Citizens Advice East Herts
Roles Descriptions and Person Specification
Trustee
Hours:At times a few hours a week but more generally, a few hours a month. 6 evening board meetings per year plus a few additional meetings/work outside the board meetings.
Location:Bishop’s Stortford, Wareand surrounding areas.
Context of role: Citizens Advice East Herts helps people resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing information and advice, and by influencing policy makers. We cover a wide geographical area seeing around 6,000 unique clients per year. We have an annual turnover of around £300,000. Our workforce is mainly volunteer staff but we also employ some paid staff. We have also a significant number of partners, funders and supporters.
Role purpose:We are looking for three talented volunteer trustees who can give time and commitment to help us run our charity, help us develop our services and secure the vital resources we need to go forward.
Main duties and responsibilities
Each individual member of the trustee board has a responsibility to contribute to the discharging of the board's duties. They can do this by:
•Actively contributing to setting policy and strategic direction, defining goals, setting targets and evaluating performance
•Monitoring whether the service complies with its governing document, whether it meets Citizens Advice standards and how well the advice needs of the local community are being met
•Maintaining an awareness of the activities of the charity
•Monitoring the financial position of the charity and ensuring that it operates within its means and objects, and that there are clear lines of accountability for day-to-day financial management
•Regularly attending, preparing for and taking a full part in meetings
•Supporting the development of the charity through participation in agreed projects
•Attending internal meetings and representing the organisation at external events, as appropriate
•Actively seeking to further the strategic objectives and acting in the best interests of the charity at all times
•Maintaining confidentiality about any sensitive or confidential information received in the course of duties as a trustee
•Taking responsibility for their own learning and development
Personal skills and qualities
•Commitment and availability to attend trustee board meetings
•Willingness to provide ‘hands-on’ operational support to the Chief Executive
•Effective communication skills and willingness to participate actively in discussion
•Willingness to gain knowledge of local needs and resources
•Commitment to the aims, principles and policies of the Citizens Advice service, including those relating to equal opportunities, independence and social policy
•Willingness and ability to act in the best interests of the charity
•Ability to understand and accept their responsibilities and liabilities as trustees and employers
•Willingness to participate in democratic process which develops Citizens Advice service policies by area and nationally
•Numeracy to the extent required to understand charity’s accounts with the support of a treasurer
•Willingness and ability to learn, and to develop and examine their own attitudes
•Ability to think creatively and strategically, and exercise good, independent judgement
•Ability to work effectively as a member of a dynamic team
•Fundraising, marketing or premises management expertise desirable