TUSP – Chair of Trustees

Chair of Trustees

Welcome Letter from the Co-Founders

Thank you for taking the time and interest to consider this position. It is a very exciting time in the organisation, and one where we feel the right candidate can be the catalyst to achieving great things for the children and communities we support. Appointing the right Chair to our Board of Trustees is the first, and arguably most crucial, step towards the prosperous future of our organisation and the impact we can create together.

Harry Bucknell & Sean Richardson

About TUSP

The Uganda School Project (TUSP) is a small, dynamic international development charity committed to driving community development through access to quality primary education in rural Uganda. We believe that every child deserves access to quality education, and the opportunities that unlocks, regardless of their background or circumstances.

Since our inception, we’ve been working to improve learning outcomes (teacher training, literacy & phonics, and girls’ education programmes) and develop school infrastructure (classrooms, latrines, drinking water systems) and in rural government primary schools to create foundational education skills that improve livelihood opportunities for our pupils, and will allow them to live productive and fulfilling lives.

Are You:

• Passionate about education and the transformative role it can play in children’s lives?

• Ready to lead and drive a young international development organisation in its ambitions to create lasting impact in underresourced communities?

• Unhappy with the status quo of Aid/Development and actively want to redress the power imbalances that exist in the sector?

If so, The Uganda School Project warmly invites you to lead our mission as our Chair of Trustees.

Role: Board Chair

Location: Remote, Uganda or UK preferred

The Role Job Summary

We are seeking an inspirational and engaged leader with a strategic vision, strong communication skills, and a genuine desire to make a difference. You will work closely with the CEO in; designing and leading a strategy; building a skilled, diverse board of trustees, scaling the impact of our programming, and transitioning to a structure of authentically proximate leadership and governance - because we believe that is how to create lasting change.

Responsibilities

• Providing strategic leadership and direction to the trustee board.

• Shaping a skilled, experienced and representative board of trustees to lead and govern the organisation.

• Overseeing governance, compliance, financial health and risk management processes.

• Championing our mission and values across wide networks.

• Leveraging existing and new networks and experience to support fundraising efforts and promote financial sustainability.

Time Commitment:

As our Chair of Trustees, you will be joining at a pivotal time in the trajectory of the organisation: with one co-founder stepping into the position of CEO, and one co-founder stepping down from the board, you will play a crucial role in driving TUSP in its mission to create meaningful change in the communities we partner with.

As such, there’ll be a level of involvement beyond the quarterly trustee meetings; we’re looking for someone to be actively involved in this process of change and growth (without necessarily being directly involved in the operations).

We anticipate that the role will require 4-5 hours per month, although this is hard to predict (and we can be flexible for the right candidate).

Trustees are asked to commit to a 3 year term on the Board and serve for a maximum of 3 terms.

What’s in it for you:

Joining The Uganda School Project as Chair of Trustees offers a unique opportunity to lead a young organisation making a tangible difference in the lives of children and communities in rural Uganda. Over the next 5 years we aim to scale our impact across the district, partnering with Local Government to integrate our programming within existing curriculum and policy, whilst also shifting the power to a structure of local leadership and governance. As Chair of Trustees, you will have key responsibility (with CEO and board) for driving this mission.

You’ll be leading (and helping to shape) a passionate, dedicated Board, committed to creating lasting change. This role provides a platform to leverage your skills, expertise, leadership and networks to drive positive social impact and leave a legacy of genuine, lasting impact.

Candidate Profile

Desired qualities for the role:

• Engaged, passionate, enthusiastic, hands-on

• Strategic Planning & Leadership

• A critical friend - happy to challenge

• Desire to change the status quo of Aid/Development and shift the power.

• Knowledge of Education (especially in low resource settings)

• Knowledge of NGO/Development Sector in Uganda

• Representative of the communities we support

• Part of / have access to high value networks

• Experience / skill in fundraising

NB: We do not expect you to have all of these! Passion and engagement with the role is our number one recruitment factor.

How to Apply

If you’re ready to embark on this journey with us, we invite you to submit your CV and a maximum 2 page cover letter outlining why you are interested in the role and why you think you’d make a great candidate via email to info@ theugandaschoolproject.com.

We know that diversity fosters effective leadership and an inclusive organisational culture, and we are committed to equality of opportunity, and to being fair and inclusive in our recruitment for this role.

We therefore encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in the sector.

Lived experience of and/or connection to Uganda and its education system would be highly desirable, but is not essential.

Timeline

Closing Date: 14th June 2024

First stage interviews: 19th - 25th June 2024

Final interviews: 8th-12th July 2024

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.

Equality Statement

Equality and diversity are at the core of TUSP values. Staff are expected to work collectively and individually to promote a constructive and sensitive approach to others from a variety of backgrounds, where the work of others is valued and respected.

Queries

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 info@theugandaschoolproject.com in the first instance.