The Royal African Society is seeking a new Chair to succeed Zeinab Badawi who will complete her term later this year.

This year, the Royal African Society celebrates its 120^th Anniversary. At a time when many charities are facing existential challenges, RAS is in good health. We are planning to use the anniversary to raise the Society’s profile, target new audiences and widen our appeal. Though a small organisation, RAS has great impact both on public attitudes and public policy. To reach an even wider audience, we are seeking increased engagement, new partnerships and the mobilisation of further resources to promote our charitable work.

Our current Chair, Zeinab Badawi, will complete her second term in the summer of 2021, having led the Society through a period that consolidated its reputation as the country’s leading advocate for Africa and expanded its engagement with the African diaspora in this country and beyond. We are now seeking a suitable successor to lead the Council for the next phase of our development.

The Chair should be able to provide strong, public leadership for the Society in pursuing its mission. They should therefore have strong connections with Africa and the African diaspora, alongside relevant experience and an outlook that is both international and inclusive. The Chair plays an important role in maintaining the Society’s public profile and top level contacts in both the UK and Africa by helping marshal the resources of the Council, maintain a network of contacts, and participate in RAS’s high-level events. In this way the Chair helps deepen understanding of the continent and its people, and acts as a visible champion for Africa and Africans in Britain.

Further detail on the role can be found in this downloadable RAS Chair brief [pdf].

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit a CV and cover letter outlining your interest and suitability for the role as soon as possible, and no later than Monday 12 April, by email to:

Lucy Blythe, Director, Philia International
Email: lucy@philia-intl.com

Your cover letter should complement your CV, giving reasons for interest in the role, evidence of your fit with the person specification criteria and any additional relevant skills, experience or networks.

Initial enquiries in confidence are welcome before submission. Please contact Lucy Blythe to set up a call.