Co-Chair

About Womankind Worldwide

Everyday women, girls and people with diverse gender identities face intersecting forms of discrimination, poverty, and violence. Founded over 30 years ago, Womankind is a vibrant and successful international feminist organisation working hard, in collaboration with our partners and allies worldwide, to change that. Our focus countries are currently Afghanistan and Nepal in South Asia and Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, and Zimbabwe in Africa. Our Vision is a world where women, girls and people of all genders enjoy equal rights and freedoms and live with joy, choice, and dignity.

Our Values

Feminism
: This means as a feminist organisation we analyse the world through the lens of power. Our feminist approach informs the way we work and other values such as inclusion and a commitment to learning.

Inclusion
: When we work collectively, we can propel ourselves to a new world – one where women and girls can live their best lives.

Partnership: We join with all women, partners and allies to achieve our feminist future.

Transparency: 
Being transparent and accountable builds trust in our partnerships so we can unmask and challenge patriarchal power structures.

Commitment to learning
: We actively recognise all women have different experiences and that we can all learn from their expertise.

Job Summary

The Co-Chairs lead Womankind’s governance in line with the Governance Code. In doing so, they enable trustees to attract resources, ensure openness, accountability, and compliance with legislation and regulation, and promote feminist attitudes and a culture where everything works towards fulfilling the charity’s vision:

A world where all women, girls, and people of all genders enjoy equal rights and freedoms and live with joy, choice, and dignity.

The Co-Chairs are responsible for board management, supporting individual trustees and the Co-CEOs, and facilitating scrutiny of Womankind’s strategic direction, values, policies, and operational efficiency. They also play an active role in representing the organisation to a range of internal and external stakeholders.

The Co-Chairs ensure effective joint leadership, coordination, and accountability with each other, the Vice-Chair, Treasurer, Co-CEOs, and the rest of the Board. Some areas of responsibility are led by one Co-Chair while others are jointly managed. Both Co-Chairs contribute across all responsibilities as needed.

1. Lead Governance and Accountability (UK Co-Chair lead)

• Ensure the organisation upholds high governance standards in line with the Governance Code and complies with its governing document, charity law, company law, and other regulations.
• Work with the Treasurer to ensure timely and high-quality statutory reporting.
• Ensure the charity pursues its mission and applies its resources accordingly.
• Maintain oversight of the organisation’s financial position and ensure trustees understand and fulfil their financial duties.
• Oversee the delegation of the Board’s role in investigating and resolving serious incidents, including safeguarding matters.
• Ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation.

2. Board Management (Joint Responsibility)

• Ensure effective communication and coordination between Co-Chairs, officials, and the Board.
• Act as the principal point of contact for trustees and check in individually at least twice a year, including for their well-being.
• Plan, chair, and facilitate board meetings, away days, and development sessions. Ensure accurate minutes and implementation of decisions.
• Foster open debate on strategic and governance issues while ensuring collective decision-making.
• Ensure the Board focuses on governance and strategy, avoiding day-to-day operational matters.
• Periodically review board performance, including through 360-degree feedback.
• Oversee Board committees, ensuring accountability and proper reporting.
• Ensure the recruitment, election, and induction of new trustees and officials.
• Build the Board team by identifying capable trustees and planning for succession.
• Address any conflicts or grievances using Womankind’s policies and procedures.

3. Facilitate Scrutiny of Strategic Direction, Culture and Values, Policies, and Operational Effectiveness (Joint Responsibility)

• Lead the Board in scrutinising strategy, policies, and organisational effectiveness.
• Review board papers, guide discussions, and ensure key issues are prioritised for decision-making.
• Support the development of anti-racist feminist leadership, attitudes, behaviours, and organisational culture.
• Safeguard and strengthen the organisation’s reputation.

4. External Representation (Joint Responsibility)

• Attract support and facilitate board members in securing funds, engaging networks, and advocating for Womankind.
• Represent Womankind at events and act as a spokesperson when required.
• Contribute to external communications, including impact and trustee reports, media engagements, blogs, and crisis communications.

5. Support to the Chief Executive Officers (Joint Responsibility)

• Act as the primary board contact for the CEO/s.
• Establish a joint agenda with the CEO/s to achieve board plans.
• Hold regular meetings with the CEO/s to discuss concerns and challenges openly.
• Ensure clear processes for recruiting, appraising, and setting CEO/s remuneration, in line with Womankind’s policies.
• Monitor organisational performance and review the CEO/s’ performance regularly.
• Provide opportunities for CEO/s’ professional development.

• Demonstrable commitment to women’s rights, feminist values, and Womankind’s mission and values.
• Proven experience as a Chair, Co-Chair, or Vice-Chair of a UK-based organisation, preferably in the non-profit sector, with knowledge of the charity commission.
• Proven track record in senior executive leadership positions.
• Passion for shared leadership roles.
• Understanding of trustees’ legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities in the UK charity sector.
• Good understanding of international issues and challenges faced by UK NGOs working globally, including coloniality.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to provide creative solutions.
• Willingness to express independent judgment while operating with tact and diplomacy.
• Ability to foster strong board dynamics and collaboration.
• Credible and effective external representative.

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