Board of Directors

Board of Directors Role Description

The Africa Health Organisation (AHO) is seeking Board of Directors in the UK, France, Belgium, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Monaco, the Netherlands, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Belarus, Czekia, Russia, Hungary, Greece, Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Bahamas, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Antigua, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, Panama, Belize, Jamaica, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, North Korea, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Filipins, Singapore, India, UAE, Turkey, Qatar, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the US.

The role of the Board of Directors

Board of Directors

• inform the organisation’s strategic direction;
• scrutinise the financial management of the organisation; and
• ensure the sound governance of the organisation.

Board members are not responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operation of the organisation. However, they are responsible for scrutinising the operational decisions the Chief Executive Officer takes to ensure that the organisation operates effectively and in line with its objectives and values.

Hours, location and benefits

Meetings

• Board Members are required to attend quarterly Board meetings in person or via video conference, such as Teams.
• All Board members are required to participate in at least one Subgroup, which meets once every quarter.
• Board members are required to attend the Annual General Meeting.
• Preparatory work is required in advance of and sometimes following each meeting.

Additional responsibilities

• The board may be required or encouraged to contribute to AHO-related activity outside meetings, e.g., to participate in staff interview panels, to participate in specific project-focused tasks, or to contribute to decision-making that requires the board's involvement.
• Board members are strongly encouraged to visit our projects occasionally.
• Board members are strongly encouraged to attend the annual Staff Away-day and the Board’s annual strategic planning day.

Locations

Most meetings take place online or in person. The place and date are decided in advance each time.

Benefits

The board members are unpaid volunteers who give their time, skills, and expertise for no financial gain. Reasonable expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with the organisation’s Volunteer Policy.

Person specification

It is essential that the Board of Directors has a diverse skill set. The board is expected to work as a team and draw on different skills depending on the task at hand. We encourage you to highlight your particular strengths so that we can compare these to the skills already represented on the Board.

Essential criteria

• A commitment to the mission, values and objectives of the Africa Health Organisation (AHO).
• We are encouraging those without experience and students to apply so that they can gain experience in governance.
• An ability to work effectively as a member of a team
• An ability to communicate effectively
• An ability to make sound, independent judgments
• An ability to think creatively
• An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of directorship
• Understanding the rules and laws of the country where you intend to be a director.

Desirable criteria

• Knowledge and understanding of health issues affecting people in Africa and migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in the Diaspora.

Recruitment Process

We work with children and vulnerable adults, and we are required by law to protect our society's most vulnerable members.

• When applying, each candidate must supply two references, including the current employer.
• References will be requested before the interview.
• We will carry out additional checks as shown below.

Additional Checks

All Board Members are required to undergo additional checks, including an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, and hold an up-to-date certificate.

• Convictions and cautions: Details of all convictions and cautions, except for protected convictions and cautions
• Local police records: Information from regional police forces, such as fines or penalties
• Barred lists: Whether the applicant is on the children's or adults' barred list
• Disqualified company director or secretary: We will check with Companies House and the Charity Commission for those who are disqualified.

All checks will be done by AHO, and DBS will also be arranged by the Africa Health Organisation (AHO) in the country of your residence, except in corrupt countries where people can buy certificates from corrupt government officials.