BOARD CHAIR & TRUSTEES AUGUST 2022
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Sabre’s core focus is on developing and scaling high quality early education programmes in low and middle income countries. Our approach is holistic and considers all aspects of the kindergarten education eco-system. Teachers are supported through initial training, with ongoing support and further development using training, mentoring and coaching approaches. Our training includes a strong focus on evidence-based early childhood pedagogies, for example play-based and child-centred approaches, positive behaviour management, assessment and working with parents. We also provide support for improved learning environments, both by building new schools, and providing equipment and resources to enhance existing learning spaces.
Sabre Education is one of the leading early childhood education organisations working in close partnership with the Government of Ghana to deliver Sustainable Development Goal 4.2 on universal access to quality pre-primary education.
Our multi award-winning Brighter Futures Programme, delivered through Building Playful Schools and providing Transformational Teacher Training, has been tested, independently evaluated and replicated at a district and regional scale. The recognition for our work includes being awarded as a UNESCO-Hamdan Laureate, and shortlisted for the WISE Awards and the Klaus J. Jacobs Best Practice Prize.
Sabre Education - Chair & Trustees
Sabre has exciting and ambitious expansion plans, which will see the organisation scale up the impact of our direct implementation activity, and leverage our technical expertise in partnership with others to create system-level change in Ghana and beyond.
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Through eighteen years of working with schools, communities and the Ghana Education Service, we have created innovative solutions to tackle the twin issues of access and quality in kindergarten education.
SABRE EDUCATION
WELCOME LETTER
Thank you for your interest in our work and in this role. If what you read in this pack interests you, and you have the motivation to make a difference to the lives of children both now and into the future in one of these key strategic non-executive roles, we would welcome your formal expression of interest. Education of Trustees
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Sabre
High quality early childhood education (ECE) is proven to be the foundation of future success, both for individual children and for their country and society. Sabre Education was founded to promote better early education in Ghana to enable more Ghanaian children to succeed educationally and to contribute to the future growth and development of the country.
From small beginnings, Sabre Education has grown to be one of the most highly respected INGOs in its field. Widely recognised for our expert training of early childhood teachers using state of the art programmes, we have won recognition from many quarters, including donors and governments. We have contributed significantly to the design of effective ECE programmes and have also built substantial technical knowledge on the effective ways to approach the low-cost scaling of ECE in low and middle income countries. Working alongside the Ghana Education Service to mobilise our groundbreaking training of teachers as widely as possible, we are having a significant impact on the lives of thousands of children, families and communities. We have a vision as a charity to continue to grow and reach well beyond the frontiers of Ghana, using scalable approaches to improving early years provision in the Global South. There is now an exciting opportunity, as we renew and grow our Board of Trustees, to apply to take the role of Chair, or join the Board as a Trustee. The Chair is a key strategic appointment which will offer the chance to help consolidate, shape and influence the direction we take in the future. The additional Trustees will further strengthen our highly effective and committed board in support of our outstanding executive leadership team. These appointments will ensure the Board has the skills and vision needed to take Sabre Education into its next phase.
Education - Board Chair & Trustees 3
Sabre
Sabre Education - Board Chair & Trustees 4 Role: Chair Direct Reports: Chief Executive Officer Role: Trustee Direct Reports: None THE ROLES Location: International Remuneration: The roles are not accompanied by any financial remuneration, although expenses for some travel may be claimed.
Sabre
The Chair should expect a time commitment of one to two days per month on average. Site should be expected annually.
OBJECTIVES (CHAIR) 5
The Chair will also support and, where appropriate, challenge the Chief Executive and ensure that the Board functions as a unit and works closely with the Chief Executive to achieve agreed objectives. They will act as an ambassador and the public face of Sabre Education, in partnership with the Chief Executive and the Trustee Board.
visits to Africa
Education - Chair 5
The Chair will provide inclusive leadership and direction to the Board of Trustees and Chief Executive, holding them accountable for the charity’s vision and objectives. The Chair will work collaboratively with other Trustees to ensure the Board fulfils its duties and responsibilities for the effective governance and strategic development of the charity.
(CHAIR)
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Ensure that the Board of Trustees provides appropriate governance across the activities of the organisation. These include having the right policies and procedures in place, strong financial management, risk and opportunity management, effective impact measurement and learning programmes, compliance with all regulatory requirements and effective organisational management.
Strategy Work with the Board of Trustees and Executive Leadership to ensure that Sabre has the right strategy and plans to drive the long term success of the charity against its vision and deliver significant impact.
Sabre Education - Board Chair & Trustees
Governance
Board Management Chair meetings of the Board of Trustees. Work with the Chief Executive to effectively integrate and report on organisational performance and the governance needs of the Board. As appropriate, manage the rotation of Trustees (including, the matching of Trustee capabilities with the requirements of Sabre), and lead the set-up of sub-committees as required.
RESPONSIBILITIESPRINCIPAL
Board Alignment with Chief Executive Line manage and support the Chief Executive against the performance objectives of the organisation and the building of a strong and effective team. Where appropriate assist in the building of key stakeholder relationships. Hold regular contact points with the Chief Executive to maintain a sound overview of Sabre’s performance, challenges and risks. Conduct an annual performance appraisal of the Chief Executive on behalf of the Board.
Sabre Education - Board Chair & Trustees 7 Essential • Significant leadership experience • A strong understanding of strategy • A passion for early childhood education, in low and middle income countries • An understanding and appreciation of good governance, compliance and risk management • Experience of working cross-culturally with diverse teams, in an international context Desirable • Networks and experience within a range of fundraising contexts • Strong financial management experience • Stakeholder engagement experience within international development CORE (CHAIR)COMPETENCIES
The Trustee position is a voluntary role requiring a minimum of four formal Board meetings a year (half day each) and the occasional additional meeting or update as required. Total time commitment is a maximum of one day per month, though often less. This is an active Trustee group that provides supporting advice to the strong management team and fulfils the formal governance requirements of Trustees. A minimum three-year commitment will be required. It is anticipated that a site visit to Africa will also be required every 3 years.
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Individually, Trustees are expected to contribute their skills, knowledge and experience to guide strategic planning and further the objectives of the charity. From time to time, Trustees will be asked to represent Sabre Education at external functions, and support the charity’s work through networking to key stakeholders and through their own networks.
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Sabre Education - Board Chair & Trustees
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CORE COMPETENCIES (TRUSTEES) ROLE SUMMARY (TRUSTEES)
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Good communication skills and a collaborative style Commitment to early childhood education and to contributing to the success of Sabre An understanding and appreciation of good governance, compliance and risk management Professional skills and experience in at least one of the following core contexts:
The Trustees have overall leadership control of the charity, deciding how it should be run and taking decisions that guide Sabre’s strategy and operations. Trustees provide support and guidance to the Executive Leadership of the charity, holding it accountable to agreed objectives. The Trustees also collectively ensure the effective governance of the charity, and its compliance with company and charity law, and Charity Commission Regulations.
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Early Childhood Education, ideally in an international context Fundraising Financial Management Stakeholder Engagement Multi-country International Development experience
job
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Equality Statement Sabre Education is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community – a place where individual differences and contributions are truly recognised and valued. Sabre is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability status. If you have any queries on any aspect of the appointment process, need additional information, or would like to have an informal discussion, please email at sabre-education@oxfordhr.co.uk in the first instance.
in PDF
Queries
Sabre Education - Board Chair & Trustees
All correspondence, at this stage, should be via Oxford HR. To apply for this post, click on the “Apply” button in the advert page and complete our online application form. Please provide a CV and cover letter in two different documents, which should be prepared before applying as they will be considered in the application process. The cover letter should be no more than two pages long and explain why you are interested in this post and how your skills and experience make you a good fit. The document should be saved in the following format: Your First Name-Your Last Name-Document Name-Date (mmyy) e.g., Pat-Jones-CV-092022-Sabre or Pat-Jones-CoverLetter-092022-Sabre. date: Sunday 2nd October stage Early-October Final interviews (Chair): Mid-October Final interviews (Trustees): tbc once Chair appointed Selection Process
All candidates will receive an update regarding their application after the closing date. We advise candidates to add the role email to their safe senders list and regularly check their spam folder.
HOW TO APPLY 9
interviews:
Timeline Closing
ABOUT OXFORD HR
Sabre Education - Board Chair & Trustees 10
Oxford HR operates globally - mainly within the international development and charity sectors. We carry out retained executive search mandates at board and senior management levels. We also offer human resource and organisational development consultancy.
Oxford HR has many years of experience in search as well as an extensive network of international development, social sector, corporate, public sector, and academic contacts from across the world. We carry out comprehensive and often international searches designed to meet the specific needs of our client.
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