CSWS - Finance Trustee by Oxford HR

FINANCE TRUSTEE June 2021

Carers Support West Sussex - Chair

Thank you for your interest in the role of Finance Trustee with substantial finance background for Carers Support West Sussex. We are an independent charity in West Sussex dedicated to improving the support provided to carers, to enable them to have a good quality of life, access to information, guidance, and encourage independence, to give carers a choice of a life alongside their caring role. We have over 100 members of staff and over 70 volunteers. We also benefit from a highly dedicated Board of Trustees. With more than 29,000 carers currently registered with the Charity, we run Support Groups, a Carer Response Line, help carers access equipment to assist them in their caring role, or provide funds so that carers can do something for themselves. We can also help carers access counselling and call back services, wellbeing support and have teams in all the of the major hospitals in West Sussex, as well as East Surrey Hospital in Redhill. The Impact Report for 2020/21 gives a flavour of the Board’s activity for one of the most challenging years for the Charity to date. Carers are at the heart of everything we do and as such their voices have been a key part of our new strategy which will be published during July 2021. The strategy has been developed following extensive primary research and secondary data insights of “what works” for and with carers. Imagine a world where carers do not have to fight to be heard and recognised. A world where carers feel valued and supported for who they are and what they do. Our vision is to bring the day forward when unpaid carers are seen, heard, and included.

Our culture is energetic, inclusive, committed to continuous improvement, working in partnership, and ensuring we make the best use of digital tools that enable us to support those who turn to us. Our ambitions are to do more for and with those we support, to help more family and friend carers across the region. We are governed by a Board of up to 10 Trustees, each committed and motivated to help the Charity realise its ambitions. We are seeking an experienced individual, who can provide financial, strategic advice and guidance to join our Trustee Board as a Finance Trustee. Ideally, this should be someone who brings a blend of experience at the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Finance Director or similar level, with added exposure to the full gamut of operations and strategy, in a comparable organisation in the charity, private or public sector. The Finance Trustee will work in close collaboration with the Charity’s external stakeholders and the Trustee Board. The individual will engage the Board, with all aspects of finance and risk management, to support the provision of strong strategic direction, guide our leadership team and champion our work. We look forward to meeting those who wish to join us to support our ambitions. Thank you for your interest. Neal Young – Acting Chair Sonia Mangan – CEO

Carers Support West Sussex - Chair

Strategy Development for 2021-25 Throughout 2020 the Charity Board, employees and volunteers have been working alongside carers as part of our overall charity review. We have heard from 1,000 carers, held six carer focus groups and heard from almost 200 individuals and organisations. Our findings are outlined in the Primary Research Insight Report and the Secondary Data Research Report. The Charity team have held several organisation wide strategic development workshops. At this time we have a draft strategy which is subject to further revisions and edits but will incorporate the following: Charity Purpose We are there for carers when they are most in need

Strategic Aims/Intentions (2021-2025) We know from hearing from and being with carers everyday what works for them and what doesn’t. Our challenge in being there for carers when they are most in need, is to be the charity team of staff and volunteers who can: 1. Be connected - We will meet carers where they are at in their journey, working individually with at least 4,000 every year to improve their health and wellbeing. 2. Be the early offer - Provide the carer contact point and increase new carer registrations by a minimum of 10% year on year. 3. Be the experts in carers - Working with carers and bringing their voice to communities, partners and decision makers across the county. 4. Be present in the Community - Being there for all carers across the County, being appropriate, visible, and accessible at local level. 5. Be partners - Create tangible partnerships leading to opportunities for and with carers.

Vision Our vision is to bring the day forward when unpaid carers are seen, heard, and included.

6. Be consistent and creative - Create and sustain the internal capacity we need to deliver consistent and quality services, whilst exploring opportunities and potential. To learn more about our board, click here.

Values We are focused, putting carers at the heart of everything we do.

Inclusivity – respecting people, cultures, and organisations

We act together, working with and for carers, the communities they live in and the people, that can make a difference to them.

Caring – improving quality of life and influencing behaviour change Integrity – operating with honesty and reliability

We are leaders working with each other to bravely find potential and opportunities across all communities, enabling carers to be identified and involved.

Loyalty – long-term committed partnerships and cooperation

Quality – the highest practical level we can reach in outcomes, learning and behaviour

Innovation – driving our service development and our will to succeed

The Role Title:

Finance Trustee

Remuneration:

The role of Trustee is not accompanied by any financial remuneration, although expenses for travel may be claimed.

Reports to:

Chair of Trustees

Job Description With other Trustees to hold the Charity “in trust” for current and future beneficiaries by fulfilling the following duties: 1. Ensure that the Charity has a clear vision, mission and strategy and is focused on achieving these, by working with other Trustees, the Chief Executive and Executive staff 2. Be responsible for the performance of the Charity and for its corporate behaviour 3. Ensure that the Charity complies with all legal and regulatory requirements 4. Being a guardian of all the Charity’s assets, both tangible and intangible, taking all due care over their security, deployment and proper application 5. Ensuring that the Charity’s governance is of the highest possible standard As a member of the Board, a Trustee has a collective responsibility in fulfilling these duties and must not act on his or her own without having authority of, or being delegated to do so, by the Board.

Carers Support West Sussex - Chair

Principal responsibilities

Ensure that the Charity complies with all legal, financial and regulatory requirements

Ensure that the Charity has a clear vision, mission and strategy, and is focused on achieving these aspects, by working with other Trustees, the Chief Executive and senior staff to:

•

Agree the vision and mission statements and the strategic plan, ensuring that there is a common understanding throughout the Charity, and that they are reviewed by the Board on a regular basis. Ensure that the Chief Executive’s specific objectives and the Charity’s business plan support the achievement of the vision, mission and strategic priorities. Agree effective mechanisms to consider changes in the external environment that may affect the Charity’s ability to achieve its mission and review these on a regular basis. Agreeing Board policies and agreeing and overseeing a method for objectively measuring performance and progress of the Charity towards achievement of its vision, mission, strategic objectives, business plans and annual targets. Ensuring that the fundamental values and guiding principles of the Charity are articulated and reflected throughout the Charity as well as individually as a Trustee. When required, appoint the Chief Executive, setting terms and conditions and ensuring that the Charity invests in the Chief Executive’s ongoing professional development. Ensuring that the Chief Executive receives regular, constructive feedback on personal performance in managing the Charity on a day-to-day

•

basis and that all Trustees and staff review their own performance and regularly receive feedback. Ensure that the Charity gives high priority to staff training and development with the Chief Executive playing a vital role. Ensure that there are mechanisms for any party to bring to the attention of the Board of Trustees any activity that threatens the probity of the Charity. Ensure that as an individual Trustee he/she has sufficient awareness, knowledge and understanding of the Charity’s project activities to hold management accountable for carrying out Carers Support West Sussex’s programme of work. To do this, a Trustee is encouraged to visit the Charity’s offices at least once early in his/her tenure. As part of the Trustee Board seek to ensure a good working relationship between the Board of Trustees and the Executive Team within Carers Support West Sussex. Encourage activities and behaviours at Board level which promote internal relationships, engage with staff and keep open lines of communication throughout the organisation. As part of the Trustee Board encourage diversity and inclusion, meritocracy, autonomy, and collaboration. Encourage participation of the Executive and staff at Board meetings. Enable a culture of trust.

•

• •

Be aware of and ensure that Carers Support West Sussex complies with all statutory and regulatory requirements, particularly company and charity law and Charity Commission regulations. As a legal director of the company, a Trustee must read the Statutory Statement of Directors’ Duties and agree to abide by his/her legal responsibilities and duties referred to therein. Be familiar with Carers Support West Sussex’s Memorandum and Articles of Association and ensure that the Charity and his/her fellow Trustees act within its powers, do not breach any rules set out in the constitution, and review the constitution regularly. Formally agree the levels of authority delegated to Board Sub Committees and to the Chief Executive ensuring that there are clear lines of reporting and accountability. Chair the Finance & Risk Sub Committee.

Be a guardian of all Carers Support West Sussex’s assets, both tangible and intangible, taking all due care over their security, deployment and proper application •

• • •

•

Exercise effective overall control of Carers Support West Sussex’s financial affairs, liaising with the Director of Finance & Systems to ensure that the Charity has satisfactory procedures for holding in trust all assets and that monies are invested to the maximum benefit of Carers Support West Sussex, within the constraints of the law, as well as ethical or other policies laid down by the Board of Trustees. Ensure that the systems of control are rigorous and regularly evaluated and reviewed. Trustees are accountable for the solvency and continuing effectiveness of the Charity. Ensure that the major risks to which the Charity is exposed are reviewed annually and that systems have been established to mitigate or minimise these risks. Ensure that the income and property of the Charity is applied for the purposes set out in the Memorandum and Articles of Association and that all income due to Carers Support West Sussex is received, all tax benefits obtained, and all rating relief claimed. Act reasonably, prudently and collectively in all matters relating to the Charity, using reasonable skill and care in your work as Trustee and acting always in Carers Support West Sussex’s best interests and avoiding any personal conflicts of interest. Ensure that intangible assets such as the Charity’s good name, knowledge, expertise and intellectual property are properly valued, utilised and safeguarded.

Carers Support West Sussex - Chair

Principal responsibilities Ensure that Carers Support West Sussex’s governance is of the highest possible standard •

•

Through collaborative working ensure that Carers Support West Sussex has a governance structure that is appropriate to a charity of its size and complexity, stage of development and its charitable objects, and that major decisions and Board policies are made by the Trustees acting collectively. Reflect regularly on the Board’s performance as well as your own performance as Trustee and ensure the Board has the skills required to govern the Charity well and has access to relevant external professional advice and expertise. Maintain a systematic, open, inclusive and fair procedure for the recruitment of Trustees.

Carers Support West Sussex - Chair

How to Apply

Equality statement

Selection process

Before applying, please check that you can answer yes to all the following questions:

Carers Support West Sussex is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries, and are committed to having a Board that is made up of diverse skills, backgrounds, experiences and abilities. We actively encourage BAME and disabled applicants and value the positive impact that diversity has on all our teams.

All candidates will be notified about the status of their applications. Shortlisted candidates may be required to undertake an additional assessment prior to the final interview.

• • •

Are you able to travel to the offices of Carers Support in West Sussex when required? Do you have an accountancy qualification? Have you experience of working as part of a Board, Committee or equivalent?

If you cannot answer yes to these questions, please do not apply, as we will be unable to progress your application. If you can answer yes to all the above questions, then please click here to apply. You will need to complete a short application form and submit an up-to-date curriculum vitae (of no more than 2-3 pages) in MS Word, and a cover letter. Please provide the CV and cover letter in TWO separate documents. Please send your application documents in MS Word saved in the following format: First Name - Last Name -Document Name- Date (mmyyyy) e.g., Malika-Cook-CV-072021CSWS-FT. The cover letter should be no more than 2 pages long – bullet points are acceptable. It should explain: • why you are interested in this role • why you are interested in Carers Support West Sussex • how your skills and experience make you a good fit For guidance on preparing a statement, please see here.

Timeline Closing date: Preliminary interviews: Final panel interviews:

Sunday 12th September w/c 27th September and w/c 4th October w/c 25th October

We are committed to equality and diversity within our workforce and all opportunities provided by Carers Support West Sussex. We are Disability Confident Committed and encourage interest from applicants who may require reasonable adjustments in order to participate. Oxford HR is carefully managing the appointment process to ensure that it is impartial, inclusive and fair.

Queries If you have any queries on any aspect of the appointment process, need additional information, or would like to have an informal discussion, please email csws-finance.trustee@oxfordhr.co.uk in the first instance.

Carers Support West Sussex - Chair

About Oxford HR Oxford HR operates globally - mainly within the international development and charity sectors. We carry out retained executive search mandates at board and senior management levels. We also offer human resource and organisational development consultancy. Oxford HR has many years of experience in search as well as an extensive network of international development, social sector, corporate, public sector, and academic contacts from across the world. We carry out comprehensive and often international searches designed to meet the specific needs of our clients. Oxford HR’s team members have significant personal experience of working in international development and the social sector as well as the corporate and governmental sectors. We are in a unique position to find and assess talented individuals from a variety of backgrounds.

Please note that all our clients recruiting in the UK are legally obliged to confirm that the appointee is eligible to work in the UK. As of 1 January 2021, government’s new regulations will apply. For further information visit the Home Office website here.

Carers Support West Sussex - Chair

OXFORD

LONDON

AMSTERDAM

NAIROBI

46 Woodstock Road

Three Tuns House,

Korte Schimmelstraat 12

Watermark Business Park

Oxford

109 Borough High Street,

1053 SZ

Cove Court,

OX2 6HT

London

Amsterdam

1st Floor

SE1 1NL

Ndege Road off Langata Road

United Kingdom

The Netherlands

Kenya

+44 (0) 1865 985 457

+44 (0)20 7939 7451

+31 (0) 683 334 473

+254 (0) 797 233 217