CMV ACTION TRUSTEE
ROLE DESCRIPTION
ABOUT CMV ACTION
CMV is a common virus that is a leading cause of hearing loss and a major cause of disability in children. It causes more problems than Down’s syndrome, Spina Bifida and Cystic Fibrosis, yet few pregnant women and professionals have heard of it. This must change.
CMV Action is a small, but dynamic, UK registered charity run by parents and volunteers, who have come together to raise public awareness of CMV, and to campaign for better prevention measures within our health service. We are firmly committed to limiting the devastating impact of this virus for those currently affected and for future generations. In the last five years, CMV Action has grown from zero to an income of over £100K per annum. Our influence has grown with increasing support from a wide range of respected clinicians and the backing of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. We have achieved coverage in the national media and in many professional educational areas
We offer advice, support and friendship to anyone affected by CMV. We are able to put families in touch with each other, who may be facing similar issues, as well as those who live near to each other. We can advocate for families affected by CMV, and support them in ensuring that they receive the best possible service from their healthcare, education and social work providers.
We aim to educate and raise awareness amongst pregnant women and the professionals who work with them, parents-to-be and the general public about the risks of CMV infection and the simple hygiene measures that can prevent it. We campaign for better and more consistent management of the virus and encourage good practice between professionals.
We work with a number of medical professionals who have an interest in CMV, and we support much needed research in this field. We aim to publicise any new CMV research findings via our website and social network pages.
There is a lot of exciting research underway that could completely change the picture on prevention, treatment and management of CMV over the next decade. Working with CMV Action is an exciting opportunity to shape the strategic direction of the organisation and deliver real change and impact for children and families.
Our Five Key Aims
1. To support families affected by CMV
2. To educate professionals (health, education & social services), parents-to-be and the
general public about prevention, treatment and management of CMV
3. To support development and implementation of a vaccine against CMV
4. To raise awareness for the need for a vaccine
5. To build capacity and ensure CMV Action is an effective organisation with suitable
structure, governance and financial stability.
MAIN AIM OF THE ROLE
CMV Action Trustees have ultimate responsibility for directing the affairs of the charity, ensuring that it is legal, solvent, well-run, and delivering its charitable objectives. They ensure that the charity adheres to charity law and other relevant legislation, as well as to its governing document. CMV Action Trustees must always act in the organisation’s best interests and uphold CMV Action’s commitment of limiting the devastating impact of this virus for those currently affected and for future generations.
As CMV Action is a small charity, Trustees play a ‘hands-on’ role in supporting the work of the Project Manager, Fundraising Officer, Trustee colleagues and volunteers. A trustee can have specific responsibilities for certain areas enabling them to focus on their areas of strength.
We are especially keen to hear from those with experience in the following areas:
• PR/Communications/Marketing, including demonstrating impact
• Database maintenance and function
• An understanding of health service provision in the UK
• Experience of small to medium charities
• Medical knowledge of CMV.
We are also keen to widen diversity on our Board of Trustees in terms of gender, ethnicity and geographical location throughout the UK.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Develop strategy
· To contribute actively in giving firm strategic direction to the organisation
· To define goals and set targets for the organisation
· To evaluate the charity’s performance against the agreed targets
Compliance with the law
· To ensure that the organisation complies with charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations.
· To ensure CMV Action complies with its reporting and accounting obligations
Compliance with the governing document
· To ensure that CMV Action complies with its governing document
· To ensure that CMV Action pursues the charitable objectives set out in its governing document for the public benefit
Safeguarding and assessing risk
· To assess risk and safeguard the reputation, finances, aims and values of the organisation
· To establish and monitor policies, where required for the effective management of CMV Action
· In matters where the Trustees are not expert, to take appropriate advice
Financial stability
· To maintain proper fiscal oversight and ensure the financial stability of the organisation
· To ensure the organisation uses its assets and resources exclusively to pursue its objectives
Administration
· To ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation
Effective board performance and accountability
· To actively contribute to sound decision-making as a member of the board
· To communicate effectively with board members and make key decisions collectively
· To ensure CMV Action is accountable to stakeholders
· To collectively ensure the board has the necessary range of expertise, experience and skills to fulfil its legal obligations and duties
Appoint and support staff and other Trustees
· To take responsibility for the appointment of staff and Trustees and to participate in the recruitment process (as required)
· To establish employment policies and procedures
· To ensure new staff and Trustees receive an induction
· To support the Project Manager, Fundraising Officer and volunteers in their operational role and to monitor their performance
To support the Chair, Treasurer and Other Trustees
· To offer advice and guidance, as appropriate, to the Chair, Treasurer and colleague Trustees to assist them to carry out their operational roles
Conflicts of interest
· To avoid any personal conflicts of interest and, where conflicts arise, to ensure that they are declared and managed in accordance with the procedures set out in CMV Action’s governing document
To communicate effectively
· With the board as a whole, by attending meetings and responding promptly to other communications by email, telephone, requests for input, etc.
· With other Trustees, staff, volunteers and external parties on allocated projects
TIME COMMITMENT
Trustee Meetings are held 12 times a year:
· Four face-to-face meetings are held on a Saturday in London (10.30 am – 3.00 pm)
· Eight telephone conference calls are held on evening or weekend (around 1 hour duration)
In addition to the above, response and communication by email and telephone, specific tasks and projects and attending other relevant meetings will be required, adding up to at least one hour of activity per week.
SKILLS, EXPERIENCE AND PERSON SPECIFICATION
General experience and skills (essential)· Management (of volunteers, staff or resources) and/or governance
· Working with a wide range of people
· Working effectively as part of a team that makes collective strategic decision
Desirable experience and skills
We are particularly interested in hearing from people with the following skills and experience:
· Public Relations/Communications/Marketing
· Impact reporting
· Database function and management
· An understanding of UK health provision
· Clinical knowledge of CMV
· Experience of similar role in small-medium charity
· Strategy/business management with the ability to plan and develop the charity
· Or you may have other skills or experience that you think would really benefit the organisation!
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
· An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of Trusteeship
· A willingness to respond promptly and flexibly to requests and communications
· Commitment to the purpose, mission and values of CMV Action
· A strong team-player – a contributor of opinion and thoughts, whilst having the ability to collaborate and be accepting of others views
· Excellent communicator, verbal and written, via all mediums
· Strategic, envisioned and creative approach
· Logical approach to decision making
· Willingness to give the minimum time commitment
· Commitment to equality and diversity
· Professional integrity
· Eligible to be a charity trustee and company director
Other Information
Role: Voluntary role, home-based. Expenses can be reimbursed
Location: Open to applicants throughout the UK
Supported by: Board of Trustees
Accountable to: Board of Trustees
Application closing date: (will be set at 1 month from advertisement)
How to apply: Please let Sharon Wood ( or telephone 07932 941410) have your expression of interest. Sharon will then set up an informal discussion with our Chair or another Trustee in order for us to mutually clarify expectations.
Interview Interview for successful applicants TBC
For further information about CMV and CMV Action, please see our website – www.cmvaction.org.uk
CMV is a registered charity no. 1147633
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