moving from a start-up to a growing and ambitious organisation, with a strategy that speaks to transformational growth and impact. The Circle is now looking for a Chair with passion, profile and reach to guide and support this process.

Our Vision  

A future where there is safety for all women and girls.

Our Mission  

To economically empower and end violence against marginalised and vulnerable women across the world by building a network of Global Feminist changemakers who fund, advocate, amplify, connect and convene.

Additional Resources

The Role

Are you passionate about global women’s rights and would love to contribute to the cause? Do you believe in the difference you can make in the lives of marginalised and vulnerable women across the world? 

Embark on a journey of impact with us at The Circle! As we deliver our ambitious 5-year strategy, we’re seeking a visionary trustee to join our dedicated Board. We are looking for someone with boundless energy, unwavering commitment, and a wealth of expertise and an understanding of how to deliver a successful fundraising and philanthropic strategy. 

Your role will be pivotal as you lend your wisdom to advise and steer our organisation at the trustee level. Collaborating closely with our trustees, staff and a small but growing fundraising team, your guidance will propel us towards ambitious fundraising goals, taking The Circle to new levels of success and impact. 

You will understand how a small and growing charitable organisation with different income streams works, have a passion for global women’s rights, and most importantly, possess the right combination of high-level strategic insight, whilst being hands-on where needed with donors, supporters, partners, HNWI and events to help drive our growth.  

Person Specification

We are looking for a Global Feminist, who is a strategic, skilled and experienced fundraiser with an understanding of small-medium organisations, who will be a passionate advocate for the organisation and its grassroots partners, helping to drive growth and achieve future ambitions to support more women and girls globally.

The Circle is aiming to grow to £1m over the medium term which we know is a stretching target. We aim to allocate 50% of our income to women-led grassroots partners, focusing particularly on the global south and also some UK-based projects which align with our strategic objectives of ending violence against women and driving women’s economic empowerment.

As a trustee you will represent the organisation externally, broadening support and relationships with our corporate partners, philanthropic organisations, and individuals. Existing funders include a mix of trusts and foundations, HNWIs and corporate partners (including TikTok, L’Oréal Foundation, Universal Music and Movement for Good). There is good potential with HNWI audiences, corporate partnerships, events and an interest in exploring diaspora fundraising.

You will have sound experience in developing and delivering innovative engagement strategies and be experienced building a strong case for support. If you also have experience of building brand profile and communications strategies which support fundraising objectives and are able to guide our communications team it would be a great bonus.

You will have some experience of governance processes or similar, be confident in budgeting, identifying risk and ROIs relating to fundraising strategies. This trustee role will also sit on the finance and risk committee to lead the scrutiny of income streams and levels.

Qualifications

  • Strategic Thinking: Capacity and experience of developing and implementing strategic fundraising plans aligned with the organisation’s goals and long-term sustainability. 
  • Fundraising Expertise: A deep understanding and experience of market dynamics and diverse array of fundraising methodologies, in particular within global funds, philanthropy /HNWI’s, Corporate Partnerships and Special Events. A background in international development and/or women’s rights fundraising is helpful but not essential. 
  • Philanthropic Knowledge: Specialised knowledge of philanthropic trends, practices, and networks both in the UK and globally, with a focus on supporting feminist causes and organisations. 
  • Networking Skills: Ability to build and develop relationships with potential donors, philanthropic foundations, and corporate sponsors who share the organisation’s feminist values. 
  • Financial Acumen: Understanding of financial management principles, including budgeting and reporting of fundraising efforts, and fundraising strategic planning to ensure the effective allocation of resources and risk strategies. 
  • Advocacy and Persuasion: Ability to advocate for feminist causes persuasively, inspiring individual and institutional donors to support The Circle’s work through our grass root partners, compelling storytelling and data-driven arguments. 
  • Ethical Integrity: Commitment to upholding the highest ethical standards in fundraising  
  • Governance: An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of trusteeship. Experience as a previous trustee or similar role is desirable but not essential. We are committed to supporting you to develop new skills in your role as our Trustee, for you to take beyond your time with us. 
  • Collaboration & Teamwork: An ability to work effectively as a member of a team, demonstrating an approach which is collaborative and flexible. An ability to think creatively, challenge ways of thinking in a respectful and constructive manner. 
  • Values: A commitment to our values of empowerment, passion, innovation, respect and equality.  

Job Features

Job CategoryGeorge, Human Rights, Nicola
LocationUK based
SalaryThis is a voluntary position (unpaid)
Contract TypeTrustees normally serve an initial three-year term and this is sometimes then extended for a further three years to a maximum term of six years.
Closing Date14 April 2024

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Job Features

Job CategoryGeorge, Human Rights, Nicola
LocationUK based
SalaryThis is a voluntary position (unpaid)
Contract TypeTrustees normally serve an initial three-year term and this is sometimes then extended for a further three years to a maximum term of six years.
Closing Date14 April 2024

Apply Online