Chair

About Population Matters

Population Matters is a UK-based charity that works to confront one of the world’s most urgent yet overlooked challenges: the impact of human population growth on environmental destruction. We do this through collaboration with international partners, supporters, and stakeholders to create a better future for people and the planet.

Vision

A world in which our human population lives fairly and sustainably with nature and each other.

Mission

To address the negative consequences of ever more people using ever more of the planet’s resources—and to inspire and engage others in finding, sharing and promoting solutions as swiftly as possible.

A New 2025 –2030 Strategy

Population Matters is gearing up to put a new five-year strategy into action. The new strategy outlines a practical, evidence-driven approach to help stabilise and ultimately reduce humanity’s impact on the planet. Guided by the understanding that “all populations matter”, the aim is to support individuals, particularly women, in making informed, voluntary decisions about family size, while addressing the wider drivers and consequences of population growth and environmental degradation.

We will do this through:

• Research
• Influencing
• Partnerships
• Knowledgesharing
• Female leadership
• Communication

Learn more on our website.

Role Summary

Population Matters seeks a visionary Chair to partner with our dynamic CEO and skilled Board in realising our vision: a world where people live fairly and sustainably with nature and one another.

The Chair is essential to the smooth running and effectiveness of the Board of Trustees. The Chair’s primary role is to ensure that the Board is effective in setting and implementing the charity’s direction and strategy. The responsibilities of the Chair include leading the Board, guiding decision-making, overseeing the charity’s business and CEO, and setting high governance standards including overseeing the involvement and coordination of trustees. The Chair also fulfills as crucial role as ambassador for Population Matters, engaging funders, regulators and strategic partners. The role requires excellent leadership and communication skills and strong affinity with the mission and work of Population Matters.

The Chair ensures that meetings are organised and supports the facilitation of good decision making. In addition to the duties and responsibilities described above, the Chair is also responsible for regularly reviewing the board’s composition and performance, to ensure it is fit for purpose for the effective running of the charity.

Strong Governance Systems

• To ensure the appropriate policies and systems are in place for the organisation to
  • design, implement and monitor its strategy
  • assure excellent financial and other controls (assisted by the Treasurer and 1 of 2 Board Sub-Committees: Audit, Finance, Fundraising, Risk & Investment)
  • operate exemplary human and other resources management

Leading the Board

• Appoint Trustees with the appropriate collective knowledge and experience; help with their development; and organise an annual reflection on individual and collective performance.
• Establish and regularly review any Board Sub-Committees
• Chair Board meetings and assure business is organised in a timely and efficient way, and that Board Papers, especially Minutes, are of a standard to act as the memory of the organisation.
• Investigate the feasibility of running an ‘apprenticeship scheme’ to give younger people experience of Trusteeship to nurture talent and diversity.

Represent the Charity

• Be able, when necessary, to act as an ambassador for or representative of Population Matters, whether in pursuit of our strategic goals, or with charity regulators and others such as funders and strategic partners
• This includes contributing to external engagement efforts and networking to raise the profile of Population Matters.

Appoint, Support and Appraise the Chief Executive

• Appoint, support and appraise the CEO, ensuring robust performance and development.
• Conduct a regular review of the whole salary structure of the organisation to ensure it is in line with similar organisations in the sector and that the CEO salary is appropriate. (assisted by 1 of 2 Board Sub-Committees: Nominations and Remunerations, Strategy Monitoring and Trustee development).
• Be available to advise, inform or otherwise support the CEO in their decision-making as needed.

We’re seeking a Chair who:

• Is a passionate champion: Acts as a visible advocate for Population Matters, with genuine enthusiasm for sustainable development, environmental protection and human rights. The ideal candidate will bring a nuanced understanding of the intersection of human population growth and impact on our planet.
• Is committed to our cause: Shares a deep dedication to the charity, its strategy and its objectives, including demonstrated commitment to environmental protection, sustainable development and the potential of women’s empowerment and feminine leadership.
• Commands respect and inspires: Brings the gravitas to lead and inspire an international Board and growing charity, with proven ability to foster inclusive, collaborative teams.
• Understands our sector: Has experience and knowledge in the environmental and/or international development fields, and/or women’s rights, SRHR. Familiarity with the demographics and politics around human population is an advantage, as is a background in policy, research and/or advocacy.
• Thinks and delivers strategically: Has steered organisations at senior strategic level of similar size, overseeing both execution and outcome monitoring. Previous Trustee or Non-Executive Board Director experience is essential
• Represents with confidence: Possesses strong communication, negotiation and public representation skills to comfortably engage high‑profile partners and funders on our behalf. Has experience in working with significant funders, governments and institutional/political leaders.
• Builds relationships easily: Proven ability to build partnerships and collaborations. Demonstrates excellent interpersonal and networking skills and thrives in an ambassadorial capacity.
• Is financially savvy: Brings strong financial literacy and a clear grasp of charitable sector finance.
• Values collaboration: Naturally fosters a supportive, team‑focused environment and culture of collaboration and innovation.
• Knows good governance: Understands charity and Not‑for‑Profit governance issues, including the work of charity regulators. Knowledge of UK Charity Law will be an asset, but is not essential.

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