About the organisation
ABOUT TINY TICKERS
We’re a small national charity with big ambitions. We’ve got a proud track record of helping improve the detection, care and treatment of babies with serious heart conditions, and we have exciting plans to do even more to help in the future.
We were founded in 1999 by world-renowned fetal cardiologist Dr Helena Gardiner, when she realised many of the babies she was caring for could have been helped sooner.
Our chief executive, Jon Arnold, is the parent of a child who has had open heart surgery for a major defect, and he heads our small team of staff and volunteers based throughout the UK.
MISSION & NEED
We want to increase early detection rates of cardiac conditions because we know that spotting a defect early can improve a baby’s chances of survival and long-term quality of life.
Around 6,000 babies are born with a serious heart defect in the UK each year, and around 1,000 of these newborns head home with no one realising their lives could be in danger. CHD is responsible for 1 in 13 infant deaths. Our work is helping to change that.
OUR WORK & IMPACT
Rates for heart problems being detected during pregnancy have more than doubled since we launched – thanks in part to our work. We train sonographers to spot defects during routine pregnancy scans; support families with a diagnosis; campaign to improve service standards; raise awareness; support academic research; and fund technologies that help aid detection.
PLANS & AMBITIONS
We’ve already achieved a lot, and we have exciting ambitions to make an even greater impact for heart babies born in the UK. From large-scale sonographer training programmes; to new parent support and information projects; to powerful lobbying campaigns for improved standards – we’re doing even more to help.
HOW WE’RE FUNDED
We’re reliant on the generosity of our supporters to fund our work. Most of our income comes from either individuals who kindly raise money on our behalf, or from trusts and grant providers funding specific projects. We pride ourselves on the transparency, honesty and respectfulness of our fundraising.
OUR REACH & TEAM
Our charitable work covers the whole of the United Kingdom. We have a small staff team of nine (equivalent to six full-time staff), supported by some key volunteers.We have a homeworking model, in order to keep costs low and ensure we can recruit the best possible team. Staff are spread from the South Coast of England up to Scotland. Likewise, our Trustees are located throughout the UK.
About the role
We are looking for an individual with the energy, passion and commitment to join our Board of Trustees as our Treasurer. We welcome applications from those with the skills, knowledge and experience to assist us with the financial governance of our organisation.
PURPOSE
The main purpose of Trustees is to provide governance, strategic direction and oversight through the regular review of the workings of the charity, and evaluation of performance.
Trustees must act in the best interests of Tiny Tickers, sharing the responsibility with other board members for making sure the charity is well run. They will be expected to use their knowledge, skills and experience to help the charity make sound decisions.
They make sure the charity complies with its governing documents, and all laws and regulations it is subject to. They oversee the accounts, ensuring the charity is at all times solvent, well-run and of good reputation.
The day-to-day running of the charity is delegated from the Board to our staff team, led by our Chief Executive. In short, the Board and the staff team work together to deliver our mission.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
The statutory duties of Trustees are to:
● Support and provide advice on Tiny Tickers’ purpose, vision, goals and activities.
● Ensure Tiny Tickers complies with our Memorandum and Articles of Association (our governing documents, that set out all the rules for running the charity).
● Ensure the organisation applies its resources in pursuance of its charitable objects for the benefit of the public.
● Ensure the charity defines its goals and evaluates performance against agreed targets.
● Safeguard the good name and values of the organisation.
● Ensure effective and efficient administration of the charity, including having appropriate policies and procedures in place.
● Ensure the financial stability of the organisation, and to ensure the proper investment of the charity’s funds.
● To follow proper and formal arrangements for the appointment, supervision, support, appraisal and renumeration of the Chief Executive.
In addition to the above statutory duties, each Trustee should use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have to help the Board reach sound decisions.
As a small charity, there will be times when Trustees may need to be actively involved beyond Board meetings. This may involve scrutinising papers; leading discussions; focusing on key issues; providing advice and guidance on new initiatives; presenting externally; or other issues in which the Trustee has special expertise.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
The initial term of office is three years, after which time Trustees can choose whether to stand for re-appointment to the Board.
This is a voluntary role so it is not renumerated. Any out of pocket expenses will be paid.
The Board of Trustees generally meets four times per year. Three of these meetings are conducted virtually and, if possible, Trustees come together to meet in person once per year - typically in London. Usually, our meetings are held on Wednesday evenings, between 6pm and 7:30pm. Papers are sent prior to the meeting, for Trustees to read ahead of discussions.
Between meetings, discussion on relevant topics takes place via email or, on occasion, by phone.
We have a small number of active sub-committees and members of the Trustee board serve on those committees where appropriate, dependent on the Trustee’s area of expertise and at the request of the Chair.
Our ideal candidate
PRIORITY SKILLS
All our Trustees must have:
● A commitment to the organisation.
● A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort.
● Strategic vision.
● Good, independent judgement.
● The ability to think creatively.
● A willingness to speak their mind.
● An understanding (or willingness to learn) and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship.
● An ability to work effectively as a member of a team.
● The ability to demonstrate Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness; integrity; objectivity; accountability; openness; honesty; and leadership.
SPECIFICS OF THE TREASURER ROLE
In addition to the other responsibilities of being a member of the Board of Trustees, the Treasurer will provide oversight of, and guidance to, the staff team on financial matters:
● Helping oversee the financial affairs of Tiny Tickers, ensuring its financial viablity while complying with relevant financial regulations.
● Assisting our Chief Executive with financial updates to the Board of Trustees.
● Helping the staff team produce the annual report and accounts.
● Ensuring that accounts are filed and the annual return has been submitted.
● Leading on the Board’s duty to ensure proper accounting records are kept and are in line with good governance, legal and regulatory requirements.
● Monitoring Tiny Tickers’ cash flow position.
● Overseeing the charity’s financial risk management process.
Therefore, applicants should have the suitable skills, experience and qualifications to provide the financial oversight required.
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE
You don’t need to have had experience as a Trustee or being on a Board before - we will offer an induction period and training and development opportunities as required. Much more important to us is your desire to be involved in our charity, and the skillset you possess.
DISQUALIFICATION RULES
Please note that this role is subject to Charity Commission automatic disqualification rules. Selected candidates will be required to complete a declaration to confirm that they are not disqualified. Please visit the Charity Commission website for more information about these rules.
What’s in it for you
A REWARDING EXPERIENCE
You will be joining a welcoming and friendly board that operates in an open and collaborative way, and whose skills and expertise have successfully guided Tiny Tickers to this point in our development.
We will arrange a full induction programme for you to learn about the charity, and meet our teams prior to your formal appointment to the Board.
Your involvement will serve to improve our Board and help move Tiny Tickers forward - having a meaningful impact on the lives of those affected by congenital heart disease. You will be making a valued contribution to our work saving and improving lives.
Your will have the opportunity to broaden your understanding of the charity sector; of congenital heart disease; and of serving on a Board.
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.
