A Step to Non-Exec
“The population of Wales is close to being 50/50 split between women and men.
This gender split isn’t however reflected in senior decision making roles in the workplace, be it the private, public or third sectors.
Across the board women continue to be underrepresented in these roles and this has an impact both on the ability for women to progress to senior post and also on the decision making capabilities of the organisations concerned.”
- 50/50 by 2020
With this in mind Pobl Group and Chwarae Teg have created an exciting opportunity aimed at encouraging more young women (aged 21-28), into Non-Executive Director roles, providing a programme of shadowing opportunities that will take place over 18 months. We will give you practical experience and training on governance and the role of a Non-Executive Director by participating.
Thank you for your interest in ‘A Step to Non-Exec’. We enclose an application pack for your completion.
This pack contains:
· Information for candidates
· What is a Non-Executive Director?
· What is the role of the Board?
· Application form
· Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form
Non-Executive Director Shadowing Opportunities
Who are we?
Pobl Group are an innovative and vibrant Group of organisations working in the not-for-profit sector providing housing and support that makes a real difference to people’s lives.
Chwarae Teg is the Welsh Charity that helps women achieve and prosper. Working to ensure that women have equal access to education, training, employment and entrepreneurship opportunities and address the barriers that prevent them from reaching their full potential.
The opportunity…
Pobl Group is working with Chwarae Teg to provide a unique opportunity for two women to undertake an 18 month programme to learn about governance and the role of Non-Executive Directors. The programme will enable you to gain practical experience and provide you with the skills and confidence to apply for future positions in public life.
Location…
The Non-Executive Director Shadowing opportunities and training will take place across Newport, Swansea and Cardiff with expenses paid.
What we will offer…
· Mentoring by a Non-Executive Director from Pobl Group and Chwarae Teg
· Mentoring/Shadowing by Senior Executives
· The opportunity to attend and participate in Pobl Group and Chwarae Teg Board Meetings
· Make available to you the training offered to our Non-Executive Directors
· Paid expenses
· Provide you with a certificate at the end of the scheme summarising your learning achievements
Who we are looking for…
We are looking for women aged between 21-28 who are willing to commit to attend approximately 18 evening Board meetings during the life of the programme, attend strategic planning events and relevant training opportunities offered to you.
Person Specification…
· You are interested in learning about becoming a Non-Executive Director
· You have a drive to make a real difference to people’s lives
· You believe in fairness and equality
· You are passionate for new challenges
· You have a positive focus
Still interested? …
Then we would be very pleased to receive your application.
How to apply…
If you would like to help us and others make a real difference to people’s lives, then we would love to hear from you.
Applications are invited by 10th May 2017
There are a limited number of places available for ‘A Step to Non-Exec’ which will be awarded to applicants that have identified strong objectives and outcomes which align to both themselves and the criteria required for the scheme.
Applicants are required to complete all sections of this form and return by
10th May 2017
Shortlisting will take place after 10th May 2017 and we will be inviting people in for an informal discussion end of May 2017, with the scheme commencing in June 2017 until December 2018.
Please forward your completed applications to:
Contact Name: Shiam Frites
E-mail:
Tel: 01792 488010
Postal Address: Pobl Group, 7-13 The Kingsway, Swansea, SA1 5JN
Applicants will be notified if they have been awarded a place by 31st May 2017.
Testimonial
“A Step to Non-Exec’ is an incredible programme that gives young people the opportunity to see how a successful business really runs. When I first heard about the programme, I was a couple of years into my first job after finishing university and I was keen to understand more about business. At the time, I had little knowledge of the role of a Non-Exec Director but the programme caught my attention because I was keen to understand how the individuals on a Board made a difference to the business. Fast forward 18 months, and I can tell you that those individuals are instrumental and very passionate about the company meeting its objectives.
During the programme I observed the Boards for Pobl Group and Chwarae Teg, and I particularly enjoyed seeing how each Board was governed. Each Board had its own routine and everyone had their own role, but they all had one thing in common. Everyone on the Board wanted assurance so that they could make the best possible decisions. I also benefited from having a mentor throughout the process as it meant that if I had any questions they were always on hand to help.
I was inspired by everyone that I met during this programme and through their knowledge and wisdom I have gained invaluable skills that I will continue to use in my professional career. I can also use my new skills in practice as I have been offered a place on the Pobl Care and Support Board, an opportunity which would not have been possible 18 months ago. Consequently, I would encourage everyone to apply for 'A Step to Non-Exec' if they are interested in joining a board in the future.”
Lucinda Reid, A Step to Non Exec participant 2015-2016
What is a Non-Executive Director?
Role
An active leadership and governance role, setting the strategic direction of the business to support the overall purpose. Doing so in a way which is consistent with our values and ensures that risk is managed and our obligations to customers, regulators and stakeholders are understood and met.
Key responsibilities
Leadership· To define the vision, values, mission and strategic objectives of the organisation and ensure these are upheld
· To ensure clear accountabilities and communications within the organisation
· To promote the Group internally and externally establishing relationships with current and potential customers, partners and stakeholders
· To monitor, safeguard and enhance the Groups reputation
· To establish and maintain a positive customer and community focussed culture / Strategy
· To agree the strategic objectives and desired outcomes
· To establish a framework for approving and reviewing strategies, policies and plans to achieve business objectives and effective governance
· To develop an understanding of the external context in which we operate
· To approve an annual business plan, budgets and funding strategy that support the achievement of the corporate strategy, corporate plan and business plan
Risk
· To oversee a framework for the identification, management and review of risk
· To take or ratify decisions on matters that might create significant risk to the organisation or that raise issues of principle
· To ensure that a positive culture of risk management is embedded throughout the organisation / Performance
· To regularly review and monitor performance in relation to plans, budgets and service delivery
· To drive an agenda for continuous improvement in our service delivery
· To set high governance standards, contributing to the review of the Boards performance
· To obtain and consider customer and stakeholder feedback
In carrying out your role and responsibilities Pobl Group and Chwarae Teg will expect you to:
· Act in the best interests of Pobl Group and Chwarae Teg and our customers at all times, regardless of any personal, professional or political interests
· Share the values of the Pobl Group and Chwarae Teg and adhere to our Code of Conduct
· Adhere to the Pobl Group and Chwarae Teg’s core policies, including those for equality of opportunity
· Contribute to and share responsibility for decisions and work as part of the Board team
· Prepare for, attend and contribute to meetings, training sessions and other events
· Take up opportunities for your personal development and learning as a Non-Executive Director
· Represent and promote the Pobl Group and Chwarae Teg on occasions
· Respect the confidentiality of information and adhere to Data Protection regulation at all times
What is the role of the Board?
Overall Purpose
The main role of the Board is to direct the affairs of the Company in accordance with its objects, i.e. to determine strategic direction and policies. Management, i.e. the implementation of the Board’s policies, is delegated to paid staff.
Responsibilities
The essential functions of the Board are formally recorded in the Company’s Rules and its standing orders. The Board’s main functions include duties to:
· Define and ensure compliance with the values and objectives of the Company ;
· Establish policies and plans to achieve those objectives;
· Approve each year’s budget and accounts prior to publication;
· Establish and monitor a framework of delegation and systems of control;
· Agree policies and make decisions on all matters that might create significant financial or other risk to the Company, or which raise material issues of principle;
· Monitor the Company’s performance in relation to these plans, budgets controls and decisions;
· Satisfy itself that the Company’s affairs are conducted lawfully and in accordance with generally accepted standards of performance, conduct and propriety; and
· Take proper advice;
· To monitor the operation of the Company’s equal opportunities.
Application Form
Date:Contact Details:
Title:
First Name:
Last Name:
Address:
Email address:
Contact number:
Employment Details (present/most recent employer)
Organisation:
Job Title:
Address:
Email Address:
Contact Number:
Education Details (if you are still in full time educations, please provide details)
Education Provider:
Course Title:
Course Outline:
Personal Objectives
Question 1: Please describe your personal objectives for applying for ‘A Step to Non-Exec’, thinking about your career aspirations and interest in joining a Board. (250 words max)
Question 2: We would love to learn more about you and what’s important to you. If you were creating a ‘personal brand’ what would be the key features of your brand? (100 words max)
Personal Outcome Statement
Question 3: Any other comments in support of your application and why you would like to be considered for a place on the ‘Step to Non-Exec’ scheme.(250 words max)
Access requirements
Will you require support with mobility/hearing/sight? Please provide detail of how we can support you.Language
Will you require future information to be provided in another language? If yes, please give details.Character reference
Please supply details of a referee who would be apply to supply a character reference in support of your application if necessary.
Title:First name:
Last name:
Organisation:
Job title:
Address:
Email address:
Contact number:
On behalf of the Pobl Group and Chwarae Teg, thank you for taking the time to complete this application.
Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form
All partners will provide equal opportunities to all applicants and will not discriminate either directly or indirectly on the grounds of race, colour, ethnic origin, nationality, national origin, sex, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, religion, belief or age.
You may decide not to answer one or any of these questions but if you do respond all information provided will be treated in confidence and will be used solely by Pobl Group and Chwarae Teg for the purpose of providing statistics for equality and diversity monitoring.
The monitoring form does not form part of your application and will therefore be detached from it on receipt, stored separately and will not be available to the selection panel.
Personal Details
Name
Ethnic origin: Please tick against one of the following
Indian / White and Black Caribbean
Pakistani / White and Black African
Bangladeshi / White and Asian
Any other Asian background / Any other mixed background
Black or British Black / White
Caribbean / British
African / Irish
Any other black background / Any other white background
Chinese / Prefer not to say
Chinese / Any other
Disability: Please tick against one of the following
Do you consider yourself to have a disability within the meaning of the Equality Act 2010? The Equality Act 2010 defines a disabled person as someone who has a physical or mental impairment, which has a substantial and adverse long-term effect on his or her ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. Conditions covered may include, for example, severe depression, dyslexia, diabetes, epilepsy and arthritis.Yes / No / Prefer not to say
Religion or belief: Please tick against one of the following
No religion / JewishBahai / Muslim
Buddhist / Sikh
Christian / Other
Hindu / Prefer not to say
Jain
Sexual Orientation: Please tick against one of the following
Gay Woman / Lesbian / Prefer not to say
Thank you for taking the time to complete the information requested on this form, and thereby enabling us to monitor the effectiveness of our equal opportunities policy.
Signature:Date: