Riding for the Disabled Association UK (RDA) is looking for up to three new trustees to join its board. At least one will be an elected member of the Board i.e. nominated by a member group of the RDA and one will be a Senior Independent Director (SID) who will work closely with the Chair of Trustees, the Board and the CEO.
At RDA, our horses benefit the lives of disabled children and adults. With fun activities like riding and carriage driving, we provide therapy, fitness, skills development and opportunities for achievement – all supported by 14,000 amazing volunteers and qualified coaches at 432 RDA groups and commercial centres all over the UK.
RDA is an inclusive and diverse organisation. We welcome clients with physical and learning disabilities and autism, and there are no age restrictions. Through our network of member groups, RDA is at work in every corner of the UK, in our cities and remote rural areas, bringing the therapy, achievement and fun of horses to as many people as we can.
Key details:
Job title: Trustees x3 (including 1 SID)
Location: Lowlands Equestrian Centre, Old Warwick Road, Shrewley, CV35 7AX
Salary: Trustee positions at the RDA are voluntary. Agreed expenses are reimbursed.
Term of office: 3 year term renewable for up to 3 terms.
Experience
We are looking for candidates who have significant experience in at least one of the following areas:
• Advocacy and policy work in the areas of disability, accessibility, equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Coaching and Education – Practice, Programming and Policy. This experience will have been gained either in RDA or in another sector or organisation.
• Statutory funding, Local Authority commissioning/social prescribing.
• Human Resources strategy and planning in a medium to large organisation.
• Digital transformation – experience in implementing new processes, systems and operating practices in a medium to large organisation.
• Operating at a senior strategic leadership level within a medium to large organisation.
• Charity governance and working with or as part of a Board of Trustees.
For the SID position RDA is seeking someone who will take on extra responsibilities such as chairing the Board in the absence of the Chair; establishing and building an effective and strong working relationship with the Chief Executive; and provide support to the Chair to enable the Board to fulfil its responsibilities for the overall governance and strategic direction of the organisation.
Candidates should:
• Demonstrate a strong and visible passion and commitment to RDA, its strategic objectives and cause.
• Exhibit strong relationship building abilities and be comfortable in an ambassadorial role.
• Demonstrate tact and diplomacy, with the ability to listen and engage effectively.
• Demonstrate an ability to foster and promote a collaborative team environment.
• Have a good understanding of charity governance matters and of risk management and financial controls (essential for the SID position)
Time Commitment
• 4 Board meetings per year. In addition, Trustees will be asked to join one of RDA’s sub-committees.
• All trustees are expected to attend key RDA events and visit RDA groups from time to time.
• The SID is also expected to have regular meetings with the Chair and Chief Executive.
• It is expected that the trustee role will require working on average 3 days per month.
Closing date for applications: 9am, Tuesday 31st January 2023.
• If you would like to receive an Information Pack on how to apply, please send a CV in confidence to our consultant Nick Shanks at nick.shanks@harrishill.co.uk
• For an informal and confidential conversation about either position, please contact Nick at the above address with your contact details, and suitable times to chat.
• Please note: responding to this advertisement will not in itself be considered an application. We will need a CV and a supporting statement addressing the full person specification in the information pack.
Both RDA and Harris Hill operate an equal opportunity policy and commit to treating all of our candidates and jobseekers fairly. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.
