Sahir: Shaping Brighter Futures for our communities

Sahir has been at the heart of the Liverpool City Region’s LGBTQ+ community since 1985, standing up for people when it matters most. As we celebrate our 40th anniversary this year, our commitment to creating healthier, fairer, and more vibrant futures for LGBTQ+ people and those living with HIV has never been stronger.
 
We’re here for:
 
  • LGBTQ+ individuals
  • People living with and affected by HIV
We’re not just about support; we’re about change. We tackle prejudice head-on, fight inequality, and campaign to make our society fairer. With our roots in the resilience of local trailblazers, we’ve always stood for strength, solidarity, and a better tomorrow.

Now is a fantastic time to get involved with Sahir

Sahir is entering an exciting new chapter, and we’re looking for passionate, committed individuals to join our Board of Trustees.

We’ve been at the heart of Liverpool City Region’s LGBTQ+ and HIV communities for 40 years, making a real difference – and we’re looking ahead to an even bigger, brighter future.

With ambitious future prospects, we are growing our trustee board to reflect the communities we serve, as well as invite those with unique skillsets to help realise this ambition. As a trustee, you’ll play a key role in shaping what comes next, helping us grow, reach more people, and continue delivering vital support.

If you’re passionate about equality and want to use your skills to create real change, we’d love to hear from you.

Role Description

As a Trustee, you will join the governing body responsible for ensuring that Sahir  achieves its mission while operating sustainably, ethically, and in compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. Trustees contribute their skills, knowledge, and time to support the strategic direction, governance, and operations of the charity.

 

Membership Responsibilities 

  • Contribute to the work of the board to fulfil its governance duties.
  • Set Sahir’s vision, values, mission, strategy, and high-level policy
  • Monitor organisational performance against established targets.
  • Safeguard Sahir’s reputation and values.
  • Ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, and organisational requirements.
  • Risk Management – Review and manage risks, ensuring the charity has provisions to mitigate them and respond effectively to emerging issues.
  • Governance

Meetings

  • Attend board meetings and horizon scanning/planning sessions (meetings are typically held early evening on weekdays, commonly via Zoom, with occasional in-person sessions).
  • Engage in board communications, including reviewing materials before meetings and contributing to project work between sessions.

Governance

  •  Strengthen the board by contributing to the recruitment of new trustees.
  • Support governance by understanding the skills and interests of board members and applying them effectively to decision-making and strategy.
  • Commit to personal development to enhance governance knowledge and performance.

 Policy 

  • Ensure board decisions are communicated clearly and implemented appropriately.

Representation 

  • Act as an ambassador for Sahir, speaking on its behalf when appropriate.
  • Represent Sahir at public events, such as [specific examples like Pride, our World AIDS Day Vigil, AGM, stakeholder events, and fundraising initiatives].

Active Involvement Beyond Meetings 

  • Apply specific skills, knowledge, or expertise to help the board make sound decisions.
  • Participate actively in activities beyond board meetings, such as scrutinising papers, leading discussions, advising on new initiatives, or representing Sahir externally.
Chair of Trustees & Treasurer
In addition to general trustees, we are actively seeking to recruit a new Chair of Trustees and a Treasurer. These two pivotal roles require specific qualities, experience, and a commitment to supporting Sahir in achieving its mission.
 
Chair of Trustees
The Chair will lead the Board, ensuring effective governance and strategic direction. Key responsibilities and qualities include:
 
  • Providing leadership to the Board and ensuring effective governance practices.
  • Facilitating open and constructive discussion during board meetings.
  • Acting as a key ambassador for Sahir, building and maintaining relationships with stakeholders.
  • Line managing, supporting and appraising the CEO, acting as a trusted sounding board.
  • Ensuring the charity remains focused on its mission and delivers impact for the community.
 
Treasurer
The Treasurer will oversee the financial management of the charity, ensuring its financial sustainability and compliance. Key responsibilities and qualities include:
 
  • Monitoring the charity’s financial performance and reporting to the Board.
  • Ensuring compliance with charity financial regulations and best practices.
  • Supporting the preparation of budgets, financial statements, and risk assessments.
  • Providing guidance on the allocation of resources and long-term financial planning.
  • Working closely with the CEO and finance manager to ensure robust financial management.
Both roles require individuals with a passion for our mission, a commitment to diversity and inclusion, and the ability to collaborate effectively with fellow trustees and stakeholders.
 
If you are eager to pursue either of these special trustee roles – please highlight this within your application and/or ask for an initial informal conversation with our CEO. 
Personal Specification
We are seeking trustees who can demonstrate the following skills, qualities, and experience:
 
Essential Attributes
  • Commitment to Sahir and Its Values: A genuine passion for Sahir’s mission and vision.
  • Willingness to Commit Time and Effort: Availability to dedicate sufficient time to board meetings, preparation, and additional responsibilities.
  • Sound, Independent Judgement: Ability to make informed and balanced decisions in the best interests of Sahir.
  • Impartiality, Fairness, and Confidentiality: A strong ethical foundation to navigate sensitive matters with integrity.
  • Tact and Diplomacy: Willingness to speak one’s mind constructively while respecting differing perspectives.
  • Respect and Leadership: Ability to gain and give respect, fostering a collaborative and inclusive board culture.
  • Commitment to Personal Development: A proactive approach to enhancing one’s governance knowledge and skills.
  • Teamwork: A self-starting attitude and the ability to work effectively as part of a team.
  • Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Strong ability to engage, listen, and articulate views clearly and persuasively.
Note: You do not need prior experience as a trustee to apply for this role.
 
Desirable Skills and Experience
We are particularly interested in individuals with expertise in the following areas:
 
  • Income Generation: Commercial ventures, fundraising and partnerships – to help sustain and grow Sahir’s financial health.
  • Finance: Oversight of budgets, financial planning, and compliance.
  • Human Resources (HR): Knowledge of employment law, staff management, or organisational culture.
  • PR and Marketing: Promoting Sahir’s work, increasing visibility, and engaging stakeholders effectively.
  • Senior Leadership: Experience in senior leadership roles, including leading organisations and guiding teams at a strategic level.
Inclusion 
Inclusion is a core value of Sahir, and we are committed to enhancing the diversity of our Board of Trustees.
 
  • We welcome applications from individuals living with or affected by HIV.
  • We warmly encourage applications from members of the LGBTQ+ community.
  • We are particularly keen to receive applications from individuals currently underrepresented on charity boards, including people of the global majority, people with disabilities, and those with protected characteristics.
  • We especially welcome applications from individuals who have accessed Sahir’s services in the past and are inspired to help shape our future.
How to Apply
If you would like to be considered as a trustee of Sahir, please send:
 
  • A CV or LinkedIn profile (if regularly updated)
  • A supporting statement explaining how you believe your interests, skills and experience match what we are looking for, as outlined in the personal specification (no more than one side of A4)
  • details of any business or other interests which might give rise to conflict of interest, and how you could address this should your application be successful to info@sahir.org.uk with Trustee in the subject title.
Rolling Recruitment Drive:
We are running a rolling recruitment drive for trustee applications.
 
Deadline:
Whilst there is no current end date for applications, please note that Sahir may offer trusteeships to individuals as applications are reviewed. To avoid missing out, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
 
To arrange an informal discussion with Ant Hopkinson, our CEO, prior to application, please email ant.hopkinson@sahir.org.uk with your telephone number and availability.