Find your place in the field of good food

Our goal is to connect good people with good food. We advertise sustainable food jobs and training opportunities to help jobseekers and employers find each other.

Roots to Work is a project of Sustain: the alliance for better food and farming.

Job description

About The Mazi Project

The Mazi Project empowers marginalised young people, many excluded from traditional education or employment, through food-based programmes that promote social mobility, wellbeing, and opportunity. From our aMAZIng recipe kits to cooking workshops, we use food as a tool to reduce isolation, build confidence, and help young people feel cared for and extraordinary.

As we enter a period of exciting organisational growth, we are seeking a dynamic and experienced Chair of Trustees to help us realise our vision and strengthen our impact.

Role Summary

The Chair of Trustees will lead The MAZI Project’s board, ensuring effective governance of the organization and providing strategic and oversight support for our Managing Director (MD). This is a pivotal leadership role for someone who is passionate about youth empowerment and interested in guiding MAZI through a transformative stage of development.

You will provide strategic direction, foster an engaged and collaborative board culture, and support The MAZI Project’s vision and growth.

A Board Secretary will support the Chair in preparation for board meetings and the annual strategy day.

Key Responsibilities

In addition to the general responsibilities of a trustee, the duties of the Chair will include the following:

Strategic Leadership

• Provide strategic leadership to the organisation and the board, ensuring a clear focus on the delivery of MAZI’s charitable and public benefit purposes.
• Ensure that trustees fulfil their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of MAZI.
• Ensure that the Board can regularly review significant risks and associated opportunities, and satisfy itself that systems are in place to take advantage of opportunities, and manage and mitigate the risks.
• Ensure that the Board fulfils its duties to maintain the charity’s sound financial health, with systems in place to ensure financial accountability.

Governance

• Ensure that governance arrangements are appropriate and are working in the most effective way for MAZI.
• Appraise the performance of Trustees and the Board as a whole on an annual basis.
• Address and resolve any conflicts within the Board.
• Ensure that the Board of Trustees is regularly refreshed and incorporates the right balance of skills, knowledge and experience needed to govern and lead the charity effectively, and which also reflects the wider population.
• Develop the knowledge and capacities of the Board.
• Work within any agreed policies adopted by the charity.

Strategic guidance

• Work closely with the MD to shape and refine organisational strategy during a period of growth.
• Support and constructively challenge the MD in achieving strategic, financial and operational goals.
• Provide oversight of risk, financial sustainability and organisational performance.

Relationship with MD

• Establish and build a strong working relationship with the MD, ensuring that they are held accountable to organisational objectives.
• Support the MD while respecting boundaries between the two roles.
• Act as a key sounding board and mentor to the MD.
• Ensure MD is appropriately supported, including with external professional advice and opportunities for professional development.
• In consultation with other Trustees conduct the MD’s annual performance review and ongoing performance.

Efficiency and effectiveness

• Chair meetings of the Board of Trustees effectively and efficiently, bringing impartiality and objectivity to the decision-making process.
• Ensure that Trustees are fully engaged and that decisions are taken in the best, long-term interests of the Charity and that the Board takes collective ownership.
• Foster, maintain and ensure that constructive relationships exist with and between the Trustees.
• Work closely with the Chief Executive to give direction to Board policy-making and to ensure that meetings are well planned, meaningful and reflect the responsibilities of trustees.
• Monitor that decisions taken at meetings are implemented.

Ambassadorial Role

• Act as an ambassador for The MAZI Project, representing the charity at external events where appropriate.
• Support fundraising and partnership-building by championing our cause and opening doors to new relationships.

Person specification

Essential

• Passion for youth empowerment, social justice, or community-focused work.
• Experience of board governance and committee work, ideally as Chair or Vice-Chair.
• Strong understanding of charity governance and trustee responsibilities.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to create an engaged, motivated and collaborative board.
• Experience supporting and line-managing senior leaders, offering both challenge and care.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to see the bigger picture while understanding the needs of a growing organisation.
• Strong communication, facilitation, and relationship-building skills.

Desirable

• Experience in the charity, youth, food insecurity, or social impact sectors.
• Connections within Bristol’s council, community, philanthropic, or business networks.
• Experience supporting organisations through growth, change, or scale-up phases.

What we offer

• The opportunity to shape the future of a young, mission-driven charity making a tangible impact on vulnerable young people.
• A collaborative, values-driven board and a passionate team.
• The chance to bring your experience and leadership to a project at a pivotal moment in its growth journey.

Application information

We’re committed to inclusive hiring.

Deadline for application: 2nd February

We know that not everyone has equal access to polished CVs or traditional career paths, and we also know that many people, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, may not apply unless they meet every single requirement. Please don’t rule yourself out if you feel you could thrive in this role but don’t tick every box.

You’re welcome to apply in the way that feels most accessible and comfortable for you but please add a CV alongside a cover letter or a short video (up to 5 minutes), a portfolio, or another format that helps us understand your skills and experience. If you need any adjustments to the process, just let us know.

Send applications to melanie@themaziproject.com

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