Glasgow North West Citizens Advice Bureau (GNWCAB) is an independent charity that provides free, impartial, and confidential information and advice services in the north west of Glasgow. We offer support on issues ranging from debt, benefits, and welfare rights to consumer rights, finances, and budgeting support.

Our services are available to everyone in our local communities. We aim to make them as accessible as possible by promoting equality and diversity and by challenging discrimination.

Who are we looking for?

We currently have a small but strong Board of Directors with diverse professional expertise. We are seeking new Chairperson who can lead the Bureau through a period of premises change and support and develop our strategic plans for the future, ensuring we provide the most relevant and accessible advice services possible.

The role offers the opportunity to a make a central and strategic contribution to supporting the people of north west Glasgow with a range of pressing advice issues. Our work at GNWCAB also makes a fundamental contribution to the campaigns and advocacy work of Citizens Advice Scotland on behalf of the full network of CABs.

To support these outcomes, we plan for a minimum 6-month induction period during which the successful candidate will shadow the current Chair and get to know our organisation in detail as a Director. Once fully in post as Chair, you will be further supported by our experienced Vice-Chair and Finance, Risk, and Audit (FRAC) Committee Chair.

We welcome applications from candidates with experience of organisational leadership who feel passionate about our work, regardless of professional background. We are looking for candidates with a sound understanding of (third sector) governance, financial acumen, and experience contributing to or leading boards.

We want our Board to be representative of our local community and so would welcome approaches from people who live locally or have lived experience of issues facing our clients. We encourage applications from groups that are underrepresented on charity boards, particularly people from Black, Asian, or other minority ethnic communities, as well as young and Disabled people.

Other key aspects of the role include:

• Setting strategic direction
• Overseeing governance and regulatory compliance
• Appointment and management of the Chief Executive
• Collaboration with colleagues in local bureaux and Citizens Advice Scotland
• (CAS)
• Risk management
• Board engagement, development and support

Time commitment

The expected commitment for the Chair is approximately 30 hours per quarter, incorporating flexibility to work around a full-time working schedule. Board and Finance, Risk and Audit Committee (FRAC) meetings are each held 5 times a year, two weeks apart. Board meetings are held at GNWCAB in Maryhill, Glasgow on Tuesdays 5:30-7:30pm. FRAC meetings are held online Tuesdays 5:00-6:30pm.

GNWCAB’s Board of Directors are looking for four new Directors to work alongside other board members to oversee and support our Chief Executive and our dynamic team of staff and volunteers. Later this year, we will be moving premises and we are seeking to expand our Board to support this process and our onward development. At this important point in our journey, we are seeking Directors who can bring different perspectives to help the Bureau achieve its plans for the future and provide the most relevant and accessible advice services possible.

The Board is currently made up of seven Directors, each offering a different skillset that can support the governance needs and development aims of the organisation. We welcome applications from anyone who feels passionate about our work, regardless of professional background.

The Board has identified an upcoming skills gap related to third sector fundraising and governance, and we hope to fill one of the four roles with someone who has experience of this kind. We would encourage applicants with this background to also consider joining our Finance, Risk, and Audit Committee (FRAC).

For the remaining three roles, we encourage candidates of all kinds, particularly those with strong knowledge of and connections to north west Glasgow. Most important to us is finding candidates who fit our values and our organisation. We are looking for people who are approachable, transparent, team players, positive influencers and who are willing to contribute to debate.

GNWCAB’s staff team, volunteers and clients come from a diverse range of backgrounds, and widening access and inclusion is central to our mission and our values. We want our Board to be representative of our local community and so would welcome approaches from people who live locally or have lived experience of issues facing our clients. We encourage applications from groups that are under-represented on charity boards, particularly people from Black, Asian, or other minority ethnic communities, as well as young and Disabled people.

We happily welcome applications from people who have not been senior volunteers or sat on a board before. GNWCAB is committed to the on-going development of our staff and volunteers and we provide opportunities for training and engagement across the organisation on a regular basis. As a new Director, you will be fully inducted and offered training tailored to your level of experience that would support your development in the role.