Title: Chair of Trustees
Term: Three years, renewable for a second term of three years
Location: The Executive Director and the majority of support functions are based in London. Board meetings are held in a hybrid format, in person in London and online. We aim to have one meeting a year that all trustees attend. Sub-committee meetings are online and/or in a hybrid format.
Time commitment: 25 days per year
Responsible to: Board of Trustees
Responsible for: Line management of the Executive Director
We seek to set the Board meeting dates on a rolling 12-month basis.
About Conciliation Resources
Conciliation Resources is an international organisation committed to stopping violent conflict and creating more peaceful societies. Since 1994 we have worked with people impacted by war and violence, bringing diverse voices together to make change that lasts. We connect the views of people living and working amidst conflict with political processes, and share experience and expertise so others can find creative responses to conflict. Our work is based on reciprocal partnerships with outstanding and committed individuals and organisations. We work with over 80 local and international partners, which include peacebuilding NGOs, women’s organisations, government agencies, academic institutions, journalists, private companies and networks.
Purpose
• Provide effective leadership, direction and governance of the Board of Trustees, enabling them to fulfil their responsibilities for the overall governance and strategic development of the charity.
• Work with the Executive Director, Trustees and external contacts to further Conciliation Resources’ success, ensuring the organisation is compliant with regulatory, Charity Commission and financial reporting requirements as well as our Vision, Mission and Values.
• Convene Board meetings and set the agenda in partnership with the Executive Director.
• Ensure that the organisation has a strong basis for building external relationships and leveraging influence to advance the organisation.
Governance
• Ensure that the approved values and mission of the organisation are upheld in all the decisions and decision-making processes of the Board.
• Ensure that the performance of the Board and the Trustees is reviewed on an annual basis.
• Build a collegial and cohesive Board culture ensuring clarity of purpose, accountability and effectiveness and support the Trustees in maximising their contribution.
• Ensure that the Board has the appropriate diversity and range of knowledge, skills and experience to support the organisation.
• Plan and facilitate Board meetings, appoint the Chairs of the sub-committees and ensure that Board decisions are carried out.
• Work with the Risk and Audit Committee Chair to scrutinise annual budgets and audit reports to ensure the charity is meeting all legal and fiduciary obligations.
• Ensure that safeguarding is prioritised in organisational culture, policy and practice, supporting the Keeping People Safe Committee and its Chair.
Strategic Leadership
• Lead the Board, and in partnership with the Executive Director and the Executive Management Team, guide the strategic development of the charity.
• Ensure the Board has a shared understanding of the organisation’s vision and participates in any reviews of the vision, as well as an understanding of the external environment and the charity’s risks and opportunities.
• Ensure that Conciliation Resources’ progress towards achieving its strategic and annual goals is reviewed regularly.
• Ensure that the Board, through the Risk Audit Committee, regularly reviews major risks and associated opportunities and satisfies itself that systems are in place to take advantage of opportunities and manage and mitigate the risks.
• Represent Conciliation Resources at events and meetings, actively encouraging and contributing to our growing network of supporters.
• Ensure that the Board of Trustees promotes the work of Conciliation Resources to their own networks within private and public sector organisations to ensure the continued growth and success of the charity.
• Offer advice and assistance to raise, establish and maintain Conciliation Resources’ profile.
Relationship with the Executive Director
• Be a trusted advisor to the Executive Director, serving as a regular sounding board, providing guidance, support and constructive challenge.
• Annually appraise the performance of the Executive Director drawing on feedback from Trustees and staff.
• Support effective communication between the Board, the Executive Management Team and staff.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Knowledge, Skills and Expertise
Our new Chair will be a resilient, empathetic and self-confident leader.
Essential
• Commitment to the charity’s objectives, aims and values and a willingness to devote time to carry out responsibilities of the role.
• Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of Trusteeship.
• Strategic and forward-looking vision in relation to the charity’s objectives and aims.
• Integrity and an ability to exercise sound, independent judgement, political impartiality and the ability to think creatively in the context of the organisation and external environment.
• A global perspective – knowledge and experience of work in the international arena.
• Ability to support, challenge, act as a professional mentor to the Executive Director.
• Self-aware, emotionally intelligent, strong interpersonal and diplomatic skills.
• Awareness of inclusive and transparent processes for considered and informed decision making.
• Experience of working with teams and leaders from different perspectives and cultural backgrounds.
Desirable
• Prior experience as Chair of a Board.
• Knowledge of peacebuilding or international development.
• Networking capabilities and connections to networks that could support Conciliation Resources.
• Some experience of charity finance and charity fundraising.
WHAT DOES CONCILIATION RESOURCES OFFER?
Becoming Chair of the Board of Conciliation Resources gives you the opportunity to work with highly talented individuals experienced in their respective areas of work who are passionate about making a difference in the peacebuilding field.
Remuneration: the role of Chair is not accompanied by any financial remuneration, although expenses for travel may be claimed.
Biographies of all our current staff can be found at www.c-r.org/about/staff. Biographies of our current
Board members can be found at www.c-r.org/landing-page/our-trustees.
How to apply
HOW TO APPLY
To apply to be the next Chair of Conciliation Resources, please provide the following:
• A letter of interest explaining your motivation for applying, your interest in the role and how you meet the requirements for the position of Chair. This should be a maximum of 2 sides of A4.
• An up-to-date CV.
All the above should be emailed to recruitment@c-r.org clearly marked “Chair Application” in the subject line.
All applications will be acknowledged and will be reviewed on an on-going basis by members of the Board Nominations Committee.
The closing date for applications is 30 June 2026.
Specific interview dates will be shared separately with shortlisted candidates, the goal is for the new Chair to join the Board at the start of 2027.
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Myriam Al Khalil (mkhalil@c-r.org) who will make the arrangements.
Download for this role: Board Chair Appointment Brief