Appointment of Chair

April 2020

Dear Candidate,

On behalf of the Board Nominations Committee, I am delighted that you’re interested in applying to Chair

the Board of the International Rescue Committee UK (IRC-UK). Thank you for your interest at this critical

time.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to

restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing and power to people devastated by conflict and

disaster. IRC-UK plays a crucial role in attracting and managing our government and private funding,

driving policy change and raising awareness of the needs of our clients.

Last year, global humanitarian needs reached an all-time high and 70 million people were forced to flee

their homes due to conflict and persecution. Already living in incredibly tough circumstances, these same

people are now being hit hardest by Coronavirus. Having responded to previous health crises including

the Ebola outbreaks in West Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo, the IRC is now doing everything

we can to prevent the spread and care for victims of the virus.

As a Board, our primary focus is on growing and improving the support that our clients receive. We are

determined to make the greatest difference that we can while ensuring effective governance.

We are fortunate to have a highly skilled executive team to work with. We work with IRC-UK’s leaders in

fundraising, political and government influencing, profile-raising and technical oversight of programmes

in the UK. We also work with leaders across the IRC network who are responsible for delivery of our

programmes, whether that’s crisis response in Syria or managing refugee arrivals in Greece.

Of course, we cannot deliver for our clients unless we hold the executive team to account for delivering

against IRC-UK’s mission and governing the charity effectively. We therefore also take very seriously IRC-

UK’s financial planning and management, our risk management and the safety of our staff and clients.

As a Chair, you are expected to bring not just your skills and expertise but also ambition and creativity.

This is a challenging time for IRC-UK, and for our peers in the humanitarian and development sector, but

as ever with these challenges come opportunities that we are determined to find.

IRC-UK has great potential to continue to grow and thrive in service of our clients, building on strong

foundations, and we are looking forward to having a new Chair in place to achieve just that.

Yours, Kathryn

Kathryn Ludlow, Trustee IRC UK

ABOUT IRC The IRC’s mission is to help people whose lives and livelihoods have been shattered by conflict and disaster

to survive, recover and regain control of their futures. We serve people in crisis across the globe who have

fled their homes or remained resilient in their communities. Our vision is to lead the humanitarian field

by implementing high-impact, cost-effective programmes for people affected by crisis, and by using our

experience to shape policy and push for change from a local to global level.

In a time of great strain on the humanitarian system, when a record number of people have been forced

to flee their homes, the International Rescue Committee’s work is needed more than ever. As governments

around the world turn their backs on refugees and displaced people, the IRC’s mission to help those whose

lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster has not wavered.

In over 40 countries, the IRC is providing vital services such as responding to urgent health needs like

malnutrition, educating vulnerable displaced children, and training female refugees to help them rebuild

their livelihoods and their futures.

Take, for example, the escalating violence in Idlib, Syria, which has forced hundreds of thousands of people

to flee their homes. It is estimated that if the violence escalates in 2020, the number of displaced people

inside Idlib could be pushed to over one million. The IRC’s teams are there to provide vital support like

cash grants and healthcare. We have issued urgent calls for an immediate ceasefire, and for all parties to

the conflict to commit to the United Nations peace process and abide by their obligations under

international humanitarian law.

In Yemen, intense fighting in Al Dhale’e and concerns over the safety of staff and clients using our services

forced the IRC to temporarily relocate a number of activities including mobile health clinics, cholera

treatment, education and livelihoods support. Despite the challenges, the IRC reaches more than 21,000

people in Yemen each week. In capitals across Europe and in the United States, we have repeatedly called

for a political settlement to end the violence and a nationwide ceasefire.

We could not respond to humanitarian crises like these without our generous funders. Our government

donors like the Department for International Development (DFID) help us save lives. Alongside this, our

growing number of corporate and foundation partners play a vital role not just in funding our work, but

in delivering it alongside us. Our partnership with the Citi Foundation, for example, sees young people in

Africa and the Middle East acquiring business skills that are transforming their lives.

The LEGO Foundation has just awarded the IRC an incredibly generous grant to promote early learning

solutions for pre-primary and primary school-aged children impacted by the humanitarian crises in East

Africa. This major initiative, called PlayMatters, will deliver play-based learning to children, strengthening

their resilience, and building their social, emotional, cognitive, physical and creative skills.

The support of our high-profile and determined

advocates is also crucial.

Recently, the IRC announced that the Prince of

Wales has become the IRC’s first UK Patron, and

we are deeply grateful for his support. His Royal

Highness has a longstanding interest in the IRC’s

work and previously visited an IRC project in

Berlin offering female refugees vocational

training courses.

The Business Refugee Action Network (BRAN)

brings together European businesses to train,

hire and stand up for refugees. At the first ever

Global Refugee Forum in Geneva in 2019, the

network lobbied for the private sector to commit

to sustainable policies that ensure refugees are

given the chance to rebuild their lives.

As part of the IRC’s World Refugee Day activations, the IRC collaborated with all four Tate galleries across

the UK as well as the V&A to highlight the work of artists forced to flee their homes. Together we celebrated

the contributions refugees have made to the arts and what we stand to lose if refugees lose our support.

PRIORITY CRISES:

The conflict in Yemen, has resulted in the world’s worst

humanitarian crisis. More than 24 million people are in need of

humanitarian assistance, the economic situation remains dire

and the country is once again teetering on the brink of famine.

YEMEN

The migration challenges facing Europe remain an

urgent concern, and in 2019 the IRC advocated for an

increased political focus on the critical situation facing

displaced people across Greece, Libya and several

other countries in and bordering Europe.

REFUGEES IN EUROPE

Syria represents the greatest humanitarian and

political failure of our time. The country remains

without a plan for peace, and the defining

characteristic of this war continues to be its

disregard for civilian life and international law.

SYRIA

GOVERNANCE, STRUCTURE & MANAGEMENT

Constitution

International Rescue Committee UK is constituted as a company limited by guarantee

and is registered for charitable purposes with the Charity Commission.

IRC-UK delegates responsibility to our New York HQ, International Rescue Committee

Inc, to run programmes funded through IRC-UK. The relationship between the key

decisions made at IRC New York Headquarters and the work of IRC-UK, is governed

by a Framework Agreement, which covers matters relating to programmes, funding,

governance, intellectual property and other legal affairs.

Board of Trustees

Members of our Board of Trustees are the charity’s trustees and also act as company

directors. They are responsible for overall governance in accordance with the

provisions of the Companies Act 2006 and Charities Act 2011.

The Board has recently reviewed its governance with reference to the Charity

Governance Code (the Code). The review shows that IRC-UK’s governance is broadly

in line with practice set out in the Code. Nonetheless, IRC-UK is taking this opportunity

to further strengthen its ways of working in the forthcoming year.

The Board of Trustees appoints new trustees for a term of three years. Board

members may serve up to two three-year terms, and a third three-year term if they

chair the Board or a Committee. The exception is the IRC NY representative, who does

not rotate off.

The balance and diversity of trustees is kept under review by the Board of Trustees.

The Board places an emphasis on ensuring that our trustees provide the specific mix

of skills that have been identified as important to the charity’s objectives and

activities. All new trustees receive a full induction programme to ensure they

understand their role and responsibilities, including with respect to safeguarding.

New and existing trustees are also offered training opportunities to help them to fulfil

these responsibilities. The Board of Trustees meets regularly to govern the charity.

A typical year for a Board member includes the following:

• Attendance at three Board of Trustee meetings each year;

• Attendance at committee meetings and at ad hoc groups convened for specific

purposes;

• Attendance at events, e.g. public meetings, meetings with supporters/donors

FUNDING AT A GLANCE (2019) Department for International

Development (DFID)

£52.6m (2018: £47.3m)

Directorate-General for European

Civil Protection and Humanitarian

Aid Operations (ECHO)

£22.7m (2018; £51.1m)

Swedish International

Development Cooperation Agency

(Sida)

£17.6m 2018: £11.7m)

EuropeAid

£11.6m (2018; £9m)

Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs

(Dutch MFA)

£4m (2018: £3.7m)

Irish Aid

£2.9m (2018: £2.3m)

Swiss Agency for Development and

Cooperation (SDC)

£1.1m (2018: £1.2m)

Hands Up Foundation

£1.1m (2018: nil)

Porticus

£0.9m (2018: nil)

Norwegian Refugee Council

£0.8m (2018: nil)

Danish International Development

Agency (DANIDA)

£0.7m (2018: nil)

Agence Française de

Développement (AFD)

£0.6m (2018: nil)

Other

£8.3m (2018: nil)

Organisation

The Board of Trustees delegates the day-to-day management of IRC-UK to the Senior Vice President (SVP) Europe and

to the UK Executive Director, who are not directors for the purposes of company law and who report to the Board of

Trustees.

On 1 January 2020, Laura Kyrke-Smith was appointed as UK Executive Director and Hans Van de Weerd was appointed

as interim SVP Europe. Laura Kyrke-Smith now leads IRC-UK, with support from the SVP Europe as required. She works

with a Senior Management Team (SMT), who meet regularly to review organisational business.

THE ROLE The Chair holds the Board and Executive Team to account for the IRC-UK’s mission and its effective governance,

providing inclusive leadership to the Board of Trustees, and ensuring that each trustee fulfils their duties and

responsibilities. The Chair supports, and, where appropriate, challenges the Chief Executive and the rest of the

Executive. S/he ensures that the Board functions as a unit and works closely with the Executive of IRC-UK to achieve

agreed objectives. S/he must be ready to act as an ambassador and a public face of the IRC-UK, in partnership with

the Chief Executive. S/he must work closely with other IRC entities in Europe, particularly IRC-Germany, with the IRC

Senior Vice President for Europe, and with the Chair and Chief Executive of IRC Inc. and other senior figures in IRC Inc

in New York. The Chair is also appointed a member of the IRC Inc Board.

Strategic leadership

• Provide leadership to IRC-UK and its Board, ensuring that lRC-UK has maximum impact for its beneficiaries

• Ensure that Trustees fulfil their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of IRC-UK

• Ensure that the Board operates within its charitable objectives, and provides a clear strategic direction for the IRC

UK

• Ensure that the Board is able to review major risks and associated opportunities at regular intervals, and satisfy

itself that systems are in place to take advantage of opportunities, and manage and mitigate the risks

• Ensure that the Board fulfils its duties to ensure the sound financial health of the charity, with systems in place to

ensure financial accountability

• Work closely with the senior leadership of IRC Inc to ensure unity of purpose and effectiveness across the global

organisation

Governance

• Ensure that the governance arrangements are working in the most effective way

• Develop the knowledge and capability of the Board of Trustees

• Where necessary resolve any conflicts within the Board

• Appraise the performance of the Trustees and the Board on an annual basis

• Ensure that the Board of Trustees is regularly refreshed and incorporates the right balance of skills, knowledge

and experience needed to govern and lead the charity effectively, including refugee experience, and also to reflect

the wider population

• Work within any agreed policies adopted by IRC-UK and IRC more widely

• Chair the Nominations Committee and other Committees as appropriate, with the exception of the Audit and

Governance Committee

• Work closely with the Chair of the Audit and Governance Committee

• Ensure that IRC-UK carries out its responsibility to protect IRC staff and beneficiaries from exploitation, abuse or

harassment

External Relations

• Act as an ambassador for the cause and the charity

• Support the private and statutory fundraising of the organization, through mobilizing networks and senior-level

external representation

• Maintain close relationships with key members of the Government and with other key influencers

• Act as a spokesperson for the organization when appropriate

• Represent the charity at external functions, meetings and events

• Address any potential conflict with external stakeholders

Efficiency & Effectiveness

• Chair meetings of the Board of Trustees effectively and efficiently, bringing impartiality and objectivity to decision-

making

• Ensure that Trustees are fully engaged and that decisions are taken in the best, long-term interests of the Charity

and that the Board takes collective ownership

• Foster constructive relationships that exist with and between the Trustees

• Work closely with the Chief Executive to give direction to Board policy-making and to ensure that meetings are

well planned, meaningful and reflect the responsibilities of Trustees

• Monitor that decisions taken at meetings are implemented

Relationship with the Chief Executive & wider management team

• Establish and build a strong, effective and constructive working relationship with the Chief Executive, ensuring

they are held to account for achieving agreed strategic objectives

• Support the Chief Executive whilst respecting the boundaries which exist between the two roles

• Ensure regular contact with the Chief Executive and develop and maintain an open and supportive relationship

within which each can speak openly about concerns, worries and challenges

• Liaise with the Chief Executive to maintain an overview of the Charity’s affairs, providing support as necessary

• Conduct an annual appraisal and remuneration review for the Chief Executive in consultation with other Trustees

• Ensure that the Chief Executive has the opportunity for professional development and has appropriate external

professional support

• When necessary, ensure that the recruitment processes for a new Chief Executive are effective, and lead the final

selection process

PERSON SPECIFICATION The Chair must meet the following requirements:

Personal Qualities

• A strong and visible passion and commitment to the IRC, its strategic objective and cause

• The gravitas to lead a significant national organisation

• Strong interpersonal and relationship building abilities and be comfortable in an ambassadorial role

• Demonstrable tact and diplomacy, with the ability to listen and engage effectively

• Strong networking capabilities that can be utilised for the benefits of the charity

• Ability to foster and promote a collaborative team environment

• Ability to commit time to conduct the role well, including travel and attending events out of office hours, and

participation in Board trips to operational sites

Experience

• Experience of operating at a senior strategic leadership level within an organisation

• Successful track record of achievement through their career

• Experience of governance and working with or as part of a Board of Trustees

• Experience of external representation, delivering presentations and managing stakeholders

• Significant experience of chairing meetings and events

• Experience of helping organisations to build their resources and funding

Knowledge & Skills

• Broad knowledge and understanding of the humanitarian sector and current issues affecting it

• Strong leadership skills, ability to motivate staff and volunteers and bring people together

• A broad understanding of charity finance issues

• Good understanding of charity governance issues

TERMS OF APPOINTMENT Like other Trustees, the Chair serves a three-year term, which can be extended for a further three years. As Chair,

like the Chairs of Board Committees, they are also eligible for reappointment for one additional term. This position

is unremunerated.

HOW TO APPLY

Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to the International Rescue Committee UK

on this appointment.

Candidates should apply for this role through our website at www.saxbam.com/appointments using code

XAJAQA.

Click on the ‘apply’ button and follow the instructions to upload a CV and cover letter, and complete the online

equal opportunities monitoring* form.

The closing date for applications is noon on Tuesday 5th May 2020.

* The equal opportunities monitoring online form will not be shared with anyone involved in assessing your

application. Please complete as part of the application process.

Saxton Bampfylde

LONDON

9 Savoy Street

London WC2E 7EG

EDINBURGH

46 Melville Street

Edinburgh EH3 7HF

saxbam.com

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