As it seeks to expand and forge new partnerships in the UK and internationally, SOAS seeks three new Trustees to join its Board: one with senior connections to the heart of the City of London, one with high-level connections to the Middle East or Africa, and one with senior-level commercial leadership experience. They should all be based in the UK and able to attend main Board meetings in-person. (Deadline 22nd July)
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A unique institution celebrating more than 100 years of research and teaching excellence, SOAS is a School dedicated to the study of the human condition with a special focus on Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. It is dedicated to a study of the planetary questions of our historical moment, but it tries to understand these from the perspective of the Global South. In fulfilling this mandate, SOAS has brought together an incredible array of scholars, students and professionals who are dedicated to academic excellence and social justice, all of whom are intent on changing our world for the better.
SOAS is home to some of the world’s leading experts and researchers in these regions who are regularly interviewed by the international media including the BBC, ITN, Reuters and CNN. They act as advisors, commentators and consultants to government departments and non-governmental organisations, as well as the private sector and multinational companies. Through its research excellence, the School has gained a global reputation as a leading institution for the study of these regions, a reputation which is reflected in its diverse staff and student community.
The library is one of just five National Research Libraries in the country and houses the world’s largest concentration of scholarly works on Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Amongst its 1.5 million items, the library has many treasures including a 9th century Tibetan prayer book, priceless Japanese scrolls and original colonial maps of Africa drawn in the 19th century.
Approximately 5,200 students from 133 countries study at undergraduate and postgraduate level, 40 per cent of whom are from outside the UK. 4,000 students around the world study through distance learning programmes. SOAS has a well-established and active alumni community in more than 180 countries who are involved in hosting events around the world each year. The many high-profile alumni include world leaders, human rights lawyers, politicians, diplomats, journalists, museum curators, philosophers and writers, many of whom have helped bring about change to improve the world in which we live. As an institution set up 100 years ago with a clear colonial mission, SOAS has been leading work towards decolonising education, by reviewing its curricula and tackling the awarding gap for persons of colour students. Under its new Director, Professor Adam Habib, the School has re-affirmed its commitment to global excellence, and has exciting plans for growth in the coming years.
The Board is responsible for the strategic direction of the institution and the oversight of its performance and activities, including its financial health. Collectively, Trustees bring to its deliberations a wide range of knowledge and expertise and are expected to apply balanced and disinterested judgement to these deliberations. Their main assets are their independence and their objectivity, and their principal contributions are:
Trustees who are staff or students of the School are required to bring the same broad range of qualities as lay members. In addition, they bring specific and general knowledge and understanding of the School’s work and culture and ensure links and communication channels throughout the governance and management structure including links with the Senate and Academic Board (which has governance responsibility for the academic activities of the School), Board sub-committees and staff and student groups.
As it seeks to expand and forge new partnerships in the UK and internationally, SOAS seeks three new Trustees to join its Board: one with senior connections to the heart of the City of London, one with high-level connections to the Middle East or Africa, and one with senior-level commercial leadership experience. They should all be based in the UK and able to attend main Board meetings in-person.
City of London Networks: SOAS seeks a new Trustee with senior connections to the heart of the City of London. The successful candidate will bring an appreciation of the current political environment, and the ability to access key media, government, and corporate circles. Additionally, they will be astute, and have the courage to make the right decisions. They could, for example, be a senior member of one of the London livery companies.
Middle East / Africa Networks: SOAS seeks a new Trustee with high-level connections to the Middle East or Africa. This could be, for example, through links to major regional funding bodies, such as the Qatar Foundation, the Kuwait Foundation, or the Oppenheimer Generations Foundation. They do not necessarily have to come from those regions, but will in a position to provide introductions to potential donors.
Commercial: SOAS seeks a new Trustee with senior-level commercial leadership experience. The successful candidate will be change-oriented, have demonstrable business capacity, and bring evidence of having led business transformation. They will have an inclination towards risk-taking, and be willing to take decisions grounded in the strength of the institution, rather than being frightened by the prospect of adverse publicity. They will understand the University's public purpose, but will know how that purpose can be aligned to normal professional business practices.
For all three roles, proven experience of operating or influencing at board-level for an organisation of comparable complexity to SOAS will be essential, as will the ability to engage with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders in order to be highly effective ambassadors for the institution. Above all, individuals will be committed to SOAS's values of diversity and inclusivity and are able to work collaboratively with a talented executive team for the benefit of all.
Diversity: Candidates from an ethnic minority background or other under-represented groups are particularly encouraged to apply. As in-person attendance is expected, candidates will be UK-based.
The list of current Trustees can be found here.
SOAS applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. As those from ethnic minority backgrounds are currently under-represented on the Board, applications from those individuals would be particularly encouraged. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process. In line with the Equality Act 2010, however, the organisation may employ positive action where candidates from underrepresented groups can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.
There are six board meetings a year (including a strategic away day). Additionally, Trustees are expected to sit on one or more of the Board's sub-committees. The Committees of the Board are as follows: Audit Committee, Governance and Nominations Committee, Resources and Planning Committee, Health Safety and Security Committee, Academic Board, Executive Board and the Senior Staff Remuneration Committee. The overall time commitment for the role is approximately 15 days a year. The appointment is for a four-year term, renewable once. Reasonable, pre-agreed domestic expenses will be reimbursed.
This organisation is based in London, and meetings will take place in-person.
The deadline for consideration is 22nd July 2022.
If you would like to register your interest in this role, please fill in the form below. A member of the Nurole team will be in touch ahead of the deadline to let you know whether it would be worth submitting an application and to discuss the process further.