Assistant Finance Manager Volunteer Roles in Belfast

About the Chagos Conservation Trust

The Chagos Archipelago, made up of 55 islands covering some 544,000km2 of ocean, is a British Overseas Territory and rare haven of beautiful reefs and diverse wildlife located in the midst of the Indian Ocean. The Chagos Conservation Trust, founded in the UK in 1992, is largely volunteer-run with a Board of 12 Trustees  made up from a diverse group of scientists, conservationists, campaigners, and finance specialists with one  thing in common: working to protect the Chagos Archipelago. 

The mission of the Trust is to make sure this precious and important natural environment is protected and  conserved, and can act as an example of how to manage valuable environments across the planet. With the  right care, the archipelago can be a reminder of how tropical reefs flourished many hundreds of years ago, and can offer vital insight into how they might be saved for generations to come. The Trust carries out historical research, scientific and conservation work, and strives to highlight the global importance of this stunning marine ecosystem.

The Trust is about to enter an exciting new era as it prepares to launch its Healthy Islands, Healthy Reefsprogramme, which aims to rewild the 30 ecologically degraded islands of the outer atolls of the Chagos Archipelago, returning them to refuges for local species and supporting thriving coral reefs.

About the role

Objective:

The Chair of the Board is an important, voluntary, officer role that ensures the Trust is run efficiently and  effectively. The Chair provides inclusive leadership, and ensures the Board functions as a unit, with each  Trustee fulfilling their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of the Trust. The Chair also  supports the Director to achieve agreed objectives, and together with the Director acts as an ambassador and public face of the Trust.

The Chair will lead the quarterly board meetings, which are either held virtually or in person in a location to  be decided (usually London), and the Annual General Meeting. Approximately 2-4 hours per week time  commitment is required.

Principal Responsibilities

Strategic leadership:

● Provide leadership to the charity and its Board, ensuring that the Trust has maximum impact;
● To ensure Trustees fulfil their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of the Trust;
● Ensure the Board operates within its objectives and provides a clear strategic direction for the Trust;
● Ensure the Board is able to regularly review major risks and associated opportunities, and ensure systems are in place to take advantage of opportunities, as well as manage and mitigate risks;
● Ensure the Board fulfils its duties to maintain sound financial health of the Trust, with systems in place to ensure financial accountability.

Governance:

● Ensure the governance arrangements and policies are working in the most effective way for the Trust;
● Develop the knowledge and capability of the Board of Trustees, and foster, maintain and ensure that constructive relationships exist with and between the Trustees;
● Encourage positive change where appropriate, address and resolve any conflicts within the Board, and appraise the performance of the Trustees and the Board routinely;
● Ensure the Board of Trustees is regularly refreshed and incorporates the right balance of skills, knowledge and experience needed to govern and lead the Trust effectively;
● Chair meetings of the Board of Trustees effectively and efficiently, bringing impartiality and  objectivity to the decision-making process, ensuring decisions are taken in the best, long-term interests of the Trust where the Board takes collective ownership;
● Work closely with the Director to give direction to the Board’s strategic decision-making, and ensure  that meetings are well planned, meaningful, and reflect the responsibilities of Trustees;
● Monitor the decisions taken at meetings are implemented.

External Relations:

● In partnership with the Director, act as an ambassador for the Trust, and spokesperson for the  organisation when appropriate;
● Represent the Trust at external functions, meetings and events.

Relationship with the Director:

● Establish and build a strong, effective and a constructive working relationship with the Director, and ensure that they are held to account for achieving agreed strategic objectives;
● Ensure regular contact with the Director, and develop and maintain an open and supportive relationship where each can speak openly about concerns, worries and challenges;
● Liaise with the Director to maintain an overview of the Trust’s affairs, providing support as necessary, including assistance with routine administration such as compilation of the Annual Report, Board meeting and AGM preparation, and communications;
● Conduct an annual appraisal and remuneration review for the Director in consultation with other Trustees;
● Ensure that the Director has the opportunity for professional development and the appropriate professional support.

Qualities:

● An understanding of and interest in conservation issues;
● A willingness to lead the organisation;
● Possesses tact, diplomacy and powers of persuasion;
● Relevant skills and experience to manage a team and run a meeting well.

We are excited to share this great opportunity to join our Board of Directors.It is a very important time for Cornerstone, as we  set a course for the future, with our  strategy ‘Future proofing Cornerstone’. 

As a member of our Board, you will be instrumental in guiding the strategic future of the charity and ensuring exemplary governance and fiscal control. The main Board meets four times a year and board  members will be expected to be a member of one of the sub committees. You will also act as a local ambassador for Cornerstone. 

We are particularly keen to hear from those with skills, knowledge and experience in one or more of the following areas who feel they can make a positive contribution to our charitable activities: - 

• Management experience in social care quality standards, compliance, commissioning and / or procurement 
• Senior management experience in the social work / social care sector preferably with strategic planning skills 
• Accountancy/financial experience preferably at management level 
• Personal experience of providing care and support of a relative or carer of a person who has experience of care 

 
About Us 
 
Cornerstone is one of Scotland’s largest charities and is a leading provider of social care services to more than 1,200 adults, children and young people with disabilities and other support needs.  We employ over 1,900 people across Scotland and are fully committed to delivering high quality care and support. 

In addition, we also operate our Cornerstone Self-Directed Support service.  Across this service, we have over 200 Personal Assistants on our books and approximately 1000 active clients. 

We’re committed to building a workforce that represents the true diversity of Scotland, where every single one of our colleagues feel enabled to deliver their best.  We’re proud to be an equal opportunities employer who selects the best person for the job.  We value the diversity of our workforce and work hard to create an inclusive environment where each individual can bring their unique skills, experiences and ideas to the table to help us grow, bring create innovative solutions and develop of our people.  We are keen to receive applications for board position that reflect the diversity of the organisation. 

Click on our advert attachment to view for our Cornerstone Trustee Board information pack.

We welcome applications from anywhere in Scotland. 

There is no re-numeration attached to the role but expenses will be reimbursed. 

If you’re up for the challenge and think you have what it takes, apply today with your CV and cover letter.We're waiting to hear from you.Your cover letter should be uploaded to the 'Supporting Documents' section within our online application.

Are you committed to childhood flourishing with an interest in creating stragegies for this to happen?

Godly Play offers spiritually sensitive approaches to learning and living together in a fragile world. We take childhood spirituality seriously, providing training to transform thinking and practice for the whole of life.

A Christian movement, Godly Play seeks to make space for questions about the meaning and purpose of life, through play, wondering, story, exploration and community.

Our small board of trustees supports a group of fifteen part-time trainers offering courses to people working with children in churches of many traditions, in schools and in community settings. 

We would like to diversify our board's ethnicity, age and gender. It would be great to have someone with grant-seeking experience and/or communications know how, but we would love to talk to anyone who is interested.

Would you like to join us? Our website offers lots more information.