At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Board in governance, support strategic objectives, and chair meetings effectively.
- Company: Scripture Union Northern Ireland has over 100 years of experience supporting children and families.
- Benefits: Opportunity to shape the future direction of a respected charity reaching over 12,000 youth annually.
- Other info: This is a voluntary position with an expected commitment of 16 to 20 hours per month.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact through leadership and governance in a Christian context.
- Qualifications: Mature Christian faith, previous Trustee experience, and strong leadership skills required.
G1 Search is delighted to be partnering with Scripture Union Northern Ireland (SUNI) to appoint a new Chair of the Board. This is a voluntary Board appointment and presents a unique opportunity for an experienced leader to contribute their skills, experience, and Christian faith to one of Northern Ireland's most established and impactful charities. For more than 100 years, Scripture Union Northern Ireland has been supporting children, young people, families, and churches across Northern Ireland. Through schools' ministry, camps and missions, and ministry development initiatives, the organisation works alongside local churches to help children and young people discover and explore the Christian faith.
As SUNI continues to deliver its ambitious strategy through to 2030, the incoming Chair will play a pivotal role in supporting governance, shaping future direction, and helping the organisation continue its mission of reaching children and young people across Northern Ireland with the Good News of Jesus Christ. Working closely with the General Director, Trustees, and wider leadership team, the Chair will lead the Board in fulfilling its governance responsibilities while ensuring the organisation remains focused on its strategic objectives, values, and charitable purpose. This appointment offers an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to an organisation that reaches more than 12,000 children and young people each year through its programmes and ministry activities across Northern Ireland.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide effective leadership to the Board, ensuring strong governance, accountability, and strategic oversight
- Support SUNI in achieving its charitable objectives while ensuring compliance with relevant governance, regulatory, and legal requirements
- Chair Board meetings, facilitating constructive discussion, effective decision-making, and appropriate challenge
- Develop and maintain a strong working relationship with the General Director, providing support, encouragement, and accountability
- Support the ongoing development of the Board, including trustee recruitment, succession planning, and skills development
- Review organisational performance and progress against strategic objectives
- Work closely with fellow Trustees, the Treasurer, and Board committees to ensure effective governance across the organisation
- Act as an ambassador for SUNI with churches, supporters, funders, and external stakeholders where appropriate
- Promote a culture of excellence, integrity, collaboration, and continuous improvement throughout the organisation
Required Experience
- A mature Christian faith and active involvement within a local church
- Commitment to the vision, values, beliefs, and ethos of Scripture Union Northern Ireland
- Previous experience serving as a Trustee
- Experience chairing meetings and operating effectively at Board or senior leadership level
- Strong leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills
- The ability to provide strategic guidance, independent judgement, and constructive challenge
- A passion for supporting children's and youth ministry
- The willingness and capacity to devote the time required to fulfil the responsibilities of the role
- Experience within charity governance, fundraising, finance, or leading organisations through periods of growth and development would be advantageous
What's on Offer
- Opportunity to serve as Chair of one of Northern Ireland's most respected Christian charities
- The chance to help shape the future direction of an organisation that reaches more than 12,000 children and young people each year
- Opportunity to make a lasting impact through governance, leadership, and strategic oversight
- Work alongside an experienced Board, leadership team, staff, and volunteers committed to advancing SUNI's mission across Northern Ireland
- A meaningful opportunity to use your skills, experience, and Christian faith to support the next chapter of the organisation's development
This is a voluntary, unremunerated position. The anticipated commitment is approximately 16 to 20 hours per month and includes attendance at Board and committee meetings, governance activities, stakeholder engagement, and regular liaison with the General Director and Treasurer. The successful candidate is expected to join the Board as a Trustee during 2026 before assuming the position of Chair following the AGM in November 2026.
Interested? This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced Christian leader who is passionate about governance, leadership, and helping children and young people explore the Christian faith. If this opportunity aligns with your experience and calling, we would welcome a confidential conversation. To apply, please submit an expression of interest, explaining why you are interested in the role (400 words max) by 7th August 2026.
Chair in Belfast employer: G1 Search
Join Scripture Union Northern Ireland, a charity dedicated to helping children explore their faith. Located in Northern Ireland, the organisation reaches over 12,000 young people each year. Work alongside a committed Board and leadership team focused on advancing SUNI's mission.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chair in Belfast
✨Get Involved with Local Causes
Start connecting with local nonprofits or social impact projects in your area. Attend their events, offer to help out with community initiatives, or just drop by to chat about their mission. This way, you’ll not only learn about the work they do but also make meaningful connections that could lead to volunteer opportunities.
✨Leverage Social Media for Social Impact
Platforms like Twitter and Instagram are goldmines for discovering volunteer opportunities in the nonprofit sector. Follow organisations you’re passionate about, engage with their posts, and keep an eye out for their volunteer calls. It’s a great way to show your interest and dedication!
✨Utilise Volunteer Matching Platforms
Sites like VolunteerMatch or local community boards are perfect for finding short-term and long-term volunteer roles. These platforms can connect you with causes that align with your passions and skills, and often allow you to browse opportunities tailored to your interests.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
When you spot an organisation you like, don't hesitate to visit their website and check out their volunteer section. Many nonprofits have dedicated pages for volunteers where you can apply directly – and we’ve found that this route often leads to quicker responses and more personalised interactions!
We think you need these skills to ace Chair in Belfast
Some tips for your application 🫡
Share Your Passion for Social Impact:When you're applying for a volunteer role at a nonprofit like G1 Search, don’t just list your skills. Show us why you're passionate about social impact! Use your cover letter to tell a story about what drives you and how you've been involved in similar initiatives. Personal connections to the cause can really make your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:Make sure to showcase any previous volunteer work or projects that demonstrate your commitment to social impact. Whether it’s fundraising, community outreach, or project management, detail your contributions and the results achieved. This kind of experience is invaluable in the nonprofit sector and can help us see your potential!
Get Creative with Your CV:In the world of nonprofits, a standard CV might not cut it. Consider using a more creative format that showcases your personality while maintaining professionalism. Use headings like 'Community Engagement' or 'Social Impact Projects' to highlight your experiences related to the role. Remember, we want to see what makes you unique!
Keep It Community-Focused:Make sure your application emphasises collaboration and community. Volunteer roles are about working well with others and contributing collectively towards a common goal. In your cover letter, mention any teamwork experiences or community projects you've been part of, and how you contributed to their success. This shows that you’re ready to jump into the collaborative spirit here at G1 Search.
How to prepare for a job interview at G1 Search
✨Know Your Passion
Dive deep into the mission of G1 Search and understand the issues they tackle. When they ask about your motivation to volunteer, share specific experiences that link your passion to their cause—whether it’s local community work or a broader social impact.
✨Bring Your Skills to the Table
Highlight any relevant skills that can aid in their projects, such as fundraising, project management, or community organising. Be prepared to share examples of how you’ve used these skills in past volunteer roles or relevant experiences.
✨Get Ready for Scenario Questions
In non-profit interviews, especially for volunteer roles, you might get scenario-based questions. Think about times when you've encountered challenges in team work or community engagement, and how you resolved them—this shows your problem-solving abilities.
✨Show Your Commitment
Since this is a volunteer role, they’ll likely want to see your commitment to the cause over an extended period. Be ready to discuss how much time you can dedicate, any special skills you can bring, and your eagerness to learn and grow with the organisation—this excites them to have you on board!
