The Organisation

Victim Support is an independent charity. We are dedicated to supporting people affected by crime and traumatic incidents in England and Wales, and we put them at the heart of our organisation. Our support and campaigns are informed and shaped by them and their experiences.
We provide specialist services to help people manage after crime and to empower them to ensure their voices are heard individually and collectively at a local and national level.
Our services help people affected by all types of crime and we provide free confidential support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for people affected by crime and traumatic events — regardless of whether they have reported the crime to the police or when it occurred.
Most of our services are delivered locally through skilled staff and volunteers who are deeply rooted in their communities. We adapt our services to meet local need and pride ourselves on being responsive to local demands. These services are closely linked into the National Homicide Service providing a dedicated, comprehensive service for those bereaved by murder and manslaughter and our national Supportline.
We are an independent charity, and our unrivalled national overview gives us the ability to share best practice and innovate in our services as well as champion victims’ rights from a strong evidence base.

The Role

The role of the Chair is, in addition to sitting as a trustee, to provide leadership and direction to the Charity’s Board, guiding and supporting Trustees in fulfilling their responsibilities for the overall governance and strategic direction of the organisation. This includes strategic planning; risk/opportunity management; ensuring that the Board operates within its charitable objectives; adhering to the Articles of Association; and ensuring the sound financial health of the charity, with systems in place to ensure financial accountability.

Person specification

• Have a strong commitment to the work of VS.
• Good, independent judgement.
• Support relationships between Board and the Chief Executive and senior leadership team, including mentoring and constructive challenge.
• An ability to think creatively.
• A willingness to speak your mind, but listen with respect to the views of others.
• Our Chair will need to:
• Lead the Board of Directors to ensure that Victim Support is an effective charity that delivers support for victims and brings change through their voice.
• Chair meetings effectively, promoting a transparent and open culture while ensuring that clear decisions are reached and appropriately recorded.
• Meet regularly with the CEO and support, motivate and constructively challenge them including leading their annual performance appraisal.
• Have a sound understanding of the obligations of acting as a Trustee.
• Review board structures, skills and committees.
• Act as ambassador for the cause and the Charity, representing the charity (where appropriate) at key meetings and events.
• Be able to drive awareness of the charity to relevant stakeholders, including the public, relevant government departments and the wider victim support sector.

Please download the Candidate Information Pack for further information.

How to Apply

If you would like to apply for this fantastic opportunity, please provide the following with your application:

• An up to date CV, no longer than two A4 pages with details of two referees (we will not contact them without your prior permission).
• A supporting statement, no longer than two A4 pages which address: a)  how your skills, experience and personal qualities meet our requirements; b) demonstrate an understanding of risks and opportunities facing the charity and c) your thoughts on how you would support the charity to implement its five year strategy.

All applications should be sent to applications@trustees-unlimited.co.uk with your full name and Victim Support in the subject heading.

If you have any difficulty uploading your application or if you would like to have an informal and confidential discussion about the role, alternatively please contact Melissa Baxter:
melissa.baxter@russam.co.uk | 07789 985 229

Closing date for applications: Monday 2nd September 2024
Interviews with Victim Support: Thursday 19th and Friday 20th September with an opportunity to meet key stakeholders during the previous week.
VS may also wish to hold second interviews.

While not essential, we particularly encourage applications from individuals who are currently underrepresented on our Board, including those from LGBTQ+ communities, diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, and people with disabilities.

We look forward to receiving your application.