Operational Support Intern Volunteer Roles
General Secretary of ICOMOS-UK (executive position)
Minimum: 2 days per week
The current Secretary is stepping down after twenty years of service to ICOMOS-UK. We are looking for someone to fill the position starting in July 2024. This is currently a part-time un-paid executive (equivalent to a CEO) role with reasonable expenses for out of the office work. It is an ideal opportunity for anyone who wishes to work as part of an international organisation and bring international heritage conservation ideas and knowledge and practice to the UK. It could suit someone who has part-time availability or has recently retired and wishes to retain an active involvement in the heritage sector within an international dimension. Experience of working in sectors relating to the historic/built environment and/or culture and heritage would be desirable. Experience in managing the development and delivery of governance, policy and operations for a small or medium sized organisation or as part of a larger organisation would be essential. We envisage that an increase in membership which ICOMOS-UK is working towards may generate funding to make the role paid in the future.
The Secretary reports to the President and manages a member of staff (part-time paid staff member) and volunteers who undertake work intermittently.
We are expecting to fill this post by the beginning of July 2024 and would be happy to arrange an informal chat with ICOMOS-UK’s President about the role, on request.
Application process: closing date for the application is 17th May 2024. Candidates should send a CV, no longer than 2/3 pages, setting out why they wish to apply for the post and all relevant skills, knowledge and experience that support the application. Interviews are scheduled during first week in June 2024. The successful candidate will be notified soon after the interview date.
Job Description
The role of the General Secretary
The role of the General Secretary of ICOMOS-UK (equivalent to a CEO of a small organisation) is to take responsibility for the day-to-day function of the Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), to manage the secretariat (including the Operations Manager and volunteer staff), to support the work of the President and Executive Committee, and to oversee the national and international activities of ICOMOS-UK. The General Secretary will report to the President.
The organisation has been through a review and has been implementing its revised vision to increase ICOMOS-UK’s membership, (which currently stands at 470-500), and raise the organisation’s profile. We are a broad church and our members come from a variety of background and includes architects, archaeologists, geographers, engineers, project managers, curators, planners, carpenters, specialists in intangible cultural customs and traditions etc. Unlike many heritage organisations which were forced to close down during the pandemic, we were fortunate to retain our members throughout the lockdown and since which demonstrates the loyalty and support we already garner from our members. The General Secretary would work with the membership committee in sustaining this trend and identify new ideas to retain existing members and recruit new ones.
Main Duties / Key Responsibilities
- To support the President and Executive Committee in the delivery of the work of ICOMOS-UK.
- To develop, co-ordinate and present policy, as agreed with the Executive Committee.
- To co-ordinate and manage the secretariat function of ICOMOS-UK including the Office Manager. To oversee the governance arrangements for ICOMOS-UK.
- To work with the Treasurer on the budget, income generation and expenditure for ICOMOS-UK, including support for fund-raising activities and applications.
- To help drive the recruitment and support of members of ICOMOS-UK.
- To help coordinate and promote events supporting and disseminating the work of ICOMOS-UK.
- To coordinate, promote and report on the activities of ICOMOS-UK committees to the membership, stakeholders and potential interest groups; to work with the committees on the implementation of their recommendations.
- The post holder will be the secretary of the International Monuments Trust (IMT), convene meetings, take minutes and organise the transfer of payments.
Person Specification
You will have or develop:
- strong drive and initiative
- strong commitment to diversity and inclusion in all tasks
- experience in using your own judgement
- familiarity in reporting to and taking direction from the President and Executive Committee.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Required knowledge, skills and experience for the suitable candidate can be found on the attached Job Description.
Competency Framework
The competency Framework for the role can be found on the attached Job Description.
Dimensions
- Understanding of the work of ICOMOS, using knowledge and experience to proactively engage with Executive Committee and stakeholders.
- Supporting and undertaking work and providing reports to President and Executive Committee.
- Acting as a champion for ICOMOS’s work.
Background
What is ICOMOS?
The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) was set up in 1965 and is a non-governmental international organisation dedicated to the conservation of the world’s monuments and sites. With around 11,000 individual members active in over 150 countries and a network of 130 National committees (similar to the one in the UK) spread across the world, ICOMOS is one of the most highly regarded conservation organisations in the world. Its 31 International Scientific Committees made up of heritage conservation specialists from across the globe are responsible for developing charters, principles and guidelines on conservation and management of cultural sites. It is one the three advisers to the UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee on cultural World Heritage properties (the other two being IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) and ICCROM (International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property)).
What is ICOMOS-UK?
ICOMOS-UK is one of the 130 national committees of ICOMOS. It is an independent charity, set up in 1965. We have an active membership of individuals and institutions who come from a wide range of backgrounds in the UK and worldwide. As a national committee based in the UK, ICOMOS-UK promotes appreciation and understanding of our built environment and landscape associated with it and UK’s diverse intangible cultural heritage. It mirrors the structure of the international body. We have a UK board, a small Secretariat comprising an Operations Manager (OM) and a General Secretary. There are eight scientific committees which report to the Board. Our focus is on providing advice on good practice through the dissemination of ICOMOS’s international Charters, Principles and Guidelines and regular national and international events (conferences, lectures, panel discussions etc). We are also the only independent adviser on the implementation of 1972 World Heritage Convention and its Operational Guidelines to the UK Government and the 33 World Heritage sites situated across the UK. The Board and the eight scientific committees collaborate with the heritage, arts and education sectors in the UK and internationally in developing new thinking and making ICOMOS’s international standards relevant to the national context.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Voluntary role
Responsible to: Chair of Trustees
Base: the Board works remotely
Main Responsibilities and Duties
• Ensure that SEED and its representatives function within all legal and regulatory frameworks continually striving for best practice in governance.
· Comply with SEED’s Code of Conduct and policies, providing leadership on its value base and organisational behaviour, including safeguarding, human resources and financial management.
· Work alongside fellow Trustees and the Senior Management Team in developing SEED’s strategic direction, promoting and developing this through good governance and clear strategic planning. To evaluate progress made towards achieving the strategic objectives.
• Ensure that SEED operates within its Charitable Objectives and organisational strategy in order that its work remains focussed and makes the greatest impact to those it serves.
• Actively contribute to the development of SEED’s business plan, monitoring and evaluating performance against agreed objectives.
• Prepare for and participate fully in board meetings reviewing all reports coming to these meetings.
• To undertake training when required.
• Use any specific skills, knowledge or experience to help the Board of Trustees reach quick and sound decisions and participate in sub-committees.
· Support the recruitment of senior staff and offer on-going support and monitoring of their work.
· Assist in the recruitment, on-boarding and support of new Trustees when required.
· Act reasonably in decision making and leadership of the organisation and manage risks with a considered, proportionate and balanced approach.
· Maintain sound financial management of SEED’s resources, ensuring expenditure is in line with the organisations’ objects and that assets are protected and managed to ensure the proper investment of the charity’s funds.
· Act as a counter-signatory on charity cheques and any applications for funds.
· Ensure the effective and efficient administration of SEED including having appropriate policies and procedures in place. These policies and procedures are reviewed and signed off by the Trustee Board.
· Ensure that SEED has robust safeguarding policy and procedures in place and that safeguarding is embedded across the organisation
· Safeguard the good name and reputation of SEED, acting in the best interest of the charity, staff and beneficiaries at all times.
· Promote the work of SEED externally seeking opportunities that might further the work and visibility of the Charity.
· Support the Managing Director in leading the Charity, providing advice and practical help and participating in their annual evaluation.
· Maintain absolute confidentiality about all sensitive or confidential information received through carrying out the duties of a Trustee.
· Remain open and accessible to SEED’s staff through occasional communication and site visits.
Accountability:
As a Trustee you are responsible and liable for the governance and functioning of the charity and are accountable in varying degrees to a variety of stakeholders including: service users, members, funders, the Charity Commission, and Companies House.
SEED Trustees should uphold the fiduciary duty required of all charity trustees to act in the best interests of both current and future beneficiaries of the charity, being held personally liable for any breach of that duty.
Support regarding this is given by fellow Trustees, the Managing Director and the Senior Management team.
Required skills & experience:
The successful applicant will:
• Demonstrate a passion for and sound knowledge of development and/or conservation issues facing least developed countries such as Madagascar.
• Demonstrate sound knowledge and keen interest in at least one of SEED’s core areas (community health; sustainable livelihoods; environmental conservation) or in a key functional area (management, finance, marketing).
• Have a reasonable level of understanding of legal, financial, audit and other regulatory requirements of a charity, ideally through experience as a trustee.
• Show commitment to SEED and have sufficient time and willingness to contribute effectively to board proceedings and sub committee work.
• Be able to make quick and sound decisions based on an analysis of information presented to them.
• Have the confidence to both advocate for or challenge ideas and can remain independent of any influence from other organisations or individuals.
• Be able to work effectively as a member of a team and independently.
• Demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to SEED’s Code of Conduct and values and be a good ambassador for the organisation at all times.
• Demonstrate the ability, social skills and confidence to give clear guidance and support to other Trustees or members of staff in respect of the philosophy and procedures of SEED in order to protect the reputation of the NGO.
• Be able to work to and advocate for all of SEED’s policies and procedures, working within SEED’s Code of Conduct, safeguarding those that SEED works with and reporting any concerns appropriately.
• Have empathy with those living and working in a developing country with the ability and desire to work with teams from different economic and cultural backgrounds.
• Have excellent listening and verbal communication skills and a flexible and patient attitude.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.