Service: / Head Office
Reports To: / Chair
Our Organisation
Compass is a third sector organisation providing services to peope concerned with the health and social impact of problematic drug and alcohol use. Since 1986, Compass has established a reputation for delivering quality services with the single purpose of:
”helping people solve the problems of drug and alcohol use, creating healthier lives and safer communities”.
Purpose:
Compass aims to direct all service users into recovery from drug and/or alcohol dependence at the earliest opportunity, while recognising that a significant number of individuals may not yet be motivated or be in a position to stop using substances. The priorities for Compass are therefore:
§ To enable people to make informed choices about their drug and alcohol consumption and health and social circumstances
§ To actively influence and support client motivation to stop using drugs and alcohol
§ To maintain the health and social status of individuals by reducing the potential for damage from problematic drug and alcohol use
§ To reduce the risks of drug and alcohol related harm to the communities in which our clients live, including the need to address behaviours that put public health at risk or contribute to offending and the fear of crime
§ To guide our clients towards complete recovery and facilitate their re-integration into society
§ To make early contact with substance misusers and provide relevant, positive and safe responses to their health and social care needs
Outline of the Post:
As Non-Executive Director you will serve on the Board of directors, the governing body of the organisation. The Board accept ultimate accountability for delivering the affairs of Compass, and ensuring that it is solvent, well-run, and delivering the charitable outcomes for the benefit of the public for which it has been set up. The overarching accountabilities of the Board as defined by the Charity Commission fall into 3 categories; compliance; duty of prudence and duty of care. To carry out these responsibilities, Non-Executive Directors must act with integrity, and use reasonable care and skill in their work by using their personal skills and experience as needed. Non-Executive directors report to the Chair of the Board.
Outline of the Post:
· Working with the Chair, other directors and committees with a shared sense of purpose, to ensure that Compass’ governance is of the highest standard.
· Actively and positively participating in board, committee and other meetings, acting
rationally, prudently, and collectively, ensuring that the Board acts as team.
· Working with the other Board Members to set Compass’ overall vision and mission, and to progress its strategy, receiving regular progress reports.
· Being responsible for the performance of Compass and its corporate behaviour.
· As a Non-Executive Director of Compass, acting as a guardian of all Compass’ assets and ensuring that the income and property of Compass is applied for the purposes set out in the governing document.
· Ensuring that Compass complies with all legal, safeguarding and regulatory requirements.
· Acting as a member of a committee and/or a member of a subsidiary board if requested.
· Giving advice and assistance outside meetings as requested.
· Actively seeking information and experience, including paying at least one annual visit to a Compass service, to aid in understanding Compass’s operations and client groups
Responsibilities of the Role
The role will operate as a member of the Board covering the following Board responsibilities:
Organisation Strategy
· Agreeing the organisational strategy to further Compass’ vision, mission and objectives
Corporate Governance & Risk Management
· Ensuring Compass complies with all Safeguarding best practice requirements
· Holding responsibility for the overall performance of Compass and its corporate behaviour,
ensuring that the organisation complies with all legal and regulatory requirements.
· Being guardians of Compass’ assets and ensuring that proper procedures are in
place to safeguard its income and property.
· Being accountable for the solvency of Compass and exercising overall control of its
financial affairs.
· It is the Board’s responsibility to provide balanced and understandable assessment of the organisation, which includes preparation of annual reports, annual returns and annual statements of account in accordance with regulatory requirements.
· Ensuring that the organisation regularly identifies and reviews risks and that action is
taken to mitigate risk through internal controls
· Approving the corporate risk register including internal controls to mitigate risks and to identify the organisational leads responsible for controls
· Ensuring an effective quality assurance and improvement framework, including clinical
governance, is in place and monitored
· Ensuring Compass complies with legislation and good practice in relation to health
and safety.
Human Resources
· Appointing the Chief Executive and setting the terms and conditions of employment,
ensuring ongoing professional development and regular constructive feedback on performance
· Ensuring the development of equality and diversity practice, both in relation to staff and
to the services offered by Compass.
Representing the organisation
· Ensuring that the organisation is represented at appropriate external events and meetings
· Actively liaising with key influencers and funders to ensure the profile of Compass is maintained
· Communicating positively about Compass and acting as a spokesperson and influencer where appropriate
· Building a network of other organisations and individuals from which Compass can benefit
working with outside organisations and individuals in a way that protects and improves the image of Compass
Other requirements:
· Attend Board meetings (6 per annum) and other meetings as required. ( These are usually in York HO but could be within services)
· Attend Board away days as required (1 or 2 per annum)
· Undertake occasional visits to services and to undertake other Non-Executive Director responsibilities as required
· Undertake training as necessary and participate in evaluation of the work of the Board
· Be available between meetings to act as a sounding board and a source of advice to the Chair and the Chief Executive
· Work with senior management team on ad hoc requirements such as recruitment of senior or specialist posts or final appeals for grievance/disciplinary issues
· Able to spend at least 8 – 10 hours per month on Compass governance.
To carry out these duties effectively you will :
· Be supportive of the vision and aims of Compass and be an ambassador of Compass values
· Have business acumen, financial awareness, and an understanding of the risks and quality standards
· Have experience of delivering services in the voluntary sector in health and social care.
· Understand the governance and management structure of a national organisation and the functioning of a unitary board
· Have the ability to work as part of a team in a collaborative way in line with Compass values in order to facilitate Compass achieving its mission and aims
· Work an extensive network of relevant contacts and be willing to leverage those contacts
· to further the business aims of Compass.
· Possess the ability to play a strategic role in order to successfully effect change in a complex social enterprise.
· Have an understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of role as a Non- Executive Director
· Be committed to the ethos and values of Compass including equal opportunities and the promotion of diversity.
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Other Considerations
· Any conflict of interest (or potential conflict of interest) which arises during the time of office must be declared.
· This role is voluntary and not remunerated, however reasonable expenses will be reimbursed in line with Compass financial procedures.
· An enhanced DBS check will be undertaken before appointment can be confirmed
Profile : Non Executive Director – 2014-02-14