About the organisation
We are an independent charity, founded in 1984 dedicated to providing refuge and a path to freedom for survivors fleeing domestic abuse. We’ve helped over 2,500 women and 4,000 children through our services including therapy, advocacy, emotional support and practical help. Survivors stay in our refuges for six months and are then supported in the community after they leave.
We accommodate and support thirty women and up to sixty children in our communal refuges. We also offer four self-contained, fully supported properties, suitable for any survivor through our Refuge for All project. We strive to make a difference nationally by campaigning to change laws, raising awareness through training and we are recognised as leaders in the ‘ending Domestic Abuse’ movement.
Our website contains information about what we do and who we are. Please have a look at www.ichoosefreedom.co.uk
Our values
I Choose Freedom's values are at the heart of everything we do. Our values are:
Respect
Inclusion
Trust
Empowerment
About the role
Our trustees govern the activities, affairs and oversee the strategic and general management of the charity. They specifically ensure that I Choose Freedom has a clear purpose and direction, is solvent, well run and delivers our charitable and strategic objectives. Trustees are expected to undertake duties in a manner that reflects I Choose Freedom’s values and ethos.
We are looking for a Financial Trustee to have an overview of the charities financial affairs, ensuring financial viability, accurate and proper financial records and procedures are in place and continued. In addition to the general responsibilities of a trustee, duties of the Finance Trustee include the following:
Supporting the Chair of the Board of Trustees
Presenting the accounts at Board meetings, drawing attention to important points in a coherent and easily understandable way
Guiding and advising the Board in the approval of budgets and Annual Accounts, financial implications and assumptions within strategic and operational plans
Assist in the process of the appointment of auditors and larger contractors, reviewing such appointments on a regular basis
Keeping the Board informed about its financial duties and responsibilities
Development and demonstration of proper stewardship of funds
Liaising with any paid staff and volunteers about financial matters
Working with the Board and staff to oversee and ensure:
appropriate policies, accounting procedures, record keeping and financial controls are in place
the financial resources of the organisation meet its present and future needs
budgets are scrutinised before recommendations made to the Board
there is no conflict between any investment held and the values, aims and objects of the Charity
Support accountants and I Choose Freedom senior management team through managing access to online banking accountancy systems and as signatory (on the bank mandate)
General Trustee duties
Ensuring that the organisation pursues its stated objects (purposes), as defined in its governing document, by developing and agreeing a long-term strategy.
Ensuring that the organisation complies with its governing document (memorandum and articles of association), charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations.
Exercising a duty of care to ensure that the charity is well run and efficient.
Ensuring the appropriate use of I Choose Freedom’s charitable funds and assets in pursuit of its objects and strategic objectives and overseeing the effective management of the resources and assets of the charity.
Ensuring the effective and efficient administration of the organisation, including having appropriate policies and procedures in place.
Ensuring that the organisation defines its goals and evaluates performance against agreed targets.
Ensuring the financial stability of the organisation.
Ensuring a robust risk management process is in place to identify and address any risks impacting, or potentially impacting, the organisation.
Ensuring that I Choose Freedom has an appropriate governance structure in place (including sub-committees) in relation to its objectives, size and stakeholders to enable trustees to fulfil their responsibilities.
Ensuring that I Choose Freedom is accountable to its members, funders and stakeholders.
Further duties as required by the CEO and Board.
Our ideal candidate
Specifically for this role, we are looking for the following experience/skills:
Essential
- Qualified accountant with demonstrated commercial awareness and knowledge.
- Proven ability to communicate and explain financial information to members of the Board and other stakeholders.
- Analytical and evaluation skills, demonstrating good judgement.
- Good communication and leadership skills
Desirable
- Demonstrated knowledge and experience of charity fundraising and finance practices.
- Dedicated to the organisation’s cause and objectives and willing to act as the charity’s ambassador to external bodies, charities and companies.
- Skills and experience in one or more areas of non-executive governance and management e.g. strategic planning, business management, financial/accountancy, experience of Trusts or other grant-giving bodies particularly fundraising and legal knowledge.
All trustees need to demonstrate the following competencies to become a member of the board:
- A commitment to I Choose Freedom’s vision, mission and values and knowledge and/or interest in domestic abuse, cause and effects.
- A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort.
- Strategic vision.
- Good, independent judgement with ability to think creatively.
- An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship.
- Work effectively as a member of a team, seek constructive debate and dialogue over confrontation
- A commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.
What’s in it for you
You can make a difference to the work, and advocacy of I Choose Freedom with an opportunity to build on the recent growth and help build the strategy for the charity. Through existing and built networks, you'll help the charity achieve it's charitable aims and support survivors and their families on their path to freedom.
The Board aims to embody our values of Respect, Inclusion, Trust and Empowerment. We encourage learning and training is available. This role would be suitable for someone with financial experience who is looking for their first Trustee role or to expand their existing experience in this area.
Apply for the role
Please enter all required information!
Thank you, your application has been submitted
Please provide a cover note if it is requested in the role description. Applications which are personalised, setting out your motivations for volunteering for the organisation and relevant skills/experience, are far more likely to be successful.
