Role Description
Purpose of the Role:
The Board of Trustees is responsible for the strategic direction of the Charity, its sound administration and the advancement of its charitable purposes.
Key Responsibilities:
- The strategic direction and development of the Charity through good governance and planning.
- The sound administration of the Charity in accordance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements and the Charity’s Articles of Association.
- Safeguarding and protecting the assets of the Charity, ensuring robust systems for internal financial control, investment and the protection of the Charity’s assets.
- Exercising reasonable care, skill, diligence and independent judgment, taking appropriate advice when necessary.
- Acting in the best interests of the Charity and using the resources of the Charity to promote the Charity’s success and further its charitable purposes.
- Avoid conflicts between personal interests and loyalties and those of the Charity.
Specific Duties:
- Agree the mission, vision and values for the Charity.
- Abide by the Code of Conduct for Trustees and Barnardo’s EDI Code of Conduct.
- Set overall strategy and policies for key Barnardo’s activities and ensure implementation by regular monitoring for impact and effectiveness.
- Oversee risk management and set the risk appetite.
- Make senior executive appointments, including the CEO and delegate powers as appropriate to the Chief Executive and their team.
- Contribute specific skills, interests and contacts to the Charity; participate in at least one Board Committee.
- Assist the Executive team in managing relationships with key external stakeholders and in raising the Charity’s visibility and profile.
- Maintain absolute confidentiality about all aspects of the trustees’ business.
- Participate in individual and Board / Committee performance reviews.
- Ensure sufficient preparation and active participation in meetings and engagement in the Charity’s activities and events
Person Specification
Skills and Experience
- A passion for and commitment to Barnardo’s mission, vision and values.
- Strategic vision.
- Strong and independent judgement, with the ability to challenge appropriately.
- An ability to think creatively.
- An understanding and acceptance of the legal responsibilities of charity trustees.
- An ability to work effectively as a member of a team.
- A demonstrable commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, together Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.
Additional Requirements:
- One Trustee will ideally bring experience in children’s services; the second Trustee will have expertise in innovation in service design and delivery.
- Willingness to travel throughout the UK including occasional overnight stays and evening commitments.
- Availability to commit an average of 20 days per year to the role, with additional demand at exceptional times and during the first year of office.
Terms of Appointment:
Trustees are appointed by the Charity’s members for a three-year period.