Join our board

Job description

the3million is currently seeking up to three new non-executive directors to strengthen its dynamic board and support the work of this passionate organisation at the forefront of migrants’ rights in the UK.

Seven years after the Brexit referendum, we are navigating ongoing challenges affecting EU citizens’ communities. We are continuing to build power from the ground up, empowering people to get their voices heard. Your contribution will be crucial to making change happen.  

These positions are voluntary and therefore unpaid.

 

About the3million

We are the leading organisation representing EU citizens in the UK. Our vision is a world where EU citizens can thrive, reach their potential and have an equal voice in UK society. Our work ranges from monitoring the implementation of the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement, advocating for the integration of EU citizens throughout all sections of society, informing people of their rights, and giving EU citizens a voice in British society to change the narrative on migration as a whole. 

We are a grassroots and non-partisan organisation, working with a variety of stakeholders, from MPs to NGOs, legal advisors and the media on specific issues affecting migrants’ rights. We regularly engage with the Home Office and its monitoring bodies to advocate for change. 

We were formed through the efforts of volunteers from many different backgrounds who came together in the immediate aftermath of the Brexit referendum in 2016. We hold on to that can-do, nimble spirit and informal, friendly and non-hierarchical collegiality.

the3million was incorporated as a limited by guarantee not-for-profit company with Companies House in November 2017. As such, the role of members of the Board of Directors is similar, though not identical, to that of Charity Trustees. 

 

What does the role involve? 

You will join a small board of professionals committed to helping EU citizens in the UK. All directors work closely with our very dedicated staff team.

We are specifically seeking directors with expertise in any or more of the following fields: immigration law and strategic litigation; community and campaigns organising (such as from a trade union background); fundraising; HR. 

As a the3million non-executive director, you’ll play a vital role in keeping the organisation on track with its objectives. You will apply your professional experience towards shaping our strategy on fundraising, governance, campaigning and other areas of work.

 

Who should apply?

Applications are welcome from everyone with the relevant passion and experience in one or more of the areas listed above. Having worked in the migration sector or in campaigning is not necessarily required. We recognise that many other settings offer transferable skills.

One of the3million’s core values is inclusion - we are people-led, we value diversity and are enriched by differences. We strive to listen to, engage with and represent the broadest range of people. 

We are particularly eager to hear from candidates with lived experience of migration. If you are from a background that is underrepresented in the migration sector we also strongly encourage you to apply. This could include coming from a community that experiences racism, living with a disability, not having been to University or having been in receipt of free school meals as a child.  

We recognise our team is not currently representative of communities that experience racism and that our own ways of working may replicate wider societal oppression and injustices. We are actively working towards becoming an anti-oppressive organisation, including taking steps to create a more inclusive recruitment process.

We believe our work will be stronger with greater diversity. the3million welcomes the whole person to work, and we understand that each of us brings our experiences, our backgrounds and our own unique lens to what we do.

Please send your CV along with an accompanying letter explaining your reasons for applying. We highly recommend going through the role specifications below before you start your application.
 

The main purpose of your role:

As directors at the3million, you will have responsibility to:

• Ensure the3million is meeting its aims and objectives and acting in line with any relevant legislation or regulations
• Act in the best interests of the organisation
• Ensure the3million applies its resources exclusively in line with its strategic aims as set out in its Theory of Change
• Ensure the financial viability of the3million 
• Contribute effectively to the Board of Directors in giving clear strategic direction, and evaluating performance against set targets
• Appoint and support the Chief Executive Officer/s and/or Chief Operating Officer/s and monitor their performance
• Act with reasonable care and skill

 

What you will gain:

• An insight into how the organisation runs;
• Confidence in building relationships with a wide range of people, and the opportunity to learn from the varied experiences that other Board members bring to the table;
• An opportunity to use your skills, knowledge and experience to the benefit of the organisation;
• A sense of pride when hearing about the difference our campaigning and organising efforts make, knowing you have had a role in protecting the rights of EU citizens in the UK.

Being a director is a voluntary role and is not paid, but expenses including for travel are reimbursed.

 

Director Person Specification

Key skills:

• Knowledge of and ability to carry out the core responsibilities of being a director (please note that onboarding and support is available to new Board members, particularly those who have not served on a Board before)
• Strategic vision: an ability to think about the ‘bigger picture’ and longer term (5 years ahead) as well as the ‘here and now’
• A willingness to act as an ambassador for the3million, promoting our work to friends and colleagues
• An ability to work as a member of a team, to comment, challenge or question in a way that is helpful, supportive and constructive
• Timeliness and clarity in your communication on and around meetings or projects
• A good sense of judgement 

 

Qualification and experience

You will ideally have one or more of the following:

• Knowledge of immigration law and strategic litigation;
• Community and campaigns organising experience;
• HR experience;
• Fundraising experience;
• Finance background;
• Experience of working in senior teams, preferably at board level;
• Experience of volunteering/working in the voluntary sector;
• Experience working in the field of immigration would be an advantage.

 

Personal attributes

• Integrity and honesty
• Proactiveness
• A demonstrable commitment to the3million's aims and values
• Team player, flexible and adaptable

 

Time commitment 

• A two hour evening board meeting every two months (online)
• One to two away-days per year (in-person);
• Follow up to meetings – reading and commenting on minutes, carrying out any agreed actions.

 

Restrictions

• Over 18
• Must be currently based in the UK
• Not bankrupt
• Subject to satisfactory DBS check and references
• Not excluded by Companies House or Charity Commission
• Conflicts of interest that would be so significant as to undermine the role in general, such as being a member of a group that discriminated against people based on gender, ethnicity or nationality.

 

Next steps

Applications are welcome from everyone with the relevant passion and experience. If you would like to speak to someone on our current Board or a staff member to find out more about us before applying, you are welcome to do so.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited for a one-hour interview with a director and CEO.

All applicants will be contacted and those who are not successful will have the opportunity to obtain feedback.

Successful applicants will be onboarded by other Board members and the CEO, ensuring they are welcomed into the organisation and supported based on their individual circumstances.

 

Application Instructions

Please send your CV along with an accompanying letter explaining your reasons for applying. If you are on LinkedIn, please share with us the URL of your profile.

Please also download and fill in the equality and diversity monitoring form. We only use this information to understand the demographics of people we are reaching and to guide us in making the3million fairer. This process is separate and confidential; this information is not reviewed or taken into account in the recruitment process.

Please email all the above to us at [email protected].