Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA)

WCVA is the National umbrella body working to support, develop and represent Wales’ third sector at UK and national level. There are approximately 33,000 third sector organisations in Wales, of which 8,671 were registered charities in 2016. We have over 1,030 organisations in direct membership, and are in touch with many more organisations through a wide range of National and local networks. WCVA is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee.

The Volunteering Wales Project Board

The Volunteering Wales Project Board is responsible for;

  1. ensuring the timely distribution of grants and delivery of outcomes under the Welsh Government funded Volunteering Wales Grants, Youth Led Grants, Youth Development Fund and Youth Engagement funding and other allocated grant schemes.
  2. ensuring the distribution of the final year of funding for the Volunteering in Wales Fund and GwirVol Youth Volunteering Grants in 2016/17 and the Volunteering Wales Grants 2017/18

Members do not represent the interests of any organisation they are affiliated to and must always act in the best interests of WCVA and its members.

A description of the role of a Volunteering Wales Project Board member is attached for information on page 4.

WCVA values the attributes that those with previous experience of being a project board member may be able to bring to the board, but we would equally welcome applications from individuals with no prior experience provided they can demonstrate clearly how they meet the necessary criteria (please see page3 for details).

Responsibilities of the Volunteering Wales Project Board

  1. Provide a strategic direction and overview to the grant scheme. This will be achieved by:
  2. Inputting into the development and review of the grant process, guidance and application templates.
  3. Making recommendations on the priorities, distribution and value of the grants
  4. Provide strategic oversight of the Youth Development Fund, the regionally delivered Youth Led Grants and Youth Engagement funding
  5. Considering further developments
  1. Support the appraisal and awarding of grants by:
  2. Approving the grant assessment and approval process
  3. Considering the recommendations of the Volunteering Team
  4. Awarding grants
  1. Review the performance of projects by:
  2. Receiving reports on project spend and outcomes
  3. Financial, funding and audit issues

Specific skillsand qualities

  1. Commitment to volunteering and the voluntary sector in Wales
  1. A knowledge about the voluntary sector infrastructure and how volunteering operates in the welsh context
  1. Interest in contributing to the development of volunteering across Wales
  1. Able to work as part of a team to reach consensus on decisions about how funding is allocated
  1. Good communication skills
  1. Able to read and apply criteria and interpret and analyse written information
  1. The ability to speak Welsh is desirable but not essential.

Candidates are asked in their application to describe their skills and experience using the same numbering as the above (4-10) to demonstrate how they meet the specific skills.

Equality and diversity

WCVA is committed to diversity and wants to build a strong and diverse Project Board that reflects the communities it serves. Diversity can encompass a wide variety of characteristics including age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexuality, religion, nationality, experience and skills. We welcome applications from individualsfrom all backgrounds, and wouldparticularly welcome applications fromyoung, disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates, as all of those categories are currently under-represented on the Project Board.

In order to enable the organisation to monitor its success in this aim, all candidatesare asked to complete and return the equal opportunities monitoring form. This is requested for monitoring purposes only and will not be seen by the selectionpanel.

Legal compliance and code of conduct

Successful candidates will have to sign a Code of Conduct and Declaration of Interest, and must disclose any information which could conceivably bring WCVA into disrepute.

Terms of Appointment

Project Board membership is an unpaid voluntary role. Reasonable out of pocket expenses will be met. TheVolunteering Wales Project Board is required to meet once a year in February, other meetings may be arranged, up to a maximum of four. Meetings are normally held at WCVA offices inCardiff, however, video conference meetings can be arranged to accommodate those living in other parts of Wales.

Successful candidates will normally be appointed until the end of March 2018 in the first instance. Further funding will determine the need for the Volunteering Wales Project Board beyond this.

On appointment,memberswill meet with the Chair of the Project Board and/or Volunteering Grants and Youth Development Manager to agree his or her role and commitments. New memberswill receive an informal induction on appointment.

How to apply

Please submit the following documents by 5pm on Friday 20th October 2017

  1. Personal statement of not more than two pages,outlining why you wish to join the Volunteering Wales Project Board anddemonstrating you are able to fulfil allof the skills and qualities (paragraphs 4 – 10) listed on page 2.
  1. WCVA recognises that discrimination, prejudice and disadvantage exist in our society. We are committed to making our contribution to help eliminate this by working positively to promote a more inclusive society. It is our aim and commitment to provide all our services and employment opportunities on a fair and equitable basis. We would be grateful if you would complete our equal opportunities monitoring form. All information supplied will be treated in the strictest confidence.
  1. Daytime, evening and/or mobile telephone numbers where we can contact you regarding this application.

If you would like to discuss the role further on an informal basis please contact Felicitie Walls by email bytelephone on 02920 431743 in the first instance.

Timetable for candidates

Applications should reach WCVAby 5pm on Friday 20th October 2017

Applications can be made via email () or by post to the following address:

Felicitie Walls,

Wales Council for Voluntary Action

Baltic House

Mount Stuart Square

Cardiff, CF10 5FH

All applications received will be reviewed by our Project Board selectionpanel to ensure the requirements of the role are met. In the case of applications not meeting the specific skills(page 2) you will be contacted by a member of the panel via telephone. Please state clearly in your application your preferred contact telephone number for this purpose.

Please note that candidates who meet the specific skills willbe expected to attend an interview during this process. Interviews will be held the week beginning 30th October 2017.

WCVA reserves the right to undertake due diligence on any shortlisted candidates.

Role of the Volunteering Wales Project Board Member

Reports to:Chair

Overall responsibility:

The Volunteering Wales Project Board is responsible for;

  1. ensuring the timely distribution of grants and delivery of outcomes under the Welsh Government funded Volunteering Wales Grants, Youth Led Grants, Youth Development Fund and Youth Engagement funding and other allocated grant schemes.
  2. ensuring the distribution of the final year of funding for the Volunteering in Wales Fund and GwirVol Youth Volunteering Grants in 2016/17 and the Volunteering Wales Grants 2017/18

Accountable to:

Accountable in varying degrees to a variety of stakeholders and/or regulators, including: Welsh Government, WCVA Trustee Board and staff, funded projects, volunteers, service users, members of WCVA

Main responsibilities:

1.Provide a strategic direction and overview to the grant scheme. This will be achieved by:

  • Inputting into the development and review of the grant process, guidance and application templates.
  • Making recommendations on the priorities, distribution and value of the grants
  • Provide strategic oversight of the Youth Development Fund, the regionally delivered Youth Led Grants and Youth Engagement funding
  • Considering further developments

2.Support the appraisal and awarding of grants by:

  • Approving the grant assessment and approval process
  • Considering the recommendations of the Volunteering Team
  • Awarding grants

3.Review the performance of projects by:

  • Receiving reports on project spend and outcomes
  • Financial, funding and audit issues

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