Overall
Our Trustees play a vital role in making sure that War Child UK achieves its core purpose and are collectively legally responsible for the governance of the charity. Trustees ensure that War Child UK has a clear strategy, that we are financially sustainable and that our work and goals remain true to our vision. Just as importantly, they support and challenge the executive team to enable the charity to grow, thrive and achieve maximum impact for children affected by conflict.
Core Responsibilities
- Working with the Chair and wider board, ensure that strategic direction, policies and objectives are clearly established, debated and reviewed.
- Ensure that War Child UK operates in line with its governing document and relevant laws, particularly the Charities and Companies Acts.
- Provide support and constructive challenge to the CEO and leadership team while understanding and maintaining boundaries between the governance role of the Board and the operational work of staff.
- Oversee financial plans and budgets – ensuring they are formulated within a sound financial framework – and monitor progress.
- Review and approve War Child UK’s financial statements.
- Ensure that key risks including safeguarding, operational and financial risks are identified, monitored and controlled effectively.
- Consider the organisation as a whole and the children it exists to serve in all discussions of strategic direction, planning and activity.
- Attend Board meetings adequately prepared to contribute to discussions and bring fresh thinking and new ideas.
- Uphold the highest standards of integrity and probity, safeguarding the charity’s reputation in all its dealings. Comply with all policies and
procedures relevant to the trustee role including confidentiality, safeguarding and data protection. - Use independent judgment, acting legally and in good faith to promote and protect War Child UK’s interests to the exclusion of personal or third-party interests, and declare any conflicts of interest if and when they arise.
- Demonstrate a willingness to engage collaboratively, responsibly and responsively with fellow board members and the wider organisation in keeping with the mission and values of WCUK.
Additional Duties
- Take part in, and where appropriate help deliver, training and skills development for the wider board.
- Support the development of relationships with existing and prospective donors, sponsors and partners.
- Help to identify, recruit and induct new board members as required.
- Contribute to regular reviews of War Child UK’s governance.
- Fulfil other duties and as requested from time to time by the Board.
Terms of Appointment
- Terms of office: Trustees are typically appointed for an initial 4-year term of office, with the possibility of renewal for 1 further term up to a maximum of
8 years. - Remuneration: The post of Trustee is a part-time, unremunerated, non-executive appointment. Reasonable travel and out-of-pocket expenses
incurred in the course of duty will be reimbursed. - Time commitment:
○ Attending 4 full Board meetings annually. These meetings last 3 to 4 hours and require some pre-reading. Meetings are in person wherever possible, although virtual attendance is an option.
○ Serving on a sub-committee. These sub-committees meet 4 times a year for 2 to 3 hours, again with some pre-reading.
○ Attending an annual strategy/away day.
○ Ad hoc and occasional support through working groups or providing
specialised advice to the executive team.
○ Total estimated time commitment is approximately 1-2 days per month.