We are looking for two Trustees to support our life-changing work
BSL translation video
Our work at RNID
1 in every 5 people in the UK is deaf or has hearing loss, and 1 in 8 has tinnitus. That’s 12 million people.
It’s an often invisible issue that affects relationships, education, job prospects and health, leading to isolation and depression. Depending on the severity of your hearing loss, you are also between 2 and 5 times more likely to develop dementia.
There is still a stigma around being deaf. Right now, society doesn’t understand the challenge or know how to react.
We want to change that. We want to be a voice for change to create a transformational impact on 12 million lives and to power the research that will touch countless lives. Find out more about our history and the work we do.
Why we’re looking for new Trustees
RNID has recently undergone a major strategic change programme to ensure that we use our resources effectively to reach and impact the lives of as many people as possible. We need new skills, experience and insight on the Board of Trustees to drive forward our transformed charity.
We’ve been on a journey from being an organisation focused on local provision of care and other support services, towards being an organisation focused on achieving impact at scale in wider society.
RNID is creating a radically different culture which is externally focused and curious; evidence-based and deliberate; agile and future orientated. All of our people are learning to work in much more integrated, digital and adaptive ways, encouraging the greatest personal contribution and impact.
It’s an exciting time to join our charity and help us to achieve real and lasting impact.
We’re looking for people with skills in one or more of these areas
Organisational and cultural development
We are seeking a Trustee who has extensive leadership experience who can inform, challenge and support our organisational values, culture, people policies and performance frameworks. We are keen to attract an individual who has experience in dealing with a range of strategic people issues.
Safeguarding
Over the past 18 months, RNID has done a great deal to successfully develop and implement a new organisation-wide safeguarding approach. The Board is committed to this and intends to build further on this foundation. We are seeking a Trustee with senior safeguarding experience to supplement the existing capability of the Board. The role will be an important member of the Audit Committee, which provides scrutiny and guidance to the Executive and the Board. Experience in designing, implementing and overseeing digital safeguarding practices is required.
Income generation
Our new strategy gives us an opportunity to develop a sustainable fundraising programme for the future. Historically, RNID has a strong legacy programme. Alongside this we are building a new approach to mass market, digitally enabled fundraising, and a high value programme to support our four new strategic programmes in inclusion, health, employment and research. We are keen to attract a Trustee candidate with experience and understanding of a broad range of fundraising approaches and great networks to help challenge and strengthen this work.
The role of Trustees
Trustees play a fundamentally important role in any charity and hold ultimate legal responsibility for the organisation. Among other things, they set the strategic direction of RNID, ensure the charity is acting responsibly and in the best interests of our beneficiaries and hold the Executive to account in the management of the organisation. They are asked to bring their skills, experience and knowledge to their role.
The key responsibilities are:
- To ensure RNIDs’ activities are within the law, its charitable objectives and governing documents.
- To determine and work towards achieving RNID’s mission and purpose and to guard RNID’s ethos and values.
- To approve RNID’s organisational strategy.
- To approve the annual budget and plan and monitor financial and strategic performance.
- To support RNID’s fundraising and income generation efforts.
- To ensure that RNIDs’ properties, assets and other resources are protected and managed effectively.
- To support the Chief Executive in achieving RNIDs’ mission and to review his or her performance.
- To be able to work as a member of a team and be willing to take collective responsibility for the governance of RNID.
- To be willing to devote the necessary time and effort to perform the duties of a Trustee, showing long term commitment to RNID and its offering.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the role of a Trustee/non-executive director, have sound independent judgement, strategic vision and the ability to think creatively.
We are committed to increasing the diversity of our Board and we do not wish these requirements to be barriers to that objective. Where any of these skills are not in place, we will work with the right candidates to train and induct them into the role. We believe that the role of Trustee not only supports the charity, but will also allow candidates to gain valuable skills that can be used to further your career.
Communication support
We are fully committed to providing any communication support and other adjustments to allow our Trustees to participate fully in the work of the Board.
Diversity and inclusion
RNID is committed to diversity and inclusion. We welcome all applications and the Board is particularly keen to attract candidates who are younger, from a broad range of ethnic backgrounds, and/or with lived experience of being deaf, having hearing loss or tinnitus. As a UK charity, we also actively seek applications from across all nations and we will accommodate geographical diversity to ensure access and engagement.
Time commitment
Being a Trustee takes about 10 to 15 days each year. Trustees are expected to attend all Board meetings, which are held on average 4 times a year, during normal office hours and usually last the whole day.
Trustees are also usually appointed to one of the Board’s committees, which would involve 4 further meetings (one each quarter), which each last half a day.
In addition to attending meetings, Trustees are also required to read papers and prepare for meetings.
There will be a small number of additional meetings each year, such as away days and occasional social events. Trustees are expected to actively support our strategy which might include meeting with partner organisations, attending workshops or assisting with our fundraising.
Voluntary role
This is a voluntary position but we will cover expenses for things like travel.
How to apply
Trustees at RNID are put forward for election by our 9,000 Members following a robust recruitment exercise led by the Board.
We expect interviews to take place in late March 2022 and the final appointments to be made in May 2022.
Send a written application
Send your CV and a cover letter explaining why you are interested in the role and what skills and experiences you offer to: [email protected] by 5pm on Friday 11 March 2022.
Apply in BSL
If you wish to apply in BSL, send a video up to 5 minutes long, explaining why you are interested in the role and what skills and experiences you offer to: [email protected] by 5pm on Friday 11 March 2022.
If you have any questions about the application process or need any more information please contact [email protected].