Protimos is looking for a new Chairperson who will take the charity through its next phase of development working with teams based in the UK and Africa. The successful candidate will have demonstrated the ability to provide inclusive leadership to the Protimos team together with the strategic development of the charity and to take a practical approach to fundraising opportunities.  This role will require executive leadership, energy, enthusiasm and empathy together with a strong commitment to successful governance.
 
The Chairperson of the Protimos Education Trust will provide leadership and direction to the Board of Trustees and will enable the Board to fulfil its responsibilities for the overall governance and strategic direction of the organisation. The Chairperson will work with the Directors of the Protimos Foundation, and the executive team to ensure that Protimos pursues its objects as defined in its governing documents and relevant legislation. The position will involve a commitment of three years after which re-appointment will be reviewed.
 
 
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

FUNDRAISING

• Work with the executive team to develop and implement an innovative fundraising strategy that will result in Protimos being financially capacitated to achieve its objectives.
• Participate in fundraising events and processes
• Represent Protimos as a spokesperson at appropriate events, meetings or functions.
• Lead the Board in fostering relations with supporters, potential beneficiaries and potential funders/donors

BOARD RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work with the Board of Trustees, support and constructively challenge executive team to:
  • formulate strategic plans and conduct regular reviews of long-term strategic aims of Protimos
  • Develop organisational policies, define goals, targets and evaluate performance against agreed targets.
• Approve the annual cycle of the board meetings, meeting agendas, chair and facilitate meetings, monitor decisions taken at meetings and ensure they are implemented.
• Liaise regularly with the Treasurer to maintain a clear grasp of the charity’s financial position and to ensure full and timely financial transparency and information disclosure to the Board
• Lead and mentor other Board members to fulfil their responsibilities and enable access to training/coaching/information to enhance the overall contribution of the board
• Review as necessary the Board structure, role, contractor agreements and ensure implementation of agreed changes/developments
• Encourage team working among Board members and encourage them to identify and recruit new trustees as required
• Create an effective working relationship with trustees through review and evaluation of contributions and effectiveness of the board

 

MANAGEMENT SUPPORT

• With the Board, manage the executive leadership of Protimos
• Assume guardianship of the legal and financial integrity of the organisation.
• Consult with relevant persons within the organisation on matters regarding strategy, governance, finance and resourcing.
• Oversee the leadership’s activities in the context of the implementation of the Board’s strategy and policies.
• Maintain careful oversight of any risk to reputation and/or financial standing of the organisation.
• Receive regular informal progress reports of the organisation’s work and financial performance in alignment with the Director of Law

COMMITMENT REQUIREMENTS

The Chairperson will agree the agenda and lead four formal board meetings each year. The role will also include weekly contact and ad hoc meetings with the executive team and in particular the Director of Law. This will include providing constructive challenge and support to the team and ensuring good communication across the Protimos team

EXPERIENCE/ PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

 

• Chair of a charity or extensive service on a charitable board 
• High professional standing and proven leadership profile
• Skilled in building teams with an international element
• Excellent communication skills
• Understanding, commitment and empathy with the Protimos cause
• Knowledge of political environment and legal systems in Africa
• Commitment to development and implementation of fundraising strategy
• Commitment to strong governance

 
Please feedback your interest to Laura Wilkinson, Protimos Development Director
Email: laura.wilkinson@protimos.org
Phone: 02077171588
 

​The Seinoli Trustees invite applications for the position of Executive Director of the Seinoli Legal Centre. The Centre is the first dedicated public interest law centre in Lesotho. Its stated purpose is to provide legal support for communities who have been adversely affected by the management of their surrounding resources. The Director supervises the team of 5 lawyers and other officers at SLC, providing legal support to communities adversely affected by development infrastructure projects across the country, with a particular focus on those communities that are disadvantaged by the impacts of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP). Communities are thereby enabled to use the law to protect their social, economic and environmental interests. The Director is responsible for external communications, and ensuring that the Centre reaches its strategic goals.
The Seinoli Legal Centre works closely with a wider international network of lawyers, researchers, investors and funders in the achievement of its goals. The Centre is governed by the Board of Seinoli Trustees, who now seek to appoint a new Executive Director, who will be responsible for the leadership and management of SLC in accordance with the strategic direction of the Seinoli Trustees, supported by its international partners.
The successful applicant will be able to demonstrate his/her capacity to balance a leadership role with the efficient management of a team of staff and volunteers at SLC, whilst developing the strong financial support on which the future of the Centre depends. He/she will report to the Board of Seinoli Trustees, enabling the Board to fulfil its responsibilities for the overall governance and operation of the Seinoli Legal Centre as well ensuring its effective communication with both donors and the wider network. The successful applicant will have a reasonable knowledge of relevant domestic, regional and international development law, together with the requisite managerial skillsets to ensure that the SLC team are fully supported in their work. He/she will be able to demonstrate experience in fundraising, in the development sector, by reference to the relevant Sustainable Development Goals which apply to the goals of SLC.
In the first instance, candidates are invited to submit a letter of application, accompanied by their CV to Maleshoane.sekorobele@seinoli.org
Closing date for applications: 8th August.​

We were deeply saddened to hear of the death of Lord Joffe last week. Lord Joffe was a member of our advisory board and his unswerving support for promoting the rule of law will be fondly remembered by all those who were fortunate enough to meet him. He was always willing to share his wealth of legal wisdom, including his experience as a member of Nelson Mandela's defence team at the Rivonia Trial, and was an invaluable supporter of our organisation in its formative years. His legacy will continue to be an inspiration to all of those who see the rule of law as a solution to injustice and exploitation.

A Nigerian Court ruled last week that the compulsory eviction of tens of thousand of people in Lagos was unconstitutional. Inhabitants had in some cases been reportedly chased from their homes and inadequate steps had been taken to ensure that those affected were satisfactorily resettled. This is a demonstration of the potential power of the rule of law to hold governments to account with regards to unsatisfactory resettlement arrangements, a power that has also been demonstrated by the successful Ha Lejone claimants supported by Protimos and the Seinoli Legal Centre. Protimos congratulates all of those involved in securing last week's ruling.