About the organisation
Survivor Space Oxfordshire (SSO) is the only organisation providing non-statutory, accredited, specialist support to survivors of sexual violence in Oxfordshire. We directly support survivors of sexual violence, promote and advocate for their needs and work towards the elimination of sexual violence. Our services comprise of psychoeducation courses, one-to-one counselling, peer to peer group work and independent advocacy to support survivors who decide to engage with the criminal justice system.
We also work closely with both the universities in Oxford, and local schools, to provide education and training on consent and healthy relationships, and offer sexual harassment courses to local business to work towards our overall vision of a world without sexual violence. Our life-saving services improve the mental health of survivors, supporting them through their darkest moments and empowering them to recover from the impacts of their trauma.
We work with survivors of all genders, aged 10 and above, who have experienced rape, sexual abuse, or any other form of sexual violence, whether it was experienced recently, in the past, or as children – at no cost to them.
About the role
The Board of Trustees is collectively responsible for the overall governance, strategic direction, and long term sustainability of the charity. While day-to-day opterational management is delegated to the CEO and staff, the board remains accountable to SSO's members, the Charity Commission, Companies house, funders, and service users. Trustees play a critical role in ensuring that the charity operates efficiently, ethically, and in line with its governing documents and legal obligations.
Main responsibilties:
- Ensure SSO operates in line with its governing document, laws, and regulations
- Ensure SSO works within its charitable objects
- Maintain the reputation and values of SSO
- Keep the interests of beneficiaries in mind while acting in the best interests of SSO as a whole
- Contribute to planning, setting long-term aims, and evaluating SSO's performance
- Develop, agree, and abide by SSO policies and procedures
- Ensure effective and efficient administration of SSO
- Attend Board meetings bi-monthly (held online)
- Promote the work of SSO
- Undertake induction, mandatory safeguarding training, and attend awaydays (2-3 per year)
- Oversee financial planning, budgeting, and cash flow management
- Monitor financial performance, reserves, and variances; provide timely insights to the Board
- Ensure robust financial controls, anti-fraud measures, and safeguarding of assets
- Present clear, consice financial reporting to the Board and committees
- Ensure timely reporting to regulators, funders, and the Charity Commission
- Manage banking relationships, signatories, and liquidity
- Support fundraising activities from a financial perspective, including reviewing donor agreements
- Partner with CEO and Secretary/Operations lead on financial policies, procurement, and budgeting processes
- Contribute to risk management discussions, financial resilience planning, and internal controls
- Support internal and external audits or reviews, coordinating with the Finance/Audit Committee if applicable
This post is restricted to female applicants only and is exempt under Schedule 9, part 1 of the Equality Act 2010.
Survivor Space is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to promoting equality and social inclusion.
The recruitment monitoring section of the application form (which gives details of your sex, ethnic origin, date of birth and any disability) will be detached before the form reaches the Selection Committee. This information will not be made available to the Selection Committee. If you have indicated that you have a disability, the recruiting Survivor Space Job Description and Person Specification manager will be made aware of this to ensure that you are given an interview in an appropriate, accessible location. The information you provide on the recruitment monitoring section will be held in confidence by Survivor Space and the details logged onto a confidential recruitment database. The information will be used for statistical purposes to enable Survivor Space to carry out its equal opportunities monitoring obligations.
In line with SSO’s other policies, we ask that women who have used our services wait two years before joining us as a Trustee.
Our ideal candidate
The ideal candidate will have a commitment to the values, mission, and feminist principles of Survivor Space. We are looking for women who bring a mix of lived and professional experience, demonstrating an understanding of equality, diversity, inclusion, and the structural inequalities affecting survivors of sexual violence. Candidates should be able to contribute to strategic planning, governance, and organisational decision-making, while working collaboratively as part of a Board. Strong communication skills, integrity, and the ability to think creatively and independently are essential, as is a willingness to participate actively in meetings, committees, and training. Most importantly, the ideal Trustee is motivated by a commitment to Survivor Space’s mission and to making a positive difference for survivors.
The ideal SSO Treasurer Trustee combines a strong commitment to the organisation’s values with substantial financial expertise. Candidates should have experience in financial management, ideally within the charity sector, and a solid understanding of charity accounting standards, reporting, budgeting, and internal controls. The ability to analyse and interpret complex financial information and present it clearly to non-financial Board members is essential. A successful Treasurer Trustee will be detail-oriented, organised, and able to maintain confidentiality, while contributing constructively to strategic decisions. Strong ethics, integrity, and a risk-aware approach are crucial, along with the ability to work collaboratively with the CEO, fellow Trustees, and committees. Familiarity with financial software and cloud-based accounting is desirable. Willingness to participate in audits, regulatory training, and safeguarding updates is required to ensure robust financial oversight.
What’s in it for you
Becoming a Trustee at Survivor Space Oxfordshire offers a unique opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of survivors of sexual violence while developing your own skills and experience in charity governance. You will contribute to shaping the strategic direction of a pioneering, specialist organisation, work alongside a supportive and passionate board, and gain insight into the operations, policies, and leadership of a dynamic charity. Trustees receive comprehensive induction, specialist training, and ongoing mentoring, and are reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses. This role also provides the chance to connect with a network of professionals and community members, expand your experience in strategic planning, finance, and policy, and contribute to creating a safer, more equitable community for survivors.
Apply for the role
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