About the organisation
The Public Interest Law Centre exists to challenge systemic injustice through legal representation, strategic litigation, research and legal education. We specialise in public law, actions against public authorities and public inquiries, bringing cases to court for individuals and grassroots groups who have been treated unfairly. We hold government and public bodies to account, challenging unlawful policies and practices.
Most of our legal work is funded by the Legal Aid Agency, though we also receive grant funding to enable our community lawyering approach and to fill the gap left by a broken public funding system. For Legal Aid purposes we operate as an agent of Camden Community Law Centre through which we have access to Public Law and Claims against Public Authorities contracts. We have applied for LAA contracts in Public Law, Claims against Public Authorities and Housing Law in our own right, which we hope will begin in September 2023.
About the role
We seek a new Treasurer member to join our nine-person Board of Trustees. Ideally you will have an accounting, finance or similar qualification combined with a strong affinity for PILC’s vision, mission and values. As a finance professional, your particular skills and experience will complement and enhance the varied skill sets and rich experiences of our current Trustees.
The role of the treasurer is to monitor the financial administration of the charity and report to the board of trustees at regular intervals on its state of financial health, in line with best practice, and in compliance with the governing document and legal requirements.
Main responsibilities include:
- assisting with the governance of the organisation in line with its charitable objectives and to maintain oversight of the organisation’s financial affairs on behalf of the Board of Trustees.
- providing guidance to the Board of Trustees and Director on financial stewardship of the organisation in line with the strategic aims.
Time commitment
Board meetings are held every two months for up to 2 hours. In addition, we estimate the treasurer will need to dedicate an additional 4-6 hours per quarter. This would be an estimated 32 hours a year.
We also hold an organisational Away Day once a year, bringing staff and trustees together for a day of review, thinking and planning.
Term of Office
The Treasurer will normally hold office for a term of three years. Usually a maximum of two terms can be served. The Treasurer is accountable to the Board of Trustees.
We want to be more diverse and reflect our community, so we especially encourage applications from minoritised candidates and/or those with lived experience of the social-justice issues we work on.
Our ideal candidate
Specific responsibilities and duties include:
- overseeing and presenting budgets, internal management accounts and annual financial statements to the board of trustees
- leading in the board’s duty to ensure that proper accounting records are kept, financial resources are properly controlled, invested and economically spent, in line with good governance, legal and regulatory requirements
- leading in the development and implementation of financial reserves, cost management and investment policies
- liaising with the Director and Finance Officer where applicable monitoring and advising on the financial viability of the charity
- overseeing the implementation of and monitoring specific financial controls and adherence to systems
- advising on the financial implications of the charity’s strategic plan
- overseeing the charity’s financial risk management process
- acting as a counter signatory on charity cheques and funding applications where required
- liaising with the external auditors on specific issues such as the auditor’s management letter and the related board representations.
What’s in it for you
We work in solidarity with people affected by systemic issues to build their power whilst highlighting their experience. Our priorities and the direction of our strategic litigation are set by these relationships. Strategy is formulated together with the individuals and groups we represent, whom we support through legal education to ensure that the process is transparent and meaningful throughout. Working this way implies a recognition that process and outcomes are not separate; we aim to integrate litigation within a broader movement for social justice.
We work in collaboration with grassroots groups, campaigns and frontline organisations through a legal hub model, building capacity through legal education and advocating through legal action in key priority areas: racial justice and migrants rights; housing/homelessness; violence against women; the impact of austerity; and state surveillance.
This work is underpinned by the strong interest, engagement and contribution from our board of trustees; ensuring that PILC’s work is conducted by setting a clear strategic direction, on a sound financial foundation, and governed with well-informed oversight of risk.
Apply for the role
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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.
