Spark! are a growing youth employment charity and are seeking to strengthen our Board through the appointment of 5 new trustees with a passion for supporting young people in to pathways towards meaningful and sustained employment and rewarding careers.
We are particularly looking for trustees who can demonstrate skills or experience in one or more of the following areas to enhance our Governance.
- Finance and accounting
- Local authority
- Education sector
- HR and training
- Central Government and campaigning
We are also seeking Young Trustees (under 25 years old) to represent youth voice on our Board. Ideally this will be someone with relevant lived experience and/or someone who has participated in Spark! programmes.
We also welcome candidates with links to our priority areas of Barnet, Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon and Hounslow, and from those with backgrounds that reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.
Camberwell After School Project is looking for a proactive and enthusiastic Treasurer to support this award winning children's charity which has provided a nurturing and positive childcare experience to many children for almost 40 years.
The Tresurer will oversee the financial affairs of the organisation and ensure they are legal, constitutional and within accepted accounting practice.
The post holder will also be responsible for monitoring and reporting on the financial health of the organisation to the Board of Trustees.
Key Responsibilities:
- Liaise with relevant employees, committee members and/or volunteers to ensure the financial viability of the organisation.
- Ensure fellow Trustees are aware of their financial obligations and take a lead in interpreting financial data to them.
- Regularly report the financial position at Trustee meetings (balance sheet, cash flow, fundraising performance etc).
- Oversee the production of an annual budget and propose its adoption at the last meeting of the previous financial year.
- Ensure proper records are kept and that effective financial procedures and controls are in place, ie:
- Cheque signatories
- Purchasing limits
- Purchasing systems
- Salary payments
- Pensions
- PAYE and NI payments
- Others as appropriate
- Appraising the financial viability of plans, proposals and feasibility studies.
- Lead on appointing and liaising with auditors/an independent examiner.
- Oversee the finance records on Xero ensuring posting and bookkeeping is kept up-to-date.
- Regularly carry out reconciliations/ oversee regular reconciliations by the Finance Officer.
- Authorise payments to creditors as appropriate and arrange appropriate signatures on payments.
Skills, experience and qualities we are seeking are:
- Dedicated towards the organisation's mission, aims and objectives.
- Willing to share ideas, expertise, knowledge and skills.
- Forward thinking and visionary.
- Knowledge and experience of current and fundraising finance practice relevant to voluntary and community organisations.
- Knowledge and understanding of charity law
- Knowledge of bookkeeping and financial management (as necessary).
- Good financial analysis skills.
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively
- Good people skills
- Willing to take on the challenges of collective working towards a sustainable organisation.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Duration: 3 years rolling up to max 9 years
Location: Regents Park, central London
Salary: Unremunerated
Closing date: 28th April 2023
Trustee
International Students House
Background
International Students House (the ‘House’ or ’ISH’) is one of the leading charities providing support and accommodation for international and UK undergraduate and postgraduate students, singles, couples and families, from over 85 nations studying at over 32 higher education degree awarding institutions. It is one of the most diverse student residential communities in the UK. The charity currently has over 350 students in residence in Regent’s Park and Balham and has plans to expand. You can find out more on our website.
The ethos of the House is to create ‘a home away from home’ for students from all around the globe. Its main activities are the provision of scholarships, affordable housing, social activities and welfare support. To fund its charitable activities, the House manages a bar, a meetings & events operation, and a public entertainment business with a modern, medium-sized central London venue, 229.
The House is completely independent and receives no government or local authority funding. Overall income last year (2021-22) was circa £6 million, and the charity has physical assets of around £100 million and a substantial investment fund. It is financially self-supporting with multiple income generating streams and a professional and entrepreneurial management style to fulfil its mission. The House employs around 90 employees from 35 different home nations. Recent awards include best Student Accommodation in London 2018, Championing Diversity award 2019, Best Student Community Centre - Greater London 2020, and London Healthy Workplace Award 2021.
ISH is looking for one or two trustees to join the Board of Governors (the “ Board”). We are looking for individuals who have experience in the private, public or charitable sector and who can bring their entrepreneurial, management and governance skills to assist the charity in delivering its mission. This is an exciting time to join the Board of a dynamic and friendly organisation.
Governance
The Board has a maximum of 12 Governors (“Trustees”). It is supported by a Finance and Audit Committee, a Governance and Nominations Committee, an Investment Committee, a Property Strategy Committee, a Scholarship Committee, and a Student Management Committee. The Patron is HRH Princess Royal. Trustees are expected to serve on at least one of the named Committees in addition to the main Board.
The Board is responsible for:
- Setting the strategy, budget and policy framework of International Students House.
- Supporting the Chief Executive and Senior Management Team (SMT) in implementing the strategy and business plan.
- Overall good governance and ensuring full regulatory compliance.
- Promoting the organisation externally.
- Assisting with fundraising activities when required.
Role of a Trustee
The statutory duties of a trustee are to:
- Work with fellow Board members and SMT in setting the Charity’s strategic aims, ensuring that the necessary financial and other resources are in place for ISH to meet its objectives and review performance management.
- Provide leadership to the Charity within a framework of prudent and effective controls, which enable risks to be assessed and managed.
- Comply with its governing document, charity law, company law and all other relevant law, legislation and/or regulations;
- Pursue its objectives as defined in its governing document;
- Use its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objectives, and in doing so fulfils its purpose for the benefit of the public;
- Maintain proper systems, procedures and controls and that they are kept under regular review.
- Safeguard the good name and values of the ISH; and
- Appoint the CEO and monitor their performance
Person Specification
International Students House intends to recruit trustees who will also be members of appropriate sub–committees and who may be prepared to occupy the posts of Chair and Vice Chair in the future.
The successful candidates may come from a wide range of backgrounds and especially welcomed would be individuals with experience and knowledge of marketing, finance/accounting, or IT/digital. They will be able to provide a range of skills and experience, from the following areas:
- Willingness and ability to understand and accept their responsibilities and liabilities as trustees and to act in the best interests of ISH.
- Ability to think creatively and strategically, exercise good, independent judgment and work effectively as a board member.
- Effective communication skills and willingness to participate actively in discussion.
- Financially astute with an understanding of charity financial management.
- A strong personal commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
- Enthusiasm for our mission and vision.
- Willingness to lead according to our values.
- Understanding of other cultures and issues faced by international students in the UK.
ISH is committed to reflect the diversity of the communities it serves and therefore welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process.
Time Commitment
The Board meets four times a year and the Committees also meet on average four times a year. In addition, there are evening social events for our residents which Trustees will be invited to attend as these will give you the opportunity to meet our students and stakeholders. You would normally be expected to attend two of these events a year. All meetings are either in person at Regent’s Park, London or via video conferencing, on dates fixed 18 months in advance and are normally held at around 4.00 to 5.30 pm GMT. All Trustees are subject to re-election after three years.
Remuneration
This position is unremunerated.
The Board meets four times a year and the sub-committees normally meet four times a year. In addition, there are many evening social events for our residents which Trustees will be invited to attend and which will give you the opportunity to meet our students and stakeholders. You would normally be expected to attend two of these events a year. All meetings are either in person at Regent’s Park, London or via video conferencing, on dates fixed 18 months in advance and are normally held at around 4.00 to 5.30 pm GMT. All Trustees are subject to re-election after three years.
Remuneration
This position is unremunerated.
Application Process
Please apply with covering letter setting out how your skills and experience match the requirements of the role, no later than 28th April 2023.
We anticipate that interviews will be held week commencing 9th May 2023, with a view to the successful candidates taking up their posts at the Board meeting in June 2023.
This role is advertised as part of TPP's Free Giving Back Services. This volunteer advertisement copy has been supplied to TPP and applicants apply direct to the organisation. Please contact the organisation directly if you have any questions about this volunteer role.