Volunteer Trustee Secretary Volunteer Roles

We are seeking a Company Secretary who can use their skills and capabilities to assist the Board to operate efficiently and effectively. You will also help the charity to continue providing vital support to those who need it.

What will you be doing?

This role is for someone who is organised and methodical, with an eye for detail. You will take minutes at Board meetings and make sure the charity follows company law. You will also participate fully in Board meetings and play an important part in the strategic direction of the charity.

Together the Trustees are collectively responsible for the governance and management of the Charity, including regulatory compliance. However, the Company Secretary is expected to lead on all aspects of the charities adherence to legal and regulatory requirements, that includes submission of documentation to the appropriate body.

This includes being able to present and explain any requirements to other Trustees, to aid the Board’s understanding and ability to jointly make decisions about changes to the charities governance matters.

For full role description please see candidate pack attached. 

What are we looking for?

Desirable skills, experience and knowledge:

• Experience in one of the following: Legal, Office & Administration Management or Governance.
• A strong affinity with the vision and values of Top Church Training.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills.
• Integrity and sound judgement.
• Able and willing to work collaboratively with others.

We welcome candidates of all backgrounds, identities and experiences. We would like to diversify our Board in order to strengthen our governance and better represent the demographics of those who use our services.

What difference will you make?

This is an exciting time to join us as we are looking to develop the existing Board and our policies and procedures around our governance. The long term goal is to expand the Board by bringing on people with new skills, experience and backgrounds.

As Company Secretary you will play a key supporting role in helping us achieve this goal, and will use your skills and capabilities to assist the Board to operate efficiently and effectively. You will also help the charity to continue providing vital support to those who need it.

Our mission is to help and support homeless and vulnerably housed people in and around the London Borough of Merton. We operate a twice-weekly Drop-in, currently welcoming 50-60 individuals each day, while our Winter Night Shelter provides a warm, dry place to sleep every night during the coldest nights of the year – this winter from 4 December until 10 March 2024.

Our current Secretary is retiring, having completed the maximum of nine years in the role. We’re now looking for an enthusiastic and committed volunteer for the role which covers the following positions:

1. Company secretary
2. Secretary to the Trustees

The current incumbent fulfils both roles but we would consider splitting the responsibilities if two complementary applications were received.

The Company Secretary & Secretary is a volunteer with an active role in the work of the organisation. The Faith in Action Merton Homelessness Project (FIAMHP) Board of Trustees, Company Secretary & Secretary, together with senior staff, form the Management Committee of the Charity.

Company Secretary’s responsibilities:

The Company Secretary keeps the organisation legal by:

• Working with Trustees to ensure that the Charity complies with its Articles of Association, charity law, company law, employment law, and any other relevant legislation or regulations.

• Ensuring that the Trustees are aware of the requirement to comply with relevant codes such as the Code of Conduct for Charity Trustees and the Charities Governance Code, and that these are adhered to.

• Ensuring that the Articles of Association reflect the current work of the Charity, liaising with the Charity Commission and Companies House as appropriate if an update is needed.

• Liaison with Treasurer as needed.

• Filing annual Confirmation Statements and other Company Returns including the annual Trustees Report & Accounts with Companies House and the Charity Commission by the due dates.

• Advising Companies House and the Charity Commission of changes to Company and Charity details by the due dates – this includes Trustee appointments and resignations.

• Maintaining the statutory records.

• Monitoring the composition of the Trustee board, and liaising with the Chair and other Trustees to ensure that new Trustees are recruited as necessary, so that all roles needed are covered. Organising new Trustee applications and interviews, and obtaining references.

• Organising and running the Annual General Meeting, and any other General Meetings required.

• Any other duties which may reasonably arise.

Secretary’s duties

The job of the FIAMHP Secretary is to assist the Trustees in the smooth running of the organisation by:

• Organising Management Committee meetings in consultation with the Chair and other Trustees: setting meeting dates and venues; producing meeting agendas, receiving and sending out meeting notices and papers, checking that meetings are quorate, taking meeting minutes, liaising with the Chair and other Trustees as necessary; sending out draft minutes.

• Assist with liaison between Trustees, Staff and Volunteers as needed.

• Awareness of the work of the organisation and the needs of its guests and service users.

• Ensuring that decisions and actions of the Board of Trustees are accurately recorded and implemented.

• Maintaining an appropriate and secure filing system so that all Trustee papers are retained and accessible.

• Assisting with Business Plan development and the Trustees’ Annual Report as required.

• Ensuring that Policies and Risk Register are filed and accessible to all who need access.

• Tracking progress with implementation of the organisation’s Business Plan.

• Ensuring that any correspondence for Trustees is brought to the attention of the Board.

• Any other duties which may reasonably arise.

The Company Secretary and Secretary must have:

● Commitment to the Charity and its work.

● Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties and responsibilities of being a Company Secretary

● Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to their duties as Company Secretary and Secretary

● Strategic vision

● Good independent judgement

● Ability to work effectively as a member of a team.

For more information about either post, please contact Bernie McAlister, Chair of Trustees.

Are you passionate about mental health and want to work with an organisation committed to helping people recover? Do you want to make a difference? The Company Secretary will perform a key role for our well-established team of Trustees. Candidates for this voluntary position as well having relevant eperience should demonstrate an interest in mental health and have the ability to attend in-person meetings in Hertfordshire alongside some work from home.

THE ROLE

Administration and compliance 

The Company Secretary (CS) of a charity, together with all other charity trustees are responsible for the proper conduct of a charity, particularly with regard to ensuring compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements. The role of the CS includes:

• Being familiar with the charity’s governing document, and the legal responsibilities of charities under the Charities Act 2006 and the Companies Act.
• To keep all trustees informed of key matters in relation to its legal responsibilities and to signpost trustees to training courses and content to maintain sufficient knowledge
• To support the induction of new trustees and patrons
• Maintaining statutory registers including the register of members, the register of trustees/ directors and secretaries, the register of trustees’ and secretary’s interests.
• Ensure relevant statutory returns and information are filed with the Charity Commission and Companies House e.g. annual reports, changes to the charity’s details and/or trustees’ details etc.
• Identify and implement best practice, ensuring that the Board of Trustees are aware of the requirements to comply with relevant codes such as the Charities Governance Code and Code of Conduct
• Ensuring that decisions and actions of Board meetings are accurately recorded, communicated and implemented.
• Together with members of the Governance and IT Board committee, tracking progress with the charity’s risk register, business plan and strategic plan.
• Working with the Chair and CEO to ensure the AGM is properly administered in line with relevant legislation.
• Willing to become a member of the Governance and IT Committee.
• To comply with the trustee pledges as varied from time to time which sets out the broad consistent level of commitments across all trustees.

Preparing for board meetings

The Secretary should assist the Chair of the Board with the planning and administration of Board meetings. This includes:

• To plan and prepare the board meetings and the AGM with others as appropriate – plan meeting dates, book room, send out notifications, minutes and other papers,
• Making sure the timetable of Board meetings for the year ahead is agreed.
• Sending out notification of Board meetings to Trustees (and others where applicable).
• Work with the Chair and CEO to set each board meeting agenda, including the management of any agenda items received from other Trustees.
• Circulation of Board papers / pack at least 4 days in advance of meetings.
• Checking that a quorum is present (and that it is present throughout the meeting if required).

Taking meeting minutes and recording actions or ensure that a minute taker is appointed

The role of the Secretary includes:

• Taking minutes at Board meetings and maintaining the records of all meeting minutes.
• Recording and keeping action tracker up to date
• Keeping a record of all issues discussion, decisions taken and any actions required to implement a decision.
• Working closely with the Chair to ensure that minutes are accurate.
• Issuing minutes and action tracker to Trustees after Board meeting.

Skills and experience

• Experience of working with boards or senior committees
• Knowledge of relevant legislation including the Charity Governance Code, Companies Act 2006 and the Charities Act 2006.
• Strong communication skills including ability to present complex matters in an engaging and understandable way
• Ability to work as part of a team and recognise broad responsibilities of a trustee role beyond technical knowledge
• Minute-taking 

Person specification

• Proven record in working inclusively and collaboratively
• Effective planner
• Forward-looking
• Diligent

A talking newspaper is a simple concept: articles from a printed newspaper are read out loud into a recording (memory stick or app) for the benefit of those who cannot do this for themselves - e.g. blind or partially sighted or anyone who finds reading a newspaper difficult. 

Lothiansound is a small Scottish registered charity based in Edinburgh, run entirely by volunteers, funded by donations, and managed by a Committee of Trustees.  With the publisher's permission, we produce a weekly audio edition of articles selected from the “Edinburgh Evening News”. This is distributed by returnable memory stick inside a returnable wallet.  New Listeners are sometimes referred to us by SSI agencies, or they can self-refer on request.

Lothiansound’s Listeners are mainly in the Edinburgh area, but might be anywhere in the UK (and sometimes beyond) and receive this service completely free of charge.  We know that our Listeners appreciate us hugely, because they regularly tell us so!

Your SECRETARY role would be to assure the Charity’s handling of administrative matters, including:

• Prepare Agendas and Minutes of Committee Meetings (currently on Zoom) – six meetings per year.
• Prepare Agenda, Notice and Minutes of Annual General Meeting (currently on Zoom).
• Maintain Register of Operating Policies.
• (In association with Chair & ViceChair) Maintain existing good relationship with the landlord of our physical office (in an Edinburgh suburb) which is where our weekly admin/copying teams do their stuff with Listeners’ incoming/outgoing wallets.
• Assist (the Treasurer) in preparation of Annual Report and Accounts.
• Be Lothiansound’s nominee with the Charity Regulator (OSCR).

Your (Trustee/Office Bearer) role can be carried out mainly from home, other than ad hoc visits to the office if necessary.. There is no involvement in recording and distributing the audio newspaper unless the applicant wishes to do so.

No professional qualification is needed. Experience of some of the above matters would be advantageous.  Requirement for competency with word processing, plus clear and accurate communication skills, and ability to convey documents efficiently by email etc. Occasional need for printing out can occur – e.g. simple A4 sheets for notice boards at the office.  Outgoing Secretary will be on hand for initial assistance and transition.

About We Are Family 

We Are Family is an extraordinary peer support community for adopters and prospective adopters. We’re there for parents throughout their adoption journey. Online and in person, our parents’ groups, events, resources, podcasts and talks offer mutual support, information and inspiration to adopters and those considering adoption. We currently operate across Greater London and the Home Counties, with ambitions to scale nationally over the coming years. 

The Role

We Are Family is seeking to appoint a committed and motivated Company Secretary who will work closely with the Board of Trustees and play an active part in the governance of the organisation.

This is a voluntary opportunity with associated Trustee expenses -  such as travel / childcare -  covered by We Are Family.  The Company Secretary can be based anywhere in the UK. 

Commitment

• We Are Family typically holds four Board meetings per year

• In addition to being involved in Board meetings, the Secretary should expect to spend 8-10 hours each month on work related to the governance of the charity.

• The normal term of appointment for a Secretary is three years, after which there is the opportunity to renew for a further three-year period. 

Skills and Experience 

In this role you will:

• Work directly with the Chair and Deputy Chair to organise and plan for regular Board meetings, producing agendas and a supporting pack of Board papers

• Ensure minutes are taken at the Trustee Board meetings and circulated in a timely manner

• Take an active role in the governance of the Charity, ensuring that the company complies with its governing document, Charity Law, Charity Commission, and other relevant legislation

• Arrange for filings to be submitted to the Charity Commission in accordance with statutory deadlines

• Liaise with Committee Chairs to collect and distribute Committee meeting notes to the Board of Trustees 

• Maintain and update statutory records including annual returns, report, and accounts, and changes to the trustee membership.

This role would suit an individual with:

• Knowledge and experience of charity governance and management

• Experience in a compliance, risk or business management role

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Organisation skills, with the ability to work to deadlines

• Good IT skills, to include Zoom and Google Suite or MS Office.
   

Although many of our current Board members are adopters themselves, we are also keen to recruit suitably qualified people who are not, but who can demonstrate a commitment to the values and mission of We Are Family.

One of the great strengths of We Are Family is that we are volunteer and member driven, and we represent a diverse community of adoptive parents. We particularly welcome trustees from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds to ensure that the board can benefit from this diversity of experience. We would also welcome single adopters to the board. 

To Apply 

If the opportunity to join an exciting, rapidly growing charity appeals to you as someone able to make a valuable contribution, please send us a copy of your CV and we will contact you with our Recruitment Pack.

Please note that applications are received and reviewed on an ongoing basis, therefore an early application is advised.

The purpose of the role of Lifelites’ Honorary Secretary will be to create and maintain registers to enable the Trustees to review and update governance, statutory, and regulatory policies and reports, and to file them with external agencies as required. In addition, the role will support Lifelites’ Board of Trustees and Committee meetings, including the preparation of agendas, papers and minute taking.

About you

You are an experienced administrator or company secretary with a highly organised attitude, excellent attention to detail and strong IT skills. You will be passionate about Lifelites’ mission and keen to develop good governance within the charity.

Status

The Honorary Secretary will be a volunteer and not a Trustee.  They will have no responsibility for deciding the content of policies and reports but may advise the Trustees on the basis of their knowledge and expertise.

Key responsibilities

• To create registers of all the charity’s governance, statutory, and regulatory policies, procedures, reports, and other documents as and when required.
• To create and oversee a rolling schedule of periodic reviews for each document.
• To inform the Chair, Board of Trustees and Senior Management Team of any changes in governance, legal, statutory, and regulatory and compliance requirements.
• To prepare draft agendas and papers for Board meetings with support from the Chair and CEO.
• To attend Board and Committee meetings, to take minutes and actions and provide relevant advice when required.
• To circulate agendas, papers and minutes of Board and Committee meetings.
• To file statutory and regulatory reports when approved by the Trustees.

Person Specification

• Strong track record and knowledge of charity “good governance”, and statutory and regulatory standards and requirements.
• Willingness and availability to attend a minimum of 4 half day in person Board Meetings and 12 mostly online Committee meetings (2 hours each) per year.
• Flexible and practical approach to work and willingness to travel to meetings (expenses reimbursed).
• Experience of interacting with virtual meeting platforms and other digital communication channels.
• Experience of drafting documents and minute taking.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to be flexible and work independently.
• Exceptional administrative skills, highly organised and good attention to detail.
• Able to anticipate issues and bring them to the attention of others.
• Skilled use of MS Office and cloud applications.
• Strong written English and experience of drafting documents and taking minutes.
• Commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.
• Commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

Sutton Mental Health Foundation was established as a charity in 1998 and the aim of the Foundation is to support people with mental health needs in the London Borough of Sutton, helping to keep them well and active and helping them to have a voice in mental health care in the Borough.  Our vision is to provide a community in Sutton which values mental wellbeing and understands how to respond positively to anxiety and distress.  The Foundation works together to promote mental wellbeing resilience and recovery from mental distress.We provide nonclinical support, and we are part of the Voluntary Sector. 

The Foundation is seeking to add to the expertise of our experienced, professional Board of Trustees, who are all volunteers.  All our Trustees need excellent communication skills, the ability to work effectively as part of a team, strategic vision and good, independent judgement.  Although not limited to, we would particularly value the experience and skills in the following areas : 

• Company Secretary/Legal Experience 
• Fundraising in the following areas – Grant, Corporate and Public 
• Marketing 

Lived or shared experience of mental health – desirable. 

Inclusion is one of our values and we are looking for diversity in the makeup of our Board and that we particularly welcome applications from underrepresented communities.

The Board of Trustees meets every six weeks, in the evening at 7 p.m. for approximately 1 ½ hours in Sutton.  Sometimes our Board meetings are on-line.

As the Secretary for our Board of Trustees, you are part of a team providing a vital support function in your local community, ensuring a dignified experience to anyone visiting or anyone who comes into contact with Irlam and Cadishead foodbank.

Key Tasks:

As a Trustee:

• Work with the other trustees to provide management support and direction.
• Ensure that the foodbank meets legal and best practice standards; in the care of clients and volunteers, as a registered charity, carrying out our purpose towards stopping hunger in our local area, complying with our governing document and the law, and managing our resources.
• Liaise with the Trussell Trust on a rotating basis with the other Trustees.
• Understand the working of the foodbank distribution centres, warehouse and donations and attend at least 2 sessions a year.

As Secretary of Trustees:

• Ensure that there is a record of all Trustee Board correspondence
• Ensure that arrangements for Trustee meetings are communicated to the rest of the board, including when and where, inviting trustees to send agenda items and providing to the board with previous meeting minutes in good time prior to the meeting.
• Ensure that Trustees use and implement the NCVO Governance Wheel to ensure we meet best practice for charity governance.
• Ensure decisions and policy creation/adaption are clearly recorded in formal minutes, with who will do what and when as agreed by the Trustee board.
• Ensure formal minutes are taken, produced and distributed to the rest of the trustees in good time, as well as ensuring previous meeting minutes are signed by the chair once approved by the trustee board.
• Check that actions have been taken following decisions at previous meetings.
• Ensure the trustee board meets its legal obligations, including reporting, meeting charity and company law, as well as insurance requirements.
• Ensure all relevant stakeholders are informed of the Annual Membership Meeting (AMM)
• To ensure that the annual report (to go alongside annual accounts) is produced and sent to the Charity Commission of England & Wales.

Harrow Food Bank is part of the Trussell Trust - a network of over 1300 food bank centres in the UK. Between April 2022 and March 2023, food banks provided almost 3 million food supplies to people in crisis. 

Harrow Food Bank requires two Trustees to support the Chair and current members who can support the existing Trustees:

Administrator / Secretary: to lead on all the administrative duties of the food bank and Trustee Board, ensure all meetings are conducted within the legal requirements and a record of all meetings maintained. Key roles & responsibilities:

1. Arrange and communicate dates for all Trustee Meetings, circulating papers in advance

2. Follow up on the agreed actions from meetings and keep an accurate ‘action log’

3. Ensure all stakeholders are informed of the AGM and that the AGM report is submitted to all relevant bodies

Treasurer: to lead on the financial affairs of the foodbank and to ensure that they are conducted within the required legal accounting and good practice conventions. Key roles & responsibilities:

1. Ensure that the Food Bank has proper systems for budgeting, financial controls, insurance and reporting

2. Produce and present regular finance reports for the Trustees Board Meetings

3. Maintain accurate financial records as report in a timely manner to all relevant bodies

NIDAS supports women and families with all aspects of domestic abuse with confidential support and a variety of bespoke services. NIDAS, located in Mansfield, helps women to stay safe, grow their self-esteem and go on to build happy, healthy relationships. We believe being free from abuse is only the start of the journey.

Role Description

The role of the Chair of Trustees is to give leadership to the board and to make sure the board fulfils its duties and responsibilities. Additionally, the Chair of Trustees works closely with the CEO to support her/him to achieve the aims of NIDAS, and, at times, represent NIDAS at functions, meetings and in the press, and broadcasting media. 

Level of Commitment

• Six-weekly board meetings
• Participating in a sub-committee and/ or ad hoc groups
• Regular meetings with the CEO
• Represent NIDAS at various events and meetings with stakeholders

Duties

In addition to the responsibilities of a trustee, the Chair of Trustees' duties are to: 

• Provide leadership to the organisation and the board by ensuring that everyone remains focused on the delivery of its charitable purposes in order to deliver the greatest public benefit. 
• To ensure that the Annual Reports and accounts are produced at the end of each year for presentation to the Annual General Meeting and to ensure that they are forwarded to the Charity Commission within the appropriate time period. 
• Chair and facilitate board meetings and the Annual General Meeting encouraging full participation by all attending. 
• Establish sub-committees and working groups to address specific issues/tasks as deemed appropriate by the board, and to call upon specialist skills of his/her fellow Officers and Trustees in relation to those groups, and to participate in such groups as appropriate. 
• Give direction to board policy making. 
• Check that decisions taken at meetings are implemented. 
• Represent the organisation at functions and meetings and act as a spokesperson when appropriate. 
• Bring impartiality and objectivity to decision making. 
• Liaise with the CEO to keep an overview of the organisation’s affairs. 
• Lead the process of supporting and appraising the performance of the CEO. 
• Sit on senior appointment, and disciplinary panels. 

The Chair of Trustees will also work with the CEO to: 

• Plan and set the agenda for the Annual General meeting with the Secretary. 
• Plan the annual cycle of board meetings and agendas for each meeting with the Secretary. 
• Develop the board of trustees including induction, training, appraisal and succession planning. 
• Address conflict within the board and within the organisation, and liaise with the CEO to achieve this.

Person Specification

In addition to the specification for a trustee, the Chair of Trustees requires the following qualities: 

• Strong leadership skills 
• Experience of chairing meetings and/or committee work 
• Ability to balance tact and diplomacy with willingness to challenge and constructively criticise 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. 
• Impartiality and fairness
• Good understanding of legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of trusteeship. 
• Previous trusteeship 

NNRF is seeking a new Chair to work in partnership with our members and trustee board to lead the organisation into its next phase of development. We are seeking someone with excellent leadership skills and governance experience, who is passionate about the needs of refugees and asylum seekers. 

Established in 2000, we are an independent registered charity set up to work with and for refugees and asylum seekers in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. Our Vision is a society where asylum seekers and refugees are welcomed, receive fair and compassionate treatment and the support to rebuild their lives. 

NNRF currently employs 50 staff members and has a Trustee Board of 12 who ensure the charity runs according to its constitution and statutory obligations. Board meetings are held in person, bi-monthly. Most trustees also sit on one or more sub-committees reporting to the Board. 
Key Duties and Responsibilities of the Chair of NNRF 

The Chair along with the other board members has the primary function of holding the management team to account, ensuring they work effectively to promote the charity’s objectives. 

To this end you will provide inclusive leadership, ensuring that each trustee fulfils their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of the charity. The Chair will also support the Director and ensure that the Board functions as a unit and works closely with the entire workforce, including volunteers, to achieve agreed objectives. You will act as an ambassador and the public face of the charity in partnership with the Director. 

Six Board meetings are held per year. The Chair is supported by an active Board and is expected to have regular meetings with the vice chair, the treasurer, and the director. The chair may be called upon to represent the Charity at occasional events with key stakeholders. The Chair sits on the finance and human resource committees which meet monthly, and is supported by the treasurer, vice-chair and secretary to the Board.

Process of selection

All trustees are elected by our membership at the annual general meeting in November. The current board will nominate candidates for election following an interview with the Chair and Vice-chair. The nomination would require the prospective Chair to attend board meetings as a co-opted member prior to the AGM. 
If elected as a board member, the new Chair will be mentored by the current Chair in the first few six months of the role. The Board will review the Chair’s appointment after six months.

We are recruiting several board member roles including Secretary and Treasurer and general Non-Executive Director. All board members share these responsibilities and requirements:

~ Provide governance oversight over our legal and financial duties as a Community Interest Company. 

 ~Guide OSN staff, team leaders and contractors, to deliver our mission and strategy. 

For some responsibilities on the Board i.e.the legal, finance and fundraising, will require a degree of management of our delivery due to these being underdeveloped areas within the organisation.

Students4Students is a member led national organisation which has c.100 members split across 4 branches. As a CIO it has a duty to engage with members and provide members the opportunity to elect trustees and hold the leadership to account for decisions at an AGM. Historically these AGMs have been ill attended and election of Trustees have been decided by a small number of members who hold branch committee positions. Students4Students wants to improve the level of participation in our internal democracy and ensure that AGMs are appealing and relevant to all members.

The organisation also wants to increase engagement with its members, all year round, outside of the AGM. Students4Students is looking to build new channels of engaging with members, ensuring trustees and leadership are held to account throughout the year.

Responsibilities and duties

The post-holder will be responsible for engaging members in Students4Students internal democracy and ensuring the organisation meets its responsibilities as a CIO

• Organising the AGM

• Improving engagement in Students4Students internal democracy

• Improving engagement with the organisation’s members

• Improving dialogue between Trustees and members

• Promoting members interests within the organisation

Time commitment

• Throughout the year – We expect the post holder to commit to an average of 2 hours per week

• Our AGM is traditionally held in January so we expect the  run up period to this to be busier

Key requirements

i. Experience managing key relationships and stakeholders

ii. Experience running events

iii. Experience working with student volunteers (Preferred but not essential)

Optional requirements

i. Experience working in a non-profit setting

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

1. To support the President and Executive Committee in the delivery of the work of ICOMOS-UK.
2. To develop, co-ordinate and present policy, as agreed with the Executive Committee.
3. To co-ordinate and manage the secretariat function of ICOMOS-UK including the Office Manager. To oversee the governance arrangements for ICOMOS-UK.
4. To work with the Treasurer on the budget, income generation and expenditure for ICOMOS-UK, including support for fund-raising activities and applications.
5. To help drive the recruitment and support of members of ICOMOS-UK.
6. To help coordinate and promote events supporting and disseminating the work of ICOMOS-UK.
7. 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.
8. 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.