Treasurer trustee volunteer roles in belfast

Role Title  

Chair of the Board of Trustees

Board/Committee

Board of Trustees 

Remuneration  

Travel and subsistence will be paid for attendance at meetings in accordance with the ARFID Awareness expenses policy where required. Board members are not remunerated for their Board/trustee work.

Responsible to 

Board of Trustees

Regular liaison with 

· Board of Trustees

· Executive Directors

Duration of appointment 

Three-year term (with a possible extension of a further three years)

Overview

Established in 2019 and supporting a community of over 30,000 families ARFID Awareness UK is the only registered UK charity dedicated to raising awareness and further information about Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder.  As a not-for-profit, we provide individuals, parents, carers and medical professionals with up-to-date relevant information, research and support.

We are equally committed to supporting medical professionals across varying specialities, by equipping them with the information they need to ensure that their patients receive an early diagnosis and have access to appropriate care.

Our charitable aims are to:

1) Raising awareness about the condition within the medical and associated professions and the general public in such ways as the trustees shall determine;

2) Providing advice and information in such ways as the trustees shall determine to enable and empower parents and carers to advocate for the children in their care;

3) Facilitating research into the condition, the useful results of which will be published for the public benefit;

4) Potentially providing grants of financial assistance to enable economically disadvantaged families to obtain necessary treatment and medication unavailable via the NHS.

5) Advancing the education of the public in the subject of ARFID.

With regards to our structure, we are a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). As a CIO, our Charity Trustees are protected with limited liability, and whilst they are responsible for helping to manage the organisation, they do not hold dual roles of Company Director as they might with other charity structures.

Our mission is to remove the uncertainty, ambiguity and frustrations experienced by parents, carers and individuals over obtaining a diagnosis and treatment by providing general advice that may improve their journey.

Time Commitment

Trustees meet twice a year virtually. Meetings last approximately 2 hours.

The Remuneration Committee meets once per year virtually. Meetings last approximately 1 hour.

In addition, Trustees are expected to allow time for reading of papers and preparation for meetings, attending events training and induction.  As a small charity there may also be a requirement for additional input of approximately 1-2 hours per month specific to your professional background and expertise as we continue through a period of growth.

Purpose of the role: 

Board of Trustees

The Board of trustees (‘the Board’) is the body with the legal duty to protect the mission and vision of ARFID Awareness UK and to ensure that it is run in accordance with legal requirements.

The role of the Board is to provide good governance and leadership by: 

· Shaping ARFID Awareness UK’s organisational strategy 

· Approving organisational statutory policy

· Ensuring the organisation’s financial stability and sustainability 

· Appointing the Executive Director/s (overseen by the Chair of the Board on behalf of the Board) 

· Providing support and constructive challenge to the Executive Director/s and their staff

· Setting and monitoring procedures for assessing and managing risk 

· Taking advice from Board members and external specialist advisors 

· Monitoring strategy performance 

· Representing ARFID Awareness UK externally where necessary

As a charity CIO, Board members are charity trustees only. They do not represent any group or organisation in this role and they must act in good faith and in the best interests of ARFID Awareness UK.

Chair duties:

· Chair and facilitate board meetings

· Provide inclusive leadership to the organisation and the Board by ensuring that everyone remains focused on the delivery of ARFID Awareness UK purpose and delivering strategic and charitable aims

· Ensure that the Board is effective in its task of setting and implementing the organisation’s direction and strategy

· Support each trustee to fulfil their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of ARFID Awareness UK

· Support and constructively challenge the Executive Director/s to ensure that ARFID Awareness UK operates in line with statutory and legal requirements and is effective in its outputs

· Ensure financial probity and that all resources are focussed on achieving the aims and objectives of the organisation for the benefit of the membership and delivery of charitable objects

· Appoint the Executive Directors

· Appoint and support the ARFID Awareness UK Treasurer

· Act as an ambassador of ARFID Awareness UK

· Ensure the smooth running of Board meetings, fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment

· Ensure robust and compliant governance arrangements in adherence with charity and statutory regulation

· Lead Board development activities

Alongside the Executive Director:

· Planning the annual cycle of board meetings and other meetings where required

· Developing the board of trustees including induction, training, appraisal and succession planning

· Addressing conflict within the board and within the organisation,

Where staff are employed:

· Liaising with the Executive Director/s to oversee the organisation’s affairs and to provide support as appropriate

· Leading the process of supporting and appraising the performance of the Executive Director/s

Person Specification

Essential:

· Significant experience of charity governance and trusteeship, demonstrating understanding of best practice and regulatory compliance

· Proven experience of chairing boards, committees or senior leadership teams effectively

· Track record of supporting small to medium organisations through periods of growth, change and development

· Strong strategic thinking and planning skills with ability to provide vision and direction

· Excellent facilitation and interpersonal skills, able to build consensus and manage diverse perspectives

· Confident and effective communication skills including active listening and constructive challenge

· Ability to work effectively as a member of a diverse team whilst maintaining independence and accountability as Chair

· Understanding of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of charity trusteeship and Chair role

Desirable:

· Senior leadership experience in the charity or non-profit sector

· Experience of supporting and appraising Executive Directors or senior leaders

· Knowledge of the healthcare sector and/or ARFID

· Understanding of charity finance, risk management and compliance frameworks

To apply please email your CV and covering letter to XXXXX by 17 November 2025.  Interviews are likely to take place the first week of December.