United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: Vice-Chair

DiA is a development education charity working to engage young people in global issues and to promote global citizenship in the UK. Our vision is that young people in the UK see themselves as global citizens. We do this through delivering youth workshops, hosting public events, providing an online platform for young people to engage with, and working with partners in India to offer a sustainable and responsible internship programme in India.

Development in Action (DiA) is seeking a new Vice Chair to work closely with the Char to lead our youth-and volunteer-led organisation – running since 1992. The role of Vice Chair is a great opportunity to develop leadership and management skills within a small and dynamic youth-focused organisation, committed to the young people involved in it and the organisations we we work with in India.

This is an exciting time to join DiA, as we are in the process of finalising a new strategy to guide our work for the next three years. We are looking for a highly motivated individual, committed to DiA’s mission and values and eager for a new challenge.

Responsibilities

DiA operates through a management committee of approximately 15 volunteers, working across four separate teams: India, UK, Communications and Fundraising. The Vice Chair is responsible for the efficient management, support and development of the management committee, and the organisation more broadly. The Vice-Chair works closely with the Chair to lead DiA closer to its vision and mission, and to ensure that committee teams deliver against the organisational strategy.

● Lead the implementation of Development in Action’s new three-year strategy, working closely with the Chair, across the committee.

● Manage, and support, two of the four Programme Managers (India, UK, Communications and Fundraising) to deliver their team objectives.

● Facilitate the planning, development and implementation of annual operations, setting direction through chairing regular committee meetings and focused workshop days.

● Monitor, with the finance team, the organisational budget and ensure financial procedures are in place and followed systematically across the committee.

● Develop and maintain a strong, positive organisational culture and ensure all activities meet with quality, health and safety and duty of care requirements.

● Communications and partnership development, this will include but is not limited to representing DiA at external events and responding to opportunities to build further external relationships.

● Identify and engage with individuals and organisations who share an affinity with DiA’s work.

Skills, Qualities and Experience

We expect applicants to meet most of what is listed here and some of the desirable – we recognise that not everyone meets everything! A university degree is not a requirement.

● Professional experience in the third sector.

● Proven organisational and coordination skills of project/programmes.

● Experience of partnership development and dealing with multiple stakeholders.

● Understanding of the debates and key issues around international volunteering.

● Commitment to importance of global citizenship in contemporary world.

● Ability to work with, and through, others to inspire them to deliver tasks and objectives.

● Clear thinker in fast-changing, and often time-sensitive, situations, with demonstrable decision-making skills.

● Excellent written and oral communication skills, including a familiarity of working remotely.

Desirable

● Experience in international development and/or the youth sector, specifically.

● At least 2 years’ experience, paid or otherwise, in the third sector and/or in a role with significant project/programme coordination responsibilities.

● Knowledge of DiA as an organisation and of our work and current discussions around youth engagement in international development.

Time commitment: Varied. On average: 12 hours/week including meetings, but varies between as little as 4 hours to as many as 18 hours. Weekend work required. We ask for a two-year commitment to the post (2016 – 2018).

Confirmed annual commitments

● AGM (September)

● Committee Induction Weekend (October)

● Committee meetings (every 4-6 weeks)

● Catch-up calls with programme managers (every 4 – 6 weeks, depending on committee meetings)

● 1 x recruitment weekend

● 1 x training weekend

The successful candidate will be offered full support in settling into the role, with face-to-face handover with the outgoing Vice Chair.