Scottish Refugee Council is Scotland’s national refugee charity. We provide support and advice to individuals and families, promote community integration, stand up for refugee rights and campaign for a fairer and more humane asylum system.

We are seeking a Chair to lead our board of directors when the current Chair’s term ends in March 2025. This is an exciting opportunity to shape and influence the development of the organisation as it enters its 40th year.

Currently in the second year of our five-year strategic plan, we are consolidating after a period of rapid growth. Our recently launched Refugee Support Service is an ambitious, Scotland-wide response to the changing context for Scotland’s refugees and wider dispersal of people in the asylum system. We are strengthening our presence across the country to support statutory and voluntary sector partners to address refugees’ needs and protect their rights, while widening access to direct support and advice through our helpline and digital solutions. Continuing to advocate for refugee rights and asylum reform, we are rising to the challenge of ensuring our long-term sustainability by restructuring to deliver the Refugee Support Service and diversifying our funding base.

Of equal importance is ensuring all our work fully involves, and is driven by, people with lived experience of refugee protection. With strong representation at board level and among our committed and creative staff and volunteers, we have a good foundation on which to build.

Your commitment

As Chair of Scottish Refugee Council, you will play a crucial role in shaping the strategic direction of the charity, ensuring the highest standards of charity governance and effective oversight of its operations and advocacy. Drawing on your substantial non-executive experience, ideally as Chair, you will ensure a cohesive and well-functioning board where diverse views are encouraged to improve consensus decision-making.

You will work closely with board colleagues through sub-committees and quarterly board meetings and provide support and constructive challenge to the Chief Executive, Sabir Zazai, and his senior team. With a track record of identifying and mitigating risk, you will protect and promote the charity’s excellent reputation, and represent us at external events and with key stakeholders.

The role currently takes on average one day a week, with busier periods around quarterly meetings. It is an opportunity to make a real difference, helping refugees to navigate challenges and connect, contribute and thrive in their community.

To note, there is the potential for this role to be that of Co-Chair, along with an existing Scottish Refugee Council Board member and this can be discussed further should a Co-Chair option be of interest.

Scottish Refugee Council is an independent charity dedicated to supporting people in need of refugee protection. We speak out on refugee and asylum issues and campaign for a fairer and more humane asylum system in the UK and for a better deal for people rebuilding their lives here.

We believe the media has an important role to play in helping to achieve this. We are seeking a Media Officer to make sure journalists have access to accurate information about refugee and asylum issues and to maintain a strong voice and presence in the media in support of people seeking protection in Scotland.

This is a busy and demanding role. We are looking for someone with a strong background in news, either press, broadcast or as a press officer working with news within a charity or other organisation.

Employee benefits package

• 39 days of leave (including public holidays)
• Progressive salary structure
• Flexible working options
• Training and development opportunities
• Union recognition
• Fresh fruit, tea & coffee in office
• Enhanced pay benefits
• Enhanced pension
• Counselling & coaching service
• Cycle to work scheme
• Eye care scheme
• Death in service & 24-hour GP service

Interview Dates: 21st to 23rd of August 2024 (TBC)

Expected start date: As soon as possible

Please note: This post will be subject to a Basic Disclosure check. Feedback can only be provided to applicants who reach the interview stage.

Scottish Refugee Council is working towards being an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all members of the community, irrespective of age; disability; gender reassignment; pregnancy and maternity; race; religion and belief; sex and sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership status.