Jobs in Kilmarnock West and Crosshouse, East Ayrshire

The STAR Centre – Rape Crisis Ayrshire is seeking new members for our Board of Directors who will help guide the future direction of the organisation as we move forward into an exciting new phase of our development. While previous Board experience would be welcomed, it is not necessary. What we are looking for is women, aged 18 and over, who are committed to delivering support to survivors of any form of sexual violence, abuse, or sexual exploitation no matter when this has occurred in their lives.

The role of Director of The STAR Centre is unpaid although relevant expenses are covered.

All posts within The STAR Centre – Rape Crisis Ayrshire are open women only in line with the Equality Act (2010), Schedule 9, Part 1 and the ruling of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, For Women Scotland vs The Scottish Ministers (2025).

The STAR Centre – Rape Crisis Ayrshire is seeking a Chief Executive Officer (28 hours per week) who will provide overall leadership, strategic direction, and high-quality management across the organisation. Her role will be to build capacity and resources for the STAR Centre and to have day to day responsibility for the organisational management of The STAR Centre.

Full details of the requirements for these posts are contained in the application pack.

Break the Silence is a registered charity in Scotland and a company limited by guarantee. We make a profound and positive difference in the lives of those affected by childhood sexual trauma, their partners and family members. We support all genders, age 13+ across East and North Ayrshire. We are a centre of excellence, offering a professional counselling service, accredited by British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. We follow the BACP Ethical Framework for Counselling Professions.

About the role

We seek people to support the existing board and staff team in evolving the charity further. Having recently reviewed the skillset of the existing board, we especially welcome people with experience of Digital, IT systems and Finance.

Board meetings are held online quarterly lasting 2.5hs/meeting and some additional time is required outside meeting times to read board papers, where invited, to attend in-person events or training, or where there is voluntary participation in additional board sub group activities. Trustees need not be local and remote trustees are welcome given the online meeting format.

Trustee appointments are for a three year period, renewable thereafter in accordance with our Memorandum and Articles of Association.

We seek applicants who understand the community we serve and we value the diversity of opinion, thought and experience new board members can bring. Key responsibilities include; strategic oversight, financial governance, and safeguarding responsibilities. For more information on the duties of a charity trustee, please visit: OSCR | Charity trustee duties

About you

This role may appeal to those wishing to volunteer as a trustee for the first time, or to an experienced trustee seeking a new challenge. A full induction will be provided to include training in trauma and safeguarding.

It is important that potential candidates share our values of being compassionate and collaborative, effective and knowledgeable in supporting those affected by childhood sexual trauma and support the charity’s vision to influence and inform within the sector.

This post is unremunerated and PVG is required as this is considered a regulated role. In addition, we must comply with the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and Charities (Regulation and Administration) (Scotland) Act 2023. Within section 69 of the 2005 Act amended by the 2023 Act, there is specific criteria which disqualifies an individual from acting as a charity trustee. A full list of criteria is given here: OSCR | Annex 1: Criteria for disqualification. All candidates must meet eligibility requirements.

We are a registered disability confident employer and will be flexible throughout the recruitment process and welcome the opportunity to discuss alternative application methods/interview formats.