Who we are
We enable escaped North Korean people to heal, grow, and live the lives they choose.
The role
SEEKING: Trustees
Connect: North Korea is a UK-based organisation with a global aim: enabling every person who escaped the oppression of North Korea, to heal, grow, and live the life they choose through holistic support programmes. We were established in 2018 to address the complex challenges North Koreans face in building new lives once they’ve escaped the oppressive North Korean regime and reached safety in a free country.
To date, Connect: North Korea has shared a board with Korea Future, our sister charity. A decision to have completely separate boards was made by the trustees in July 2023. We are now seeking a whole new board of trustees with the time and dedication to help Connect: North Korea continue our growth from a small community start-up into a high-impact, well-renowned, and sustainable international organisation. You will be key to helping us to drive change for North Korean escapees.
This is a unique opportunity to be involved in the creation of a fresh and dynamic board of trustees. As part of a tightly-knit and ambitious team, you will be responsible for our governance, provide strategic advice and support for our senior management team, and be actively involved in building our networks, being a spokesperson and ambassador for our work in relevant contexts, and in helping us raise the vital funds we need to meet our mission. Individuals are sought who have a strong empathy with our work and vision and share our values and commitment to social and racial justice.
JOB DESCRIPTION
POSITION: Trustees
LOCATION: Remote/ 120B Malden Road, New Malden, KT3 6DD
We usually hold board meetings online, but this is open to change.
COMMITMENT: 2 – 3 hours per month.
Our Board meets every quarter for 2 hours though there is expected support between meetings. We hold one annual away day we expect trustees to attend. All trustees join one of our subcommittees – Communications/Fundraising, Programmes, and Finance and Risk – which also meet every quarter for around 2 hours. Our terms are capped at 3 years with potential for renewal for one additional term.
We are seeking trustees with any of the following backgrounds:
● Academia (particularly connected to refugee (mental and physical) health/social welfare/education and/or international human rights law or international refugee law)
● Academia or the refugee non-profit sector with experience of offering international scholarships.
● Fundraising (Community Fundraising and/or Major Donor)
● Communications (PR, Social Media)
● Government and Stakeholder Outreach
● Risk Management
● Legal (international human rights law, international refugee law)
● Regulatory compliance (ideally charity law)
● Programme Design, Development, Learning, Monitoring, and Evaluation within the Refugee Sector
● Finance
● Commercial/merchandise experience in the charity sector
We are particularly keen to hear from people with experience of strategic development and execution.
RESPONSIBILITIES
● Work in a cooperative manner to ensure good decision-making and governance, ensuring that we act in accordance with our constitution, governance framework, and applicable legislation.
● Support and advise the senior management team on strategy, vision, direction and management of the charity
● Be a spokesperson and ambassador for Connect: North Korea in relevant contexts.
● Be actively involved in building our networks in order that we can fundraise the vital funds we need to meet our mission.
● Engage and participate in board and subcommittee meetings.
● Ensure that there are effective financial management processes in place and that the charity is financially sustainable.
● Work with the senior management team to set and monitor organisational/risk KPIs.
● Raise awareness of our organisation and fundraising projects though personal and professional networks.
ESSENTIAL SKILLS
● Minimum of 5 years of experience in the professions listed above.
● Well-networked and exhibit strong interpersonal and relationship building abilities and be comfortable in an ambassadorial role
● Excellent communication and teamwork skills with proven ability to foster and promote a collaborative team environment
● Must align with our values and have proven understanding of the issues facing refugees and asylum-seekers.
● Be able to make difficult decisions, handle conflicts and be able to balance competing interests
● Experience of governance of a charity or public sector organisation with a good understanding of charity finance and governance issues.
● Have a strong network of contacts and be able to raise funds and raise awareness about our work
● Have the ability to think strategically and be able to work effectively with the organisation’s senior management team, staff and volunteers.
DESIRED EXPERIENCE
● Lived experience of migration or of a refugee background is highly desirable.
● Korean speaker
● Be actively engaged in refugee and migrant rights, social change, and/or a related field
HOW TO APPLY
Please send a CV and cover letter for the attention of Michael Glendinning, CEO.
Applications close at 11.59pm,31st December.
Interviews will take place on a rolling basis.
