Buskaid is a charitable music organisation based in Diepkloof, a suburb of the South African township of Soweto. Founded in 1992 by British viola player Rosemary Nalden, Buskaid is recognised internationally for its exceptional teaching methods and its highly acclaimed string ensemble. 

With a music school, teachers' training courses, instrument repair and the world-renowned Ensemble, Buskaid are working tirelessly to accomplish their mission - to offer string tuition of the highest international standards to local children from current and previously disadvantaged backgrounds. 

Their vision is that all children should be given the opportunity to channel their creative energies and enhance their academic abilities through the learning and playing of classical music. Further, Buskaid is committed to creating employment opportunities for all its students, as performers, teachers, and stringed instrument repairers in their community. 

Buskaid had two governing Boards, one in the UK and one in South Africa. 

Purpose of role

At a pivotal time in the organisation’s history, Buskaid is seeking to appoint up to four additional Trustees across both Boards in the UK and South Africa, one of whom is to be appointed as Board Chair in the UK.

The Trustees are the governing body of Buskaid and are, collectively and personally, ultimately responsible for all the charity’s activities. Buskaid is a company limited by guarantee, so the Trustees are also the legal Directors of the charitable company.

Trustees are responsible for providing appropriate oversight, governance and strategic leadership to Buskaid in the pursuit of securing a bright future for their performers, staff and teachers.

In particular, Buskaid welcomes applications from people with one or more of the following expertise:

• Fundraising
• Law
• Governance
• Financial Management
• Audit, Risk and Compliance
• Safeguarding
• Information Technology and Security
• Education
• Chief Executive Officer

Further, Buskaid encourages applications from candidates who are in retirement and seeking to contribute to governance within the arts.

Primary responsibilities

Values

• Uphold Buskaid’s charitable aims and fundamental values.
• Ensure that Buskaid’s fundamental values are reflected in Board and Committee discussions, decisions, and promoted throughout Buskaid’s work.
• Safeguard the good name and reputation of Buskaid.

Relationships

• Build and maintain effective relations between the Boards, staff and its external stakeholders.

Strategy and performance

• Contribute actively to the Board’s role in giving strategic direction, setting overall policy, defining objectives and setting targets.
• Keep informed about the activities of Buskaid and wider issues which affect its work.
• Regularly review and evaluate the performance of the charity’s management in meeting agreed goals and objectives.
• Ensure Buskaid’s projects and programmatic activities are critically monitored and evaluated.
• Ensure Buskaid’s long-term sustainability.

Stewardship

• Ensure that Buskaid complies with its constitution, charity law, company law and other applicable legislation and regulations, both in the UK, South Africa, and globally.
• Ensure that Buskaid remains financially viable and resilient.
• Ensure that Buskaid makes proper use of its financial and other resources in pursuit of its charitable objectives.
• Ensure that financial controls and systems of risk management are appropriate and robust.
• Ensure that the Board is kept fully informed by way of timely and relevant information.
• Participate in the appointment of the CEO and other staff as appropriate.

Board activities

• Participate fully in the work of the Board.
• Participate in Board induction, training, and evaluation, individually or as a member of the Board, as appropriate.
• Attend Board and applicable sub-committee meetings, and read the papers provided in advance of the meetings.
• Participate in individual and Board performance appraisals, and attend any additional training recommended as a result of the evaluation process.
• Uphold the highest standards of integrity and probity.

Experience

• Understands Buskaid’s aims and objectives and aligns with the organisation’s fundamental values.
• Has prior governance experience at the board level or an equivalent, which may be in the charity, public, or private sectors.
• Able to think strategically and to base their judgements on relevant and reliable evidence.
• Capacity to work effectively as part of a team and take an inclusive and collegial approach to discussions and decision making.
• Experience within the arts, cultural, or education sector is desirable.

Background and experience (Board Chair)

The new UK Board Chair will be an individual of exceptional calibre who can guide and enhance the strategic development of Buskaid. They will additionally demonstrate the following:

• A strong personal connection to Buskaid’s aims and objectives.
• Demonstrated success in chairing Boards or governance committees.
• A clear appreciation of the governance role of the Board and the delegation of specified responsibilities to management.

Terms and conditions

Duration

The Trustee will be appointed to serve for an initial term of three years. At the end of the initial term, the Trustee will be eligible to be re-appointed for up to two further three-year terms.

Location

There are no requirements regarding a Trustee’s location within the UK or South Africa, with Trustees encouraged to attend meetings in person, but if this is not possible, videoconference facilities are provided.

Remuneration

The role of the Trustee is a voluntary one and is therefore unpaid. However, Buskaid will reimburse all out-of-pocket expenses reasonably incurred by the Trustee in the course of their duties, this is not inclusive of airfares to South Africa.

To apply for this role, please submit a copy of your CV/resume and a cover letter outlining your interest in the role and how you fulfil the requirements set out in the job announcement by clicking on the link below. 

If you have any questions about the role or organisation and would like an informal chat ahead of submitting a formal application, please reach out to McAra Kirby-Fahey. To note: in order to keep your application safe and ensure your data is GDPR compliant, applications will not be accepted via email.

• The deadline for applications is Monday June 15th, 9:00 am CET 

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Upsall International actively promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion. In recruiting candidates, we seek candidates with the proven skills required, irrespective of race, gender, religion or belief, age, disability, or sexual orientation.