Board Director with legal expertise sought
(role includes chairing the Governance Board and Development sub-committee)
Expressions of interest are sought for a board director who is passionate about women’s rights and has strong legal expertise of the Irish context. This role also involves chairing the Governance Board and Development sub-committee.
ActionAid works with women and children who are excluded and live in poverty, as they take the lead in claiming their human rights, and changing systems in society that are unjust. The women in these communities take the lead – they decide their priorities, and we support them as they engage with the rest of their community and the wider power structures in society, to bring about change for the better that benefits the whole community. We also work together to hold governments and international institutions to account, campaigning side by side with women to achieve meaningful long-term change.
ActionAid Ireland’s strategy 2022-2027 is to create a just and caring world where women’s human rights are respected through addressing the structural causes of Gender Based Violence (GBV), promoting women’s leadership in humanitarian contexts and amplifying feminist alternatives on economic and climate justice, and effectively mobilise sustainable and diverse resources. ActionAid Ireland’s strategy also makes clear commitments to anti-racism, shifting power and decolonisation, embedding learning and evaluation and safeguarding. Human rights based approaches are at the heart of ActionAid’s work.
The ActionAid Board of Directors are responsible for setting and monitoring the strategic direction of the organisation, monitoring compliance, ensuring the efficient and effective use of resources and the establishment of policy.
ActionAid Ireland has achieved the “triple-lock” of good governance and reporting standards: the Board of Directors monitors compliance with the Charities Regulator Governance Code, the Statement of Guiding Principles for Fundraising and the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) under FRS102.
The role
Expertise of the Irish statutory and legal frameworks are essential for our governance and ensuring we follow and maintain the highest standards in compliance and oversight. We are seeking someone with a legal background to provide a legal perspective on a range of organisational issues, assisting on legal aspects of the organisation and ensuring we follow best practice.
The appointed person will also chair the Committee that focuses on Governance and Board Development. This sub-committee of the Board of ActionAid Ireland reports directly to the Board through the committee Chair. The Governance and Board Development Committee ensures governance policies and the Governance Handbook are reviewed, ensures compliance with the Charities Regulatory Governance Code, provides oversight of the annual ActionAid International assurance process, ensures timely recruitment, selection and induction of new members, including the ActionAid International board representative, and managing the exits/debriefing of outgoing Members, ensures board self-assessments and a CEO annual review occurs.
No remuneration is paid to Directors for their services on the Board. Directly incurred expenses are reimbursed if claimed.
Directors need to believe in and share both ActionAid Ireland’s and ActionAid International’s values, vision, mission and strategy, should be able to work at a governance or policy-making level, and have demonstrated the ability to function effectively as part of a diverse strategic group.
Application process
Interested parties should submit a CV and statement of interest to CEO, Karol Balfe, karol.balfe@actionaid.org by 24th July 2023.
Consultant to develop a growth strategy for philanthropy, trusts and foundations and institutional
ActionAid Ireland is seeking a consultant to develop a growth strategy for philanthropy, trusts and foundations and institutional giving for the organisation. The consultant will work for approximately 10-15 days, completing the strategy by October 2023.
The scope of the consultancy is to look at three key areas:
a. Scoping of European and international opportunities for programmatic work in the Global South.
b. Scoping and assessment of institutional and trusts and foundations for our programmatic and advocacy work in Ireland.
c. Financial assessment of the investment needed and potential growth expected.
The outputs of this consultancy are, in consultation with Head of Programmes, CEO and others within ActionAid where necessary, to:
- Conduct a thorough mapping of institutional and philanthropic donors (including trusts and foundations) in Ireland, Europe and internationally that are relevant to ActionAid Ireland, strategically aligned and where we are eligible for funding (including within the Federation framework).
- Produce a report with recommendations (drawing on analysis of key questions identified in consultation with ActionAid Ireland) with a roadmap outlining the short and long-term steps to be taken by ActionAid Ireland.
- Provide financial projections on the level of investment required and likely return over a five year period.
The preferred candidate for this consultancy will have:
- Significant and proven experience in supporting organisations to grow their profile and success rate with philanthropic and institutional donors.
- Experience in securing or mapping funding for women’s rights and feminist movements working on transformative change.
- Excellent knowledge of the funding landscape within Europe, internationally.
- Experience of working with institutional donors and trusts and foundations.
- Excellent understanding of human rights based approaches and the areas outlined in the ActionAid Ireland strategy.
- Ideally knowledge of funding within Ireland for programming, research and learning and policy and advocacy.
The closing date for submitting expressions of interest is COB on 21st August 2023. Please submit your applications to grainne.kilcullen@actionaid.org by 21st August 2023. The successful applicant will be appointed by August 25th. For further information and details on the tender requirements please see the Terms of Reference.
Feminist Leadership
Our transformative vision of a just world free from poverty, oppression and patriarchy requires transformative feminist leaders: leaders who enable others to lead, building power with them instead of over them. To develop this approach, we have adopted a set of feminist leadership principles.
We are embracing feminist principles not only because they are consistent with what we do, but also because we know that they are vital to the success of our mission.
We embody these feminist principles through our behaviour in all aspects of our work and our workplace culture, while acknowledging that this is a journey of continual improvement. Read more here.
Sign up to our Newsletter
Stay up-to-date on ActionAid’s innovative programmes, get news on global social justice issues, and find out how you can get involved.